Aeronautical Engineering (with a placement year)

This course is ideal for those wanting to become a pilot, or work as an engineer or manager in the airline industry. This Aeronautical Engineering emphasizes on flight deck design, particularly the relationship between pilot and modern fly-by-wire computer interfaces. Students will learn about propulsion systems, which covers gas turbine engines, rocket engines and internal combustion engines. Year 1 will introduce students to the fundamentals of technology, mathematics and propulsion systems. Students will get the chance to be airborne as Staffordshire’s Practical Aviation Studies module gives students the chance to learn how to fly a glider. Year 2 will expand students’ knowledge into areas of aircraft aerodynamics and crash investigation. Between the second and third years, students are encouraged to apply for an industrial placement year. These are paid, give students real-world engineering experience, and have been at companies ranging from Airbus Helicopters to GE Engines. Other specialist modules include flight technology - involving the study of aircraft flight control systems - subsonic and supersonic aerodynamics, crash investigation, flight deck controls, instruments and displays, navigation systems, material properties and selection, and computer-based design, analysis and simulation. In Year 3 students will study advanced aerodynamics and flight technology, which will prepare students for their final project. The studies culminate with the GradEX graduate exhibition, where students will be able to exhibit their work to industry, VIPs and the public.