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Aeronautical Engineering - Glasgow

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Reply 60
Original post by Aadil249
I see. I am going to the open days next week and if I can't speak to anyone there I'll email them.
I emailed strathclyde already. Dr Galloway said if I were to made an offer it would be AAA at ah! I was like you can't be serious. But I'm sure it won't we that competitive that they won't consider me. Since this conversation I am going with the BEng route - don't want to Hurt my chances of getting too high requirements.
I did however attend the Scottish space academy that strathclyde select pupils to attend so that will hopefully help in my application. I love the course at Glasgow but to me I think Aero-Mechanical is a better option.


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Just to comment on the disclaimer, as a student that just finished 3rd year he is correct. All depends on grades in 1st to 3rd year for progress to MEng or BEng.
Original post by Keese
Many thanks for the links.

I took this decision on advice from Dr Green saying specifically don't bother with the MEng if you plan on going into research. Though Dr Green has been a total ******* this year, so he probably just wants shot of us quicker. I've looked at a couple of other unis and only 1 or 2 have said MEng or MSci 2:1 so hopefully I should be alright.


His advice is quite right. If you're planning on doing a PhD, then in terms of career value, etc, an MEng is pretty worthless.

Most PhD positions require a minimum of a 2.1 Bachelors w/Honours, so there's no point getting an MEng at the expense of one year just to supersede it with a PhD.

Having said that, PhD positions are so competitive these days that you're not guaranteed to get one with a 2.1 Bachelors. Most of the people I was up against for my PhD position had Masters degrees. So although you don't need one to meet the minimum requirements, and it takes an extra year with no real career value, it can often by useful in setting your mark (or at least levelling out) with the candidates you're likely to be up against.

Definitely agree with you about the entries. Too many student lack the basics in my honest opinion, and they get quickly found out. Be that the maths, the physics, or just not being an idiot.


Aye, standard is lacking indeed.

Just finished 3rd year. My advice, work hard. Massive step up from 2nd year. In fact, ridiculous step up. They could make 2nd year harder to lessen the jump.


Aye it is that. If you get through third year you'll pretty much get a degree of some description in the end.
(edited 11 years ago)
Reply 62
I got told that universities look at 2 B's to equal 1 A. If that is right I should have AAA and if they want AAAAAB then I'm only AAB away so with the subjects I'm doing ( 2 Adv Highers and 1 higher) it would sound reasonable to get 3 B's in them. So to me I think that's do able. Would you still recommend applying for BEng instead?


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Original post by Aadil249
I got told that universities look at 2 B's to equal 1 A. If that is right I should have AAA and if they want AAAAAB then I'm only AAB away so with the subjects I'm doing ( 2 Adv Highers and 1 higher) it would sound reasonable to get 3 B's in them. So to me I think that's do able. Would you still recommend applying for BEng instead?


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If you can confirm that Strathclyde works on the same basis as Glasgow, i.e. your progression to either BEng or MEng is decided by your performance in years 1-3 and NOT by what you initially applied for, then yes, I'd recommend applying for the BEng.

Increases your chances by lowering their expectation on you in terms of entry requirements, but doesn't disadvantage you from continuing on to MEng if you want to and if your grades allow.
Reply 64
Okay that sounds like a good way to go. I spoke to a few students who are studying it at strathclyde and they have said some have even moved up after year 1 and 2 so BEng is reasonable. :biggrin: Thanks for the help :smile:


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hi there.. do u have notes and past year test papers for all year 3 modules and year 2 maths module?
i am struggling student in year 3.
pls reply *Mod edit: - Please do not include your email address or any other personal contact details in public posts. If people can help (and giving past papers is allowed) they can do so by contacting you privately. Thank you*
thank you.
(edited 11 years ago)
Reply 66
Original post by saravanan8363
hi there.. do u have notes and past year test papers for all year 3 modules and year 2 maths module?
i am struggling student in year 3.
pls reply *Mod edit: - Please do not include your email address or any other personal contact details in public posts. If people can help (and giving past papers is allowed) they can do so by contacting you privately. Thank you*
thank you.


Why are you struggling with year 3 if it hasn't started yet? I have my own solutions to most past papers from 3rd year, certainly from semester 2, but at this stage they will be of no use as you will have no understanding of the concepts. You cannot expect to do well in 3rd year memorising past paper solutions. Of course, past papers are freely available from the university website.
(edited 11 years ago)
Original post by saravanan8363
hi there.. do u have notes and past year test papers for all year 3 modules and year 2 maths module?
i am struggling student in year 3.
pls reply *Mod edit: - Please do not include your email address or any other personal contact details in public posts. If people can help (and giving past papers is allowed) they can do so by contacting you privately. Thank you*
thank you.


