BEng (Hons)

Aeronautical Engineering with Foundation Year

3 good reasons to study Aeronautical Engineering at Salford:

Accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) and Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
Study essential elements of aircraft design
Undertake experimental and project work in aeronautical engineering

Aeronautical Engineering is primarily the application of scientific and technological methods to research, design, development, maintenance and performance testing of both civil and military aircraft including the structural components and on-board systems. Typical areas of specialism include disciplines such as propulsion, computational fluid dynamics, aerodynamics, materials and structures.

This accredited foundation engineering degree provides the basis for further study on either the BEng(Hons) Aeronautical Engineering, or the BEng(Hons) Aircraft Engineering with Pilot Studies. It will cover essential mathematics, physical sciences and key skills to give the correct background for success in the above programmes.

The degree can be studied with an optional industrial placement year between Levels 5 and 6. If this option is taken it will be assessed and if completed successfully a Certificate of Professional Studies will be awarded on proper completion of the degree programme.

The sandwich year can also be pursued in Europe if you have the appropriate language qualifications and if completed successfully a Certificate of Professional Studies (Europe) will be awarded on proper completion of the degree course.

Course details

Year 1

This course has been awarded accredited status by both the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) for 2010 to 2014 intake cohorts as meeting the exemplifying academic benchmark for registration as Incorporated Engineer (IEng) requirement in full, and the Chartered Engineer (CEng) requirement in part.

Why is accreditation important?

It provides external validation of the degree course content which recognises that it meets both UK and international standards required by the engineering profession.

Professional registration and Institution membership will enhance your career in the following ways:

Access to continuous professional development
Careers advice and employment opportunities
Increased earning potential over the length of your career
International recognition of your qualifications, skills and experience
Evidence of your motivation, drive and commitment to the profession
Networking opportunities.

This accredited degree covers the essential elements of aircraft design, including aircraft structures, flight systems, aerodynamics and design methodology.

You will undertake experimental and project work throughout your studies, culminating in a personal project in the final year. Other highlights of the final year include principles of advanced flight control, the aerodynamics of high speed vehicles, and structural analysis using finite element methods.

There is a flight test course just prior to the final year, which is delivered by Cranfield University’s National Flying Laboratory Centre using their specially instrumented Jetstream 31 aircraft. During the flight, the aircraft will conduct specific manoeuvres during which flight data is gathered for later analysis by the students. This valuable experience allows you to link practical issues of aircraft behaviour to principles of flight taught in the classroom.

The modules are designed to develop effective interpersonal skills.

Year 1

Engineering Methodology (Semester 1 and Semester 2)

An understanding and ability to use mathematics are essential skills for success in engineering. These modules will provide an introduction to mathematics and review the following subjects: algebra, trigonometry, functions, geometry, vectors, complex numbers and calculus, with some emphasis on their applications to engineering

Mechanical Systems

You will develop an ability to analyse basic structures using the main laws of physics. Simple introductory examples were used to extend your knowledge of analysis of basic structural elements.

Project Management

As a successful civil engineer it is important to have a wide range of well developed management and communications skills. This modules provide the necessary introductions to a variety of tasks that develop your skills.

Engineering Design

In this module, design elements are introduced and coupled with the necessary theory. You will be using drawings and provide the necessary calculations for the design.

Engineering Mathematics

An understanding and ability to use mathematics are essential skills for success in engineering subjects. This module will review and expand on the following subjects: algebra, trigonometry, functions, geometry, vectors, complex numbers and calculus, with emphasis on their applications to engineering.

Mechanical Science

This module will build on other modules such as Mechanical Systems to develop an ability to analyse structures using the main laws of physics.

Electrical and Electronic Engineering

This module outlines the basic principles of electrical power generation, circuit analysis and the use electronics in the modern engineering environment.

Information Technology

Information technologies and the use of software is increasingly being used in engineering design. In this module you will be introduced to some of the elements of information technologies which will be provide you with the necessary skills to use in future (including writing reports and presentations).

Power and Energy

Aeronautical engineering projects have a lot in common with other engineering disciplines such as mechanical engineering. This module, introduce some of the properties of material including fluids and provide the necessary information on energy transfer using mathematics and physics.

Engineering Materials

Aeronautical engineering employs the use of a wide range of materials. In this module you will develop your understanding of several of these materials and study their fundamental behaviour.

Year 2

Engineering Mathematics

Engineering Materials and Electrical Systems

In this module you will develop an understanding of the basic properties and applications of materials and of the principles of electronic and electrical engineering. This will include learning about the relationship between microstructure and mechanical properties of materials, mechanisms of corrosion and corrosion protection, the principles of electronic and electrical engineering, and the response of electrical elements in circuits to d.c. or a.c. supplies.

