3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
The University of South Wales BSc (Hons) Aircraft Engineering and Maintenance Systems is an on-campus three-year degree course that seeks to equip you with both foundation and advanced aircraft maintenance engineering knowledge. The course has a combination of theoretical education with a wide range of practical exposure, which will equip you for maintenance, manufacturing, and technical support roles within the global aviation sector.
Curriculum structure:
Year 1: You'll acquire essential engineering understanding via modules such as Aerospace Hardware and Materials, Professional Engineering Practice, Analytical Techniques for Engineers, and Mathematics for Engineers. Practical sessions in the university hangar and workshops introduce you to aircraft systems and maintenance procedures.
Year 2: You will move to specialist topics like Maintenance Practices for B1 Licence, Aircraft Instrumentation Systems, Fundamentals of Air Transport Management, Human Factors, and Maintenance and Repair of Aircraft Propeller Systems. This year, emphasis is placed on practical skills involving real aircraft and case studies and regulatory and management principles.
Year 3: You’ll integrate your learning with modules on Aerospace Turbine Propulsion Systems, Aero-Structures, Aerodynamics and Systems, Aviation Legislation, and Employment in a PART-145 organisation. A major Group Project and Individual Project test your ability to solve real aircraft engineering problems and conduct in-depth research.
Focus areas: Aircraft maintenance, propulsion systems, avionics, aerodynamics, structures, human factors, legislation, project management, practical engineering, safety compliance.
Learning outcomes: Expertise in aircraft engineering and maintenance, practice problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, project planning, and preparation for an international aviation industry career.
Professional alignment (accreditation): Dual UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) accreditation; CAA and CAR 147 approved Maintenance Training Organisation.
Reputation (employability rankings): 100% student satisfaction (National Student Survey 2024). Students are extremely employable worldwide with outstanding industry contacts and international career prospects.
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 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.
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