If you're struggling, I provide tuition for the Aeronautical Engineering degree (subject dependent, but can certainly help with mathematics!). PM me if interested.
Reply 68
Original post by djpailo
I'm starting my 4th year this year. At my university, they retaught the AS maths syllabus in the first year and then taught more advanced calculus in the second year. Don't worry too much about the mathematics. It'll help if you freshen up, but essentially, because everyone was taught different things depending on the Country they took their exams or the exam boards, they basically reteach everything you need so that everyone is on a level playing field.

If your course is common (i.e first two years are same for all engineers), then you'll learn thermodynamics, fluid dynamics and mathematics. You'll probably do some electrical type course too and some control. You'll also be doing plenty of CAD and programming, typically C/C++. It sounds daunting but its taught well. After the common years you get taught flight mechanics / dynamics, flight control and aerodynamics.

If your course isn't common, you'll basically still learn more or less the same things, but everything is based on aircraft. You'll probably start aerodynamics a bit earlier too.

All engineers will have a variety of team projects, sometimes with one or two friends, and other times in larger groups. Occasionally the projects will involve other engineering students from different disciplines.

You might get lucky and have a bit of practical work - you probably will, but the majority of work will be theoretical.

You'll have plenty of tests throughout the year that count for a small amount. You'll have several exams for each unit, sometimes its split between Jan and July, other times not, depending on your university. The exams aren't tough if you work throughout the year, but trust me, you DO need to revise. Revising the night before and you won't get a first. I guarantee that. Usually, the exams are of a reasonable level and if you do past papers and revise thoroughly, you can definitely get a 2.1 and maybe a first if you do know your stuff well and are able to do the problems. Most questions are maths based problem solving questions. They should give you example sheets to help you and past papers. Make sure you do the example sheets (the practice questions) otherwise more than likely you'll fail your exams. Many people do the example sheets as part of their revision which is a decent idea. The other questions will be explaining principles and demonstrating knowledge.

Make sure you work in first year. Some universities, the first year doesn't count for anything towards your final degree mark. But the first year teaches you the foundations in everything. If you understand and remember the foundations, EVERYTHING becomes a lot easier, particularly when having to read things with textbooks in later years. I can't stress that enough- work hard from first year and do not take it easy. Engineering is a very difficult degree. You can take great pride doing well, but you do need to make sacrifices. You can easily have a social life / freshers week / societies, but make sure you stay ahead of your work. Even if you can't stay ahead, stay cool and keep working. Most people always have work to do in engineering. My favourite saying is, "If you don't have anything to do as an engineering student, you are probably doing something wrong".

Finally, it sounds daunting, but it gets better as you go along and start learning really amazing things- and start understanding the world around you.


Man this might sound gay but I love you for typing this!!! Thanks man I'm an aspiring a-level student in my last year and I want to do mechanical or aerospace engineering. I'll definitely take this advice thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


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Reply 69
Original post by ThisIsTheLife
If you're struggling, I provide tuition for the Aeronautical Engineering degree (subject dependent, but can certainly help with mathematics!). PM me if interested.


Can you help me decide on whether to do mechanical or aerospace? I want an opinion from someone who has done aerospace/aeronautical!! The reason I can't decide is if I do aerospace n it turns out I don't like it as much as ithink I do then I wud have specialised wayy to quickly whereas if I do mechanical ill be able to then specialise in aero? Helpp :frown: cant decide
Original post by a10
Can you help me decide on whether to do mechanical or aerospace? I want an opinion from someone who has done aerospace/aeronautical!! The reason I can't decide is if I do aerospace n it turns out I don't like it as much as ithink I do then I wud have specialised wayy to quickly whereas if I do mechanical ill be able to then specialise in aero? Helpp :frown: cant decide


I did Aeronautical and my girlfriend does Mechanical, so I suppose I know what both are like in detail.

It really depends what you prefer. Mechanical Engineering degrees tend to have more content related to structures, materials, mechanics of solids, statics, etc, whereas aeronautical has a lot more content on aerodynamics, fluid mechanics, general dynamics (space dynamics, etc).

Also I find mechanical to be a very generalised degree, whereas aeronautical is a lot more focussed and everything you do has a reason behind it in terms of describing the physics behind a specific type of vehicle.

Although with Mechanical, there is usually more robotics/electromechanical orientated courses which are very cool, and you don't get too much of that in aerospace.

In terms of career opportunities, both degrees are pretty much the same and tend to be certified by the same professional bodies, so I wouldn't worry or think about that. Just try to get a look at the courses taught on both types of courses and see which ones you think will appeal more to you.

For example, the aeronautical degree at glasgow is accredited by both the Royal Aeronautical Society AND the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. Whereas the Mechanical engineering degree is only accredited by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.

