BEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering
The course
- UCAS code
- H3A1
- Duration
- 4 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Delivery type
- Full-time
Heriot-Watt University has launched a brand-new degree in the thriving discipline of Aerospace Engineering, expanding on established degrees in mechanical engineering and electrical and electronic engineering. Apply now for September 2023 through UCAS.
Contact
Got questions about this programme?
Contact our enquiries team.
Overview
Why study Aerospace Engineering?
Aerospace Engineers design, develop and build aircraft, spacecraft and satellites. It is one of fastest growing specialisms in engineering thanks to advancements in commercial space exploration, drone technology, low carbon technologies and aerospace commerce.
Our new undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering combines the core disciplines of mechanical engineering with specific applications to aerospace engineering, taught with a strong focus on the current and future needs of the aeronautical industry.
If you study Aerospace Engineering at Heriot-Watt University you will become part of our history of excellence in engineering. We teach engineering to reflect the needs of society and industry so that our graduates enter the workplace with the key skills and personal attributes they need to thrive in the real world.
Aerospace Engineering: Degree at a glance
BEng Aerospace Engineering provides you with the core skills and specialist knowledge you need to launch a thriving career as an aerospace engineer.
This four year degree in Aerospace Engineering starts with courses from across our engineering degrees to ensure you gain a foundation of essential knowledge.
In Year 1 and 2, you will study courses from our mechanical engineering degree, which is highly respected by industry and employers because it builds capacity to solve problems, analyse engineering components, and design solutions to real-life challenges.
In Year 3 and Year 4 our Aerospace Engineering degree becomes progressively specialised. In these years you will study courses related to the aerospace industry including electronics, structures, wind tunnel testing, supersonic aerodynamics, flight dynamics, aviation design and manufacture.
Our expertise: best university for engineering
We were ranked 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for engineering research through a joint submission with the University of Edinburgh in REF 2021, which classed 96% of our research output as ‘world-class’.
In recent years, Heriot-Watt University has achieved excellent rankings across engineering disciplines. The Times and Subject Times Good University Guide 2021 ranked us:
- 1st in Scotland and 4th in the UK for Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- 1st in Scotland and 4th in the UK for Chemical Engineering
- 2nd in Scotland and 10th in the UK for Mechanical Engineering
Aerospace Engineering learning environment
This degree develops specialist aerospace knowledge through practical work as well as theoretical study. You will learn to use facilities including wind tunnels and a supersonic test rigs as well as industry-standard software for computational fluid dynamics, finite element, and computer aided design.
Our large-scale Mechanical Engineering lab space is used for practical work in dynamics, materials and design and includes manufacturing equipment, 3D printing, and workspaces for curricular and extra-curricular projects
GRID, our new multi-discipline hub on the banks of our very own campus loch, is a buidling which embraces our learn by doing ethos within the school. It provides students with equipment, technology, and space for personal and group work and includes 3D printers, laser cutters, design space, electronic and mechanical facilities.
Team Aero-Watt: Heriot-Watt's UAS Champions
Since 2021, students from Heriot-Watt University have volunteered to take part in Team Aero-Watt. This is a cross-discipline group of students who share a passion for aerospace engineering and work together to compete in IMechE’s Annual UAS Challenge. In 2021, Team Aero-Watt won best newcomer and gained 3rd place overall from a field of over 30 universities at the UAS Challenge.
In 2022, the team built on their expertise and produced an even more impressive vehicle, progressing from a plane to a quadcopter which was one of the only designs to successfully perform a transition from vertical take-off to horizontal flight. They earned 7th place overall against a highly-competitive field of 29 international universities.
Careers in Aerospace Engineering: Be a High-Flyer
Recent developments in the aerospace industry have expanded the number of traditional and specialised engineering careers available to students with knowledge of aerospace and aeronautical engineering. These opportunities have emerged in addition to ‘traditional’ careers in aircraft technologies, vehicle dynamics and propulsion, and other key areas.
Our BEng Aerospace Engineering degree places emphasis on the technical and business aspects of engineering, ensuring our graduates are rounded, industry-focussed engineers prepared to tackle the challenges of the next generation of aerospace technologies.

