Aerospace Materials

Aerospace relies heavily on advanced structural and functional materials. Materials engineers play a key role in solving critical aerospace challenges by developing advanced materials to respond to evolving regulations, sustainability targets, and rising demand for high-performance aircraft and space systems.

As a result, Aerospace Materials is an increasingly important area of study as the industry adapts to these changing technological and environmental needs. The materials used in aircraft, spacecraft, and propulsion systems must achieve an exceptional balance of performance, safety, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. Alongside structural integrity and durability, materials must also withstand extreme temperatures, pressures, and in-service environments.

Our Aerospace Materials degree combines the core principles of materials engineering with specialist training directly relevant to the aerospace sector. You will explore the scientific, engineering, and design aspects of aerospace materials, including their structure, properties, processing methods, and behaviour in service, across both air and space applications.

At Loughborough, the course takes you from the fundamental science and engineering of materials to the cutting edge of aerospace innovation. You will benefit from access to state-of-the-art experimental laboratories that complement your lectures and practical work, and you will be taught by world-leading academics at the forefront of materials research.

In your third year, you will complete an individual research project on a topic of particular interest, supervised by a member of academic staff and potentially undertaken in collaboration with industrial partners from the aerospace sector.

Supported by leading organisations across the aerospace and defence industries, this course provides excellent preparation for a career in a globally significant and technologically advanced industry.

Our Aerospace Materials course draws on Loughborough University’s status as a Centre of Excellence, recognised by major employers such as BAE Systems and Airbus, and other leaders in aerospace engineering and materials research. The programme offers a unique blend of in-depth materials engineering expertise, an understanding of aircraft design, and the international perspective required of professional aerospace engineers

What's the difference between MEng and BEng?

The first three years of our BEng and MEng degrees share the same content, format and structure, with a good mix of theory, application and practical content from day one. The MEng differs from the BEng course in the fourth year by offering the opportunity to study technical topics at a more advanced level. It is possible to transfer from a BEng to an MEng from the start of the course up to the end of the second year, providing that transfer progression criteria have been met.

Students are assessed by a mixture of coursework and written examinations.

Modules containing design-orientated work, individual and group projects are also assessed by oral presentation and in some cases poster presentation.

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

• Materials, Minerals and Mining, Institute of