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Aircraft Engineering

BEng (Hon) · 4 Years · Full-time · 08/09/2025 · UndergraduatePaisley Campus

Course summary

OVERVIEW

Prepare yourself for a career in the aerospace industry with BEng (Hons) Aircraft Engineering. Designed in partnership with industry, this programme will provide you with the skills required to work effectively in the aircraft design, manufacturing, aerodynamic and structural design and repair and overhaul sectors.
This programme is delivered via laboratories and software sessions to ensure you have a sound academic underpinning and the practical skills necessary to launch a successful career in this industry.

PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS

• You’ll gain the skills related to a wide range of sectors and specialisms within the aerospace industry.
• You’ll study project and quality management to ensure you’re equipped with the management skills required for a high-flying engineering career.
• Visits to organisations such as Spirit AeroSystems and British Airways will allow you to see real-world applications of the subjects you’ll study throughout this programme.
• BEng (Hons) Aircraft Engineering Aircraft Engineering is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council. The accredited BEng (Hons) Aircraft Engineering meets, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer and students will need to complete an approved format of further learning pursuant to the requirements of UK-SPEC. The accredited BEng (Hons) Aircraft Engineering also automatically meets in full, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng).

PROGRAMME DETAILS

This programme has been designed to meet the needs of southwest Scotland’s aerospace cluster, which includes BAE Systems, Spirit AeroSystems, Collins Aerospace and Ryanair. However, the skills you’ll develop are appropriate for careers in the UK and international industries too.

CAREERS

As an Aircraft Engineering graduate you’ll have the wide-ranging skills to take on roles in design, research, development, manufacturing, management or maintenance in the sector.

MODULES

Year 1
Applied statics and dynamics, materials and mathematics provide a foundation to engineering design. Professional and industrial studies are introduced alongside skills development in communications and IT technology.
Year 2
Topics include design of aerospace structures and systems, strength of materials, vibration theory, materials and manufacturing technology. The formal engineering design process and how it relates to aircraft engineering practice is introduced; as well as computer-aided design and information technology related techniques.
Year 3
Skills in design and applied mechanics are enhanced. Aerodynamics and aircraft performance; intelligent systems and control technologies; aircraft design and
modelling; advanced computer-based analysis and simulation techniques are introduced, along with project management skills.
Year 4
Aerodynamic understanding is enhanced whilst design, analysis and testing of composite structures is introduced. Computer-aided engineering design is explored further through finite element analysis and computational fluid dynamics is introduced. Aircraft conceptual design and a major individual project complete the learning in Year 4.

ASSESSMENT METHOD

A variety of assessment approaches are utilised throughout the course such as examination, written coursework, portfolio and presentations.

PROFESSIONAL BODIES

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
• Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)

Modules

Throughout the course, a variety of topics will be covered which include the design of aerospace structures and systems, strength of materials, vibration theory, thermofluids, materials and manufacturing technology. The formal engineering design process and how it relates to aircraft engineering practice is introduced; as well as computer-aided design and information technology related techniques. You’ll also study project and business management to ensure you’re equipped with the management skills required for a demanding and rewarding engineering career. Check the 'Course Details' section on the course entry on the UWS website for more information on topics covered per year.

Assessment method

A variety of assessment approaches are utilised throughout the course such as examination, written coursework, portfolio and presentations.

Professional bodies

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

  • Mechanical Engineers, Institution of

Qualified teacher status (QTS)

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

  • Course does not award QTS

How to apply

Apply by
29 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
H410
Institution code:
U40
Campus name:
Paisley Campus
Campus Code:
P

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3
  • Year 4

Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)

Year 2 Entry
Scottish Advanced Highers: CCD (112 UCAS Tarrif points) including Maths and Physics
T Level: Full T Level in relevant subject with Grade M (120 Tariff points)
A Levels: BBC (112 UCAS Tarrif points) including Maths and Physics
International Baccalaureate: 28 points
BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM
SQA HNC/BTEC Level 4 HNC: Mechanical Engineering; Aircraft Engineering

Year 3 Entry
SQA HND/BTEC Level 5 HND: Aircraft Engineering; Aircraft Maintenance; Mechanical Engineering; Engineering Systems or other relevant discipline

International applicants

ACADEMIC TECHNOOGY APPROVAL SCHEME (ATAS) CERTIFICATE
Many international applicants (see exempt nationalites*) are advised that they will need to obtain an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before they can be considered for an unconditional offer of study on this undergraduate integrated masters course.

Entry Clearance Officers (ECO) will ask to see your ATAS certificate as part of your visa application process.

UK immigration law does not allow universities to permit international students to study for an ATAS applicable course until the student has supplied the university with all the relevant ATAS certificate details for their application.

*EXEMPT NATIONALITIES
Students who are nationals of EU countries, the European Economic Area (EEA), Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland or the United States of America do not need an ATAS certificate to study on ths course.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. These are shown below.

Entry requirements

Standard Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 90 points

including Maths

A level - CCD

Including Maths and Physics

Scottish Higher - BCCC

Including Maths, plus National 5 Physics at B

Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) - DDM

For year 2 entry

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 24 points

Including Maths and Physics Entry to year 2 with 28 points, including Maths and Physics

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3, H4

Including Maths and Physics.

Scottish HNC - Pass

Entry to Year 2 with HNC Mechanical Engineering and HNC Aircraft Engineering

Scottish HND - Pass

Entry to Year 3 with HND Aircraft Engineering; HND Aircraft Maintenance; HND Mechanical Engineering; HND Engineering Systems or other relevant discipline

T Level - Pass (C and above)

in relevant subject For year 2 entry, grade M required in relevant subject

Entry to Year 1 with SWAP (BBB) Access to STEM.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

UCAS Tariff - 63 points

including Maths and Physics

A level - CCD

Including Maths and Physics

Scottish Higher - CCC

including Maths, plus National 5 Physics at B Alternative Minimum Entry Requirements: CC (42 UCAS Tariff points), including Maths and National 5 Physics at B, PLUS successful completion of one of the following: UWS Foundation Academy Foundation Apprenticeship UWS Next Steps to University module Top-Up LEAPS

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3, H4

Including Maths and Physics

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 minimum in each skill / component.
Cambridge English Advanced176 overall with no sub-test less than 169
Cambridge English Proficiency176 overall with no sub-test less than 169
Trinity ISEPassISEII with the minimum of a Pass in all sub-tests
PTE Academic54An overall score of 54 with no element below 51
TOEFL (iBT)78no sub-test less than: Reading: 17; Listening: 17; Speaking: 17; Writing: 17
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The reason for this is that it’s essential that you are able to read, speak and understand the English language to get the most out of your time at UWS. All international applicants are required to meet minimum English language standards, with the exception of: // Native speakers of English // Erasmus students (unless advised otherwise) // non-Erasmus students from EU partner institutions (your institution must provide confirmation of your English language ability in the absence of a formal qualification) The qualifications above must have been gained within two years prior to the start of your course at UWS.

UWS's English language requirements https://www.uws.ac.uk/international/english-language-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.

Our Minimum Entry Requirements are applicable to those applicants who have not had an equal opportunity to demonstrate their academic ability at school or college and are known as ‘widening access’ applicants. We also sometimes refer to this type of applicant as receiving a ‘contextual’ offer. For more information, please visit our website using the link below.

Learn more on the University of the West of Scotland website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted 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.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

75 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

100 Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
Channel Islands£9250Year 1
Republic of Ireland£9250Year 1
England£9250Year 1
Northern Ireland£9250Year 1
Wales£9250Year 1
Scotland£1820Year 1
EU£18000Year 1
International£18000Year 1

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

Students from England, Northern Ireland and Wales are offered one year of free tuition fees at the University of the West of Scotland and so students only pay for 3 years of study from a 4 year undergraduate degree programme.

Sponsorship information

Visit www.uws.ac.uk/scholarships

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