Postgraduate
courses in
Advanced Lightweight Structures and Impact
Aerospace Computational Engineering*
Aerospace Dynamics
Aircraft Engineering
Astronautics and Space Engineering
Autonomous Vehicle Dynamics and Control
Computational Fluid Dynamics
Pre-masters in Engineering
Aerospace Vehicle Design:
Aircraft Design
Avionics Systems Design
Structural Design
*subject to University approval
Aerospace
2017-18
Computational and Software
Techniques in Engineering:
Computer Aided Engineering
Digital Signal and Image Processing
Software Engineering for Technical
Computing
Thermal Power:
Aerospace Propulsion
Gas Turbine Technology
Power, Propulsion and the Environment
Rotating Machinery, Engineering and
Management
Cranfield University
We are an exclusively postgraduate university located in the
heart of the UK. Our close collaboration with industry means
we offer relevant, practical teaching that is firmly based on our
transformational research.

Our passion for the areas we operate in and our long-standing

relationships with some of the most prestigious companies in
industry mean that studying at Cranfield will open doors for you.

Engineering
4,600+ learners UK and technology
No.1 postgraduates

A professional network of
60,000+ alumni 81% of our research is world-leading
or internationally excellent.

Studying Aerospace at Cranfield

Cranfield has been a global leader in the research, development and practical application of aerospace
technology since 1946. Aerospace is in our DNA we were founded on the site of RAF Cranfield and
our students helped to develop the iconic Harrier Jump Jet and we are still the only university in
Europe with our own airport and runway on campus.

Our masters programmes attract students from around the world, drawn by the combination of
academic excellence and strong industry focus. Our work embraces the entire spectrum of aviation,
helping to define and deliver the Aircraft of the Future, the Airport of the Future, the Airline of the Future
and Airspace Management of the Future.

Our long and close relationship with business is perfectly illustrated by our new, world-leading
Aerospace Integration Research Centre. Co-funded by Airbus, Rolls-Royce plc and the Higher
Education Funding Council for England, this 35 million collaboration between industry and academia
will, through the integration of airframes, propulsion and other systems and technologies, soon be
developing the breakthrough solutions that will radically change the design of aircraft in the future.

2
Reasons to study
Aerospace with us
1 Aerospace Integration
Research Centre
Co-funded by Airbus, Rolls-Royce plc and
the Higher Education Funding Council for
England, this 35 million collaboration
1,500 businesses and governments
worldwide, including Airbus, AVIC, BAE
Systems, Boeing and Rolls-Royce plc,
directly contributing to the economic
growth of the global aerospace sector.

between industry and academia will soon
be developing the breakthrough solutions
that will radically change the design of
aircraft in the future.
2 Specialist technical
facilities
In addition to our own airport, runway,
wind tunnels and flight simulators, our
numerous specialist centres are working
at the cutting edge of aeronautics,
propulsion engineering, cyber-physical
systems and intelligent automation.
3 From concept to flight
Our industry-scale production and
testing capabilities ensure that our
ground-breaking, research-generated
design concepts can be taken from the
drawing board to the runway.
Global contribution
4 Our work embraces the entire spectrum of
aviation, combining academic excellence
and strong industry focus. We work with
5 Centre of aerospace
excellence
We have more than 200 doctoral students
and 400 MSc Aerospace students drawn
from universities around the world.
We are the UKs top destination for
aerospace engineering postgraduate
students and the largest provider of
accredited aerospace degree courses.
6 Career development
Our alumni go on to enjoy succesful
careers in aerospace, space and
associated industries. Many senior
employees in aerospace organisations
around the world have a connection to
Cranfield, as former students, researchers
or through one of our professional
development programmes.
Broad portfolio
7
We offer a wide range of study options
research degrees, taught degrees,
executive education and short courses.
Read more on our website.

The collaboration between Airbus and Cranfield goes back many

years - we have alumni who are part of the Airbus organisation
across the world. Cranfield is almost a unique research partner for
us because they understand the whole aircraft. They understand
the integration part and the challenges that that represents. The
relationship we have with Cranfield engenders trust and shared
knowledge. Cranfield is a long-term partner for us.
Mark Howard, Head of Research and Technology Business
Development and Partnerships UK, Airbus Group

