BSc (Honours) Aerospace Technology
UCAS code
H401Attendance
Full-time
Four years full-time (including one year work placement) or three years full-timeAt a glance
Prepare for a career in aerospace using industry standard facilities, which include a state-of-the-art Merlin full motion flight simulator. As part of this course, you have the chance to significantly enhance your career prospects with a paid year in industry.
Key points
Prepare for a career in the aeronautical and aerospace sectors.
Benefit from industry-standard laboratories, including a Merlin flight simulator.
Prototype and test your designs with excellent workshop facilities.
Take the opportunity to go on a paid placement within the aerospace industry.
What is aerospace technology?
Aerospace technology involves the application of engineering to the design, manufacture, testing and operation of products and systems within the aeronautical and aerospace sectors.
About this course
This course prepares you for a career in the aerospace and aeronautical industry. You gain knowledge, skills and experience in aerospace technology flight mechanics and aerodynamics engineering design materials and manufacturing aircraft design aerospace structures electronics/avionics propulsion systems.
Your studies are centred around our industry-standard engineering facilities, designed to prepare you for the workplace. You learn in dedicated aerospace engineering labs that include a sub-sonic wind tunnel for aerodynamics and flight mechanics studies.
We also have a state-of-the-art Merlin, full motion, engineering flight simulator for handling, stability and control studies of existing and concept aircraft. The Merlin simulator allows you to experience and assess, first hand, the handling and performance characteristics of commercial and light aircraft. The simulator also allows aircraft designs developed in class to be flight tested without leaving the ground.
You also make use of general engineering labs for materials science mechanics thermofluids dynamics and control power electronics and transmission avionics Computer Aided Design (CAD) Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).
There are also excellent workshop facilities that include manual and CNC machines, fabrication rapid prototyping and laser cutting. You use these for workshop practice, design-make-test based teaching and prototyping, and proof-of-concept style final-year projects.
Once youve developed skills and knowledge in our labs and workshops, you can apply what youve learnt on a paid work placement in your third year. This is usually within the aerospace sector or a high profile engineering company.
This opportunity allows you to gain new skills and improve your subject and industry understanding, making you more valuable to employers. Sometimes your placement can lead to the offer of a permanent job after you graduate, or may lead you onto a graduate scheme.
Previous students have worked with companies such as Rolls-Royce, Airbus, Augusta Westland, Lockheed Martin and Smiths Aerospace. Currently the average salary for a student on placement is £14,000. Typical placement roles include those in areas such as CAD, design engineering, product design, test engineering and manufacturing.
We have very good links with local flying clubs and you have the opportunity to have trial lessons or progress to a formal qualification on fixed wing aircraft, such as the NPPL, PPL or gliding certificate. Other clubs cater for those interested in hang gliding, microlights or paragliding.
Key areas of study
Throughout the course there is a strong element of project work focusing on analysis design prototyping manufacture testing of aerospace systems and components.
Associated careers
This course offers you a wide choice of career paths in the aerospace industry in roles such as design manufacture test operations project management.
You may find a career specialising in aerodynamics propulsion systems airframe design avionics modelling and simulation.
There are opportunities in other areas too, such as energy, marine, general engineering, manufacturing and consultancy.
Professional recognition
The course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and subject to continuing accreditation by the Institution of Engineering and Technology. It counts towards the academic requirements for registration as a chartered engineer.
Course content
Year one modules
engineering design and technology computer-aided design flight mechanics avionics
Year two modules
materials and manufacturing processes engineering design aerospace propulsion systems aerodynamics aerospace structures
Year three
optional work placement
Final year modules
computational fluid dynamics aircraft performance and design major individual and team projects
Assessment
examinations coursework drawings models posters reports working prototypes
You also take larger individual and team design projects, which we assess at certain stages and by final report.
Entry requirements
2014 entry requirements
This course is not running in 2014
2013 entry requirements
Normally five GCSEs at grade C or above including English language and mathematics, plus one of the following
240 points from at least two GCE/VCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications, including a science subject and including at least 160 points from two GCE/VCE A levels, or BTEC National qualifications, or one AVCE double award.
Access an Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above, in a science-related programme from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate
Foundation pass from our Extended Degree Programme Engineering and Mathematics, dependent on academic performance
If English is not your first language you must have an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
We will make an offer to all applicants who are likely to achieve or better these entry requirements.
Fees
Home and EU students
2013/14 academic year
For 2013 entry, membership of professional bodies is included in the course fee.
International students
2013/14 academic year
Typically £10,680 a year
2014/15 academic year
Typically £11,250 a year
How to apply
You apply for this course through UCAS.
Contact details
For more information or to check the progress of your application phone +44 (0)114 225 5555, fax +44 (0)114 225 2167, e-mail admissions@shu.ac.uk