Aerospace Engineering is one of the fastest growing specialisms in engineering thanks to recent technological advancements. This degree will feature all our key engineering courses as well as specialist courses in Flight Performance and Instrumentation, Aerospace Design and Spacecraft Engineering. We will teach with the needs of the aerospace industry in mind, so you are fully employable by the time you graduate.
Go Global
This course is currently only delivered at our Edinburgh Campus and there are no current opportunities to study at exchange partner institutions.
However, other Go Global opportunities may be available. Please contact goglobal@hw.ac.uk for more information
Course content
Subject to change.
Year 1
Semester 1
- Mechanics, Fields and Forces
- Introduction to Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering in Context 1
- Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists 1
Semester 2
- Waves and Matter
- Mechanical Engineering in Context 2
- Introduction to Aerospace Engineering
- Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists 2
Year 2
Semester 1
- Design and Manufacture 2
- Fluid Mechanics A
- Mechanics of Materials A
- Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists 3
Semester 2
- Flight performance and instrumentation
- Dynamics
- Thermodynamics A
- Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists 4
Year 3
Semester 1
- Fluid Mechanics B
- Data science for scientists and engineers
- Mechanics of Materials B
- Aerospace Group Design project 1
Semester 2
- Vibration Analysis & Control Engineering
- Thermodynamics B
- Aerospace Group Design Project 2
One from:
- Spacecraft engineering
- Industrial and sustainable aerodynamics
- Energy Studies
- Automotive Technologies 1
Year 4
Semester 1
- Dynamics 1
- Fluids 1
- Project 1
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Technologies or Aerospace Simulation
Semester 2
- Project 2
- Fluids 2
- Dynamics 2
- Flight testing
Entry requirements
Year 1
Standard entry requirements
- Highers AABB (including Mathematics and Physics with one at A)
- A-Levels BBC - ABB (including Mathematics and Physics BB)
- Int. Baccalaureate 29 points (including Mathematics and Physics at Higher Level 5)
- BTEC DMM in Engineering
- HNC A in graded unit (in relevant HNC, Eng Mathematics 1 and Eng Mathematics 2)
Minimum entry requirements*
- Highers BBBC (including B in Mathematics and Physics or Engineering Science at B )
- A-Levels BCC (including Mathematics and Physics with one at B)
* Minimum: under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for some Scottish students depending on their circumstances. Our minimum requirements will apply if you:
- live in an area within the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation lowest 20% (SIMD20), or
- are care experienced.
We can also make exceptions for some Scottish students with grades above minimum but below standard. Read more about our Minimum and standard entry requirements
Year 2
Year 2 entry to BEng Aerospace Engineering is available for September 2024 onwards.
- Advanced Highers AB (including Mathematics and Physics plus Highers at AABB)
- A-Levels AAB (including Mathematics and Physics with one at A)
- Int. Baccalaureate 34 points (including Mathematics and Physics at Higher Level 6)
- HNC A in graded unit (in relevant HNC, Eng Mathematics 2 and Eng Mathematics 3)
- Global College Successful completion of Bachelors Degree Accelerator Foundation - Engineering and Science
Year 3
- HND AA in graded units (in relevant HND, Eng Mathematics 3 and Eng Mathematics 4)
Additional information
- For all years, applications are welcomed from holders of non-school qualifications, mature candidates and overseas students.
- If you do not see your qualifications here please contact us at studywithus@hw.ac.uk
- Please check that you meet our University-wide National 5/GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths requirements.
English language requirements
- If English is not your first language, you have to show that your English is good enough to succeed on your course. Please see our English language requirements.
Fees
Status* | Scotland | England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland | International** |
---|---|---|---|
Fee | Paid by SAAS | £9,250 | £22,264 |
* 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. Find out more about tuition fees.
** '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). Read more about the application process for EU nationals.
Additional costs
You may incur additional costs in the course of your studies at Heriot-Watt over and above tuition fees in an academic year. Depending on your programme of study, these may include: protective equipment, field trips, professional memberships, studio fees, required course texts or other study resources.
Scholarships and bursaries
Bursaries for students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales
In addition to government loans and grants towards the costs of fees and living costs, we are offering generous financial support to attract and support eligible undergraduate students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales:
- Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to £3,100 per year)
View our full range of undergraduate scholarships.