Top 100 Aerospace Engineering Universities in the UK

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There are so many Aerospace Engineering universities in the UK, which results in difficulty in choosing the right one. As the aerospace industry continues to evolve, the need for top-notch education and research in this field has never been more critical.

Most of the universities listed in this article welcome international students. Each university may have specific admission requirements for international students, such as English language proficiency tests (e.g., IELTS or TOEFL).

Why Study Aerospace Engineering in the UK?

Studying aerospace engineering in the UK offers students exposure to both theoretical and practical knowledge, with top-ranked universities offering top-ranked courses.
UK universities also offer scholarships to cover tuition and other expenses.

Career opportunities and salaries are abundant, with opportunities to grow in government research institutions, the Ministry of Defence, and airline businesses.

Graduates also receive high-standard salaries due to the attractive packages provided to fresh graduates.

The UK has a long and rich history of aerospace innovation, from the first powered flight by the Wright brothers in 1903 to the development of the jet engine by Frank Whittle in 1937 to the launch of the first British satellite Ariel 1 in 1962.

Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics: This course covers the principles of aerodynamics and fluid mechanics, which are essential for understanding the flight of aircraft and spacecraft.

Aircraft Structures and Materials: This course covers the design and analysis of aircraft and spacecraft structures, as well as the materials used in their construction.

Flight Mechanics and Control Systems: This course covers the principles of flight mechanics and control systems, which are essential for designing and controlling aircraft and spacecraft.

Aircraft Propulsion Systems: This course covers the design and analysis of aircraft and spacecraft propulsion systems.

Aerospace Systems Design and Integration: This course covers the design and integration of aerospace systems, such as aircraft, spacecraft, and missiles.

List of the Top 100 Aerospace Engineering Universities in the UK

Below is a table showing the top 100 Aerospace Engineering Universities in the UK:

