Aerospace Vehicle Design MSc

At Cranfield University, the Aerospace Vehicle Design MSc is built around hands-on, practical experience that prepares students for real-world aerospace challenges. From state-of-the-art laboratories to actual flight experience, students gain technical expertise while working closely with industry-standard tools and methodologies. The program emphasizes teamwork, applied research, and exposure to operational aerospace environments, ensuring graduates leave with both knowledge and confidence to excel in the field.

Students benefit from a variety of immersive learning opportunities, including:

• National Flying Laboratory Centre (NFLC): Student experience flights in light aircraft, with opportunities to take control, understand aircraft stability, and study the effects of controls and angle of attack.

• Group Design Project: A collaborative project simulating a virtual industrial environment, bringing together students of diverse backgrounds to work as an integrated design team over several months.

• Advanced Laboratories: Access to cutting-edge facilities for propulsion, structural, and avionics systems research and testing.

• Industry Engagement: Continuous input from an Industrial Advisory Committee with senior members from Airbus, BAE Systems, Boeing, GKN Aerospace, Royal Air Force, and other aerospace leaders.

• Specialized Software Tools: Practical training using aerospace design and simulation software relevant to modern aircraft engineering.

• Cranfield Libraries and IT Resources: Extensive digital and physical collections supporting research, design, and technical study.

• Networking and Professional Development: Opportunities to connect with alumni, industry experts, and visiting academics throughout the program.

• Field Trips and Industry Visits: Exposure to operational aerospace environments to contextualize design theory with real-world applications.

This integrated approach ensures that students not only learn aerospace theory but apply it in realistic scenarios, giving them a strong competitive edge in the global aerospace sector.

Graduates of the Aerospace Vehicle Design MSc at Cranfield University are highly sought after in the aerospace industry, equipped to lead and innovate in aircraft and systems design. Career paths often include roles such as Aircraft Design Engineer, Avionics Systems Specialist, Aerospace Structural Analyst, and Flight Systems Integration Engineer:

• University Support Services: The Cranfield Careers and Employability Service offers personalised career guidance, CV workshops, interview preparation, and direct connections to aerospace employers.

• Employment Stats & Salary Figures: Cranfield graduates enjoy strong employment prospects, with many securing roles in top aerospace firms within six months of graduation; average starting salaries range from £35,000–£45,000 depending on role and experience.

• University–Industry Partnerships: The program is guided by an Industrial Advisory Committee including Airbus, BAE Systems, Boeing, GKN Aerospace, Thales UK, and military organisations such as the Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force, ensuring students gain industry-relevant skills and networking opportunities.

• Long-term Accreditation Value: The MSc is internationally recognised, contributing to professional accreditation pathways and membership in aerospace engineering bodies.

• Graduation Outcomes: Alumni join the Cranfield College of Aeronautics Alumni Association, engaging in networking events, continuous learning, and access to a global professional community.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can advance to research-focused degrees such as an MPhil or PhD in Aerospace Engineering or related fields, leveraging Cranfield’s world-class facilities and industry collaborations for specialised research in aircraft design, propulsion, and aerospace systems innovation.