Aerospace Engineering

...However, when it comes to Aerospace I truly believe Bristol has the upper hand.

The Aerospace Engineering department has throughout the years worked extremely closely with the aviation industry that surrounds Bristol and the South-West of England. The region has a proud aeronautical pedigree with the likes of the Airbus UK, GKN Westlands and Rolls-Royce.

As an great admirer of Concorde, it always delighted me that ...
...development.

When you enroll you are entered for the 4 year Masters course, however, I believe that towards the end of your 2nd year there is the option to review this and possbily leave with a Bachelors degree in your 3rd year.

It is likely the course content might have changed since technology has developed since i started my course 10 years ago in 1997. However there were four main themes that the lectures and subjects ... more

I graduated from Bristol in 2001 with a Masters in Aeronautical Engineering.

Bristol has a great tradition and as univeristy is often considered second only to the Oxbridge universities. However, when it comes to Aerospace I truly believe Bristol has the upper hand.

The Aerospace Engineering department has throughout the years worked extremely closely with the aviation industry that surrounds Bristol and the South-West of England. The region has a proud aeronautical pedigree with the likes of the Airbus UK, GKN Westlands and Rolls-Royce.

As an great admirer of Concorde, it always delighted me that Bristol University's Aerospace Engineering department played a role in her development.

When you enroll you are entered for the 4 year Masters course, however, I believe that towards the end of your 2nd year there is the option to review this and possbily leave with a Bachelors degree in your 3rd year.

It is likely the course content might have changed since technology has developed since i started my course 10 years ago in 1997. However there were four main themes that the lectures and subjects taught covered:

- Fluid Flow and Aerodynamics
- Structures and Materials
- Dynamics and Control
- Design and Systems

Fluid Flow and Aerodynamics, starts in your first year as Fluids and Thermodynamics. It progresses in the second year to understanding aerodynamics in supersonic flow. The aerodynamics around the most fundamental component of the aircraft, the wing, is studied in the third year along with aircraft propulsion. Whilst the fourth year delves deeper into propulsion and also introduces the highly important aspect of computational aerodynamics.

The theme of Structures and Materials begins with the teaching of the properties of various materials and basic stress analysis in the first year. The second year brings an introduction into metal alloys as well as an analysis of various structural components of an aircraft. Manufacturing techniques and a look at failure criteria is investigated. The fourth year enables students to study composite materials in further depth. From the outset as aeronautical engineers students are taught that minimising structural weight is fundamental in aircraft design. Finite element analysis and computational methods are introduced from the second year and students learn to use software and techniques practiced in the industry.

Dynamics and Control in the first year covers basic mechanics and aircraft performance in the simplest scenarios of flight. A second year course in Vibrations and Mechanisms begins to look at more dynamic situations and is supplemented with material on the stability of an aircraft and how its systems/controls affect this. The aspect of controlling dynamic systems is taught in the third year and further extended in the fourth year.

The Design and Systems theme manifests itself primarily in projects, but is supported by useful teaching in design techniques. Drafting and introduction to Computer Aided Design software is taught in the first year. The second year sees the design of large systems, with the involvement of the need to set and satisfy requirements when developing a design. Whilst normally the third year culminates in a large design project which will be discussed later.

A research project is also conducted in order to achieve a Masters degree. There are choices provided on what topics are available for research, but provided you can make a good case for its aeronautical/engineering importance, you can suggest your own topics too. The research topics are frequently suggested by industrial contacts, who will then provide support, often facilities and assessment of the project at the end.

There are various practical elements throughout the years and these supplement the theoretical learning. Students get to use variety of pieces of equipment such as the departments wind-tunnels (including the supersonic one).

Returning to the Design aspects of the course, the first year begins with a simple flight project, where you are given a brief to create a relatively simple vehicle out of basic materials (almost like a Blue Peter construction, for those of you who know that TV programme). In my year it was to make a vehicle that would descend as quickly as possible from the top of the engineering builing without damaging the fragile egg payload inside.

Towards the end of the first year, a group design project requires you to be part of a team that has to design and build a wing structure that will ultimately be tested to meet the requirements set. Plus you will be assessed on how your design performed against your calculated predictions for the design and how much your creation weighed and costed.

The other design project in the first year is the design of a landing-gear structure. This was more a theoretical design, but you use your newly used computing skills to aid your design. Not only are you required to produce technical drawings but also reports on structure and mass, to prove it meets the requirements.

The second year has a systems design project where you are required to design and test a system as opposed to just a single specific item. There is also another group design project where in teams you design a fuselage frame/floorbeam/support struts structure. Again you are required to produce drawings and reports to show how the design can be manufactured and prove it will meet the requirements. Once more, the use of computer software will aid you in the design.

The final design project is normally taken in the 3rd year. This is the best design project you will do. Given a brief by Airbus UK, you work in a team to conceptually design an aircraft. This includes producing drawings and performance figures. As a team you then market your design to senior members of the Airbus UK team. Throughout the whole project you receive advise and guidance from both staff and industry representatives.

A great feature of this course is the option to study abroad in your 3rd year. Normally this means going to continental Europe on the ERASMUS/PEGASUS scheme. Language tuition is provided in the 1st and 2nd year, in most cases. Although there may be a pre-requisite for certain languages to have been learnt at GCSE or A-level standard.

The majority of study abroad students go to Europe, but there are also options to go on exchange programmes to the USA, Canada and Australia too. (I was fortunate enough to the USA)

The world is truly your oyster as Department state that subject to finding a suitable exchange partner university, study abroad can be conducted anywhere.

During your first 2 years, there is an Engineering Mathematics module which is taken to ensure as an engineer you are able to cope with the mathematical concepts behind the engineering.

As well as mathematics, students are introduced to computing and software design. (and includes the learning how to program a computer to perform various calculations) This will enable students to use and create software to help simulate and model their parituclar engineering problems.

There are options in your final 2 years to gain some breadth to your learning and the possibility to study topics outside the department such as psychology, economic, business.

However, there is also a professional studies module that is incorporated into the course to help future graduates appreciate the business side of things, with lectures covering aspects such as marketing, accounting, politics and law. Thus creating a good basis for any future management roles a graduate might go on to take.

The staff are great. Admittedly, there are one or two lecturers that you will not take a shine to, but the majority are easily approachable and very eager to help with your learning.

This course is brilliant for anyone interested in aircraft engineering (strangely enough). Although graduates from this degree, will by the end of their course, be capable of going into most analytical thinking type jobs.

Numerous coursemates of mine are now working in the financial sector with various investment banks. Others including myself have gone on to do project management., although ultimately my attraction to aircraft has made me return to the aviation industry.

It is a lot of hard-work, but the knowledge, understanding and experience you leave with make this course extremely rewarding. If you want to do Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering then Bristol University is an excellent place to go learn. 

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