There's very few subjects that a Mechanical Engineering student will cover that an Aerospace Engineering student won't. The only difference is that the mechanical engineering student applies his studies to generalised mechanical systems, whereas aeronautical engineering students apply their studies to aircraft and spacecraft. But that doesn't mean that they can't very easily apply their thinking to other types of systems if they were asked to, and for that reason, no company is going to turn down an Aeroengineer for being "too specialised".

For me, I hate studying thing that don't (or barely) move, and I prefer my objects of study to be moving at several hundred km/h at least, so for me aeronautical was a natural choice of mechanical.
(edited 11 years ago)
Reply 71
For me, I hate studying thing that don't (or barely) move, and I prefer my objects of study to be moving at several hundred km/h at least, so for me aeronautical was a natural choice of mechanical.

I love aircraft everytime i travel and im at the airport im always looking at the aircraft, things the models of aircraft types of different engines etc...this is what started my love for aerospace/aeronautical! Aerospace and aeronautical are virtually identical just maybe 1 or 2 modules in the last year are different. The only reason for mechanical is from what i read on the course structure most universities have modules in aerospace,civil,electronic etc that you can choose from in your final year of study...so with that in mind i wanted to do mechanical then in last year specialise in aero. However i need to start going to open days and asking the lectures these questions perhaps that will help me even more to decide. One question about open days do you pay to go to the uni or is it just transport you have to pay for?
I don't know if anyone on this thread is still active but if anyone is can they tell me if there is a lot of 'class presentations' like standing up and discussing things with the class?
Reply 73
Original post by munchen102
I don't know if anyone on this thread is still active but if anyone is can they tell me if there is a lot of 'class presentations' like standing up and discussing things with the class?


1 each year from 2nd to 4th year, as well as including final year project presentation. Presenting an idea or design is an integral part of engineering.
Original post by Keese
1 each year from 2nd to 4th year, as well as including final year project presentation. Presenting an idea or design is an integral part of engineering.


Ok thanks. What is the average duration of the presentation (obviously they vary) but just an average and are they group or individual ?
Reply 75
Original post by munchen102
Ok thanks. What is the average duration of the presentation (obviously they vary) but just an average and are they group or individual ?


They are group, excluding your final year project but by then you will be confident.

It sounds daunting, but it's really not. It is typically a group design exercise, groups of 4-6, and you present as a group. 10-15mins maximum, you present to a lecturer and a few phd students normally that look like they'd rather be anywhere but there. The first one is quite nerving but after that it's really not that big a deal. I have two next week - my final year project one, and my design one. For my design there is 6 of us in the group, so I'll present my part (aerodynamic improvements) for maybe 2 -2mins 30 seconds max.
Original post by Keese
They are group, excluding your final year project but by then you will be confident.

It sounds daunting, but it's really not. It is typically a group design exercise, groups of 4-6, and you present as a group. 10-15mins maximum, you present to a lecturer and a few phd students normally that look like they'd rather be anywhere but there. The first one is quite nerving but after that it's really not that big a deal. I have two next week - my final year project one, and my design one. For my design there is 6 of us in the group, so I'll present my part (aerodynamic improvements) for maybe 2 -2mins 30 seconds max.


Thanks that is a really great reply!

Have you enjoyed your time at Glasgow doing Aero ?
Reply 77
Original post by munchen102
Thanks that is a really great reply!

Have you enjoyed your time at Glasgow doing Aero ?


It's had it's ups and downs. Glasgow is a great city, you'll definitely enjoy that part of it. The course is on the whole good, but extremely theory based. It's hard going. The standard of teaching on the whole is good, the senior lecturers in particular, as you'd expect I guess. There are a few classes that you will seriously question the point in like economics in 1st year but ho hum. One or two lecturers I can't help but wonder how in gods name they got to where they are. But that actually comes as a nice break to some of the harder stuff.

I do have one problem with Aero at Glasgow, and it's quite serious. There seems to be an elitist attitude in the department and you get the feeling some of the lecturers can't be bothered helping you, don't want to, or feel you are wasting their time (They have their own research etc). This is a serious issue and something I will be writing about in my review. It's pretty much the case that we will approach them as a last resort, which isn't right.

The course is bloody hard, be prepared to work.
Reply 78
Original post by Keese
You cannot expect to do well in 3rd year memorising past paper solutions. Of course, past papers are freely available from the university website.


I beg to differ. :biggrin:
Reply 79
My Maths, Thermofluids, and Programming exams are coming up in a few weeks. Must say, Fluids is the toughest section of first year, found myself switching off a lot during lectures. Ive been complacent with revision for programming as 40% of the exam comes from labs from which I got 39%.

All in all I've really enjoyed my first year during Aero Engineering. Freshers was awesome. Glasgow nightlife in general is good. I haven't even sorted a flat for next year yet :/ whoops!

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