This course provides both fundamental and applied knowledge to understand airflows, vehicle dynamics and control and methods for computational modelling. It will provide you with practical experience in the measurement, analysis, modelling and simulation of airflows and aerial vehicles.
You have the choice of two specialist options which you chose once you commence your studies: Flight Dynamics or Aerodynamics.
Suitable if you have an interest in aerodynamic design, flow control, flow measurement, flight dynamics and flight control. Choose your specialist option once you commence your studies.
The aerospace industry in the UK is the largest in the world, outside of the USA. Aerodynamics and flight dynamics will remain a key element in the development of future aircraft and in reducing civil transport environmental issues, making significant contributions to the next generation of aircraft configurations.
In the military arena, aerodynamic modelling and flight dynamics play an important role in the design and development of combat aircraft and unmanned air vehicles (UAVs). The continuing search for aerodynamic refinement and performance optimisation for the next generation of aircraft and surface vehicles creates the need for specialist knowledge of fluid flow behaviour.
Cranfield University has been at the forefront of postgraduate education in aerospace engineering since 1946. The MSc in Aerospace Dynamics stems from the programme in Aerodynamics which was one of the first masters' courses offered by Cranfield and is an important part of our heritage. The integration of aerodynamics with flight dynamics reflects the long-term link with the aircraft flight test activity established by Cranfield.
Graduates of this course are eligible to join the Cranfield College of Aeronautics Alumni Association (CCAAA), an active community which holds a number of networking and social events throughout the year.
The Industrial Advisory Panel, comprising senior industry professionals, provides input into the curriculum in order to improve the employment prospects of our graduates. Panel members include:
The MSc in Aerospace Dynamics is accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.
This course consists of optional taught modules, an individual research project and a group flight test project.
The group flight test project consists of two compulsory modules that offer an initial introduction to aerospace dynamics and provide grounding for the group flight test. Choice is a key feature of this course, with specialist options in either aerodynamics or flight dynamics. Choose your option once you have commenced your studies.
Group project
All students undertake the Group Flight Test Report during October to December. This involves a series of flight tests in the The National Flying Laboratory Centre (NFLC) Jetstream which are undertaken, reported and presented as a group exercise. This is an important part of the course as it enables candidates to experience the application of specialist skills within a real plane to a collaborative report/presentation.
Individual project
The individual research project allows you to delve deeper into an area of specific interest. It is very common for industrial partners to put forward real world problems or areas of development as potential research project topics. The project is carried out under the guidance of an academic staff member who acts as your supervisor. The individual research project component takes place between April and August.
If agreed with the course director, part-time students have the opportunity to undertake projects in collaboration with their place of work, which would be supported by academic supervision.
Previous Individual Research Projects covered:
Aerodynamics option
Flight Dynamics option
Taught modules 40%, Group project 20% (dissertation for part-time students), Individual project 40%
Industry driven research makes our graduates some of the most desirable in the world for recruitment in a wide range of career paths within the aerospace and military sector. A successful graduate should be able to integrate immediately into an industrial or research environment and make an immediate contribution to the group without further training. Increasingly, these skills are in demand in other areas including automotive, environmental, energy and medicine. Recent graduates have found positions in the aerospace, automotive and related sectors.
Employers include:
A significant number of graduates go on to do research and higher degrees.
The global market for aerial, ground, and marine Autonomous Vehicles has grown rapidly due to the advent of drones and driverless cars. Defence, Aerospace, Automotive, and Marine Industries seek graduates conversant in key aspects of Autonomy including: dynamics & control, guidance & navigation, decision making, sensor fusion, data & information fusion, communication & and networking. These durable and transferrable skills are the bedrock of this unique MSc course whose content has been based on advice from the Industrial Advisory Board, comprising the relevant Industrial representatives from Big Primes to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises.
The Autonomous Vehicle Dynamics and Control MSc is a unique course for graduates in engineering, physics, or mathematics wishing to acquire durable and transferrable skills in Autonomous Vehicles to pursue career opportunities in Defence, Aerospace, Automotive, and Marine Industries.
We are unique in that we offer a combination of subjects much sought after in the Autonomous Vehicle Industry and not covered in a single MSc course anywhere else. Successful graduates of our MSc course become conversant in key aspects of Autonomy which advantageously differentiates them in today's competitive employment market
The Autonomous Vehicle Dynamics and Control MSc course begins with the fundamentals of autonomous vehicle dynamics and control, and progresses to the core subjects of guidance & navigation, decision making, sensor fusion, data & information fusion, communication & and networking. A choice of optional modules allows individual tailoring of these subjects to specialise in appropriate subject areas.
The taught part of the course is followed by Individual Research Projects (IRPs) and the topic of each of the IRPs is provided by one of the member of the Industrial Advisory Board. The real-world relevance of the IRP topics is another unique feature of our MSc course and can be another effective differentiator in the job market.
This course is also available on a part-time basis enabling you to combine studying with full-time employment. This is enhanced by a three-stage programme from a Postgraduate Certificate, to a Postgraduate Diploma through to an MSc.
