Unis for aerospace engineering

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berks_mum
Posts: 939
Joined: Sat Dec 28, 2013 4:52 pm

Unis for aerospace engineering

Post by berks_mum »

Dear all, decision time now. Long journey from 11plus is now done. After going through a number of different career options DC now zeroing on aerospace engineering. Can I ask which are the good unis? Google search shows:

1. Bristol
2. Bath
3. Southampton
4. Imperial
5. Cambridge

the order depends on the website.
If any parent here has any experience, which order would you choose? Also, please add if I have missed any good Uni (not too far from London).
scary mum
Posts: 8841
Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2010 3:45 pm

Re: Unis for aerospace engineering

Post by scary mum »

DS has a friend studying aerospace at one of those and while he is enjoying the course there is some bit of design software (no idea what!) that they are not using which is being used at the "lesser" university my DS is studying at and is the most up to date and what is used in the industry.
Check that the course is accredited (I'm sure those will be). I believe an integrated masters is the way to go. Some offer a year in industry or abroad, so it all depends what your DS is looking for.
My advice would be to visit them if you can & find out the content of the course. DS was completely out of one university (not on your list) where everyone we met assumed he wanted to be a pilot & would talk about nothing else.
scary mum
berks_mum
Posts: 939
Joined: Sat Dec 28, 2013 4:52 pm

Re: Unis for aerospace engineering

Post by berks_mum »

Thanks scary_mum. I believe DC has looked into the MEng course details and prefers ones with industrial placement/year abroad. DC will need to choose this summer and apply by Sept/Oct, I believe.

If you don't mind me asking, which uni does your DS go to and how does he find the course and the Uni. It is always good to know from people directly. You can pm me the info.

IIRC, the school has asked DC to choose 2 unis (solid choices) at their current predicted level, 2 unis (aspirational choices) at 2 levels higher and one at 2 levels lower as a safe choice.
Last edited by berks_mum on Tue Jul 20, 2021 7:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
scary mum
Posts: 8841
Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2010 3:45 pm

Re: Unis for aerospace engineering

Post by scary mum »

Certainly most do an MEng with a year abroad/in industry, although of course work placements were an issue this year. For some they have to achieve a certain grade (60% I think) in the first year to go onto the MEng course.
scary mum
berks_mum
Posts: 939
Joined: Sat Dec 28, 2013 4:52 pm

Re: Unis for aerospace engineering

Post by berks_mum »

Thanks scary_mum. DC is interested in Bristol and trying to decide between Southampton/Bath for the next place. Is likely to meet the requirement. We would prefer DC not go to Cambridge or Imperial even if there is a grade boost in September.

Anyone with any experience of Southampton/Bath?
exam2019
Posts: 227
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 3:14 pm

Re: Unis for aerospace engineering

Post by exam2019 »

This is a slightly tricky subject but I suppose it is best to know prior to signing up. People I know who studied aeronautical ended up working in the defence industry on war machinery. It can be difficult to deal with. It is possible to do general engineering at a number of unis which would allow a wider sampling of engineering and your DS can opt in/out of aeronautical when he knows more.
Tinkers
Posts: 7240
Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 2:05 pm
Location: Reading

Re: Unis for aerospace engineering

Post by Tinkers »

exam2019 wrote:This is a slightly tricky subject but I suppose it is best to know prior to signing up. People I know who studied aeronautical ended up working in the defence industry on war machinery. It can be difficult to deal with. It is possible to do general engineering at a number of unis which would allow a wider sampling of engineering and your DS can opt in/out of aeronautical when he knows more.
I’d also mention this.

It’s worth looking at engineering other than aeronautical as well, As it gives broader
options. Some may offer aeronautics options.

Certainly most engineering institutions these you need a masters to get chartered (or you need to jump through additional hoops). It doesn’t have to be MEng though. It could be BEng then specialise via an MSc after. Worth looking at the various institutions’ requirements.
mclm
Posts: 111
Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2010 9:56 am

Re: Unis for aerospace engineering

Post by mclm »

My DD applied for AeroEng at Bath & was very impressed on the Open days . Changed her mind at the last minute and did Chem Eng instead but still at Bath. Preferred it over Southampton. They have very good links with industry and do a lot of practical work. She’s very happy at Bath.
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