Bachelor of Engineering (Research and Development) (Honours) Majoring in Aerospace Systems

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Australian National University

Program Overview

If you’re someone excited by rockets, drones, satellites or anything that flies — the Aerospace Systems major at Australian National University (ANU) offers you the chance to learn how to build, control and optimise real-world aerial and space vehicles. It’s a great fit for curious, hands-on thinkers who want to understand how aircraft and spacecraft are designed, how they stay stable, and how their different systems work together — from propulsion and materials to control and navigation.

Curriculum Structure
Early years (Year 1–2)
You begin by laying a strong engineering foundation, learning essential principles such as in ENGN2222 Engineering Thermodynamics and ENGN2228 Signals and Systems. These courses introduce you to the core physics, mathematics and systems thinking that underpin aircraft and spacecraft design — helping you to think like an engineer and start imagining how each subsystem works together.

Middle years (Year 2–3)
As you progress, you move into more aerospace-focused topics like ENGN3338 Aerodynamics and ENGN3339 Aerospace Structures and Materials, where you get hands-on with how airflow, materials and structural design influence flight. You also delve into control theory with ENGN3223 Control Systems, beginning to understand how guidance, stability and control are integrated into real aerospace vehicles.

Final years (Honours/Capstone level)
In the later stage, you’ll tackle advanced and specialist courses such as ENGN4338 Propulsion Systems, ENGN4337 Flight Dynamics and ENGN4339 Aircraft Performance and Design. This is where you put everything together — designing and analysing complete aerospace systems, considering performance, materials, propulsion, stability and control, much like in industry.

Focus Areas
Space and air vehicle design; propulsion systems; control, instrumentation and guidance; structural and material engineering; flight dynamics.

Learning Outcomes
Graduates will be able to conceive, analyse and design aerospace-grade systems — from structural and propulsion components to instrumentation, guidance and control — using simulation, modelling and engineering theory, and work effectively in teams to deliver reliable, safe and optimised aerospace solutions.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
This major feeds straight into ANU’s accredited Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) or Research & Development stream, meaning you’ll be eligible for the sorts of industry and professional roles (in aerospace, defence or space sectors) that expect a recognised, rigorous engineering qualification.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)
ANU belongs to Australia’s prestigious “Group of Eight,” and globally the university is well-regarded for engineering and technology education. That means employers and industry — from avionics firms to space agencies — tend to view an ANU Aerospace Systems graduate as highly capable, well-prepared and ready to hit the ground (or skies) running.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

You’d really benefit from studying the Aerospace Systems Major at The Australian National University — it’s built around doing and building things, not just reading theory. From early on you get to design, analyze and integrate real aerospace subsystems: spacecraft, aircraft, sensors, propulsion and control systems — exactly the kind of hands-on, career-ready skills that aerospace employers (commercial and defence) look for. The program doesn’t just teach you what’s known — it lets you experiment, simulate, model, and build, preparing you to handle real-world aerospace challenges.

Here are some of the meaningful, experiential opportunities you’ll get as part of this major:

Study and work on space systems engineering, including designing and integrating subsystems for aerial and space vehicles.
Dive into advanced propulsion systems — learn how propulsion works, design components, and understand the engineering behind thrust, materials, and propulsion architecture.
Gain skills in space instrumentation, flight instrumentation and aerospace structures and control systems — giving you a solid grounding in how sensors, control surfaces, and structural design come together.
Use what you learn in real-world projects and internship placements, leveraging ANU’s ties with major aerospace companies (like Boeing and Airbus) and Canberra’s concentration of defence and national-security agencies.
Work on aerodynamics, materials, control theory, flight dynamics, aircraft performance and design through dedicated courses — meaning you’ll actually model, simulate, and optimise aircraft/space-craft systems.
Engage in team-based, interdisciplinary engineering work combining electrical/mechatronics systems, intelligent systems, structural design, and control — preparing you to collaborate like engineers in a real aerospace environment.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Here’s why the Aerospace Systems Major at Australian National University (ANU) could be a really great fit for you — especially if you’re excited about aircraft, space, and emerging aerospace technologies.

What graduates go on to do

Graduates find themselves well-prepared for a range of exciting roles: aerospace systems engineer, propulsion or flight-dynamics engineer, control-systems or avionics engineer, and even roles in aerospace project management or defence-industry integration. Some move into research and development for cutting-edge space or aviation technologies, while others enter industry roles managing complex systems — including unmanned aerial systems (drones), satellite subsystems, and hybrid aircraft.

Here’s what this means for you:

Strong industry connections & internships — ANU leverages its unique location in Canberra, which is home to many of Australia’s defence agencies and aerospace companies (including global players like Boeing and Airbus). That means real opportunities to get project work or internships early on, giving you hands-on exposure rather than purely theoretical study.
Cutting-edge curriculum — The major covers everything from aerodynamics, propulsion systems and flight dynamics to spacecraft instrumentation, control, and guidance systems. You’ll build a deep, practical engineering skillset — not just textbook knowledge, but the ability to design, analyse, and test real aerospace systems.
Job-readiness for fast-growing fields — With growing demand for satellites, space missions, drones, and autonomous systems, your skillset will be in demand across commercial aerospace, defence, and emerging space-tech sectors.
Flexibility & credential value — ANU’s reputation as a research-intensive, globally recognized university adds weight to your degree. Whether you go into industry or research later, this degree signals rigorous training and strong technical foundations.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the Aerospace Systems Major, you could deepen your expertise by pursuing honours-level engineering or research pathways, or specialised master’s programmes related to aerospace, instrumentation, control systems, or even space-system engineering (depending on availability). Alternatively — if you find yourself drawn to a more research-oriented or high-specialization route — you could combine this background with advanced studies or postgraduate research, focusing on areas like propulsion technology, autonomous aerial systems, or satellite instrumentation.

In short — if you’re passionate about aircraft, satellites or anything to do with space and flight, this major gives you a fantastic technical foundation, real industry exposure, and a degree from a top-tier university that opens doors.