Colin Sirret, Head of Research and Technology, Airbus UK

3
Aerospace
courses
Cranfield University is at the
forefront of the global aerospace
technology industry and has
provided world-class postgraduate
education and training for
70 years. Together with our
commercial arm, Cranfield
Aerospace Solutions Ltd, we
have the unique capability and
approvals to design, build and fly
innovative aircraft systems.
The programmes described in this
brochure are a perfect illustration
of the breadth and depth of our
aerospace portfolio, delivering
graduates of the highest quality,
with skills and expertise valued
around the world. Within a number
of programmes there are a range of
options to suit individual interests
and career focus areas.
As the largest provider of
accredited aerospace degree
courses in the UK, studying with
us also enables our graduates to
qualify as Chartered Engineers
(CEng).
4
Career prospects
Our multi-disciplinary approach, marrying
aeronautical engineering, materials and
manufacturing excellence with aviation business
processes, practices and management, gives our
graduates notable breadth and depth of expertise.
It is this combination of technical excellence and
real-world business and commercial appreciation
that gives our people a unique Made in Cranfield
identity - and value in the marketplace.
Graduates go on to forge careers with some of the
worlds most respected blue chip organisations
including:
Airbus, Dassult Aviation, Messier-Bugati Dowty,
Safran, BAE Systems, Avanti Communications,
Petronas, Rolls-Royce, Siemens, Alstom, Altran,
General Electric and Quest Global Engineering.
Roles our people routinely fill include:
Aerospace Engineer, Flight Test Engineer,
Structural Integrity Engineer, R&D Engineer,
Project Manager, Senior Systems Engineer,
Systems Engineer, Design Engineer, Mechanical
Engineering, CAE Engineer, CFD Engineer,
Aerospace Engineer, Consultant Engineer, Design
Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Performance
Engineer, Turbine Designer, CAE Engineer and
Stress Engineer.
Accreditation
The MSc award of selected courses are, or may
be in the process of obtaining, accreditation by
the following professional institutions. To find
out if a specific course holds accreditations,
please visit the course page on our website.
Group projects
A number of courses described in this brochure include a group project, designed to provide you with
invaluable experience of delivering a collaborative piece of work in a team environment.

Typical projects enable the development of a range of skills, including learning how to establish
team member roles and responsibilities, project management, delivering technical presentations and
gaining experience of working in teams that include colleagues with a variety of expertise, and often
with members who are based remotely.

With the direct assistance of industry, group projects are formulated to mimic typical working
environments and scenarios within the sector or sectors most closely associated with the
programme. Wherever possible, groups are asked to address a specific, current challenge or issue.

Within the Aerospace Vehicle Design MSc for example, the group project is a major component of the
programme, with groups reporting and presenting findings to a panel of 100 senior engineers from
industry. For the Thermal Power MSc more than half of the projects contain industrial objectives
which enable students to experience working in an industrial environment on relevant issues.

Cranfield has definitely helped in gaining my current

employment. Cranfields alumni are making huge positive
influences wherever they are, which contributes highly to the
reputation of the University around the world. The quality of its
education is recognised in the professional world, which helps
gaining credibility when looking for job opportunities.
Cyrille Antony, Aerospace Vehicle Design MSc, 2015

5
Courses
Advanced Lightweight Structures and Impact* MSc, PgDip, PgCert
Designing advanced structures through novel, lightweight materials is one of the key technologies
used by both the aerospace and automotive sectors to reduce carbon. But in reducing inherent
structural weight, it is essential not to compromise structural integrity, crashworthiness or safety.

Understanding how aluminium or composite structures and materials perform under static and
dynamic loading, including crash and bird strike, requires broad expertise. This industry-supported
course equips participants with a strong, applied understanding in structural analysis, together with
competent technical skills in numerical simulation.

Aerospace Computational Engineering* MSc, PgDip, PgCert

(subject to University approval)
This new and unique course blends skills-based and subject-specific material to provide students
with generic practical skills and cutting-edge knowledge for a wide range of applications in the field
of aerospace computational engineering. Focusing on fully integrated digital design for aerospace,
you will be able to meet the demands of an evolving workplace that requires highly-qualified
engineers possessing core software engineering skills, combined with competency in mathematical
analysis techniques.

Aerospace Dynamics MSc, PgCert

This course provides both fundamental and applied knowledge to understand airflows, vehicle
dynamics and control and methods for computational modelling. It provides practical experience in
the measurement, analysis, modelling and simulation of airflows and aerial vehicles.

There are two specialist options available. Flight Dynamics is for those developing a career in flight
physics and aircraft stability and control, specifically looking at flight control system design, flight
simulation and flight testing. The Aerodynamics option focuses on flight physics, specialising in flow
simulation, flow measurement and flow control. Choose your option once you have commenced your
studies.

* Full-time only

6
Courses
Aerospace Vehicle Design* (3 options) MSc
This MSc course focuses on the technical, business and management aspects of the design of flying
vehicles such as aircraft, missiles, airships and spacecraft in the civil and military aerospace sectors.
There are three specialist options available:
A
 ircraft Design delivers a comprehensive overview of aircraft performance, structures and systems.
An holistic teaching approach is taken to explore how the individual elements of an aircraft can be
designed and integrated using the latest methods and techniques.
A
 vionics Systems Design provides an understanding of the design of avionic systems, analysis,
development, test and airframe integration. This includes a detailed look at robust and fault-tolerant
flight control, advanced 4D flight management and RNP navigation, self-separation and collision
avoidance and advanced digital data communications systems, as well as pilot-friendly and
intelligent cockpit displays and situation awareness.
S
 tructural Design delivers an understanding of aircraft structures, airworthiness requirements,
design standards, stress analysis, fatigue and fracture, and fundamentals of aerodynamics and
loading. It also covers the appropriate selection of materials, both metallic and composite.

