Key information
1st in Scotland and top 10 in the UK for Aerospace Engineering (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026).
- Level
- Postgraduate Taught
- Delivery type
- Full Time
- Degree qualification
- MSc
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 1 year
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September
The aerospace sector is entering a period of unprecedented growth. Around 42,000 new commercial aircraft are expected to be required worldwide over the next 20 years, while the global aviation services market is forecast to almost double by 2044. At the same time, significant investment in next-generation aircraft technologies and the rapidly expanding space sector is creating demand for graduates with advanced aerospace engineering expertise.
Our MSc Aerospace Engineering will prepare you for this exciting future, combining advanced mechanical engineering principles with specialist aerospace knowledge to develop the skills sought by employers across the aviation, defence, space and advanced manufacturing sectors. Whether your ambition is to design aircraft, develop sustainable propulsion systems, contribute to space missions or work on satellite technologies, this programme equips you with the expertise to succeed.
You'll study topics at the forefront of aerospace innovation, including advanced aerodynamics and propulsion, aerospace structures and materials, spacecraft systems, satellite communications and space mission design, alongside an industry-focused group design project and an individual dissertation. Throughout your studies, you'll apply theory to real-world engineering challenges using specialist facilities and industry-standard software.
Scotland is also emerging as a major hub for aerospace and space innovation, with the country's space sector growing rapidly and ambitions to support 20,000 jobs and secure a £4 billion share of the global space market by 2030. This creates exciting opportunities for graduates looking to build careers in one of the UK's most dynamic engineering sectors.
Reasons to study MSc Aerospace Engineering
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Future-focused curriculum: Develop specialist knowledge in areas including advanced aerodynamics, sustainable aircraft propulsion, aerospace structures, spacecraft systems, satellite communications and space mission design.
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Designed for industry demand: Gain the skills needed for careers across aerospace, aviation, defence, satellite technology, space systems, aeronautical engineering, and advanced engineering industries, sectors experiencing sustained growth worldwide.
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Learn through real aerospace projects: Apply your knowledge through a multidisciplinary aerospace group project involving concurrent engineering, innovation, sustainability and commercial decision-making, mirroring professional industry practice.
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Customise your studies: Tailor your degree to your interests through specialist option courses in areas such as spacecraft systems, space mission design, robotic systems and failure analysis.
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World-class facilities: Access specialist aerospace laboratories, wind tunnels, a supersonic test rig, flight simulation facilities and industry-standard software for computational fluid dynamics (CFD), finite element analysis (FEA) and computer-aided design (CAD).
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Global opportunities: Enhance your international experience through Heriot-Watt's Go Global programme, with opportunities to study at our Dubai campus.
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Research-led teaching: Learn from internationally recognised academics whose world-leading research is shaping the future of aerospace, mechanical and space engineering.
Your student experience
Your learning will be informed by the expertise of research-active aerospace engineers and academics whose work is helping shape the future of aviation and space technologies.
Heriot-Watt has contributed to several pioneering space missions, including SPOQC, REDEO-Small, OirthirSAT and QEYSSAT. As a student, you'll learn from academics with direct experience of spacecraft development, satellite communications and mission delivery, gaining insights informed by real-world space projects and research.
We were recently ranked 1st in Scotland and top 10 in the UK for Aerospace Engineering (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026), reflecting the quality of our teaching, research and industry engagement. Our aerospace expertise spans the key disciplines driving innovation across the sector, including:
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Advanced Aerodynamics and Propulsion – developing technologies that improve aircraft performance, efficiency and sustainability.
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Aerospace Structures and Materials – advancing the design, analysis and manufacture of lightweight, high-performance structures for aerospace applications.
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Space Mission Design – exploring spacecraft systems, orbital mechanics and mission planning to support future space exploration and commercial space activities.
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Satellite Communications – researching the technologies that underpin modern satellite networks, connectivity and space-based services.
Our MSc Aerospace Engineering is underpinned by the world-class research conducted within Heriot-Watt's Institute of Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering (IMPEE). In the REF 2021 assessment, 96% of our engineering research was classified as world-leading or internationally excellent through the joint Heriot-Watt and University of Edinburgh submission.
This close connection between research and teaching ensures that you'll learn about the latest developments, technologies and challenges shaping the aerospace sector, developing the advanced knowledge and skills sought by employers across aviation, defence, space and advanced engineering industries.
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
Mandatory All Year
- Aerospace Group Project
Mandatory September
- Advanced Aerodynamics and Propulsion
- Satellite Communications
Optional September
- Aerospace Structures and Materials
- Spacecraft Systems
Mandatory January
- Aeroelasticity
- Critical Analysis and Research Preparation
Optional January
- Failure and Accident Analysis
- Space Mission Design
- Robotic Mechanical Systems
Mandatory May
- Masters Dissertation
Disclaimer
The courses mentioned above may change between now and the time that you study. For more information, please view our Terms and Conditions.
Fees and funding
| Status | Full Time |
|---|---|
| UK | £13,128 |
| International | £29,824 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
Scholarships and bursaries
Postgraduate scholarships and bursaries
We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
A minimum of honours degree at 2:1 or non-UK equivalent in a relevant subject. Degree must contain a minimum of both 3 mathematics modules and 3 physics or engineering modules at 50% or above. Relevant honours degrees can include Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Automotive Engineering and Physics.
Modules that we hope to see in an undergraduate degree would include fluid dynamics/aerodynamics, materials, structures, dynamics and systems.
Work experience in conjunction with a relevant lower Second Class Honours Degree will be considered.
We welcome applications from international students and accept qualifications from around the world. Please refer to the entry requirements for your country for more details.
Why Heriot-Watt
We have been producing career-ready graduates since 1821. With our roots as the world’s first Mechanics Institute, Heriot-Watt is a pioneering university with a global reach.
At Heriot-Watt, learning goes beyond the lecture theatre. We tackle real world challenges through extraordinary research – from climate change to protecting our oceans, to advancing life-saving medical breakthroughs and shaping the next generation of AI. We are also committed to developing forward-thinking design and sustainable business practices that impact industries worldwide. On our campuses you’ll find some of the world’s most advanced facilities, while our strong industry links set you up for career success. This is why almost 90% of our graduates are in employment or further education (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024).
Student life
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