Best Engineering Aerospace University's

[ItsNowOrNever]

Hi all

Looking for top 5 university ranking for Aerospace or Aeronautical engineering and any advice on the top markers of extra curricular to hit for the applications, model making, clubs etc?

We're finding it really hard to get access to relevant work experience, is this due to lack of knowledge or just looking in the wrong place?!

Would you suggest 3 or 4 A levels?
Studying Physics, Maths and FM. Chemistry also but she may drop this.

First generation University attendee so no prior experience to draw on.

I'll start with what I think:

1. Imperial
2. Cambridge

3...

Work experience in any role and also work experience in specific related role.

Please share your expert knowledge and experience.

Thanks

Not at all, feel free to PM me, happy to help.

@ItsNowOrNever Sorry forgot to tag, no problem at all to PM me, happy to help.

@stuffnthings

Thanks, will do!

Hi @stuffnthings

I'm so sorry but cannot see how to DM? I'd love to chat to you regarding the Aerospace engineering?

Can you DM me and maybe that way I can see it and reply?

Thanks so much 🙏

@ItsNowOrNever no problem, I'll try that now.

@ItsNowOrNever
Exete don’t list aerospace engineering as one of their courses. Other universities are better for this discipline.

Friend's child applied for aerospace engineering. Had 3 X A * and 1 X A.

They said the top unis were Bath, Bristol, Southampton, Imperial.... They didn't apply to London or Cambridge and got 5 offers (I can't recall their other choices - maybe Nottingham?) They are currently doing an M Eng at Bath with a year in industry and really rate the course.

They are the top ones. Not Oxbridge. It would just be where they prefer.

Have you looked at Rolls Royce for vacation schemes and work experience? Also for degree level apprenticeships.

Lots of people think of Rolls Royce Motors and forget that RR Plc have a huge aerospace division both civil and defence.

For specific engineering Cambridge isn't a good option. Southampton, imperial, Bristol... but this is your dc's decision and it's essential they like where they are living and the course suits their specific needs. I highly recommend a lower tariff course or two because some do struggle during a levels, they may be glad of an insurance offer that's lower

Ps my dc rates Southampton, great university and course

I'm an engineer and have worked in aerospace for over ten years and other sectors for another ten, I don't have an aerospace degree, a few comments:

Most engineering degrees will have at least 50% of the syllabus in common, maths, mechanics, materials etc.

Most (all) aerospace companies take grads and interns from a wide range of specialisms, I work with systems engineers, materials engineers, coders, automation experts, mechanical engineers, electrical, chemists, data analysts, stress etc etc. The vast majority of technical roles are very specialised.

Look at degree apprenticeships, Airbus, RR, BAE, etc. You get a degree, no fees, a salary, guaranteed internships, needless to say competition for places is pretty strong.

For aero look at UWE, Bristol, Bath, imperial, Cranfield, Loughborough, Manchester,

An MEng is pretty much standard and PHD or EngDoc very sought after.

Oh, and enjoy, I love what I do.

@Daftasabroom
Are you a Chartered Engineer with no degree? That’s unusual. Nor should it be recommended. Bristol University Aerosoace MEng specialises some areas of learning from year 1. It’s not true to say 50% of degrees is shared with other disciplines.

@TizerorFizz I do have an engineering degree just not an aerospace degree, I've changed sector a few times and currently work for a consultancy across multiple sectors.

If you look at engineering degree syllabuses they have a huge amount in common.

I did one of the last Engineering Council accredited courses and have EC1 and EC2, at the time many CEng didn't have to have a degree. I know at least 3 colleagues who were in the forces and took the professional route to become chartered.

My DH is 69 and all his cohort of Chartered engineers had degrees. I get the point about service people but for most young people, MEng is the best route on a specific discipline course. For a basic reason: it’s way quicker to get chartered!

I have looked at what universities teach. MEng at Bristol makes a point that they specialise from year 1. They are very high ranking.

I do of course realise big firms take a breadth of engineering talent but no one should start from advice that a degree isn’t necessary.

@TizerorFizz I never said a degree wasn't necessary. I take you're not an engineer?

No. But DH is CEng, FICE, FIStructE and FCIHT. For decades he’s employed staff and was the owner of a very successful medium sized engineering consultancy. He’s mentored young people and making sure young people progress in the discipline is vital. DH could never give overall responsibility to non Chartered engineers for structural engineering. Therefore getting the top qualifications is vital. That’s CEng.

EC part 2 is equivalent to a degree. It’s level 6. That’s a starting point. It’s not IEng or CEng. It’s not a professional qualification when compared to the two I’ve mentioned. CEng must have a degree. You appear to be a graduate engineer with experience. Not quite the same as DH.

@TizerorFizz there is no absolute requirement for a degree to get chartered. Your DH is (I guess looking at his accreditation) a civils engineer. The engineering sectors are very very different in the way they are structured with respect to qualification and certification. I'd really urge you not to espouse nonsense on something you have personal experience of. Leave it to the professionals.

I’m not moving from the fact that CEng is the gold standard. IEng is next best. You can call yourself anything you want, and unfortunately “engineer” is used by many who are nothing of the kind in professional terms. We all know what a Doctor is. Sadly anyone can say they are an engineer.

For the purposes of MN, when posters ask about an engineering degree, MEng is best. It’s easily the shortest route to being Chartered. By the way: I know plenty! Mostly that the professional status of engineers is used very loosely. Engineering sectors are NOT different when training engineers for Chartered status. They earn more and have greater responsibility and have world wide recognition. Others can of course get work but they have limited career options.

@ItsNowOrNever

This has just popped up and might be of interest to your DC.

www.facebook.com/100063895420324/posts/pfbid0qx9ZwmQeBMkJWDZTk8qfG96mVLAxZDYpiwoL4drR5qDLhA91DsV79HgH5gQpH8Zhl/

Sadly anyone can say they are an engineer.

I know - I always find it amusing when companies send out guys yo repair a dishwasher or coffee machine and call them Engineers

I think to be a CEng incorporated by the IMechE you need the equivalent of an MEng. You are correct though. that different awarding bodies have different academic requirements,

@Jennylongleg all the CEng accreditations allow for non degree acceptance. It's more common in some sectors than others.

I was perhaps a little unfair to @TizerorFizz in that any practicing engineer outside of civils and maybe energy would instantly recognise that the words certification and qualification, particularly in aerospace, doesn't refer to the individual but to the method, process or product. Phd or EngDoc is more the "gold standard" in aerospace these days, the 1980's may well have been different.

The awarding bodies have the same academic standards there are just different ways of demonstrating those standards.