BEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering Bachelor's degree at the University of Sheffield
BEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering at University of Sheffield. Rather than treating engineering as a purely technical pursuit, the course places real emphasis on communication, preparing you to work alongside people from a wide range of engineering disciplines, which reflects how aerospace projects…
About this course
You’ll study the research, design, development, construction and flight of aircraft on this course and gain a solid grounding in aerospace engineering. You'll also learn how to communicate effectively with people from a wide range of engineering disciplines. From the provider’s course page.
BEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering is a Bachelor's degree (BEng (Hons)) at the University of Sheffield, based in Main Campus. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Aeronautical and aerospace engineering graduates from this provider, 85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 92% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £33,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Engineering, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Moderate evidence Published sample: 45; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 85% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 94% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
First year 6 modules
- Aerospace Design 1Core20 credits
Module details
This module will introduce students to the basic concepts of aircraft and spacecraft design with a focus on systems engineering, interdisciplinary design and performance. Students will learn about the basic principles of flight and how performance can be calculated during a typical flight/mission including take-off, landing, climb, cruise and turning and orbital mechanics. The basic principles of systems engineering as an approach to aircraft design will be taught and the importance of consideri
- Avionic systems and controlCore20 credits
Module details
This unit will introduce systems and control engineering and its application to aerospace engineering. Examples of aerospace systems are given and the principles of modelling, analysis and control of simple aerospace systems are covered. This unit begins with system engineering principles, modelling and analysis in general, covering linear modelling of low-order systems. Key parameters and terms are introduced such as rise time, settling time and overshoot. The way these techniques can be applie
- Aerospace Materials 1Core20 credits
Module details
This module introduces the student to the concepts of materials selection, microstructure and properties of engineering materials. Students will examine how the macroscopic properties of materials are determined by atomic arrangement and how processing can affect the microstructure and therefore the performance of engineering materials. Finally, the student will be introduced to the key concepts of materials selection for engineering applications.
- Aerospace Statics and ThermofluidsCore20 credits
Module details
The course provides the fundamental concepts and techniques used in Engineering Statics, Dynamics and Fluid mechanics. Two-dimensional statics are covered including force and moment systems, free body diagrams, equilibrium, friction, and the application to typical structures encountered in aerospace engineering applications (such as beams, frames and trusses). Two-dimensional kinematics and kinetics of particles and rigid bodies are covered. An introduction to the use of the Work-Energy methods
- Mathematics (Electrical and Aerospace)Core20 credits
Module details
This module aims to reinforce students' previous knowledge and to develop new basic mathematical techniques needed to support the engineering subjects taken at Levels 1 and 2. It also provides a foundation for the Level 2 mathematics courses in the appropriate engineering department. The module is delivered via online lectures, reinforced with weekly interactive problem classes.
- Electrical fundamentalsCore20 credits
Module details
This module introduces the concepts and analytical tools for examining the behaviour of combinations of passive circuit elements including resistors, capacitors and inductors when driven by ideal voltage and current sources. The ideas involved are important not only from the point of view of modelling avionics circuits but also because many complicated processes in aerospace engineering (as well as other disciplines) are themselves modelled by electric circuits. The passive ideas are extended to
Second year 2 modules
- Aerospace Design IICore20 credits
Module details
In this group design project, students design, manufacture and test a space or air system meeting customer needs which have been defined within a statement of requirement. The module is scenario-based and is intended to provide a sense of realism, drawing on real-life project processes and methodologies. The module brings together aspects of teamwork, project and risk management, project progress tracking and reporting, materials, structures, air/space system design and lifecycles, computer simu
- Aerospace thermofluids 2Core20 credits
Module details
The module is designed to consolidate and extend the students' understanding of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics. A range of analysis techniques will be applied to solve practical problems. Additionally, the module will teach the students the fundamentals and basic applications of heat transfer. The fluid mechanics knowledge developed will be used to aid understanding of the convection aspects of heat transfer. The module will cover the use of both integral control volume and differential anal
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
The course structure moves you progressively from foundational knowledge towards independent, self-directed work. You can expect to encounter areas such as core theory, research & methods, applied practice, specialist options, an independent project, and professional skills. Core theory modules give you the grounding in mathematics, mechanics and engineering science that aerospace design depends on. Research & methods work introduces you to how engineers investigate problems, test hypotheses and validate designs, while applied practice sessions give you hands-on experience putting those methods to use, likely involving design, analysis and problem-solving tasks that mirror real engineering challenges. As you progress, specialist options allow you to focus on particular areas of aerospace engineering that interest you, building depth alongside the broader foundation you've already established. The independent project is where much of this comes together: a chance to work through a substantial piece of engineering work largely under your own direction, drawing on everything you've learned so far. Running throughout is a strand of professional skills, including the communication abilities the university highlights as central to this course, since aerospace engineers must be able to explain their work clearly to colleagues from other disciplines, whether that's a structures specialist talking to a systems engineer or an engineer briefing a non-technical stakeholder.
