Help with Choosing My 5th University for Aerospace Engineering

Hi! I’m applying for Aerospace Engineering programs in the UK, and I’m down to choosing my fifth university, but I need some advice from anyone who knows the programs well.

So far, my choices are:

Bristol
Bath
Southampton
Sheffield

For my fifth option, I’m debating between Manchester, Nottingham, Leeds and Glasgow.

I'm particularly interested in practical, hands-on learning, focusing on space-based aerospace engineering. I’d love to hear from anyone with experience with these programs or who knows which university would best match these interests!

Reply 1

PS Reviewer

You can always apply now to 4 choices and add your 5th choice after christmas (but before the january deadline)

Reply 2

djepoxy

Original post by PQ

You can always apply now to 4 choices and add your 5th choice after christmas (but before the january deadline)

Yes I know that I am just trying to hear about people's experiences about studying aerospace in listed universities.

Reply 3

Kingston Grace

Official Rep

Original post by djepoxy

Hi! I’m applying for Aerospace Engineering programs in the UK, and I’m down to choosing my fifth university, but I need some advice from anyone who knows the programs well.
So far, my choices are:
Bristol
Bath
Southampton
Sheffield
For my fifth option, I’m debating between Manchester, Nottingham, Leeds and Glasgow.
I'm particularly interested in practical, hands-on learning, focusing on space-based aerospace engineering. I’d love to hear from anyone with experience with these programs or who knows which university would best match these interests!

Hi @djepoxy

Unfortunately I can't give you first hand experience of what it is like studying Aerospace Engineering MEng/BEng (Hons) here at Kingston as I don't personally study it. However I can give you a bit of an insight of the university, campus and department.

I also have heard good things from a friend here who studied the undergraduate course here at Kingston and has now continued at Kingston doing the masters.

Firstly where you would be studying. Kingston has 4 campuses and the engineering courses are based at Roehampton Vale. It is nice as it creates a community of engineering students. This campus also has great facilities, I was impressed by the wind tunnels and flight simulator when I went to visit. They also have lots of computer rooms with the latest software and 3D printing. There are also always technicians on hand in the labs to help you with your work.

I would really recommend coming to an open day to see the facilities for yourself. The same with any other universities you are considering, going to an open day really helps you get a feel for whether or whether not you could see yourself studying and living there. As well as the chance to speak to lectures and students.

Feel free to ask me any questions about Kingston and I hope this helps :smile:

-Grace (Kingston Rep)

Reply 4

mnot

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by djepoxy

I don’t think any aerospace engineering would be primarily focused on astronautical engineering over aeronautical but some have more than others. You’re probably best off looking at optional modules for every institution, I suppose challenging thing with this is space relevant technology could easily be a constituent of a broader topic.

Id also note realistically space engineering is unlikely to be particularly “hands on” in a meaningful capacity unless you are conducting specific development programs you are more likely to find in industry or academic research rather than an undergraduate degree. The most important thing for a career in the space industry is probably excellent academic & strong theoretical capability. Everyone ive seen in space sector in UK is very analytical, and the industry is very academically oriented.

Reply 5

StuRepAbian

Official Rep

Original post by djepoxy

Hi! I’m applying for Aerospace Engineering programs in the UK, and I’m down to choosing my fifth university, but I need some advice from anyone who knows the programs well.
So far, my choices are:
Bristol
Bath
Southampton
Sheffield
For my fifth option, I’m debating between Manchester, Nottingham, Leeds and Glasgow.
I'm particularly interested in practical, hands-on learning, focusing on space-based aerospace engineering. I’d love to hear from anyone with experience with these programs or who knows which university would best match these interests!

Hello @djepoxy!

As @mnot states, it would be best to look into optional modules run by the universities that you are considering. There are universities that have some practical elements embedded into the teaching which may involve working with FlatSats, for example. Another angle that you could consider is the potential chance of doing your individual project about a space-related topic.That may involve working on something involving astrodynamics, autonomous guidance navigation & control, or space debris to name a few topics.

I am familiar with the Aerospace Engineering program at University of Nottingham, and in this case, the modules related to spacecraft design, space mission analysis and so on are optional modules that students may choose in the years 3 and 4 of their studies.

If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!

All the best,
Abian.

Reply 6

sillygoose117

Hi, I'd advise you to look into Loughborough. I myself go to Southampton but always meet people from Loughborough when I'm on placements or job interviews. They've got a great reputation in industry and they're especially good at propulsion and aerothermal technology. The uni is partnered with Rolls Royce and were included in the Future Propulsion CDT with Oxbridge. If you've omitted it from the list due to them not being a Russel Group, I'd say that you don't have to worry about that as they're definitely higher regarded than a lot of RG unis (at least in Engineering).