Computational and Software Techniques in Engineering

(3 options) MSc
If you are looking to develop a career in software development, whether it is in the data centre, on
the desktop or in the rapidly expanding mobile application space, you need to have a strong basis
in software engineering. This programme combines software engineering with high performance
computing and technology management perspectives, giving you a distinct advantage in the job
market. Depending on your specific interest or focus area, you can specialise in:
Computer Aided Engineering aims to provide the skills necessary to develop and use core CAE
solution software in diverse industrial settings.
D  igital Signal and Image Processing develops highly qualified engineers for real-time and off-line
systems operating over a range of mobile, embedded and workstation platforms.
S  oftware Engineering for Technical Computing provides a unique insight into the development of
computer applications across modern computing environments.

7
Courses
Computational Fluid Dynamics MSc, PgDip, PgCert
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) uses numerical analysis and algorithms to simulate the
interaction of liquids and gases with surfaces as they flow past.

This programme enables students to understand, write and apply CFD methods across a wide broad
range of fields, from aerospace, turbomachinery, multi-phase flow and heat transfer, to microflows,
environmental flows and fluid-structure interaction problems. You can tailor your course by choosing
from a range of specialist modules covering application-specific methods and techniques.

Aircraft Engineering** MSc, PgDip, PgCert

With a projected demand for 27,000 new civil airliners by 2030, the industry faces a shortfall in
postgraduate level engineers to meet future industry needs. Aircraft engineers need a combination of
technical and business skills for todays aerospace engineering projects.

This part-time course will broaden your understanding of aircraft engineering and design subjects
and provide you with a strong foundation for career development in technical, integration and
leadership roles.

Astronautics and Space Engineering MSc

The space sector contributes 7.5 billion per annum to the UK economy, and there is renewed
interest in space activity around the world. There is a continuing need for talented employees with
a good understanding of spacecraft systems engineering, coupled with a broad range of technical
skills. Suitable for graduates in engineering, physics or mathematics, this course will prepare you
for a career in this exciting field, in a wide variety of roles, from earth observation to planetary
exploration, launch vehicles to spacecraft operations, and much more.

Suitable for graduates in engineering, physics or mathematics, this course will prepare you for a
career in this exciting field, in a wide variety of roles, from earth observation to planetary exploration,
launch vehicles to spacecraft operations, and much more.

** Part-time only

8
Courses
Autonomous Vehicle Dynamics and Control MSc, PgDip, PgCert
The global market for unmanned and autonomous vehicles is expanding rapidly. This unique
programme equips graduates and engineering professionals with the fundamental knowledge and
enabling skills required to develop a successful career, as an autonomous systems engineer, design
engineer or in an operations role within the security, defence, marine, environmental and aerospace
industries. Optional modules and an individual research project enable you to tailor the course to
your own particular interests and career aspirations.

Pre-masters in Engineering*
This programme provides an ideal route into an MSc in Engineering for those candidates whose
circumstances do not currently allow them entry. You may be seeking a change in career direction,
have been away from education for a while, you may not meet standard entry requirements or need to
improve your English.

This intensive, full-time course is delivered through a mixture of lectures, practical laboratory
sessions and design exercises, and covers most aspects of general engineering principles as they
relate to the aerospace, automotive and offshore sectors.

Thermal Power* (4 options) MSc

This programme delivers both fundamental and applied knowledge about the design and operation
of different types of gas turbines for a wide range of applications. Four specific focus areas are
available for candidates to pursue their specific interest areas or career direction:
Aerospace Propulsion is for those seeking a career in the design, development, operation and
maintenance of propulsion systems.
G  as Turbine Technology examines its increasing application in power generation, oil and gas
pumping, chemical processing and power plants for ships and other large vehicles.
Power, Propulsion and the Environment is for those seeking a challenging and rewarding career in a
growing international industry.
R  otating Machinery, Engineering and Management focuses on the operation of rotating machinery
for aeronautical, marine and industry applications.

* Full-time only

9
Key facts and statistics
Course structure Key facts
The courses shown in this brochure mostly consist
of taught modules, a group project and an individual Full-
project in varying proportions. Please see the time Up to 1 year
individual course page on our website for full details.

