Masters in Aeronautical Engineering

Aeronautical engineering is one of the two major and overlapping branches of aerospace engineering, the other being astronautical engineering, which of course focuses on spacecraft. Some universities differentiate between these branches and offer them in separate courses, while others combine the two. 

Aeronautical engineering degrees will equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in this exciting and challenging sector, covering topics such as advanced propulsion, advanced aircraft design, aerodynamics, computational fluid dynamics, flow diagnostics and aerospace stress diagnostics.

Since career progression for postgraduate engineers often includes roles within management, many courses will also contain an element of this, perhaps as an optional module or specialization. Other subjects which aeronautical engineering degrees may overlap with include mathematics, computer science, design and of course other branches of engineering, particularly mechanical and manufacturing engineering. You will gain a wider understanding of the challenges facing the industry, including a focus on environmental issues and the ways in which these can be overcome. 

Your aeronautical engineering course is likely to be delivered via a mix of lectures, seminars and tutorials, giving you opportunities to take part in laboratory work and field visits, as well as project and group work. 

The length of your Masters in Aeronautical Engineering degree will vary depending on where you study, but they are usually one or two years long. Many schools offer the opportunity to progress straight to a PhD, which will extend your years of study by at least a few years. If you do want to pursue a PhD, you may prefer to choose a program which has more focus on research, and will end with the completion of a thesis or dissertation.

Entry requirements

You will typically need a good undergraduate degree in a relevant engineering, science or technology discipline to study a Masters in Aeronautical Engineering. It would also be beneficial (though not essential) to have relevant work experience. 

Discover the world’s top universities for aeronautical engineering

As mentioned earlier, aeronautical engineering degrees offer many opportunities to specialize. One choice is between aerospace and astronautical engineering – focusing respectively on aircraft that stays within the Earth’s atmosphere, and on forms of spacecraft. You could also consider the following specializations:

Propulsion 

Also offered alongside subjects such as engine systems engineering, thermal power or flight performance testing, a Masters in Aeronautical Engineering with a specialization in propulsion is ideal for those who want to pursue careers in the design, progress, operation and maintenance of propulsion systems. You’ll study blade cooling, combustors, engine systems, gas turbine theory and performance, the mechanical designs of turbomachinery and gas turbine simulation and diagnostics.

Aerodynamics

Aerodynamics concerns the study of the properties of moving air and the relation between the air and solid bodies moving through it. Most suited to students with a prior knowledge of fluid dynamics, a masters in aerodynamics specialization will cover topics such as aerothermodynamics, advanced computational methods, aeroacoustics, turbulence and power control. You’ll gain an understanding of how to apply wind tunnels and computational fluid dynamics in aerodynamic modelling, and will also build scale models and carry out flight testing.  

Avionics 

Avionics is the study of how electronics applies to aviation, and a specialization in this area will allow you to develop skills in design, research, evaluation, project management and analysis. You’ll gain an understanding of various navigation equipment, electronic communication techniques, radar, flight controls and instrumentation. You’ll study electromagnetics, flight dynamics and control, aircraft flying and handling qualities, gyroscopes and accelerometers and avionics systems design – you may also be able to specialize further in the latter.

Structures and materials

At master’s level, a specialization in structures and materials within your aeronautical engineering course will develop your understanding of the ways in which aerospace structures can be made lighter, safer, lower cost and more environmentally friendly. You will gain the knowledge and practical skills needed to tackle this task in an industrial or research setting, increasing your understanding of the design and manufacturing process, with an opportunity to specialize further in material and structural analysis, manufacturing, and durability. You’ll also have opportunities to research new ways to possibly advance the design of the next generation of aerospace structures and materials.   

Other possible specializations within your Masters in Aeronautical Engineering degree include: linear control systems, vehicle design, stability and control, flight mechanics, wind tunnel testing, orbital mechanics, power and thermal control, and spacecraft systems. 

Discover the world’s top universities for aeronautical engineering

Your Masters in Aeronautical Engineering course will equip you with a number of skills which open the door to a number of lucrative aeronautical engineering jobs. As well as other engineering sectors, you could also find work within a range of industries, such as the armed forces, government research agencies, consultancies and finance. Your master’s degree will already be extremely useful for entering these roles, but relevant work experience will also be highly valued by employers and will help you to stand out. It’s also important to show your commitment to aeronautical engineering to graduate employers by keeping up to date with new developments in the subject.

Here are some of the main aeronautical engineering jobs you could consider:

Aeronautical engineer 

As an aeronautical or aerospace engineer you’ll work with cutting-edge technology and international companies, researching, designing, building and maintaining aircraft and their components. You’ll be responsible for improving fuel efficiency, flight safety, speed and weight, as well as estimating and reducing project costs, writing technical reports, and working to ensure minimal environmental impact. After several years of experience your role could expand to include the investigation of air accidents, and your career could also progress into a senior management position. You could specialize in a particular area of the role, such as avionics or propulsion, or may prefer to choose from aeronautical engineering jobs in sales, training or lecturing.

To become an aeronautical engineer, you’ll need strong numeral skills, problem-solving skills and a methodical approach to work, and it’s worthwhile to have some prior work experience to show employers. It’s also beneficial to have knowledge of a foreign language, due to the global nature of the role, and there may be opportunities to work overseas.

Aviation maintenance technician

Aviation maintenance technicians will hold a qualification accredited by an organization such as the US’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which enables them to take part in aeronautical maintenance checks. This is a role which will naturally involve a great deal of responsibility. You will examine, test, diagnose, replace and repair aircraft components where necessary, making sure your work complies with safety standards. This role may particularly suit you if you have specialized in engines, electrical systems or systems testing during your degree.

Aviation consultant 

Aviation consultants are employed by aerospace companies, insurance agencies, air traffic agencies or even tourism agencies, using their knowledge and experience to provide solutions to complex technical challenges. You’ll analyze the client’s existing aviation practices and help them to understand and utilize the latest and best practices in the area, aiming to improve and maximize cost-effectiveness, safety and efficiency. To become an aviation consultant, you’ll need to be registered by an accredited aviation consultancy firm and will need a strong knowledge of the latest market trends and business practices.

Aircraft designer/structural engineer

The last of our suggested aeronautical engineering jobs would be suited to graduates with a creative side. Aircraft designers are structural engineers who specialize in aircraft – using mathematics and science to solve problems and design structures. Liaising with architects and other professional engineers, they work to ensure the appropriate materials are used to meet the design specifications and industry standards. You may design a particular part of the aircraft, such as the interior of the aircraft cabin and its fittings, or the installation of electrical and oxygen systems. Although your knowledge and skills are naturally more relevant to structural engineering roles within aerospace, you could also choose to work in a different area within this role, such as the structural design of houses or ships. For this role it is essential to have experience of using computer-aided design (CAD) software, and you should also have strong project management skills. 

Find out what else you can do with an engineering degree