Aerospace and Aviation Engineering

You can get into this career in the UK by:

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• University courses

• College courses

• Apprenticeships

• Working towards this role from within the industry through work experience 

• Applying directly to an airline, or engineering company 

The University Route: 

 

If you would like to pursue this route. You could do a degree in aerospace engineering, avionics, or a subject like:

 

• Electrical or electronic engineering

• Mechanical engineering

• Manufacturing or product engineering

• Physics or applied physics

• Software engineering or mathematics

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Postgraduate study

 

You may be able to do a master's degree in aeronautical or aerospace engineering if you've studied for a degree in a related subject, such as engineering or a related discipline. 

 

Entry requirements for Postgraduate study

 

You'll usually need:

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• 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths, physics or another scientific based subject 

• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

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College

 

You could do a higher national certificate (HNC) or diploma (HND) in engineering before applying for a technician level job with an aerospace company.

Subjects include:

 

• Mechanical engineering

• Aeronautical engineering

• Electrical engineering

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You would then go on to do further training to become a fully qualified engineer. Entry requirements for these courses may vary and be particular to the course you are going for.

 

Apprenticeship

 

Apprenticeships are a great way to get into engineering! You could do a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship course to begin your career in aerospace engineering. 

Apprenticeships could include:

 

 

• Aerospace Engineer

• Aerospace Software Engineer

• Electro-Mechanical Engineer

• Materials Science Technologist

• Aircraft Maintenance Engineer

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*Aircraft Engineering apprenticeships can provide the opportunity to gain your Part 66 Aircraft Maintenance License - https://www.gov.uk/find-licences/aircraft-maintenance-engineering-licence

 

Entry requirements, You'll usually need:

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• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship. 

• Some companies entry requirements will be the GCSEs alone, as certain companies offer apprenticeships based on GCSEs alone or GCSEs + A-Levels!

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Aeronautical Engineering Volunteering

 

There are many aviation museums and restoration hangers that provide volunteering opportunities. Most organisations don’t require any prior engineering experience.

 

This is a great way to gain relevant experience and learn new skills to help progress your career. It’s also a chance to work on some incredible vintage aircraft that made aviation history.

 

Many of these museums and restoration hangers are completely run by volunteers, this means you’ll spend your time alongside passionate and often highly experienced individuals. This is a great way to network and meet people.  For students these are great places to contact when looking for work experience in the industry or for volunteering hours towards a Duke of Edinburgh award. Get in contact with your local museum or restoration society to get involved, or check out the list below of some organisations looking for new volunteers.