S/NUniversitiesLocation
1University of CambridgeCambridge, England
2Imperial College LondonLondon, England
3University of OxfordOxford, England
4University of ManchesterManchester, England
5University College LondonLondon, England
6University of SouthamptonSouthampton, England
7University of LeedsLeeds, England
8University of BristolBristol, England
9University of NottinghamNottingham, England
10University of BirminghamBirmingham, England
11University of SheffieldSheffield, England
12University of EdinburghEdinburgh, Scotland
13University of GlasgowGlasgow, Scotland
14Cranfield UniversityCranfield, England
15University of LiverpoolLiverpool, England
16University of StrathclydeStrathclyde, Scotland
17University of WarwickWarwick, England
18Loughborough UniversityLoughborough, England
19Queen Mary University of LondonLondon, England
20Newcastle UniversityNewcastle, England
21King's College LondonLondon, England
22Durham UniversityDurham, England
23University of SurreySurrey, England
24University of LeicesterLeicester, England
25University of BathBath, England
26University of ReadingReading, England
27Queen's University BelfastBelfast, Northern Ireland
28Cardiff UniversityCardiff, Wales
29University of YorkYork, England
30University of ExeterExeter, England
31Swansea UniversitySwansea, Wales
32University of SussexSussex, England
33University of East AngliaNorwich, England
34Brunel University LondonUxbridge, England
35University of St AndrewsSt Andrews, Scotland
36University of WalesCardiff, Wales
37University of AberdeenAberdeen, Scotland
38Lancaster UniversityLancaster, England
39St George's, University of LondonLondon, England
40Heriot-Watt UniversityEdinburgh, Scotland
41University of LondonLondon, England
42City, University of LondonLondon, England
43Liverpool John Moores UniversityLiverpool, England
44University of SalfordSalford, England
45University of DundeeDundee, Scotland
46University of HullKingston, England
47Manchester Metropolitan UniversityManchester, England
48Aston UniversityBirmingham, England
49University of KentKent, England
50University of PlymouthPlymouth, England
51London School of Economics and Political ScienceLondon, England
52Keele UniversityKeele, England
53University of BradfordBradford, England
54Ulster UniversityColeraine, Northern Ireland
55Coventry UniversityCoventry, England
56University of EssexColchester, England
57Royal Holloway, University of LondonEgham, England
58Bangor UniversityBangor, Wales
59Aberystwyth UniversityAberystwyth, Wales
60University of HuddersfieldHuddersfield, England
61Northumbria UniversityNewcastle, England
62De Montfort UniversityLeicester, England
63University of GreenwichLondon, England
64University of HertfordshireHatfield, England
65University of PortsmouthPortsmouth, England
66Birkbeck, University of LondonLondon, England
67University of StirlingStirling, Scotland
68University of Central LancashirePreston, England
69University of the West of EnglandBristol, England
70University of BrightonBrighton, England
71Oxford Brookes UniversityOxford, England
72London South Bank UniversityLondon, England
73Glasgow Caledonian UniversityGlasgow, Scotland
74Nottingham Trent UniversityNottingham, England
75University of WestminsterLondon, England
76Sheffield Hallam UniversitySheffield, England
77Kingston UniversityKingston, England
78University of South WalesPontypridd, Wales
79Edinburgh Napier UniversityEdinburgh, Scotland
80Bournemouth UniversityPoole, England
81Teesside UniversityMiddlesbrough, England
82University of WolverhamptonWolverhampton, England
83Robert Gordon UniversityAberdeen, Scotland
84Royal Veterinary College University of LondonLondon, England
85Middlesex UniversityLondon, England
86University of LincolnLincoln, England
87University of NorthamptonNorthampton, England
88University of DerbyDerby, England
89Staffordshire UniversityStaffordshire, England
90University of the West of ScotlandPaisley, Scotland
91London Metropolitan UniversityLondon, England
92London Business SchoolLondon, England
93University of BedfordshireLuton, England
94Anglia Ruskin UniversityCambridge, England
95University of SunderlandSunderland, England
96University of BoltonBolton, England
97University of West LondonEaling, England
98University of RoehamptonLondon, England
99University of East LondonLondon, England
100Leeds Beckett UniversityLeeds, England

Top 20 Aerospace Engineering Universities in the UK

1. University of Cambridge

  • Founded: 1209
  • Location: Cambridge, England.
  • Tuition fee: For international students, the tuition fee for 2023-24 is £37,293 per year.
  • Ranking: The University of Cambridge is ranked #1 in the world for aerospace engineering by QS World University Rankings.
  • Accreditation: The aerospace engineering program at the University of Cambridge is accredited by the Engineering Council UK.
  • Financial aid: The University of Cambridge offers a variety of financial aid options for students, including scholarships, grants, and loans.

The aerospace engineering program at the University of Cambridge is part of the Department of Engineering.

It is a 4-year Master of Engineering (MEng) degree program that provides students with a strong foundation in the fundamentals of aerospace engineering, as well as the opportunity to specialize in a particular area of interest.

2. Imperial College

  • Founded: 1907
  • Location: London, England.
  • Tuition fee: £ 37,900 per year.
  • Ranking: The Aerospace program at Imperial College London is ranked 8th in the world by the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023.
  • Accreditation: The Aerospace program at Imperial College London is accredited by the Engineering Council UK.
  • Financial aid: Imperial College London offers a variety of financial aid options to students, including scholarships, grants, and loans.

The Aerospace program at Imperial College London is a highly ranked, 4-year undergraduate degree that provides students with a comprehensive education in the field of aerospace engineering.

Here are some additional details about the Aerospace program at Imperial College London:

  • World-renowned experts in the field of aerospace engineering teach the program.
  • The program has strong industry connections, and graduates are highly sought-after by employers.
  • The program offers a variety of specialization options, allowing students to tailor their studies to their interests.
  • The program has state-of-the-art facilities, including wind tunnels, flight simulators, and computing resources.