Who it's for
This course suits someone who has always been curious about how things fly, not just the romance of aircraft, but the underlying physics, materials and systems that make flight possible. If you enjoy mathematics and physics, and like the idea of applying that knowledge to genuinely complex, high-stakes engineering problems, you'll likely find the subject matter engaging rather than daunting. It's also suited to people who don't want to work in isolation. Because the course places real weight on communicating across engineering disciplines, you should be someone who's comfortable collaborating, explaining your reasoning to others, and listening to perspectives from different technical backgrounds. If you can imagine yourself in a team where a structures engineer, a propulsion specialist and a systems engineer all need to align on a shared design, that collaborative mindset will serve you well. Studying aerospace engineering here will feel demanding at times, the independent project in particular calls for self-motivation and the ability to manage a substantial piece of work over an extended period. You should be someone who's willing to work through difficult problems methodically, who takes satisfaction in getting technical detail right, and who's drawn to a field where precision genuinely matters. Most entrants arrive with A-levels or equivalent, typically within the 128–143 UCAS tariff range, though this reflects what past students held rather than a fixed requirement, what matters more is a genuine interest in engineering and a readiness to build both technical depth and professional confidence over the three years.
Careers & job market
Nationally, Engineering graduates report strong continuation into work or further study: 90% are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and 80% of working graduates are in highly skilled roles or further study. Additionally, 88% of students nationally continue past their first year of study, either still enrolled or having completed their course. In terms of earnings, national Graduate Outcomes and LEO data (not specific to this university or course) show starting salaries in the region of £29,000–£35,000 around 15 months after graduation. Three years on, reported earnings range from £26,775–£37,800, and after five years the range moves to £33,150–£46,800. These figures reflect national patterns across graduates broadly and should be read as indicative context rather than a guarantee tied to this specific course. The IET accreditation attached to this course is a relevant factor for those considering a career path towards professional registration as an engineer, since accredited degrees are generally recognised as meeting part of the academic requirement for that route.
University & format
The University of Sheffield is a public, Russell Group university founded in 1905, based at its main campus where this course is delivered full-time over three years. Teaching quality has been assessed as Silver under the Office for Students' TEF 2023 framework, and as a recognised UK degree-awarding body, degrees earned here carry national recognition. The university also offers bursaries and scholarships, and it's worth checking its funding pages directly for current details, as these can vary by year and circumstance. The course itself carries professional accreditation from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), which is a meaningful marker of quality for an aerospace engineering qualification and can be relevant to graduates pursuing chartered or incorporated engineer status later in their careers.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
Names detected beside accreditation or recognition copy on the provider course page; verify the route and intake.
Optional placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 95% |
| a Baccalaureate | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code H402). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at University of Sheffield →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Engineering graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £33,500 | £30,000 – £35,500 | 45 |
| 3 years after | £34,500 | £30,500 – £38,500 | 140 |
| 5 years after | £43,500 | £34,500 – £50,500 | 140 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 45; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in engineering · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Engineering nationally
National figures for Engineering graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 45; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Engineering courses at the same study level.
Compared with 2,256 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Engineering professionalsSOC 2020 212 · 68% of published destinations · ASHE median £50,325
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 110; response rate: 63%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Engineering graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Engineering graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Engineering & manufacturing firms
- Automotive & aerospace
- Energy & utilities
- Defence & consultancies
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Engineering graduates.
Engineering Surveyor (Machine Control)BAM UK & IrelandEngineering Operations Project ManagerFdo Consulting LimitedEngineering ManagerVerto PeopleEngineering ManagerRobert WaltersEngineering ManagerPremier Technical RecruitmentEngineering ManagerRedline Group LtdIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £33,500. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.9 out of 10: NSS 87.1% · in work or study 85% · continued 94%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Sheffield
Engineering and technology across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Main Campus
2,964 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Engineering right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to University of Sheffield from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by University of Sheffield; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check University of Sheffield’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with University of Sheffield and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Sheffield
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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