Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace Engineering) (Honours)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

RMIT University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace Engineering) (Honours) at RMIT is an immersive four‑year program where you learn to design, build, and analyse aircraft and spacecraft — from propulsion systems to aerodynamics and structural integrity. It’s ideal for students who love physics, maths, and creativity and who dream of pushing boundaries in aviation or space, while gaining the hands‑on skills and professional grounding needed to launch a real engineering career.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1–2
In the first two years, you’ll build a strong foundation in engineering basics, mathematics, mechanics and design thinking. You might study units such as Engineering Science, Digital Fundamentals, Introduction to Engineering Design, and Mathematics for Engineering — setting you up with the critical problem‑solving tools and technical reasoning needed later. Alongside this, you’ll take general electives and even have opportunity to explore a humanitarian‑focused engineering challenge with the Engineers Without Borders project, giving you early exposure to real‑world engineering impact.

Year 3
In your third year, the focus shifts more firmly into aerospace-specific topics. You’ll encounter courses like Aerospace Propulsion and Systems Engineering, and have the chance to choose a minor — for example in Aircraft Technologies, Spacecraft Technologies or Computational Engineering and Simulation — tailoring your degree to match whether you love planes, rockets, or digital‑simulation work. This is where the engineering starts to feel real: you’ll be working on deeper technical problems and using specialist facilities at the Bundoora campus.

Year 4
The final year is all about putting it all together. You’ll undertake a major capstone project — industry-based or simulated — where you design, test, and report on an aerospace engineering challenge, working closely with real‑world constraints. Along with advanced units from your major or minor (for example in Aircraft or Spacecraft Technologies), this year solidifies your readiness as a fully qualified aerospace engineer. You’re encouraged to complete a practical industry placement to gain on‑the‑job experience before graduation.

Focus Areas
Aircraft & Spacecraft Design, Propulsion Systems, Aerodynamics and Systems Integration

Learning Outcomes
Graduates emerge able to design, analyse and test aerospace systems, integrate multidisciplinary engineering knowledge, solve complex technical challenges, and communicate professionally in engineering teams.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
This degree meets the standards of professional engineering accreditation: as a graduate you’re eligible for membership of Engineers Australia under the Washington Accord — meaning your qualification is recognised internationally, giving you the freedom to work both in Australia and around the world.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)
With RMIT consistently ranked among the top‑10 Australian universities for engineering and within the top 150 globally for Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering, this programme isn’t just academically rigorous — it’s well regarded by employers worldwide, boosting your chances to land meaningful, high‑level roles in aerospace and beyond.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

If you study the Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace Engineering) (Honours) at RMIT University, you’ll get much more than textbook knowledge — the program is really built around doing and preparing you for a real career in aerospace from day one. You’ll learn how to design aircraft and spacecraft, work on propulsion systems, test engines and materials, and even plan maintenance and operations — with a strong emphasis on hands‑on, practical work. This means as you go through the degree, you’ll be building the kind of tangible skills that employers in aerospace, defence or aviation value most.

Here are the main experiential learning opportunities built into the program:

Laboratory and workshop sessions from early on — alongside lectures, you’ll do practical labs and workshops tackling real engineering problems, so theory and practice go hand in hand.
A design–build–fly challenge: you’ll get to work on micro‑aerial vehicles (MAVs), designing, building and flying them — great for applying aerodynamics, materials and structural knowledge in a tiny “real‑world” aircraft.
Project-based technical challenges — including an “Engineers Without Borders” style humanitarian engineering project, and other problem‑solving tasks that mirror real industry scenarios.
Capstone (final‑year) major project — in your 4th year you’ll undertake a substantial industry‑based or simulated‑industry research/design project, using all the theory and practical skills you’ve developed to solve a complex aerospace engineering problem.
Work‑integrated learning / industry placement — you’re strongly encouraged to complete at least 10 weeks of supervised engineering industry experience. This gives you a chance to work in a real engineering environment under the guidance of professionals.
Opportunity for extended overseas work placement (6–12 months) — many students take a break in year 3 (or at the end of it) to work abroad, applying their learning in a global aerospace or aviation context, broadening both skills and network.
Flexibility with minors to tailor your focus — you can choose minors like Aircraft Technologies or Spacecraft Technologies (among others), depending on what aspect of aerospace interests you, which means your hands‑on work and projects can align with your personal career goals.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Sounds like you’re really thinking through whether Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace Engineering) (Honours) at RMIT University is the right move — and I think you’re asking exactly the right questions. Here’s why this program tends to work out well for people with real ambition in aerospace and related fields.

Graduates from this program often step into professional engineering roles — designing aircraft or spacecraft, developing propulsion systems or materials, working on aircraft maintenance or aerospace systems. Typical first jobs can be as aerospace engineer, aircraft systems designer, propulsion or propulsion‑system engineer, or maintenance/airworthiness engineer (in aviation or defence).

Here’s what this means for you:

RMIT builds in hands‑on, real‑world learning — you’ll do design‑build projects (like micro aerial vehicles), and in your final year a major industry‑based or simulated engineering project. That means you graduate with experience rather than just theory.
The program strongly encourages — and often requires — an industry placement (work experience) of about 10 weeks (or sometimes even longer overseas). That gets you valuable practical exposure, and helps you build a professional network before you finish your degree.
Through the broader engineering school and industry‑advisory committees (with senior engineers from major companies), the curriculum stays aligned with what employers actually need. That boosts your employability globally, not just in a classroom bubble.
Because the degree is accredited by the professional engineering body (through membership eligibility in Engineers Australia under the Washington Accord), employers worldwide recognise it — a strong foundation if you plan to work in different countries or pursue international opportunities.

Further Academic Progression:
After finishing this Bachelor (Honours), if you find yourself drawn toward deeper research or specialization, you could continue into postgraduate studies — for example, a Master’s in aerospace engineering (or related fields like propulsion, materials, or systems design). RMIT, being a large engineering university, supports such transitions. This path could lead you into advanced research roles, design‑leadership positions, or even PhD‑level work if you choose.