This course has been designed to address the needs of employees in the MoD, the armed forces and the international defence industry. It provides practising engineers with the knowledge and skills to enable them to work more effectively in aerospace engineering, airworthiness, and safety.

Overview

  • Start dateSeptember and January
  • DurationMSc: up to five years part-time; PgDip: up to four years part-time; PgCert: up to three years part-time
  • DeliveryA mixture of lectures, laboratory demonstrations, tutorials, essays, examinations, individual and group design exercises and the students are expected to write written assignments. In addition, for MSc students a written dissertation research project and viva voce examination
  • QualificationMSc, PgDip, PgCert
  • Study typePart-time
  • CampusCranfield campus, Cranfield University at Shrivenham

Who is it for?

The course draws students from the UK and Western Europe, giving an eclectic mix to the classroom environment. Maximum number of places: 25 per year.

The course structure allows students to continue in full-time employment whilst they are studying.

Why this course?

Today’s military aviation platforms are complex systems and it is essential, therefore, that they are deployed and maintained in such a way as to ensure their continued airworthiness and the safety of the crew operating them. Achieving this requires engineers to be cognisant of a broad range of aerospace engineering, airworthiness and safety disciplines.

The MSc distinguishes itself from similar courses offered by leading UK universities by offering one focused specifically on the military context, and offers unique subject areas unavailable elsewhere. You will be taught by staff, primarily from Cranfield Defence and Security and the School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing, many of them world leaders in their field. Visiting lecturers also include experts from industry, research establishments and the MoD.

Course details

The course is delivered on a part-time basis and contains five compulsory modules. Students choose one further module to complete the PgCert or a further seven modules to complete the PgDip (MSc taught phase).

This provides students with the flexibility to tailor their studies to account for prior educational and work experience and the current and future needs of their employment role. The modules taken in the taught phase of the MSc (the PgDip) provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to complete a research-based project, which forms the final part of the master's award.

Course delivery

A mixture of lectures, laboratory demonstrations, tutorials, essays, examinations, individual and group design exercises and the students are expected to write written assignments. In addition, for MSc students a written dissertation research project and viva voce examination

Individual project

The individual research project will focus on a topical subject area covered by the taught phase of the course. The subject of the project can be chosen to match the research needs of the sponsor and/or the interests of the individual student and students are encouraged to utilise their employment resources to place the project in context. Lecturing staff on both campuses will undertake supervision of research projects.

Modules

Keeping our courses up-to-date and current requires constant innovation and change. The modules we offer reflect the needs of business and industry and the research interests of our staff and, as a result, may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons. Changes may also be designed to improve the student learning experience or to respond to feedback from students, external examiners, accreditation bodies and industrial advisory panels.

To give you a taster, we have listed the compulsory and elective (where applicable) modules which are currently affiliated with this course. All modules are indicative only, and may be subject to change for your year of entry.


Accreditation

The MSc of this course has been accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council.

Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC)  An accredited degree will provide you with some or all of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for eventual registration as an Incorporated (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.

Engineering Council accredited degree


Your career

The course creates opportunities to develop your career at a more senior level and in achieving Incorporated or Chartered Engineer status.

How to apply

To register your interest, please use the button below. If you'd like to speak to a member of the admissions or course team then use the 'Get in touch' details at the top of the page.