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Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering

  • 2 Study options
  • Undergraduate
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2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

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.

Professional bodies

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

  • Mechanical Engineers, Institution of
  • Aeronautical Society, Royal

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • Master of Engineering (with Honours) • Full-Time • Time abroad (mandatory) • 5 Years
  • Master of Engineering (with Honours) • Full-Time • 4 Years

Start dates

Application codes

Institution code:
L23

University of Leeds has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Application codes

Institution code:
L23

This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.

Course options

Open days

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
A*AA

A-level: A*AA including Mathematics and either Physics or Chemistry.

Where an A-level Science subject is taken, we require a pass in the practical science element, alongside the achievement of the A-level at the stated grade.

Extended Project Qualification, International Project Qualification: We recognise the value of these qualifications and the effort and enthusiasm that applicants put into them, and where an applicant offers the EPQ, IPQ or ASCC we may make an offer of AAA at A-level including Mathematics and either Physics or Chemistry, plus grade A in EPQ/IPQ/Welsh Bacc ASCC.

Scottish Higher

AA at Advanced Higher level including Mathematics and Physics or Chemistry, and AAAAA at Higher level.

Access to HE Diploma

Pass 60 credits overall with 45 credits at Level 3, with Distinction, to include Mathematics, Calculus, Further Calculus and Physics or Chemistry.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

English Language grade 4 (C) or higher, or an equivalent English language qualification. We will accept Level 2 Functional Skills English instead of GCSE English.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

18 points at higher level to include 6 points in higher level Mathematics and Physics or Chemistry.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDD

DDD (RQF) in an Engineering-related BTEC and a grade A in A Level Mathematics.

We cannot consider BTEC qualifications without A Level Mathematics and do not accept BTEC Maths units in lieu of this A Level requirement

Please note – there may be different requirements for the older QCF BTECs, please contact Admissions.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H1H1H2H2H2H2

H1 H1 H2 H2 H2 H2, including Mathematics and Physics or Chemistry where a H1 must be in either Mathematics or Physics.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
D2D3D3

D2, D3, D3 including Mathematics and Physics or Chemistry.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate: We will accept the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate in lieu of a third A-Level at the same grade, assuming any subject specific requirements are met using alternative qualifications.

Entry requirements for students joining after Year 1: Subject to places being available, you must achieve our published first year entry requirements and the relevant % average in your first year of study. Learning outcomes of year 1 of the degree programme you are applying to must also have been met. https://courses.leeds.ac.uk/f414/aeronautical-and-aerospace-engineering-meng-beng#entry

Additional entry requirements

Other
We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background. Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted. If you live in a neighbourhood where there is low participation in higher education, we may be able to give priority to your application. Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions. Typical Access to Leeds A Level offer: AAB including Mathematics and either Physics or Chemistry, plus a pass in the Access to Leeds scheme. Alternative Entry Scheme for Mature Applicants If you are a mature applicant and you don’t have the required A Levels or GCSE English and Math qualifications, you can complete our Alternative Entry Scheme (subject to meeting the eligibility criteria for the scheme). As part of this, you may be asked to take tests in English and maths and to write an essay. Further information on the support available for mature students can be found at https://www.leeds.ac.uk/mature-students. For alternative qualification offers please contact the admissions team.

English language requirements

IELTS (International English Language Testing System): 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in each section.https://www.leeds.ac.uk/international-admissions/doc/entry-requirements

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

If the most common grade accepted is higher than our entry requirements, this is due to the attainment of our applicants. If you have been made an offer and you meet or exceed the grades of your offer, you will be accepted.

If grades lower than our entry requirements have been accepted, in most cases this is because we operate contextual admissions as part of our decision making, which considers factors beyond grades. For more information about contextual admissions, please visit our website.

Learn more on the University of Leeds website

International entry requirements

To see the equivalent entry requirements for your country, please visit our website. https://www.leeds.ac.uk/admissions-qualifications

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

This course may have Historical entry grades data available, please select a course option to view.

Course options

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

For further information please see http://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduatefees

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