of Students in work or study six months after finishing
Additional accreditation
Related links
Aerospace Systems
Aerospace systems focuses on the design and use of onboard systems found on most aircraft and spacecraft, and how these systems may be used to improve the operation and performance of aerospace vehicles.
Programme structure
You will study the same courses in the first three years whether you are on the BEng or MEng degree programme. Your selection for BEng or MEng depends on your progress record in your first three years.
Year 1
You will take courses in mathematics and study engineering fundamentals including aerospace engineering, electronics, dynamics, materials, statics, thermodynamics and engineering skills. These courses will form a solid foundation for development later in the degree programme and are supported by individual and group project and laboratory work.
Years 2 and 3
In your second and third years you will concentrate on aerospace dynamics, aeronautical engineering, electronics and systems, electrical circuits and mathematics. Throughout the programme there will be a focus on developing key software programming skills.
Years 4 and 5
The main route to becoming a fully chartered engineer is through the MEng degree, which usually takes five years. The BEng degree remains popular and can normally be completed in four years. To become a fully chartered engineer with a BEng degree requires further study after graduation, which can be done part-time from work.
In year 4 you will study topics including flight simulation, aerospace vehicle guidance and control, radio and radar, dynamics, aircraft handling qualities and aircraft operations.
For BEng students, individual project work allows you to apply the knowledge you have gained during your studies to a problem in aerospace systems. MEng students undertake an interdisciplinary team project instead.
Fifth-year study in MEng widens your knowledge and provides you with more in-depth study of aircraft systems. You will learn about aircraft handling qualities, aircraft operations, and advanced control concepts. Half of your fifth year is devoted to project work.
Special features
Laboratories are present in each year of study. A feature of the fifth year of the MEng is a flight-testing course in a Jetstream Aircraft.
Partner and industry links
Industry involvement comes both from contributions to aircraft design classes by engineers from the industrial sector and, whenever possible, from visits to industrial sites. Most MEng projects are carried out in industry
Our international links
The MEng degree programme allows you to take your fifth-year project in one of our partner universities, international companies and organisations in Europe. We also have partner universities in the USA and Australia, where some students take their third year of study.
Career prospects
The School of Engineering is one of three in the UK selected by BAE Systems for 'preferred' status, which can lead to industrial involvement in the programme and employment with the company. The constant demand for the renewing of aircraft and the increase in the complexity of aircraft systems leads to a demand for aerospace systems engineers, with a wide spectrum of career opportunities in the fields of software and hardware design, simulation and expert systems. Past graduates have gained employment with companies such as QinetiQ, Logica, BAE Systems, Thales and Unisys, while a number of graduates have proceeded to postgraduate research in this specialised and expanding branch of engineering.
Accreditation
Our BEng and MEng degrees are accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society.
Glasgow International College
For international students entry to this programme is supported by courses from GIC.
Academic entry requirements
for entry in 2014
MEng
Highers: AAAAA by end of S5 including Mathematics and Physics.
A-levels: A*AA including Mathematics and Physics.
IB: 36 points including Mathematics HL6 and Physics HL6.
BEng
Highers: Entry from S5 – AAAA or AAABB including Mathematics and Physics at grades A/B or B/A.
Entry from S6 – applicants who achieved a minimum of ABBB including Mathematics and Physics at grades A/B or B/A in S5, may receive an offer based on them attaining AAAAAB by the end of S6. Applicants receiving these offers will be required to study Advanced Highers in relevant subjects.
A-levels: AAB including Mathematics and Physics.
IB: 34 points including Mathematics HL5 and Physics HL5.
BEng students who perform well may transfer to the MEng programme upon completion of years 1, 2 or 3.
Advanced entry
If you have exceptional A-level or Advanced Higher grades it's possible to gain exemption from Year 1 study and enter directly into Year 2 or follow a faster route advanced entry programme, both of which allow you to complete your degree in one year less than usual. See: Advanced entry
English language requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):
- overall score 6.5
- no sub-test less than 6.0
- or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
Common equivalent English language qualifications:
- ibTOEFL: 92; no sub-test less than 20
- CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): B minimum
- CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): C minimum
- PTE Academic (Person Test of English, Academic test): 60; no sub-test less than 59
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:
FAQs
What do I do if...
my language qualifications are below the requirements?
The University's Language Centre offers a range of Pre-Sessional Courses to bring you up to entry level. The course is accredited by BALEAP, the UK professional association for academic English teaching; see Links.
my language qualifications are not listed here?
Please contact the Recruitment and International Office: Elaine.Shortt@glasgow.ac.uk
If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:
- UK Border Agency Tier 4 English Language requirements
- UKBA list of approved English language tests [pdf]
my academic qualifications are below the requirements?
Glasgow International College offers Foundation courses to upgrade your academic qualifications.
Visa requirements and proof of English language level
It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.
For further information about English language, please contact the Language Centre.
Tuition fees
How and when you pay tuition fees depends on where you’re from: see Tuition fees for details. If you’re from outside the EU, please see International students for more information.
Scholarships
We offer a wide range of scholarships to our undergraduates, including both home/EU and international students. The University is committed to supporting students and rewarding academic excellence. That’s why we’ve invested more than £1m in additional scholarship funding over the last year.
For a full list of scholarships including eligibility criteria and how to apply, please see: