MSc Aerospace Engineering
- MSc
Overview
This programme is for engineering graduates like you, who want to build on your knowledge of advanced aerospace engineering topics and sharpen the skills you'll need to excel in the industry. As a graduate of this programme, you'll have the expertise to tackle the biggest challenges facing the aerospace sector and the skills to lead the development of next-generation solutions.
A world leading education
We are consistently ranked among the top universities for Aerospace Engineering in the UK, including being ranked 5th by The Guardian University Guide 2026 and 4th by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026. This reflects our commitment to research-led teaching from world-renowned experts in the field.
Is this programme right for you?
This programme is ideal if your first degree is in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or another engineering field that includes aerospace content. If you have a more general engineering degree, this programme will enable you to specialise in aerospace engineering, helping you transition directly into the aerospace sector. This technically challenging but highly rewarding programme will require you to bring together advanced mathematical skills with a broad knowledge of engineering disciplines.
Why Bristol?
The city of Bristol is widely recognised as a major global hub for aerospace engineering in the UK. You'll be just minutes away from the operations of global giants like Airbus, Rolls-Royce, GKN Aerospace, Leonardo, Boeing, and BAE Systems, among many other innovative companies such as Stirling Dynamics and Vertical Aerospace.
This strong local industry presence provides unparalleled opportunities for networking, internships, and future employment.
Tailor your degree
Our degree will allow you to specialise in one of four Aerospace disciplines: Aerodynamics, Structures & Materials, Dynamics & Control, or Future Technologies. You will choose one of these streams for your degree which will allow you to hone your skills to develop into an Aerospace Engineer.
Beyond coursework, you'll engage in a group multi-disciplinary design task. This isn't just an academic exercise; the brief is designed to mirror real-world industrial design problems in close collaboration with our industrial partners. You'll apply your advanced aerospace knowledge and develop vital interpersonal skills like communication and teamwork.
The knowledge and skills you'll develop throughout this degree, supported by our world-leading academics and strong industry connections, will position you for a successful and impactful career in aerospace in the UK or globally.
Programme structure
The MSc Aerospace Engineering programme is an advanced degree covering a broad range of aerospace subjects, and with discipline knowledge. It combines a wide stream choice (which set your core units) with optional units, letting you specialise but still allow you to tailor your degree to your interests and career goals.
Term 1: Foundational and Specialised Learning
In your first term, choose from one of four exciting streams. This will set two of your units. You then have the opportunity to choose an additional optional unit spanning advanced aerospace engineering, informed by Bristol's cutting-edge research.
Term 2: Collaborative Design and Advanced Research
During your second term, your discipline stream choice will determine your final technical unit. A major part of this term is the group design project. This multi-disciplinary project challenges you to apply learned concepts to the conceptual design of a full aircraft. The brief mimics industrial problems, developing essential team-working and communication skills.
Term 3: Pioneering Research and Innovation
Finally, your research project places you within one of Bristol's research teams. You'll engage in a cutting-edge research & development project, pushing the state-of-the-art. You will work within small groups to tackle an overarching research question, but also specialise in a particular topic within that discipline.
Ready to dive into these advanced concepts and contribute to aerospace innovation?
Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content.
Entry requirements
You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in Aerospace Engineering (which can also include Aeronautical Engineering or Avionics Engineering), or Mechanical Engineering.
OR
If your degree subject is not listed above, you will need a degree in another Engineering subject and to have studied units in each of these three areas; Aerodynamics, Aeronautics (including Aircraft Dynamics/Performance, Flight Dynamics/Performance), and Aerospace Structures (including Structures and Materials) with 40% or above (or international equivalent) in each unit.
We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply.
We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement.
If your achieved grade is lower than our entry requirements, your application may be more likely to receive an offer if you have additional qualifications. If you have the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing:
- a relevant postgraduate qualification.
Specific module requirements would still apply.
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level E.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
Fees and funding
- Home: full-time
- £16,800 per year
- Overseas: full-time
- £37,900 per year
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Alumni discount
University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.
Funding and scholarships
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
This programme will provide you with key knowledge and skills to succeed in industry. You may choose to work for one of the many large, medium or small aerospace engineering businesses in the Bristol area. Alternatively, an aerospace degree can open doors to a career in the automotive sector.
An engineering degree provides you with a broad skill set, including problem solving, team working and communication. These skills mean engineering graduates are highly employable in a range of areas, including finance, consultancy and project management.
Contact us
- Contact
- Enquiries Team
- Phone
- +44 (0) 121 394 1649
- choosebristol-pg@bristol.ac.uk