Develop the sustainable aircraft of the future with a postgraduate degree from Cranfield University.
Reducing the impact of aviation on the environment is a key challenge facing developed societies. New low carbon technologies will be required, as well as an understanding of the future patterns and growth in aviation as attitudes evolve and as organisations reduce their air travel as part of plans to reduce their carbon footprint. The full aviation ecosystem needs to be evaluated to make it more resilient and sustainable.
You can help solve this challenge as the aviation industry is looking to universities to provide graduates with the relevant skills to solve problems across the sector. A Cranfield MSc can help you develop these skills in a focussed postgraduate study environment.
Be part of this exciting future – learn more during our sustainable aircraft webinar series.
Learn more about your sustainable aviation future and register for our webinar series
Discover some of our key areas and how you can develop skills to change the sector
Propulsion
The propulsion system lies at the heart of all aircraft, commercial aircraft have benefited from the technology advances of the gas turbine engine where we now operate aircraft with engines that emit 40% less CO2 from those manufactured during the 1970s and 1980s. However, this is not enough, there are still significant improvements that can be made through the introduction of hybrid-electric and electric propulsion systems alongside the introduction of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and hydrogen as a zero-carbon fuel.
Our MSc courses include:
- Thermal Power MSc - Aerospace Propulsion
- Thermal Power MSc - Gas Turbine Technology
- Thermal Power MSc - Power, Propulsion and the Environment
- Thermal Power MSc - Rotating Machinery, Engineering and Management
Learn more about our MSc courses and register for our sustainable aviation webinars
Aerodynamics and aircraft design
Aircraft design is another key driver in the push to achieve Jet Zero. Cranfield University researchers and students have been researching and developing novel aircraft concepts that can be used to help reduce emissions through a range of different technology options, from more efficient wing designs to blended wing aircraft concepts. A joined up whole system approach is required where new technologies including thermal management, propulsion and fuel systems need to be fully integrated with the aircraft design to deliver the net zero aircraft of the future.
Our MSc courses include:
- Aerospace Dynamics MSc
- Aerospace Vehicle Design MSc - Aircraft Design
- Aerospace Vehicle Design MSc - Avionics Systems Design
- Aerospace Vehicle Design MSc - Structural Design
Learn more about our MSc courses and register for our sustainable aviation webinars
Weight reduction
Weight reduction is key to help reduce aircraft emissions. The commercial aviation sector has seen airframers introduce more lightweight materials and composite structures into their aircraft, the proportion of which has grown from 15-20% of the aircraft weight in the 1980s to approaching 50% for some of latest aircraft types. Cranfield University has a long running reputation in the design of lightweight structures considering crashworthiness and impact, alongside the application and development of new materials.
Our MSc courses include:
- Advanced Lightweight and Composite Structures MSc
- Aerospace Materials MSc
Learn more about our MSc courses and register for our sustainable aviation webinars
Autonomy and air mobility
The development of autonomous technologies can contribute to reducing aircraft emissions, technology concepts such as autonomous taxi, take off, approach and landing, formation flight to fully autonomous aircraft could all play a part. We are also seeing the development of radically different transport system including urban air mobility which is seen as a future option for more sustainable travel than can help tackle congestion and environmental issues faced in cities around the world.
Our MSc courses include:
- Advanced Air Mobility Systems MSc
- Autonomous Vehicle Dynamics and Control MSc
- Applied Artificial Intelligence MSc
Learn more about our MSc courses and register for our sustainable aviation webinars
Digital aviation and air transport management
Digital aviation has often been cited as being the next significant business transformation in the sector and one which can support the aerospace industry toward delivering greater customer satisfaction while addressing efficiency, cost and capacity issues. It offers a holistic approach in which aircraft, air transportation and air traffic management are integrated in our state-of-the-art ecosystem for transformational research towards the net-zero aviation.
Our MSc courses include:
- Aviation Digital Technology Management MSc
- Air Transport Management MSc
- Airport Planning and Management MSc
Learn more about our MSc courses and register for our sustainable aviation webinars
Aerospace manufacturing and materials
The manufacturing sector is a significant contributor to global carbon dioxide emissions, opportunities exist across the sector to reduce emissions, limit and reuse waste materials whilst improving affordability. Cranfield’s Wire + Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) technology is helping to drive down waste in the production of titanium aircraft components, alongside the development of new thermal barrier coating to improve the efficiency of gas turbine engines are just two examples.
Our MSc courses include:
- Aerospace Manufacturing MSc
- Aerospace Materials MSc
- Metal Additive Manufacturing MSc
Learn more about our MSc courses and register for our sustainable aviation webinars
Study at Cranfield University
We are the UK’s top destination for aerospace engineering, of all the postgraduate students in the UK, over half study for their MSc in aerospace engineering at Cranfield.
The relationship between aviation and the environment is one of the key challenges facing developed societies. Cranfield University is working to meet environmental targets and provide a sustainable future for aviation.
As one of the few universities in the world with our own airport, we are at the forefront of aerospace technology, working to address the challenges to deliver a sustainable future for aviation by rethinking the airports, airlines, airspace management and aircraft of the future.Cranfield’s global research airport is leading the way in developing interconnected approaches to aircraft electrification, digital aviation and environmental monitoring and mitigation. It offers a unique environment for transformational education and research.
Our research is helping to realise the zero-carbon aircraft of the future. Aircraft electrification is just one of the technologies that can help reduce carbon emissions to meet environmental targets. Challenges currently being addressed at Cranfield include thermal management systems designs for the integration into the airframe, battery management, power-to-weight ratios, testing, reliability, and certification of new aircraft technology.
Cranfield University also has world leading expertise and facilities relevant to the hydrogen propulsion for aircraft leveraging our strengths in aircraft structures, systems, avionics, and propulsion systems to design revolutionary aircraft.
Our MSc courses provide students with in-demand skills and the experience to deliver a digital and sustainable future for the aerospace sector.
Learn more about our MSc courses and register for our sustainable aviation webinars