Advanced Aeronautical Engineering
Work with the latest industry-standard software in a world-leading research department.
Undertake multidisciplinary training in aircraft technologies
Learn the fundamental disciplines needed to develop new technologies and greener aircraft
Work with leading academics in a world-leading research department
Course key facts
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Qualification
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MSc
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Duration
1 year
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Start date
October 2023
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Study mode
Full-time
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Fees
£16,600 Home
£38,600 Overseas
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Delivered by
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Location
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South Kensington
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Minimum entry standard 2023
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2:1 Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering
Course overview
Learn the fundamental disciplines needed to develop new technologies and greener aircraft on this one year, full-time course, which offers broad multidisciplinary training in aircraft technologies designed to reduce environmental impact and life-cycle costs.
Discover how the aviation industry is meeting the challenge of maintaining its economic growth while improving its environmental credentials as you work with the latest industry-standard software in world-leading research facilities.
Examine the 'Green Aviation' initiative in detail on a series of core and optional modules and complete an extensive individual research project offering an original assessment on a chosen aspect of aeronautical engineering.
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Prior to starting your studies, you’ll be provided with access to optional pre-sessional courses exploring key topics covered on this course.
Pre-study
Refresh your knowledge on the basics of stress analysis and learn about common stress analysis techniques.
Learn about the scientific programming tools and languages required to perform numerical computation.
Revise essential mathematics.
Gain an insight into state-space methods for the analysis and design of control systems.
Understand the basic effects of compressibility on fluid flow and evaluate the behaviour of compressible flows.
Refresh your knowledge of flight mechanics and how aircraft performance can be predicted on key characteristics.
Refresher course on the basics of fluid mechanics.
You’ll study four core modules and complete an individual research project.
Core modules
Learn how to analyse and design aerospace structures such as the wing and fuselage.
Discover how to carry out the full conceptual design of a new modern aircraft and learn about the requirements necessary for airworthiness certification.
Gain an understanding of the basic principles for the analysis and design of aerofoils and wings and learn about quantitative design.
Explore the key technological advances and principles needed to achieve greener aviation. Become familiar with the main design challenges associated with achieving this goal.
Complete an extensive four-month individual research project, made up of a piece of individual research which must include some element of originality and can be wholly experimental, wholly theoretical, or a mixture of the two.
You'll select projects from a list of topics proposed by university staff and by industry, and your work will be assessed by progress in conducting the work, a dissertation of about 10,000 words, and an oral presentation.
You’ll pick five additional optional modules during your 12 months of study.
Optional modules
Develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between design, manufacturing processing and materials properties and become familiar with the different types of manufacturing processes.
Conduct aerodynamic and thermodynamic analysis of propulsion systems for high-speed flight.
Learn the theory and practice of aeroelasticity in fixed-wing aircraft and become familiar with the most common models used for aeroelastic analysis.
Explore the unique flow physics experienced by vehicles travelling at hypersonic speeds in an atmosphere and develop your understanding of aerodynamic analysis and experimentation.
Uncover the advanced analytical techniques used to characterise the properties of polymers, fibres and fibre-matrix interfaces.
Become familiar with the most popular machine learning and AI algorithms used in the aerospace industry, and build on your existing knowledge of AI models.
Cultivate your knowledge of the latest composite innovations including nanophase reinforced composites and multifunctional composites.
Understand advanced concepts required for the application of the finite element method to the analysis of aerostructures.
Discover the rapidly expanding area of flow management and flow control while exploring novel ways in which fluid flow may be controlled.
Expand your understanding of the finite element method and learn about its practical use in solving structural problems.
Learn how modern mathematical techniques are used to predict conditions when laminar-turbulent transition takes place.
Unpick the key principles of innovation management, from knowledge co-creation to developing sustainable business models.
Explore the mechanics of composite materials and foams and learn best practice for analysing lightweight structures.
Apply orbital mechanics and rigid body mechanics to a wide range of problems in non-atmospheric flight.
Develop your understanding of methodologies for spacecraft structure design, from launchers to satellite platforms to habitable inflatable modules.
Learn industry standard methodology for spacecraft systems analysis and design.
Gain an in-depth knowledge of the fundamentals of safe design and learn to apply damage detection techniques to different types of structures.
Improve your understanding of engineering systems and how to apply their tools to the design of UAVs.
Develop your foundational knowledge and physical understanding to critically assess turbulent modules relevant to research and industry.
Professional accreditation
This course is professionally accredited by The Royal Aeronautical Society. The Society is licensed by the Engineering Council to register candidates as Chartered Engineers (CEng), Incorporated Engineers (IEng) and Engineering Technicians (EngTech).
Our accreditation agreement with the Royal Aeronautical Society is renewed every five years. The current accreditation agreement is due to be renewed for students starting their studies in the 2024-25 academic year. The Department expects to be accredited into the future.
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
Key
- Lectures and tutorials
- Independent study
- Research
- 10% Lectures and tutorials
- 40% Independent study
- 50% Research
Teaching and learning methods
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Lectures
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Tutorials
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Group work
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Virtual learning environment
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Self-study
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Lecture recordings
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Research project
Balance of assessment
Key
- Coursework
- Exams
- Oral assessment
- 60% Coursework
- 30% Exams
- 10% Oral assessment
Assessment methods
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Coursework
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Examinations
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Tutorials
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Oral assessment
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Progress reports
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Apply online
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can choose up to two courses.
Application deadlines – Applications are accepted on a continuous basis and will close once the course is full. We recommend you apply as soon as possible.
Find out more about how to apply for a Master's course, including references and personal statements.
If you are applying for a taught Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course:
- £80 for all taught Master's applications excluding those to the Imperial College Business School
- £100 for all MSc applications to the Imperial College Business School
- £150 for MBA applications to the Imperial College Business School
There is no application fee for MRes courses, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas or research courses, such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
Unless you are from an exempt nationality, you will need an ATAS certificate to obtain your visa and study this course.
Nationals from the following countries are exempt: Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, USA and EEA members.
Use this information when applying for an ATAS certificate to study this course:
- CAH code: CAH10-01-04
- Descriptor: Aeronautical and aerospace engineering
- Supervisor name: Professor Spencer Sherwin
Get guidance and support for obtaining an ATAS certificate.
Tuition fees
Home fee
2023 entry
£16,600
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the College, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For 2022-23 entry, the maximum amount is £11,836. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Overseas fee
2023 entry
£38,600
Fees shown relate to the year of entry advertised only. You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year. Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For 2022-23 entry, the maximum amount is £11,836. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Your Future Career
Gain transferable skills relevant to a career in aeronautical engineering or similar fields.
With specialised knowledge, you'll be highly sought after in a range of sectors.
F1 racing, civil aviation, and further aeronautics research are just some of your options.
Further links
Contact the department
- Telephone: +44(0) 20 7594 5066
- Email: aero.msc-admissions@imperial.ac.uk
Course Director: Dr Oliver Buxton
Visit the Department of Aeronautics website.
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Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications