Aeronautics and astronautics focuses on fast-moving aircraft and spacecraft in the Earth’s atmosphere and outer space. This course will develop your knowledge of overall spacecraft system design, including subsystems and their interfaces, providing excellent preparation for a career in the space industry. The first two years are the same across our Aeronautics and Astronautics degrees and focus on core engineering science, such as aerodynamics, propulsion systems, mechanics of flight, fluid dynamics and control, giving you a professional grounding for the design and operation of air vehicles and spacecraft. In your third and fourth years, you will learn to design, examine and test spacecraft systems, as well as understand their environmental impact.. In your third year you will also carry out an individual project, bringing together the concepts and skills you have learned. During your fourth year, you will take further advanced and specialised modules and participate in a group design project, applying your engineering knowledge to solve a real-world problem. You will have access to extensive facilities, which include dedicated student design studios and workshops, the largest wind tunnel in any UK university, state-of-the-art jet engine and space propulsion facilities, a flight simulator and a professional manufacturing centre. Our courses are fully accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society and Institution of Mechanical Engineers and offer a route to chartered status.
A Level: A*AA | A*AA including mathematics (minimum grade A) and physics (minimum grade A), with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed). If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: AAA including mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed) plus grade A in the EPQ. We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. Applicants who have not studied the required subjects at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year. | Scottish Higher | Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information. | GCSE/National 4/National 5 Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C) | Scottish Advanced Higher | Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information. | Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF): {'start': ['D', None, None, None], 'end': ['D*', None, None, None]} | D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades A*A in A-level mathematics and physics (the A* can be in either subject), with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed) or D* in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades AA in A-level mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed). Applicants who have not studied the required subjects at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year. | AQA Level 3 Technical Level (720 glh): {'start': ['DD'], 'end': ['D*D']} | Typical entry criteria will be to achieve Grade A* in A-level Maths plus DD in the Tech Level or Grade A in A-level Maths plus D*D in the Tech Level Accepted subjects: Engineering. Must be offered in combination with A-level Mathematics and units M1 and M2 must be taken. Applicants who have not studied mathematics at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year. | Extended Project: A | If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: AAA including mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed) plus grade A in the EPQ. Applicants who have not studied the required subjects at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year. | OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma: {'start': ['DD'], 'end': ['D*D']} | Typical entry criteria will be to achieve Grade A* in A-level Maths plus DD in the Technical Diploma or Grade A in A-level Maths plus D*D in the Technical Diploma Accepted subjects: Engineering Applicants who have not studied mathematics at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year. | International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme: 38 UCAS points | Pass, with 38 points overall with 19 points required at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in Physics and 6 at Higher Level in Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches) or 7 at Higher Level in Mathematics (Applications and Interpretation). Applicants who have not studied mathematics and/or physics at Higher Level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year. | WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales: A | A*AA including mathematics (minimum grade A) and physics (minimum grade A), with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed) or A*A from two A levels including mathematics and physics (the A* can be in either subject), with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed) and A from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales. A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Applicants who have not studied mathematics and/or physics at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year. | Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017): H1H1H1H2H2H2 | H1 H1 H1 H2 H2 H2 including mathematics, applied mathematics and physics | Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016): {'start': ['D', None, None, None], 'end': ['D*', None, None, None]} | D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades A*A in A-level mathematics and physics (the A* can be in either subject), with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed) or D* in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades AA in A-level mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed). Applicants who have not studied the required subjects at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year. | OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate: {'start': ['D', None, None, None], 'end': ['D*', None, None, None]} | Typical entry criteria will be to achieve a grades A*A in Maths and Physics at A-level plus D in the Technical Extended Certificate or grades AA in Maths and Physics at A-level plus D* in the Technical Extended Certificate. A pass in the physics Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. Applicants who have not studied the required subjects at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year. | Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015): A | A*AA including mathematics (minimum grade A) and physics (minimum grade A), with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed) or A*A from two A levels including mathematics and physics (the A* can be in either subject), with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed) and A from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate. Applicants who have not studied the required subjects at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year. | Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal: D2D3D3 | D2, D3, D3 in three Principal subjects including mathematics (minimum grade D3) and physics (minimum grade D3) Applicants who have not studied the required subjects can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year.
with no component below 6.0
Typical modules include: Year one: Introduction to Aeronautics and Astronautics; Engineering Design; Electrical and Electronic Systems; Mathematics; Mechanics, Structures and Materials; Thermofluids. Year two: Aerodynamics; Astronautics; Engineering Management and Law; Materials and Structures; Mathematics; Mechanics of Flight; Propulsion; Systems Design and Computing. Year three: Individual Project; Advanced Astronautics; Aerospace Control Design; Aerothermodynamics; Aircraft Structural Design; Spacecraft Systems Engineering and Design; plus module options. Year four: Group Design Project; Advanced Aerospace Engneering ; plus additional module options to deepen your knowledge, such as Spacecraft Orbital Mechanics and Control or Spacecraft Propulsion.
Please see our website for further details and updates regarding tuition fees. We anticipate that international tuition fee levels for 2027 entry will be confirmed in August 2026. — UG 2027 Entry - Home Confirmed, International TBC
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