3. University of Oxford

  • Founded: 1096
  • Location: The University of Oxford is located in Oxford, England.
  • Ranking: The University of Oxford is ranked #1 in the world for aerospace engineering by QS World University Rankings.
  • Accreditation: The aerospace engineering program at Oxford is accredited by the Engineering Council, the UK’s professional engineering body.
  • Financial aid: The University of Oxford offers a variety of financial aid options for students, including scholarships, grants, and loans.

The aerospace engineering program at Oxford is a part of the Department of Engineering Science. It is a four-year Master of Engineering (MEng) degree that provides students with a broad foundation in engineering, with the option to specialize in aerospace engineering in the third and fourth years.

4. University of Manchester

  • Founded: 1824
  • Location: The University of Manchester is located in Manchester, England.
  • Tuition fee: £9,250 per annum for UK students and £30,000 per annum for international students.
  • Ranking: The University of Manchester is ranked 2nd in the UK for Engineering and Technology by the Complete University Guide 2023.
  • Accreditation: The Aerospace Engineering program at the University of Manchester is accredited by the Engineering Council UK.
  • Financial aid: The University of Manchester offers a variety of financial aid options for students, including scholarships, grants, and loans.

The Aerospace Engineering program at the University of Manchester is a 4-year undergraduate degree that provides students with a strong foundation in the principles of aerospace engineering.

5. University College London

  • Founded: The UCL Aerospace Engineering program was founded in 1907.
  • Location: London, England.
  • Tuition fee: £ 20,760 per year.
  • Ranking: The UCL Aerospace Engineering program is ranked 1st in the UK and 8th worldwide by QS World University Rankings.
  • Accreditation: The UCL Aerospace Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Council UK.
  • Financial aid: UCL offers a variety of financial aid options for students, including scholarships, grants, and loans.

The UCL Aerospace Engineering program is a 4-year undergraduate degree that provides students with a comprehensive education in the field of aerospace engineering.

6. University of Southampton

  • Founded: 1902
  • Location: Southampton, England
  • Tuition fee: £22,760 per year for international students (2022/23)
  • Ranking: 5th in the UK for Aerospace Engineering (Complete University Guide 2023)
  • Accreditation: The University of Southampton’s Aerospace Engineering program is accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
  • Financial aid: The University of Southampton offers a variety of financial aid options for students, including scholarships, grants, and loans.

The University of Southampton is a public research university in Southampton, England. It was founded in 1902 and is a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities.

7. University of Leeds

  • Founded: 1874
  • Location: Leeds, England.
  • Tuition fee: INR 2,845,998.
  • Ranking: The University of Leeds is ranked 9th in the UK for engineering and technology by the Complete University Guide 2023.
  • Accreditation: The Aerospace Engineering program at the University of Leeds is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IME) and the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS).
  • Financial aid: The University of Leeds offers a variety of financial aid options for students, including scholarships, grants, and loans.

The Aerospace Engineering program at the University of Leeds is a 4-year undergraduate degree (BEng) or 5-year integrated master’s degree (MEng) that prepares students for careers in the aerospace industry.

8. University of Bristol

  • Founded: 1876
  • Location: Bristol, England
  • Tuition fee: 25,300 GBP/year
  • Ranking: 51-100 in the world for Aerospace Engineering (QS World University Rankings 2023)
  • Accreditation: The University of Bristol is accredited by the Engineering Council, the professional body for engineers in the UK.
  • Financial aid: The University of Bristol offers a variety of financial aid options for students, including scholarships, grants, and loans.

The University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, England. The undergraduate program is a 3-year course leading to a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) degree.

9. University of Nottingham

  • Founded: 1881
  • Location: The University of Nottingham is located in Nottingham, England.
  • Tuition fee: The tuition fee for international students ranges from £19,000 to £23,000 per year.
  • Ranking: The Aerospace program at the University of Nottingham is ranked 11th in the UK for Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering by the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023.
  • Accreditation: The Aerospace program at the University of Nottingham is accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS).
  • Financial aid: The University of Nottingham offers a variety of financial aid options for students, including scholarships, grants, and loans.

