BSc (Hons) Aircraft Maintenance Engineering including Foundation Year

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 with Foundation Year at the University of South Wales are highly employable, progressing into roles such as aircraft maintenance engineer, maintenance planner, maintenance manager, technical support engineer, and aviation consultant. The program’s strong industry partnerships with Ryanair, British Airways, JMC, and other major aviation employers provide direct access to job opportunities, guest lectures, and industry visits, helping students build valuable professional networks.

You’ll benefit from:

• Hands-on experience: In purpose-built aerospace facilities, including two aircraft hangars, a Jetstream 31, civil and military aircraft, flight simulators, and advanced workshops, all recently upgraded with a £3.3 million investment

• Real-world learning: Through practical workshops, labs, and an individual project focused on solving current maintenance or management challenges in aviation, ensuring you graduate with skills directly relevant to industry needs

• Professional alignment: Teaching and facilities are CAA-approved, and the curriculum is designed to meet the latest industry standards and regulatory requirements, including EASA and UAE GCAA approval

• Career support: Dedicated career support including one-to-one guidance, networking events, and placement opportunities to help you secure roles in airlines, MROs, and aerospace companies worldwide

Graduate outcomes: 90% of USW engineering graduates are in work or further study within six months of graduation. Median salaries for aircraft engineering and maintenance graduates are £27,000 after one year, £35,000 after three years, and £39,000 after five years, with typical salary ranges of £26,000–£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 at USW or other universities. The program’s technical and managerial focus also opens doors to careers in aviation consultancy, safety, and technical development.