Aeronautics and Astronautics / Aerodynamics with External Placement Year
- MEng (Hon)
- 5 Years
- Full-time
- 21 September 2026
- Undergraduate
- Main Site - Highfield Campus
Course summary
Aeronautics and astronautics focuses on fast-moving aircraft and spacecraft in the Earth’s atmosphere and outer space. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to analyse and control aerodynamic behaviour.
The first two years are the same across our Aeronautics and Astronautics degrees and focus on core engineering science, such as aerodynamics, propulsion systems, mechanics of flight, fluid dynamics and control, giving you a professional grounding for the design and operation of air vehicles and spacecraft.
During your third and fourth years you will focus on aerodynamic theory and practice for the design of vehicles, wings and propulsion systems. In your third year you will also carry out an individual project, bringing together the concepts and skills you have learned.
During your fourth year, you will take further advanced and specialised modules and participate in a group design project, applying your engineering knowledge to solve a real-world problem.
Your Industrial Placement Year will enhance your employability, with an additional year-long paid placement in an engineering organisation. You will be able to apply the knowledge and skills that you developed during the early years of your degree, developing vital professional knowledge and skills to prepare you to become a professional engineer after graduation.
You will have access to extensive facilities, which include dedicated student design studios and workshops, the largest wind tunnel in any UK university, state-of-the-art jet engine and space propulsion facilities, a flight simulator and a professional manufacturing centre.
Our courses are fully accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society and Institution of Mechanical Engineers and offer a route to chartered status.
Modules
Typical modules include:
Year one: Introduction to Aeronautics and Astronautics; Engineering Design; Electrical and Electronic Systems; Mathematics; Mechanics, Structures and Materials; Thermofluids.
Year two: Aerodynamics; Astronautics; Engineering Management and Law; Materials and Structures; Mathematics; Mechanics of Flight; Propulsion; Systems Design and Computing.
Year three: Individual Project; Aerospace Control Design; Aerothermodynamics; Aircraft Structural Design; Introduction to Aircraft Design; plus module options.
Year four: Group Design Project and Advanced Aerospace Engineering Management; plus additional module options to deepen your knowledge, such as Experimental Methods for Aerodynamics or Race Car Aerodynamics.
Assessment method
Testing is conducted through a combination of unseen written examinations and assessed coursework in the form of problem-solving exercises, laboratory reports, design exercises, essays, and individual and group projects. Experimental, research and design skills are assessed through laboratory reports, coursework exercises and oral presentations.
The Industrial Placement Year is assessed via an individual reflective report.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Aeronautical Society, Royal
- Mechanical Engineers, Institution of
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site - Highfield Campus
Study options
- MEng (Hon) • Full-time • 5 Years
Start dates
- 21 September 2026
Apply by
14 January
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Application codes
- Course code:
- HH41
- Institution code:
- S27
- Campus name:
- Main Site - Highfield Campus
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
University of Southampton has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
Apply by
14 January
Application codes
- Course code:
- HH41
- Institution code:
- S27
- Campus name:
- Main Site - Highfield Campus
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
Find out about equivalent entry requirements and qualifications for your country: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/international/your-country.page
Entry requirements
UCAS Tariff Not accepted
A level A*AA
A*AA including mathematics (minimum grade A) and physics (minimum grade A), with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed).
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: AAA including mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed) plus grade A in the EPQ.
We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Applicants who have not studied the required subjects at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) Not accepted
Access to HE Diploma Not accepted
Scottish Higher
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.
Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) D - D*
D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades AA in A-level mathematics and physics (the A can be in either subject), with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed) or D* in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades AA in A-level mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed).
Applicants who have not studied the required subjects at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year.
Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF) D - D*
D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades AA in A-level mathematics and physics (the A can be in either subject), with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed) or D* in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades AA in A-level mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed).
Applicants who have not studied the required subjects at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year.
Scottish Advanced Higher
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.
Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 38 points
Pass, with 38 points overall with 19 points required at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in Physics and 6 at Higher Level in Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches) or 7 at Higher Level in Mathematics (Applications and Interpretation).
Applicants who have not studied mathematics and/or physics at Higher Level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year.
WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales A
AAA including mathematics (minimum grade A) and physics (minimum grade A), with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed) or AA from two A levels including mathematics and physics (the A* can be in either subject), with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed) and A from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales.
A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Applicants who have not studied mathematics and/or physics at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year.
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024) A
AAA including mathematics (minimum grade A) and physics (minimum grade A), with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed) or AA from two A levels including mathematics and physics (the A* can be in either subject), with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed) and A from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate.
Applicants who have not studied the required subjects at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year.
Extended Project A
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: AAA including mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed) plus grade A in the EPQ.
Applicants who have not studied the required subjects at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) H1, H1, H1, H2, H2, H2
H1 H1 H1 H2 H2 H2 including mathematics, applied mathematics and physics
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal D2, D3, D3
D2, D3, D3 in three Principal subjects including mathematics (minimum grade D3) and physics (minimum grade D3)
Applicants who have not studied the required subjects can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma DD - D*D
Typical entry criteria will be to achieve Grade A* in A-level Maths plus DD in the Technical Diploma or Grade A in A-level Maths plus D*D in the Technical Diploma
Accepted subjects: Engineering
Applicants who have not studied mathematics at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year.
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate D - D*
Typical entry criteria will be to achieve a grades AA in Maths and Physics at A-level plus D in the Technical Extended Certificate or grades AA in Maths and Physics at A-level plus D in the Technical Extended Certificate. A pass in the physics Practical is required where it is separately endorsed.
Applicants who have not studied the required subjects at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year.
AQA Level 3 Technical Level (720 glh) DD - D*D
Typical entry criteria will be to achieve Grade A* in A-level Maths plus DD in the Tech Level or Grade A in A-level Maths plus D*D in the Tech Level
Accepted subjects: Engineering. Must be offered in combination with A-level Mathematics and units M1 and M2 must be taken.
Applicants who have not studied mathematics at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year.
T Level Not accepted
If you are not sure that your qualifications meet the requirements of this course please contact our Admissions Teams.
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | with no component below 6.0 |
Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/language.page
Contextual admissions
Most of the students who enrolled on this course in previous years met their offer conditions at our published entry criteria, securing their place on their chosen course.
We encourage all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, to apply to study with us. Applicants who qualify for contextual admissions will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Historical entry grades data
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Per year tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
Please see our website for further details and updates: www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/fees-funding.page
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