The Aerospace program at the University of Nottingham is a 4-year undergraduate program that leads to a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) or Master of Engineering (MEng) degree.

10. University of Birmingham

  • Founded: 1825
  • Location: The University of Birmingham is located in Birmingham, England.
  • Tuition fee: The tuition fee for the Aerospace Engineering BEng course at the University of Birmingham for the academic year 2024/25 is £28,560 for international students.
  • Ranking: The University of Birmingham is ranked 101-125 in the world for engineering and technology by QS World University Rankings 2023.
  • Accreditation: The Aerospace Engineering program at the University of Birmingham is accredited by the Engineering Council, the professional body for engineers in the UK.
  • Financial aid: The University of Birmingham offers a variety of financial aid options for students, including scholarships, grants, and loans.

The Aerospace Engineering program at the University of Birmingham is a 3-year Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) degree or a 4-year Master of Engineering (MEng) degree.

11. University of Sheffield

  • Founded: 1828
  • Location: The University of Sheffield is located in Sheffield, England.
  • Tuition fee: For a three-year BEng in Aerospace Engineering, the tuition fee is £27,000 per year.
  • Ranking: The University of Sheffield is ranked 73rd in the world for aerospace engineering by the QS World University Rankings 2023.
  • Accreditation: The University of Sheffield Aerospace program is accredited by the Engineering Council UK and the Royal Aeronautical Society.
  • Financial aid: The University of Sheffield offers a variety of financial aid options for students, including scholarships, grants, and loans.

The University of Sheffield Aerospace program is one of the top aerospace engineering programs in the UK.

12. University of Edinburgh

  • Founded: 1583
  • Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
  • Tuition fee: The tuition fee for the MSc in Aerospace Engineering for international students is £25,500 per year.
  • Ranking: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023: 161-200
  • Accreditation: The University of Edinburgh is accredited by the Engineering Council UK.
  • Financial aid: The University of Edinburgh offers a variety of financial aid options for international students, including scholarships, grants, and loans.

The University of Edinburgh is a public research university located in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was founded in 1583 and is one of the oldest universities in the English-speaking world.

13. University of Glasgow

  • Founded: 1451
  • Location: Glasgow, Scotland
  • Tuition fee: For the academic year 2023-24, the annual tuition fee for UK students is £11,5201, while the annual tuition fee for international students is £29,370.
  • Ranking: Aerospace Engineering (Undergraduate): 43rd in the world (QS World University Rankings 2023)
  • Accreditation: The University of Glasgow is accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
  • Financial aid: The University of Glasgow offers a variety of financial aid options for international students, including scholarships, grants, and loans.

The University of Glasgow is a public research university in Glasgow, Scotland.

14. Cranfield University

  • Founded: 1946
  • Location: Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England
  • Tuition fee: MSc in Aerospace Dynamics: £14,500 for UK and EU students and £26,000 for international students.
  • Ranking: QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023: Top 30 for Engineering – Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing
  • Accreditation: The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
  • Financial aid: Cranfield University offers a variety of financial aid options for students, including scholarships, bursaries, and loans.

Cranfield University is a British public research university located in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England. It is one of the UK’s leading universities for aerospace engineering.

15. University of Liverpool

  • Founded: 1881
  • Location: Liverpool, England
  • Tuition fee: The tuition fee for the Aerospace Engineering with Pilot Studies BEng (Hons) program at the University of Liverpool is £9,250 per year for domestic students.
  • Ranking: 10th in the UK for Aerospace Engineering (Guardian University Guide 2023)
  • Accreditation: The University of Liverpool’s aerospace program is accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.
  • Financial aid: The university offers a variety of financial aid options for students, including scholarships, grants, and student loans.

The University of Liverpool is a public research university located in Liverpool, England.

