Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering
An undergraduate degree, usually three or four years after secondary school, that gives you a broad grounding in a field before you specialise, go on to a master's or start work.
Overview
Why study a Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering?
A bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering is a first degree for school leavers with strong mathematics and physics. It is usually titled BEng, BS, BASc or Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and lasts three to four years, or longer for an integrated master's in the UK or a degree with co-op terms in Canada. Some universities admit students to a common first year in engineering and let them choose aerospace afterwards, while others recruit directly into the aerospace degree from the first day.
The early terms concentrate on foundations: calculus, mechanics, thermodynamics, fluids, materials, electrical principles and programming. Aerospace content builds steadily, from an introduction to flight in the first year to aerodynamics, structures, propulsion and flight mechanics in the second and third. Laboratory work includes wind tunnel tests, structural loading experiments and engine demonstrations, and most programmes use flight simulators to show how stability and control theory applies to a real aircraft. Design teaching grows from single components to a whole aircraft or spacecraft concept.
The final year usually centres on a group design project and an individual project, alongside options in areas such as space systems, rotorcraft or control. Industry experience counts for a lot in this field, so look for programmes that offer a placement year, co-op terms or summer internships, and for active student teams in rocketry, drone design or small satellites. These give you practical evidence that graduate recruiters in aerospace companies often ask about. If you may seek professional registration later, check the degree's accreditation as well.
Curriculum
What you may study
Bachelor's programmes in Aerospace Engineering usually cover topics such as these.
- Engineering mathematics and statistics
- Thermodynamics and fluid mechanics
- Aerodynamics of aerofoils and wings
- Aircraft structures and materials
- Gas turbine and rocket propulsion
- Flight mechanics, stability and control
- Avionics and aircraft systems
- Introduction to orbital mechanics
- Computer-aided design and finite element analysis
- Aircraft or spacecraft group design project
Published programmes for Aerospace Engineering at Bachelor's
No programmes for Aerospace Engineering at Bachelor's are published yet.
Not in our catalogue yet: that reflects what Universta lists, not what universities teach.
Programmes show each university’s published offering. Course guides describe the course across universities.
Admission
Getting into Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering
Applicants usually need strong Class 12 results, or an equivalent such as A levels or the International Baccalaureate, with good marks in mathematics and physics, and chemistry is often expected as well. Minimum percentages vary widely between universities and countries. English proficiency is shown through IELTS, TOEFL or PTE, and some US universities consider SAT or ACT scores. A personal statement should show a genuine interest in flight or space, ideally backed by a project, a competition or wider reading.
In Germany, Indian Class 12 results alone usually lead to a preparatory Studienkolleg year, although a pass in JEE Advanced or a year of university study in India can allow direct entry to related technical degrees, so check the current rules with the university. German-taught bachelor's degrees normally ask for German at around C1, and Japanese-taught ones need strong Japanese. Places on dedicated aerospace degrees can be limited, so some students also apply for mechanical engineering and take aerospace options later where the university allows it.
Careers
Career pathways
Bachelor's graduates usually start in graduate engineer roles such as these, often through structured graduate schemes.
- Graduate Aerospace Engineer
- Design Engineer
- Stress Engineer
- Manufacturing Engineer
- Quality Engineer
- Test Engineer
- Systems Engineer
- Avionics Engineer
- Maintenance Planning Engineer
- Technical Services Engineer
- Airworthiness Engineer
- UAV Design Engineer
Sectors
Industries
Commercial Aircraft and Engines
Graduates join design, stress, manufacturing and quality teams working on airframes, engines and their components.
Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul
New engineers support airlines and repair organisations with technical services, reliability data and maintenance planning.
Space and Satellites
Junior engineers help assemble, integrate and test satellites, and work on launch vehicle subsystems and ground software.
Defence Aerospace
Where nationality rules allow, graduates work on military aircraft, missiles and their systems, often in systems or test roles.
Drones and Advanced Air Mobility
Smaller companies hire bachelor's graduates to design, build and test uncrewed aircraft and electric air taxi prototypes.
Automotive and Motorsport
Training in aerodynamics and lightweight structures carries over well to vehicle and racing car design teams.
Who hires
Employers
- Airbus
- Boeing
- Rolls-Royce
- Safran
- GKN Aerospace
- Bombardier
- Lufthansa Technik
- Collins Aerospace
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
- Tata Advanced Systems
Named for illustration only; not a ranking, endorsement or partnership.
Outlook
Looking ahead
The aviation industry has set a goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and that target is shaping the work new graduates do. Engineers are needed for more efficient wings and engines, for aircraft able to run on sustainable fuel, and for research aircraft powered by batteries, hydrogen or hybrid systems. Electric vertical take-off aircraft and delivery drones are also working through certification, opening roles in smaller, faster-moving companies alongside the established manufacturers.
The space sector has changed as well. Cheaper launches and small satellites have brought many private companies into a field once led by national agencies, including in India, where private firms now build launch vehicles and Earth observation satellites. For bachelor's graduates this means more varied first jobs, but also strong competition for places on high-profile programmes. Practical evidence from projects, internships and student teams, together with programming skills, helps you stand out.
Specializations
Other Engineering specializations at Bachelor's
Subject
Engineering at Bachelor's
Questions
Questions about Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering
Can I study Aerospace Engineering without physics in Class 12?
Usually not directly. Physics and mathematics are the core entry subjects for aerospace degrees almost everywhere. If you are missing one of them, a foundation year in engineering, offered in countries such as the UK and Australia, may prepare you for entry to the first year. Check whether the foundation programme guarantees progression to aerospace or only to general engineering.
Is a three-year UK BEng enough to work as an aerospace engineer?
For many graduate jobs, yes. Employers recruit BEng graduates into design, manufacturing, test and quality roles. If you want Chartered Engineer status later, a BEng usually needs to be topped up with further learning, such as an accredited master's, whereas an accredited integrated MEng normally covers the full academic requirement.
Does an aerospace bachelor's include flying?
Not as pilot training. Many programmes use flight simulators, and some offer a short flight test course where students record data on board an instrumented aircraft. These experiences connect theory with real flight, but they do not count towards a pilot's licence.
How important are internships during an aerospace bachelor's?
Very. Aerospace employers often fill graduate schemes with students who have already completed a placement or internship with them, and applications for summer and year-long placements can open almost a year ahead. Student design teams and competitions are a good substitute if a placement is hard to find, because they show you can deliver hardware to a deadline.
Plan
Plan your Bachelor's
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