As an engineer, you will be constantly involved in various projects and problem solving scenarios - our degrees feature engaging projects each year that allow our students to explore further and apply their learning to different Aeronautical Engineering applications. Find out more about our Group Design Project, Final Year Project and extra-curricular options such as the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP).
Projects within our Undergraduate Programmes
What is a UROP?
The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP) is where students can participate in projects and develop an appreciation of research and its environment. Students can take a wonderful opportunity to be involved in internal research projects under the supervision of academic staff.
You may read more about UROP and how to get involved through the dedicated pages set out by the College.
Hear from a Student's Perspective
Our fellow undergraduate Nnaemeka talks about his UROP in 2020, working with the 10x5 Wind Tunnel Team on a COVID-19 research project:
Nnaemeka Anyamele
What is GDP?
The Group Design Project (GDP) is an intensive 5-week project where students work together in different design teams to develop a particular design concept to the stage where feasibility has been fully explored. Through this project, the design teams are exposed to different aspects of the design process to formulate creative and innovative solutions.
Students undertaking the H415 MEng Aeronautics with Spacecraft Engineering programme will have to undertake a space-related design project.
What does it involve?
Each project team has approximately 25-30 students - within the team, students work in smaller sub-teams with responsibility for a specific aspect of the design, simulating how project teams work in engineering firms. For example, to design a deep space probe, such as European Space Agency's (ESA) Solar Orbiter, there are teams that are responsible for a subsystem of the spacecraft - i.e. a propulsion team, an attitude and orbit control system team, a structures and mechanisms team, etc.
The multi-disciplinary interconnected nature of Aeronautics requires students to work within and across each sub-team to make suitable compromises so that the overall design is feasible and practical. At the end of the project, students will present their designs to a panel and produce a technical report.
Previous Projects
Past projects that were completed in GDP include:
- "Flying wing" passenger aircraft
- Advanced tactical stealth fighter
- Manned mission to Mars
- Electric racing car for a regional competition
- Hydrogen-powered aircraft
- Autonomous nano-drone delivery system
Hear a Student's Perspective of the GDP
Tejasva
What is the FYP?
The Final Year Project (FYP) is an individual research project that includes some elements of originality and builds on existing scientific research. It contributes significantly to the final degree award and provides students with an opportunity to immerse themselves in a scientific problem with experience within research.
Is there supervision?
Each student has a project supervisor - for internal projects, this would be an academic within the department. External projects can be completed either at another university or with an industrial partner. For external industry projects, the supervisor will be an employee of the company.
How much guidance is there?
The project uses independent student-led research and self-directed learning, providing students with the freedom to take their research into an area of interest. The supervisors provide guidance and support the student in achieving their goals.
Is it limited to a list of projects?
No, students are welcome to approach academics within the department, academics in another institution or contact industrial partners to propose a topic.
What do students get out of this experience?
The FYP is a culmination of the degree - students consolidate their technical knowledge and develop their professional skills, such as communication and problem solving. Communication is vital in ensuring the work and research produced is understood by others. As several challenges may come up during the project, it requires perseverance; originality of thought; and the ability to think through and troubleshoot a problem.
Taking the FYP further
Many graduates have proceeded to pursue a PhD in the field of their FYP.
