Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: See fees section below
International/EU: £17,155 per year (£1,200 for placement year) -
How long will I study?
4/5 Years
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Where will I study?
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What are the entry requirements?
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What is the UCAS code?
A026
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When do I start?
September 2025
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Placement year available?
Yes
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Course summary
- Develop state-of-the-art scientific knowledge in aerospace engineering.
- Gain the practical skills to solve complex future aerospace challenges.
- Engage in live projects, numerical modelling and experimental techniques.
- Address sustainability challenges like decarbonisation and FlyZero-2030.
- Develop technology expertise in aviation and next-generation space missions.
- Prepare for the full degree with an extra foundation year at the start.
This course prepares you for diverse roles in aerospace research and development, manufacturing, product design, testing, modelling, simulating and other commercial engineering enterprises. You’ll engage in professional practice from day one, working on industry-led projects and addressing complex aerospace problems.
This foundation year course is for those who don't meet the entry requirements for our BEng Hon Aerospace Engineering course, or would like extra preparation before starting degree-level study.
How you learn
On this course you’ll take an active, research-informed approach to learning, preparing for future aerospace challenges within a diverse student community.
You’ll gain skills and confidence through state-of-the-art teaching techniques – such as flipped learning, think-pair-share, digital-technology aided teaching, online learning and a variety of activities..
You learn through:
- Diverse lectures emphasising peer collaboration.
- Tutorials to practise and apply your knowledge ahead of assessments.
- Hands-on lab experience including computational modelling and simulation.
- Q&A and discussions for self-assessment and understanding.
- Support sessions for receiving feedback and preparing for assessments.
- Teamwork activities for collaboration in an innovative environment.
- Project-based learning to apply knowledge, creativity, design, critical analysis and professional skills to real-world projects.
Course topics
You’ll apply your learning to solve real-world problems across core subject areas – including aerodynamics, thermodynamics, structures, propulsion, flight dynamics and control, systems and avionics. You’ll also explore case studies within the aerospace industry – insightful examples of ongoing research and industry practice.
Further themes of the course range from fluid mechanics and aerospace materials to aircraft design, numerical methods, modelling and simulation.
Assessments on the course include exams, coursework, case studies, phase tests, viva presentations and portfolios, offering equal opportunities to demonstrate your learning and potential.
Course support
You’ll be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate level employment. This includes:
- Access to specialist support services to help with your personal, academic and career development.
- Access to our Skills Centre with one-on-ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments.
- The Engineering Café, a weekly drop-in session where you can ask questions and get advice from academics.
- A dedicated Maths and Stats Support drop-in session that runs twice a week.
Course leaders and tutors
Adriano Cerminara
Senior Lecturer and Course Leader of the BEng/MEng Aerospace EngineeringAdriano Cerminara
Applied learning
Work placements
You’ll have the opportunity to undertake a year-long work placement between your second and third years. It's your chance to work as an engineer or designer, applying what you've learned in a commercial environment. You’ll learn how the industry works and make valuable connections for your future career. You’ll also have the opportunity to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV.
We have a dedicated and experienced team to help you find a placement and make the most of your work experience opportunities. Our strong links to the industry and excellent reputation mean companies actively seek our students for employment. Often students return from their placements with sponsorships or job offers.
Previous students have worked in a variety of technical roles for companies including Rolls-Royce, Airbus, Boeing, General Electric, Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems and the Ministry of Defence.
Live projects
You’ll have the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills to real-world aerospace projects by working on client-based projects. You’ll learn how to address the main client, business or user’s needs, while also meeting the main requirements of the project. You’ll consider ethical principles and your responsibilities as an engineer towards health and safety, society and the environment.
Later in the course, you’ll undertake an individual project and an aircraft design and simulation module – carrying out the design of a real aircraft and creating a model in the flight simulator to verify the associated performance.
You can join our student aerospace societies, space academic network or even form your own team. You may also be able to experience training programmes such as piloting or computer simulations.
Field trips
You’ll be able to visit local airfields, airports and leading companies – exploring real aerospace settings and learning about their operations and instrumentation.
Networking opportunities
You can attend scheduled events across the academic year to meet industry partners, employers, researchers, and alumni. Past events have included the Alumni Careers Panel, Careers Fair, Winter Research Poster Event, SHU Racing Launch and EngFest.
