Aeronautical Engineering (with placement year)

"This course is ideal if you want to become a pilot or work as an engineer or manager in the airline industry.

On our Aeronautical Engineering degree we place special emphasis on flight deck design, particularly the relationship between pilot and modern fly-by-wire computer interfaces. You will learn about propulsion systems, which covers gas turbine engines, rocket engines and internal combustion engines. Get hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art labs, which include a flight simulator that can simulate Boeing and Airbus aircraft as well as helicopters, and a new computerised wind tunnel. The computer-aided design (CAD) techniques you’ll learn are the ones used by professional practitioners in the sector, including Finite Element Analysis and Computational Fluid Dynamics. You'll also get to take part in a group-based project so you can apply your skills and knowledge to a real aircraft engineering design brief.

Many graduates from this course have gone on to pilot roles with companies such as British Airways, Etihad, Monarch, the Royal Air Force and Virgin. Others have secured engineering roles with companies like Rolls Royce, General Electric, Augusta Westland Airbus Helicopters and Eurocopter. Alternatively you could study an MSc in Aeronautical Engineering.

On our Aeronautical Engineering degree we place special emphasis on flight deck design, particularly the relationship between pilot and modern fly-by-wire computer interfaces. You will learn about propulsion systems, which covers gas turbine engines, rocket engines and internal combustion engines.

Get hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art labs, which include a flight simulator that can simulate Boeing and Airbus aircraft as well as helicopters, and a new computerised wind tunnel.

The computer-aided design (CAD) techniques you’ll learn are the ones used by professional practitioners in the sector, including Finite Element Analysis and Computational Fluid Dynamics. Many of these subjects are taught in group-based projects so you can apply your skills and knowledge to a real aircraft engineering design brief.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BEng (Hons) Aeronautical Engineering

From your first day to your graduation day and beyond, University of Staffordshire will help you build your future career.

Recently named University of the Year (Academic Employability Awards 2026, Graduate Futures Institute), employability is embedded across the student experience.You’ll be involved in real-world projects and activities that develop your professional practice. You’ll also make connections that open doors through employer partnerships and industry mentoring opportunities.

Expect lots of hands-on learning too. You can travel from crime scene to courtroom in simulation spaces – and bring topics to life with AI and VR-powered technology.

You’ll also get personalised support, with your own academic mentor. Staffordshire prides itself on offering an inclusive, welcoming environment. With more than 70 clubs and societies, and a brand new Student Village, there’s a community waiting for you. Click Call University to secure your place at University of Staffordshire today.