Engineering Thermodynamics and Fluid Dynamics

You will develop an understanding of the basic concepts of engineering thermodynamics and be given a introduction to the subject of fluid mechanics in this module. Skills in handing thermodynamic concepts enabling the definition and analysis of thermodynamic systems are vitally important to the mechanical engineer.

Engineering Structures and Engineering Dynamics

This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of structural behaviour and the nature of stress and strain and provide you with a foundation in engineering dynamics, allowing you to tackle simple engineering problems, and preparing the you for subsequent modules.

Product Engineering

This module will give you an insight into the complete process for the design or engineering of products and services.

On completion of the module you will have basic marketing techniques and have an understanding of how to present information using both written and oral techniques. You will also be able to read and interpret engineering drawings, with particular reference to BS 308. You will also be taught skills in basic manufacturing processes and be able to create 2-dimensional orthographic engineering drawings. Your experience and learning are enhanced by the use of 3D CAD models viewed as projected images as well as ‘printed’ physical models.

Aviation Business Enterprise

This module will introduce you to the history of air transport systems leading to the current state of the aviation business.

You will study topics such as the:

Evolution of surface transportation systems – roadways, railways and waterways
Beginnings of air transport – first generation airships and winged flying machines
Development of technologies relating to improvements in civilian and military aircraft designs
Passenger facility enhancements such as in-flight catering, conveniences and entertainment
Birth of the modern airliner leading to the demise of the airships and the ocean liners.

Year 3

Aerodynamics

Topics and concepts covered in this module include fluid mechanics, boundary layer theory, sources of drag in particular aircraft drag, thin aerofoil theory, lifting line theory as it applies to the aerodynamic analysis of unswept wings in low speed flow and the apparatus used and techniques employed in wind tunnel testing.

Aircraft Design Enterprise

This module will provide you with experience and learning in the interactive nature of aircraft design, including business and commercial influences, and to report outcomes effectively. You will also gain an appreciation of market requirements in the design process.

Aircraft Structures

On completion of this module you will be able to establish the integrity of typical basic structural aircraft components and explain the process of material selection for the structural items of an aircraft.

Engineering Mathematics

This module will build on the engineering mathematics module from your first year by developing advanced knowledge and skills in mathematical analysis. It will enable you to tackle more advanced engineering problems. Subjects covered include partial differentiation, determinants and matrices, vector analysis, laplace transforms and functions of a complex variable.

Flight Systems

In this module you will learn the basic principles and theory of statics and dynamics as related to the static and dynamic behaviour of an aircraft and the theory of flight control as related to the dynamic behaviour of an aircraft.

Navigation Systems and Aircraft Performance

This module introduces the basic concepts of aircraft performance by modelling aerodynamic loads and propulsion system performance, leading to key results in both steady and accelerated flight.

You will be taught how to calculate and assimilate performance in cruise, climb and glide, and how to link the predictive methods to design issues. You will also cover the operating principles and performance analysis of major aircraft navigation systems, with emphasis on inertial navigation systems and the NAVASTAR global positioning system.

Year 4

Aerodynamics

This module is concerned with the analysis of gas turbine engines as used in aircraft propulsion and high speed aerodynamics. Emphasis is placed on the aerodynamic and thermodynamic aspects which influence the performance of a given engine design. Wherever possible, data for actual aircraft engines is used to support the analysis.

Aircraft Design Enterprise

In this module you will learn about aircraft design, including detailed refinement of component design and major interactions that have a crucial influence on the overall effectiveness of the design.

You will study the interactive nature of aircraft design, including business and commercial influences, and be able to report outcomes effectively. On completion you should also have an appreciation of market requirements in the design process.

Finite Element Analysis and Structural Mechanics

This module will introduce finite element analysis as a tool for the solution of practical engineering problems. The finite element method is based on the premise that a complex structure can be broken down into finitely many smaller pieces (elements), the behaviour of which is known or can be predicted. These elements can then be assembled to model the behaviour of the full structure.

Flight Systems

Following on from Flight Systems module in your second year, you will develop a deeper understanding of the theory of statics and dynamics and flight control as related to the dynamic behaviour of an aircraft.

Industrial Management and Project Preparation

This module has two main components. Industrial management in which you will be introduced to the commercial issues which must be addressed by engineering businesses, and the principles of quality management systems. Project preparation will develop your ability to work independently, become competent in analysing and assessing the value of information and develop effective communication skills both written and orally.

Course Enquiries

For course enquiries please call us on:

T: +44 (0) 161 295 4545

Or Email us at:

Home/EU students
E: enquiries@salford.ac.uk

International students
E: international@salford.ac.uk