BSc (Hons) Aircraft Engineering and Maintenance Systems (Top Up)

At the University of South Wales, you’ll train in one of the UK’s most advanced aerospace engineering environments. The £3.3 million Aerospace Centre features two aircraft hangars housing both civil and military aircraft, including a full-size BAE Jetstream 31, Jet Provost, and access to Rolls-Royce Spey engines. You’ll work in industry-approved, EASA- and CAA-accredited facilities, using a suite of practical training spaces for gas turbine maintenance, riveting, composites, avionics, hydraulics, and pneumatics. The Centre also provides a full-motion, three-axis Merlin MP521 flight simulator (programmable for Airbus A320 and Cessna 150), a subsonic wind tunnel, and dedicated labs for electronics and materials testing. Here’s how you’ll gain hands-on experience and industry-ready skills:

• Two aircraft hangars holding civil and military aircraft (e.g., BAE Jetstream 31, Jet Provost)

• Gas turbine overhaul workshop and mock aircraft shell riveting area

• Clean and dirty composite workshops for repair and specimen fabrication

• Specialised laboratories for avionics, hydraulics, pneumatics, and electronics

• Merlin MP521 full-motion flight simulator (Airbus A320, Cessna 150)

• Subsonic wind tunnel for aerodynamic demonstration and testing

• Sheet metal, welding, and hand tools workshops

• EASA- and CAA-approved training facilities for real-world compliance

• Industry-standard computer laboratories with SolidWorks, Ansys, LS-Dyna, SolidCAM, and Phoenix

• Modern prototyping and manufacturing equipment: CNC routers, rapid prototyping machines, CMM, laser cutter, etc.

Graduates of the BSc (Hons) Aircraft Engineering and Maintenance Systems (Top Up) at the University of South Wales are highly employable in the global aviation sector, particularly in management and planning roles for line and heavy aircraft maintenance. You’ll be prepared for positions such as aircraft maintenance engineer, maintenance planner, maintenance manager, technical support engineer, and aviation consultant, with many alumni progressing to work with major employers like Ryanair, British Airways, JMC, Airbus, Emirates, GE Aviation, and TES Aviation.

You’ll benefit from:

• Specialist managerial skills: The course addresses industry demand for expertise in maintenance scheduling, planning, and management—areas often lacking among practising engineers

• Strong industry partnerships: Engagement with leading aviation companies provides direct access to job opportunities, industry visits, and guest lectures, helping you build a professional network and stay current with sector developments

• Hands-on experience: Training takes place in CAA-approved facilities with live aircraft environments, including two hangars, a Jetstream 31, and advanced workshops, ensuring your skills meet industry standards

• Career support: You’ll receive tailored guidance on CVs, interviews, and career planning, with connections to employers in both the civil and defence aviation sectors, as well as manufacturing companies and commercial airlines

Graduate outcomes: The MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) market is rapidly expanding, especially in regions like the Middle East, and skilled graduates are in demand worldwide. Median salaries for USW aerospace graduates are £24,500 fifteen months after graduation, £27,500 after three years, and £35,500 after five years, with a typical range of £22,000–£42,000 depending on experience and role.

Further Academic Progression: You can progress to postgraduate study such as MSc Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Aviation Management. The program’s technical and managerial focus also opens doors to specialist roles in aviation consultancy, safety, and technical development.