16. University of Strathclyde

  • Founded: 1796
  • Location: The University of Strathclyde is located in Glasgow, Scotland.
  • Tuition fee: For undergraduate students from the EU, the tuition fee is £19,500 per year.
  • Ranking: The University of Strathclyde is ranked 101-125 in the world for engineering and technology by QS World University Rankings 2023.
  • Accreditation: The Aerospace program at the University of Strathclyde is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
  • Financial aid: The University of Strathclyde offers a variety of financial aid options for students, including scholarships, grants, and loans.

The University of Strathclyde Aerospace program is a world-renowned engineering program that offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in aerospace engineering.

17. University of Warwick

  • Founded: 1965
  • Location: Coventry, England.
  • Tuition fee: The tuition fee for the 2023/24 academic year is £26,010 per year.
  • Ranking: The University of Warwick is ranked 51st in the world for engineering and technology by the QS World University Rankings 2023.
  • Accreditation: The University of Warwick is accredited by the Engineering Council, the professional body for engineers in the United Kingdom.
  • Financial aid: The University of Warwick offers a variety of financial aid options for students, including scholarships, grants, and loans.

The University of Warwick does not offer a standalone aerospace engineering degree but does offer a Mechanical Engineering degree with a specialization in aerospace.

18. Loughborough University

  • Founded: 1947
  • Location: Leicestershire, England.
  • Tuition fee: For students from England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland £9,250 per year.
  • Ranking: The department is ranked 10th in the UK for aerospace engineering by the Complete University Guide 2023.
  • Accreditation: The department is accredited by the Engineering Council, the Royal Aeronautical Society, and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
  • Financial aid: The department offers a range of financial aid options, including scholarships, bursaries, and loans.

The Department of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering at Loughborough University is one of the leading departments in the UK for aerospace engineering.

19. Queen Mary University of London

  • Founded: 1887
  • Location: London, England.
  • Tuition fee: For the BEng (Hons) degree, which is a 3-year undergraduate program, the tuition fee for home students is £9,250 per year, and for overseas students is £28,350 per year.
  • Ranking: The Queen Mary University of London is ranked 101-150 in the world for aerospace engineering by QS World University Rankings.
  • Accreditation: The Aerospace Engineering program at Queen Mary is accredited by the Engineering Council UK.
  • Financial aid: Queen Mary offers a variety of financial aid options for students, including scholarships, grants, and loans.

The Aerospace Engineering program at Queen Mary is a 3-year undergraduate degree that prepares students for careers in the aerospace industry.

20. Newcastle University

  • Founded: 1834
  • Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
  • Tuition fee: AUD 40,490.
  • Ranking: The University of Newcastle is ranked 80th in the world for aerospace engineering by the QS World University Rankings 2023.
  • Accreditation: The aerospace engineering program at Newcastle University is accredited by the Engineering Council UK and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
  • Financial aid: The University of Newcastle offers a variety of financial aid options for students, including scholarships, grants, and loans.

The aerospace engineering program at Newcastle University is a 4-year undergraduate degree that provides students with the knowledge and skills to design, develop, and operate aircraft and spacecraft.

FAQs on the Top 100 Aerospace Engineering Universities in the UK

How were the universities ranked in this article?

The universities in this article were ranked based on a variety of criteria, including academic reputation, research output, faculty expertise, student-to-faculty ratio, and more.

How can I apply to these universities for aerospace engineering programs?

The application process varies from university to university. Typically, you can apply through the university's official website or a centralized application system like UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) for undergraduate programs. For postgraduate programs, you'll typically apply directly to the university.

Are scholarships available for aerospace engineering students at these universities?

Many universities offer scholarships and financial aid for students pursuing aerospace engineering degrees. You can find information about scholarships and funding opportunities on the respective university websites and through scholarship databases.

Conclusion

To learn more about the program, we provided links to the aerospace engineering departments of each university in the article. You can visit these links, including program details, faculty profiles, admission requirements, and contact information.

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