MEng Aeronautical Engineering
About this course
MEng in Aeronautical Engineering, an aerospace engineering degree focused on the scientific, structural, and computational foundations of aircraft and spacecraft design. Core topics include Programming, Control Systems, Statistics, Mathematical Modelling, Research Methods, Engineering Design, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. Students complete a flight-testing course at Cranfield University's National Flying Laboratory Centre, take part in a third-year group design project simulating multidisciplinary teamwork, and undertake an independent research investigation through an individual project in the final year. The first year builds essential technical foundations through compulsory modules such as Aerodynamics 1, Computing and Numerical Methods 1, Mathematics 1, and Structures 1, introducing fundamental principles of fluid flow, structural analysis, and mathematical techniques. The second year advances these concepts through modules including Aerodynamics 2, Flight Dynamics and Control, Mechatronics, and Propulsion and Turbomachinery. In the third year, students tackle core studies in Aerospace Vehicle Design, Control Systems, and Group Design Project, alongside broad optional study choices spanning subjects like Aeroelasticity, Spacecraft Propulsion, High Performance Computing, and Artificial Intelligence for Aerospace Engineers. The final year centers on an Individual Project alongside advanced options such as Advanced Control, Aerothermodynamics of Launchers and Re-Entry Vehicles, and Quantification of Aerospace Environmental Impact.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A*A*A or A*AAA -- to include: A* in Mathematics; A/A* in Physics (A* is required if applying with three A-levels. At least an A is required if applying with four A-levels); A in a third and/or fourth subject (A-levels), 40 points -- to include: 7 in Mathematics* at higher level; 7 in Physics at higher level (International Baccalaureate)
Typical offer
A*A*A* (three A-levels), A*A*AA (four A-levels) (A-levels), 43–44 points (International Baccalaureate)
What students say
Based on about 43 final-year students who answered
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 88%
- Assessment and feedback: 77%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 81%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 78%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 130 students who started
- Continued on course: 91%
- Left higher education: 9%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 1%
What graduates do next
Based on about 18 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 75%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 15%
Most common jobs
- Engineering professionals: 35%
- Information Technology Professionals: 25%
- Finance Professionals: 15%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Natural and social science professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 95%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 55 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 6%
- East Midlands: 9%
- West Midlands: 9%
- East of England: 13%
- London: 42%
- South East: 11%
- South West: 3%
- Scotland: 6%
Who gets in
Based on about 135 students who started
- A levels: 87%
- Baccalaureate: 13%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- The accredited MEng fully meets the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements, for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
- Accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Aerodynamics 1
- Computing and Numerical Methods 1
- Engineering Practice 1
- Introduction to Aerospace
- Materials 1
- Mathematics 1
- Mechanics
- Structures 1
- Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
- Aerodynamics 2
- Computing and Numerical Methods 2
- Engineering Practice 2 – Project Development
- Engineering Practice 2 – Technical
- Flight Dynamics and Control
- Materials 2
- Mathematics 2
- Mechatronics
- Propulsion and Turbomachinery
- Structures 2
- Aerodynamics 3
- Aerospace Vehicle Design
- Control Systems
- Group Design Project
- I-Explore
- Structures 3
- Aeroelasticity
- Advanced Fluid Dynamics and Fluid-Structure Interaction
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Advanced Propulsion
- Aircraft Operations
- Applications of Computational Fluid Dynamics
- Artificial Intelligence for Aerospace Engineers
- Computational Fluid Dynamics
- Design Optimisation
- Design for Additive Manufacturing (IDX)
- Finite Elements
- Flow Instability and Transition
- High Performance Computing
- Innovation Management
- Introduction to Vertical Flight
- Lightweight Structures
- Mathematics 3
- Optimisation (IDX)
- Orbital Mechanics
- Spacecraft Propulsion
- Spacecraft Systems
- Spacecraft Structures
- Systems Engineering for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
- Turbulence and Turbulence Modelling
- Individual Project
- Aeroelasticity
- Advanced Control
- Advanced Fluid Dynamics and Fluid-Structure Interaction
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Advanced Propulsion
- Aerothermodynamics of Launchers and Re-Entry Vehicles
- Aircraft Operations
- Applications of Computational Fluid Dynamics
- Artificial Intelligence for Aerospace Engineers
- Applications of Fluid Dynamics
- Computational Fluid Dynamics
- Design Optimisation
- Design for Additive Manufacturing (IDX)
- Finite Elements
- Flow Instability and Transition
- High Performance Computing
- Innovation Management
- Introduction to Vertical Flight
- Lightweight Structures
- Mathematics 3
- Optimisation (IDX)
- Orbital Mechanics
- Quantification of Aerospace Environmental Impact
- Spacecraft Propulsion
- Spacecraft Systems
- Spacecraft Structures
- Systems Engineering for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
- Turbulence and Turbulence Modelling
- BPES / Horizons (level 6 or 7)
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MEng Aeronautical Engineering at Imperial College London earn?
The median salary is £35,000 after 15 months, £37,500 after 3 years, £52,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £38,500 and £69,500. The £52,000 median after five years is £13,500 more than the UK median for Aeronautical and aerospace engineering.
What do graduates of MEng Aeronautical Engineering at Imperial College London do next?
95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MEng Aeronautical Engineering at Imperial College London?
90% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MEng Aeronautical Engineering at Imperial College London?
The minimum entry standard is A*A*A at A level, or 40 points in the IB. The typical offer is A*A*A* (three A-levels), A*A*AA (four A-levels) at A level. The average entrant had 207 UCAS points.
Is MEng Aeronautical Engineering at Imperial College London accredited?
Yes. The accredited MEng fully meets the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements, for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). Accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
How many students continue on MEng Aeronautical Engineering at Imperial College London?
91% of students continued into their second year, and 9% left higher education.