Further information

For general enquiries about the programme please contact:

Senior Postgraduate (MSc) Administrator
Email: aero.msc-admissions@imperial.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7594 5066
Fax: +44 (0)20 7594 1974

Dr Oliver Buxton, Programme Director

MSc in Advanced Aeronautical Engineering Handbook, 2020-21

Latest information for applicants and offer-holders

This course will begin on schedule in the Autumn and we plan to reopen our campuses. We are looking forward to seeing you in person, if travel and visa arrangements allow. If you can’t travel to campus in time for the start of term, we want to reassure you that your academic Department has made plans which make it possible to offer you a high-quality remote educational experience during the Autumn term. 

Your teaching will be a combination of on-campus (in-person) and remote learning (online). We call this ‘multi-mode’ delivery. Depending on official government guidance throughout the entirety of next academic year, the ‘multi-mode’ balance may be subject to change. We hope to be able to offer you increased on-campus teaching and learning activities throughout the year. 

For more information about multi-mode delivery, your learning experience and the steps we’ll be taking to keep you safe on campus if you are able to join us, please see our COVID-19 information for applicants and offer holders page.


This taught postgraduate programme offers multidisciplinary training in aircraft technologies for reducing environmental impact and life-cycle costs. This degree is suitable for applicants with an engineering background who have a particular interest in aircraft technologies.

Please note: We only award MSc qualifications. Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas are not available in the Department of Aeronautics.

Why should I apply for this MSc?

Air travel is vital for the continued prosperity of the EU economy and is predicted to grow significantly over the next 20 years. The challenge facing aviation is to meet the predicted growth in demand in a way that ensures that the environment is protected.

This new MSc programme provides courses on the fundamental disciplines that are of prime importance for developing new enabling technologies vital to the design of more environmentally friendly future aircraft.

The facilities in the Department are of a high standard, with the latest industry-standard software available for students to use.

Accreditation

This programme is accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society

Entry requirements (2021-22 entry)

PLEASE NOTE: Applications for 2021-22 entry are now closed. Applications for 2022-23 entry will open in November 2021.

Applicants should have been awarded, or expect to be awarded, a minimum Upper Second Class (2:1) but preferably First Class (1st) or equivalent degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering with some experience of fluid and structural dynamics.

Questions about the application process? Please see our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Fees and Funding

  • Programme fees
  • Scholarships Search Tool
  • Loan Schemes

    Structure

    Any modules shown are for the current academic year and are subject to change depending on your year of entry.

    Please note that the curriculum of this programme is currently being reviewed as part of a College-wide process to introduce a standardised modular structure. As a result, the content and assessment structures of this course may change for your year of entry. We therefore recommend that you check this course page before finalising your application and after submitting it as we will aim to update this page as soon as any changes are ratified by the College.

    Find out more about the limited circumstances in which we may need to make changes to or in relation to our courses, the type of changes we may make and how we will tell you about changes we have made.

Programme information

Aims and objectives

  • To provide a high level, one-year taught course in advanced aspects of aeronautical engineering with special emphasis on the technological innovation and the challenges involved in the design of next generation aircraft.
  • To attract academically talented and motivated students from home and overseas.
  • To graduate students with fundamental understanding of the course material and the ability to apply it to practical problems.
  • To enable students to acquire a mature appreciation of the context in which engineering projects are developed.
  • To ensure that not only do we provide enhanced engineering training but that we also encourage and provide an opportunity for conversion to an advanced aeronautical engineering for excellent and motivated graduates from Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering and, in some especial cases, other relevant Engineering disciplines.

Content and structure

The programme can be completed in 1 year on a full-time basis. The programme begins in October and ends in September. The programme is comprised of core and optional modules: the core modules are complusory and consist of a set of introductory non-examinable modules and modules related to the "Green Aviation" initiative. The optional modules deal with advanced aeronautical engineering topics.

Students will also undertake an individual research project.