Part-
time Up toExec
3 years
Bursaries and scholarships
The University offers various bursaries for
high quality applicants. You can search the
Start
Various (February, March,
Funding Finder on our website at: Date September or October)
www.cranfield.ac.uk/funding

MSc, PgCert, PgDip*

Average
Class Size

Fees
Please see the individual course pages
on our website for full fee information
Average
and full-time or part-time options.
Class Age
Terms and conditions apply see
www.cranfield.ac.uk/fee-information

For full information about each course see * Please see individual course pages for the
Full- award options offered.
www.cranfield.ac.uk/study
time
Full-
time

Part-
Across our aerospace
Exec
Part-
time
time
Exec programmes

Start
53% UK
Start
Date
Date 14% EU
33% Rest of World

Average
Average Approx 50-60
ClassSize
Class Size

Average
Average
ClassAge
Age
20-30 years
Class

10
Academic staff
You will be taught by a wide range of subject specialists drawn from the University staff
and industry professionals who draw on their research and industrial expertise to provide
stimulating and informed input to your learning experience.

Professor Kevin Garry, Head of Applied Aerodynamics Group

Kevin is the Head of the Applied Aerodynamics Group at the Cranfield Centre
for Aeronautics. His specific areas of expertise include instrumentation and
sensors, motorsport and vehicle aerodynamics. His current research focus is
on ground vehicle aerodynamics, drag reduction and improved fuel economy in
passenger cars and HGVs.

Dr Karl Jenkins, Associate Professor of Computational Engineering

Karl is the Course Director for the MSc in Computational and Software
Techniques in Engineering and Head of Centre for Computational Engineering
Sciences. His areas of expertise also include computational fluid dynamics and
computing, simulation and modelling. He has published over 60 papers and has
won the Gaydon prize for the most significant paper contribution at a leading
symposium on combustion held in Chicago.

Dr Helen Lockett, Senior Lecturer in Computer Integrated Design

Helen is a Chartered Engineer and Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society.
She was the Course Director for the Aircraft Engineering MSc between 2001 and
2014 and has been a Senior Lecturer in Computer Integrated Design since 2009.
Her research in aircraft design has a particular focus on wire + arc additive
manufacture (WAAM). She is also an active STEM Ambassador, encouraging
young people into careers in engineering.

Professor Pericles Pilidis, Head of Propulsion Engineering

Pericles has had a long and distinguished career at Cranfield stretching back 30
years. He is Head of Propulsion Engineering and Course Director of the Thermal
Power MSc. He has organised and contributed to many international teaching
and applied research programmes in the power, gas, oil and aviation industries
and is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

Professor Antonios Tsourdos, Head of the Autonomous and Cyber-Physical

Systems Centre
Antonios was appointed Head of the Autonomous Systems Group at Cranfield in
2007, Professor of Autonomous Systems in 2009 and Director of Research 2015.
He leads the research on autonomous systems and has diverse expertise in both
unmanned and autonomous vehicles as well as complex systems. He conducts
basic and applied research in the fields of guidance, control and navigation for
single and multiple unmanned autonomous vehicles as well as research on
cyber-physical systems.

11
How to apply
Entry requirements
Please follow the application process shown
below. Each of the courses described in
this brochure have their own specific entry
requirements so always study those carefully
before beginning the application process. If you
do not fulfil the standard entry requirements,
the Pre-Masters programme can provide
an alternative entry route, as successful
completion will qualify you to move into the
course of your choice.
The application process
Location
Your course will be held at the Cranfield
campus a tranquil environment offering
just the place to focus on your studies and
work with a professional and international
community. We are located just outside the
village of Cranfield between Bedford and
Milton Keynes. There is plenty to do in the
area and many cities with a rich history can be
visited on day trips. Several airports are easily
accessible, offering a gateway to explore
Europe and afar. There are also convenient
transport links by rail and road.

Visit www.cranfield.ac.uk/applications
Birmingham

Bedford

Check the full admissions requirements and Craneld

application deadlines Milton Keynes
Birmingham
Bedford
Cambridge
Milton Keynes Craneld
Bicester Stanstead
Luton
Oxford
Call us, meet us at an event or email for advice London Heathrow
on your suitability London

Brighton

Complete the application form

(online or download if necessary)

Trains:
Submit supporting admission documentation with 35 minutes from London (Euston) to Milton Keynes
your application or at a later date using our online portal
55 minutes from Birmingham to Milton Keynes

You may need to attend an interview, depending

on your course

For full course information see

Receive a decision on your application by email www.cranfield.ac.uk/study

Cranfield University Aerospace

Cranfield Defence and Security
MK43 0AL, UK Energy and Power
T: +44 (0)1234 758008 Environment and Agrifood
E: enquiries@cranfield.ac.uk Manufacturing
Transport Systems
www.cranfield.ac.uk Water
Every effort is made to ensure that the information in this brochure is correct
at the time it is printed. Please check our website for the latest information. School of Management

SATMAV1