For the more research-focused projects, you may also be able to attend career development events and global conferences in aerospace engineering.
And we arrange on-campus guest lectures and seminars from local employers, relevant professional bodies – such as the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) – plus world-class researchers in aerospace science. Here you’ll learn about ongoing industrial aerospace projects and leading research activities in the international scientific community, as well as potential employment opportunities – all helping to strengthen your CV, streamline your objectives and prepare you for future employment.
Competitions
You’ll have the opportunity to join a team of students involved in aerospace competitions at either national or international levels. These could include designing, building and flying a model aeroplane, or creating a flight simulator model.
Our students have entered competitions such as the British Model Flying Association (BMFA) Payload challenge, the RAeS International Light Aircraft Design Competition, and the IMechE Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Challenge. Plus the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Design Build, Fly competition, and spacecraft design competitions like the European Space Agency (ESA) CubeSats.
You’re also welcome to join the Formula Student group and the Robotics Society at Sheffield Hallam.
Future careers
You’ll graduate as a highly skilled aerospace professional, ready to navigate future challenges of the industry.
This course prepares you for a career in:
- The aerospace industry
- Civil and military aviation
- Aeronautical roles
- Space and defence technology
- Aerospace research centres and agencies
- Academia
- Automotive roles
- Mechanical roles
- Energy and thermal power engineering
- Systems and control
- Computing and software development
- Manufacturing
- Management
Previous graduates of this course have gone to work for:
- BAE Systems
- Rolls-Royce
- Skyrora
- Dassault Systemes
- NATS (National Air Traffic Services)
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreLearn more about your department
Engineering and Maths Facilities Tour
Take a look around the Engineering and Maths facilities at Sheffield Hallam University.
Equipment and facilities
We have excellent teaching facilities, including an impressive range of professionally equipped laboratories for teaching and flipped learning – plus team-working activities, projects and research.
You’ll work within dedicated laboratories for:
- Fluid mechanics and thermodynamics
- Aerodynamics (wind tunnels)
- Flight simulation
- Mechanical and thermal properties of materials and structures
- Electronics and communications (digital oscilloscopes, function generators, power supplies and spectrum analysers)
- Computer-aided design
- Computational fluid dynamics
- Finite element analysis
- Simulation and modelling software (SolidWorks, Ansys, Abaqus, MATLAB/Simulink)
- Control systems– PLCs, pneumatic and hydraulic kits with software for monitoring and control
- Manufacturing workshops
Media Gallery
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 80
This must include at least 32 points from one A level or equivalent BTEC qualifications. For example:
- CDD at A Level.
- MMP in BTEC Extended Diploma.
- Pass overall from a T level qualification with C from core
- A combination of qualifications, which may include a maximum of one AS level, EPQ and general studies
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
GCSE
- English Language at grade C or 4
- Maths at grade C or 4
- Science at grade C or 4
*GCSE Equivalents
- Level 2 Literacy or Functional Skills Level 2 English
- Level 2 Numeracy or Functional Skills Level 2 Maths
• Access - an Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.
We may also accept you, if you have no formal qualifications but can show evidence of ability and a genuine commitment to studying the subject.
Some applicants may be invited to attend an informal interview with the course leader to ensure that the programme is suitable for themselves and their aspirations.
UK students may be able to claim financial support for the course.
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Engineering And Mathematics In Practice
Foundation Mathematics, Mechanics And Electronics 1
Foundation Mathematics, Mechanics And Electronics 2
Fundamentals Of Materials And Manufacturing
Year 2
Compulsory modules
Aerospace Engineering Fundamentals
Materials, Manufacturing And Design For Transportation
Maths And Engineering Science For Transportation
Sustainable Engineering And Interdisciplinary Practice
Year 3
Compulsory modules
Applied Thermodynamics, Aircraft Systems And Manufacturing
Numerical Methods And Applications
Structures, Aerodynamics And Flight Mechanics
Systems Modelling And Simulation
Year 4
Optional modules
Placement Year
Final year
Compulsory modules
Advanced Aerospace Engineering And Design
Aircraft Design And Simulation
Project: Implementation
Project: Management And Scoping
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fees for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2025/26 are regulated by the UK government and are yet to be confirmed. For an indication, our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2024/25 is £9,250 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,155 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for School of Engineering and Built Environment (PDF, 142.7KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
