Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering

Turn ideas into engineered solutions and overcome some of society’s biggest challenges.
Aeronautical and aerospace engineering refers to the development of aircraft and spacecraft. It involves using science, engineering and computational and analytical skills to design vehicles and structures that interact with the Earth’s atmosphere and beyond.
From choosing materials that maximise structural strength to optimising aerodynamics and fuel economy, today’s industry-leading aeronautical and aerospace engineers are developing new technologies for use in aviation, defence systems, and spacecraft.
Studying aeronautical and aerospace engineering at Leeds will develop your abilities in mathematics, physics, materials and computer science. All of this knowledge is backed-up with a strong design philosophy, which will equip you to design, analyse, manufacture and operate aircraft and aerospace vehicles. You’ll be prepared to help meet the challenges facing the aerospace sector, such as global security and environmental concerns around fuel costs and climate change.
Our active Industrial Advisory Board helps inform the development of this course to ensure it is up to date with industry developments and requirements. That’s one of the reasons why our graduates are so in demand from industry, and why our courses are accredited by the leading professional bodies.
By the end of your course, you'll have the confidence and skills be at the forefront of cutting-edge technology that drives the aeronautical and aerospace industry forward.

"I originally chose Leeds mainly based on its rankings for my course, and since then have found that this is a great city to be a student in."
Theo Youds, Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering MEng, BEng

Why study at  Leeds

• Accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Royal Aeronautical Society.

• A practical course: You’ll benefit from specialist facilities, including extensive lab space and equipment such as wind tunnels, our high-spec computer cluster for computer-aided design (CAD) work and computational modelling, in aerodynamic analysis for example, and workshop facilities for various rapid prototyping systems.

• Develop your programming skills: Use systems like Matlab as well as microprocessor systems, giving you everything you need to get started on your career in engineering.

• Benefit from our globally recognised research: It feeds directly into your course and shapes what you learn at Leeds with the latest thinking.

• Develop your experience and boost your career prospects: Our industrial placement opportunities or study abroad programmes are on offer.

• Join our student society MechEngSoc: A great opportunity for you to meet people from different cultures and backgrounds who share your passion for mechanical engineering.

Rankings and awards
Top 100 in the world for Engineering and Technology, QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026
Top 10 in the UK for Mechanical Engineering, Complete University Guide 2026

Where this degree could take you
Here’s an insight into the job roles some of our most recent graduates have obtained:

• Project Engineer, Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre with Boeing

• Flight Physics Engineer, Airbus

• Research Engineer, AMRC

• Gas Turbines Design Engineer, Assystem UK

• Avionics Technical Engineer, British Airways

• Nuclear Engineer, EDF Energy

Career support
10 most targeted for 10+ years by the UK's leading employers, The Graduate Market 2026, High Fliers Research
At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one.
Our Careers Service has the global expertise and sector-spanning industry partnerships that, combined, go way beyond simply helping you get a job. They provide you with the resources you need to upskill and achieve the future you aspire towards – even in the face of lightning-paced change.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• Mechanical Engineers, Institution of
• Aeronautical Society, Royal