Aeronautical Engineering courses

About Bachelor Of Engineering In Aeronautical Engineering in University of Limerick

About you

If you like science and its application to solving real-world problems, then engineering may be for you. If you are also enticed by the thought of working in the exciting field of aeronautics, then you should almost certainly choose Aeronautical Engineering at UL.

Why Study Aeronautical Engineering At UL?

The Aeronautical Engineering course at UL is your gateway into the hugely exciting aerospace industry. This elite course is one of the most respected in Europe and is supported by outstanding facilities, including wind tunnels and composites manufacturing equipment. Right now, job prospects have never been brighter for Aerospace Engineers, with a major shortage in Europe. More than 70% of our graduates work in the Aerospace industry and 63% live in the Republic of Ireland.

Our graduates have reached the highest echelons of the Aerospace industry and job prospects have never been brighter for Aerospace Engineers. In 3rd year, top performing students can spend a semester at the world-renowned Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, USA, or at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, USA which is currently ranked in the top 5 US engineering schools.

What You Will Study

The Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) and Masters of Engineering (M.E.) programmes are 4 years and 5 years in duration, respectively. Both include an eight month period of Cooperative Education spent in an appropriate industrial environment. The course provides a broad and practical programme of study, which gives you a good understanding of aircraft design, aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, control, materials, avionics, business and maintenance, and enables you to work in all sectors of the aerospace industry.

The programme is fully ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) compliant, allowing student mobility across Europe. In addition, students wishing to transfer from Level 6 or Level 7 Engineering programmes can gain access into the second or third year of the programme.

The first two years provide you with a foundation in the fundamental engineering disciplines, and subjects taught include:

• Air Transportation Management
• Mathematics
• Thermodynamics
• Materials Science
• Introduction to Engineering
• Production Technology
• Aerodynamics
• Aircraft Maintenance
• Engineering Mechanics
• CAD (Computer Aided Design)
• Fluid Mechanics
• Electrical Engineering
• Chemistry

The eight-month industry placement occurs at the end of year two. The University has links throughout the aviation industry, which has enabled students to be placed in prestigious aerospace companies such as Boeing and Airbus.

During the third and final years, all students study fundamental aeronautical engineering subjects such as:

• Flight Mechanics
• Aircraft Design
• Aircraft Stability and Control
• Aircraft Propulsion
• Aircraft Structures

The Flight Mechanics module deserves special mention as the laboratory element of this course is conducted in-flight. A series of flight exercises are carried out over the course of a week, in a twin-engine turboprop aircraft, in which students are provided with individual consoles for monitoring the aircraft's performance.

In fourth year M.E. students will get the opportunity to apply their knowledge of aircraft design in the Design, Build and Fly project. Run over two semesters, the students are required to Design, Build and Fly a model aircraft that has to satisfy specifications set annually by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). For videos of previous designs check out YouTube (search for “UL DBF”).

Career

Our graduates have reached the highest echelons of the industry and include Boeing Engineer of the Year 2011, Wing Architect for the Airbus A350, the Rolls Royce Customer Fleet Director, Aviation Authority Inspectors, Commercial Pilots, Air Force Pilots, Flight Instructors, Chief Engineers, Aerodynamicist for the Lotus Formula 1 team, Energy Recovery Systems Engineer for Mercedes Formula 1 engines, and many, many more people in highly senior roles. Some of the areas our graduates are currently pursuing careers in are:

• Aircraft Aerodynamic Design and Analysis
• Aircraft Structural Design and Analysis
• Aircraft Engine Design and Analysis
• Aircraft Manufacturing
• Aircraft Leasing and Financial Services
• Aircraft Engine Maintenance
• Computer-Aided Engineering Software Development
• Pneumatics and cabin systems
• Aircraft Flight Testing
• Flight Simulator Design
• Industrial Fluid Flow Simulation
• Automobile Aerodynamic and
• Structural Analysis

You should also note that a degree in aeronautical engineering does not tie you to the aerospace industry. Some of our graduates have chosen to take up jobs in fields such as biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science, and even finance.

Academic qualification equivalents

• Standard XII examinations of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Metro State Boards or Council for Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE), with first-division/class standing and a minimum average grade of 70%. 

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS: Minimum score of 6.5* with no less than 6.0 in any component.

  *Please note some programmes have a higher IELTS requirement.

  **Please note, we can only accept Academic IELTS. General IELTS will not be accepted. 

• TOEFL : 580 (paper based) or 90 (internet based)
• PTE: a minimum score of 61 (with no section score below 59)

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University of Limerick Cost of Living

The estimated cost of living for one academic year (9 months) at UL is:

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