Why Aeronautical Engineering?

Stop a moment and look up to the sky! Have you ever thought about a career that is beyond the conventional? One that will enable you to reach for the sky? Think no further. Think aeronautical engineering!

The UK aerospace industry is world-class and is at the forefront of scientific and technological developments. This makes it one of the most diverse, technically advanced, challenging and exciting industries to work in today.

Studying for an Aeronautical Engineering degree can be your passport to a successful and rewarding career within the aerospace industry. The UK is renowned for its excellence in aeronautical engineering. It has a very high concentration of aeronautical engineering based courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Indeed, there are over 32 UK universities offering aeronautical engineering based courses. Many of these universities can boast international reputations.

What is the study of aeronautical engineering?
An aeronautical engineering degree involves turning ideas into reality by applying the principles of science and technology to the research, design, manufacture and maintenance of highly sophisticated products such as aircraft, missiles and space satellites. All these products are the result of whole team efforts that bring together each aeronautical engineer's skills and technical expertise.

Who studies aeronautical engineering?
Individuals studying aeronautical engineering are highly intelligent, excellent team players, keen on challenges, self-motivated, innovative and lateral thinkers. They also have the capacity for highly technical and analytical thinking.

What can you expect?
Aeronautical engineering courses involves 3 years full-time studying for BEng level and 4 years full-time studying for MEng. Students get opportunities to work in teams and get involved in resolutions of real-life problems. Most courses also require students to work on their own, perhaps researching a particular area of interest for their final year dissertations or projects.

Furthermore many degree programmes provide students opportunities to undertake industrial placements within the UK and overseas. Industrial placements are excellent vehicles for acquiring invaluable experience in applying some of the theoretical knowledge gained. Practical situations in a real working environment also greatly assist in consolidating classroom learning.

Where Next?
For those who wish to continue to build upon their academic study, the UK also offers an excellent range of postgraduate level aeronautical engineering based degree courses. Postgraduate study provides an unique opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of advanced methods and techniques involved in specific areas/fields of aeronautical engineering.

Postgraduates have the opportunity to enter the aerospace industry at a senior level. They can enjoy excelerated career development and command high salaries. However, a word of caution is in order. Postgraduate study is not a 'soft' option as the courses are very demanding. Moreover, some employers may prefer industrial experience to advanced qualifications.

Additionally, completion of an accredited aeronautical engineering degree course provides a suitable academic base for obtaining professional recognition as an Incorporated Engineer or Chartered Engineer. This requires registering with the Engineering Council, through a professional institution like The Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS). The Royal Aeronautical Society accredits over 20 UK universities offering aeronautical engineering based courses. In addition the RAeS accredits a wide range of company training programmes.

In the UK the national body for engineering is the Engineering Council. It promotes and advances the science and practice of engineering to ensure that the UK is well served by its engineering resources. The Engineering Council works in partnership with the professional institutions. As part of this endeavour, the Standards and Routes to Registration (SARTOR) sets out the standards and formation routes to provide a world-class engineering workforce capable of maximising its technological developments.

The benefits
The benefits of an UK Aeronautical Engineering degree cannot be overemphasized. An aeronautical engineering degree not only provides the opportunity to develop technical knowledge but also enables students to be classed as some of Britain's most talented individuals. The degree also helps develops transferable skills such as oral and written communication, teamworking, analytical skills and time management, all of which provide a sound basis for employment in the aerospace industry.

Furthermore the aerospace industry provides an environment for innovation, excellent career development along both the technical and managerial routes. Indeed very few industries offer such varied and rewarding career opportunities involving leading-edge technology.

The Future
Aeronautical engineers are at the forefront of technology. The UK aerospace industry attracts the very best people, and there are opportunities to enter the aerospace industry at many levels.

Indeed aeronautical engineering graduates are highly valued and are currently in great demand. With the boom in air travel, the demand for highly skilled engineering professionals far outstrips supply. It is envisaged that this will continue far into the new millennium, ensuring that employment prospects remain buoyant.

Career opportunities can be found with:

• Many leading aerospace employers
  
• The Armed Forces
  
• Government departments such as the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI), Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Department for Environment, Transport and Regions (DETR)
  
• Agencies like the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) and Defence Procurement Agency (DPA)
  
• Regulatory authorities like the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
  
• Airline operators
  
• Small and medium employers (SMEs) who provide technical services or manufacture specialist products to supply to the aerospace industry

If you have ever wondered or thought about the technology behind aeroplanes or even space satellites, then perhaps aeronautical engineering is the career waiting for you.

Why not reach for the sky and be a part of the World-Class UK Aerospace industry. Let it capture your imagination and apply for an Aeronautical Engineering degree course now!

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