Southampton or Sheffield? - Aerospace engineering

Hi all. I have foundation year offers for integrated masters in both aeronautics and astronautics in Southampton and aerospace in Sheffield. My dream is to go into the space engineering industry and I am stuck on which university to choose. I don't have A-level maths or physics so i will be on the foundation on either. I've only had the chance to go to both the offer holder days and not any other open days. Southampton's course contains a lot more actual space engineering and design and the course integrates the masters in space engineering and as a whole is probably much more helpful in getting me into the industry. So in terms of the course Southampton is definitely ahead. I recently attended Sheffield's offer holder day and found it to have a much nicer 'vibe' and their day was much more informative than Southampton's and included a lot on what the foundation year will entail where as Southampton did not. Sheffield in general seemed like a nicer way of living with a good student life and a good area whereas I didn't get that same feeling from Southampton. Sheffield's course contains a lot less actual space engineering than Southampton's but would that matter if both courses lead onto the same pathways anyway? Sheffield is a lot lot closer to home and i have family in the area. Southampton is about 4 hours away. overall i am stuck on which uni I should pick? if anyone has any insight into either or advice in general it would be really appreciated. thank you.

Reply 1

Alex_H_

Hi, I am a first year Aerospace student at Sheffield Uni. I was debating between these the same two unis last year. Sheffield in great for aerospace. In first year there is more of a focus in aeronautics but there is an introduction to space which covers elements of celestial mechanics and basic rocket types. There are optional modules which include a space systems one that you can choose in years 3 & 4. The aerospace department are putting more space related content into years 1 & 2 and there a new second year project on building a rocket in groups and testing it.

The city of Sheffield, especially around the uni feels like a student city. Its cheap to live here and lots of pubs and bars close by is that's your thing, or there are many parks if you prefer the outdoors.

The only drawbacks of Sheffield is that it is hilly and you will have a a 25 minute walk uphill on the way back from lectures. The campus is located on the ring-road so gets very busy with traffic and can be a long time trying to cross it between lectures.