The relevant, competent and pro-active Industrial Advisory Board includes:
who not only continuously advise on updating the course content but also provide topics for Individual Research Projects (IRPs). After the final oral exams in early September, all students present posters summarising their IRPs to the whole Industrial Advisory Board thus exposing their work to seasoned professionals and potential employers. The IRPs benefit from our own lab where real autonomous vehicles can be designed and tested.
Accreditation is being sought for the MSc in Autonomous Vehicle Dynamics and Control from the Royal Aeronautical Society, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.
The taught course element consists of lectures in three areas: dynamics, control systems, and autonomous systems and technology. The MSc consists of two equally weighted components, taught modules and an individual research project.
Individual project
Our industry partners sponsor individual research projects allowing you to choose a topic that is commercially relevant and current. Topics are chosen during the first teaching period in October and you begin work during the second half of the MSc course (May - August). The project allows you to delve deeper into an area of specific interest, taking the theory from the taught modules and joining it with practical experience.
Projects encompass various aspects of operations, not only concerned with design but including payloads, civil applications, system, sensors and other feasibility studies industry wishes to explore.
For the duration of the project, each student is assigned both a university and industry supervisor. In recent years, students have been based at sponsor companies for sections of their research and have been given access to company software/facilities.
During the thesis project all students give regular presentations to the course team and class, which provides an opportunity to improve your presentation skills and learn more about the broad range of industry sponsored projects.
Previous projects have included:
Assessment
Taught modules 50%, Individual research project 50%. Please note: Modules for this course are under review, to incorporate the latest advice from the Industrial Advisory Board.
The industry-led education makes Cranfield graduates some of the most desirable all over the world for recruitment by companies competing in the autonomous vehicle market including:
Graduates from this course will be equipped with the advanced skills which could be applied to the security, defence, marine, environmental and aerospace industries. This approach offers you a wide range of career choices as an autonomous systems engineer, design engineer or in an operations role, at graduation and in the future. Others decide to continue their education through PhD studies available within Cranfield University or elsewhere.
This course has been designed to reflect the wide applications of Computational Fluid Dynamics. You will learn 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. Tailor your course by choosing from a range of specialist modules covering application-specific methods and techniques.
Designed to meet the education needs of graduates and professional engineers who are looking to kick-start an industrial or research career in the rapidly growing field of Computational Fluid Dynamics. This course bridges the gap between the introductory level of undergraduate courses and the applied expertise acquired by engineers using CFD in industry. You will gain the knowledge and appreciation of CFD methods necessary for a strong foundation to a career in this exciting engineering discipline.
The MSc in Computational Fluid Dynamics provides a solid background so that you will be able to apply CFD methods as a tool for design, analysis and engineering applications. With a strong emphasis on understanding and application of the underlying methods, enthusiastic students will be able to write their own CFD codes during the course.
Sharing some modules with the MSc in Aerospace Dynamics gives you the opportunity to interact with students from other disciplines. In recent years, our students have been had the opportunity for work-based placements at the Aircraft Research Association (ARA), European Space Agency (ESA), Ricardo and DAF Trucks.
Our strategic links with industry ensures that all of the materials taught on the course are relevant, timely and meet the needs of organisations competing within the computational analysis sector. This industry led education makes Cranfield graduates some of the most desirable for companies to recruit.
The Industrial Advisory Panel is comprised of senior industry professionals provides input into the curriculum in order to improve the employment prospects of our graduates.
The MSc in Computational Fluid Dynamics will meet, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Accredited MSc graduates who also have a BEng (Hons) accredited for CEng will be able to show that they have satisfied the educational base for CEng registration.
The taught modules are delivered from October to April via a combination of structured lectures, and computer based labs.
The core part of the course consists of modules which are considered to represent the necessary foundation subject material. The course is designed to reflect the broad range of CFD applications by providing a range of optional modules to address specific application areas. Students on the part-time programme will complete all of the compulsory modules based on a flexible schedule that will be agreed with the course director.
Individual project
The taught element of the course finishes in May, at which point you will have an excellent understanding of CFD methods and applications. From May to September you will work full-time on your individual research project. The research project gives you the opportunity to produce a detailed piece of work either in close collaboration with industry, or on a particular topic which you are passionate about.
Recent Individual Research Projects include:
Assessment
Taught modules 50%, Individual research project 50%
Strategic industrial links ensure that the course meets the needs of the organisations competing within the computational sector therefore making our graduates some of the most desirable in the world for companies to recruit. An increasing demand for CFD specialists with in depth technical knowledge and practical skills within a wide range of sectors has seen our graduates employed by leading companies including:
Roughly one third of our graduates go on to register for PhD degrees, many on the basis of their MSc individual research project. Thesis topics are often supplied by individual companies on in-company problems with a view to employment after graduation - an approach that is being actively encouraged by a growing number of industries.
Have you ever wanted to invent something mechanical, prevent environmental damage to a building from floods, fire, explosions, landslides and other natural disasters, understand risks and reliability across buildings, renewables, and other areas? Do you want to improve quality of life across environmental remediation, farming, smart grid, green technology, food production, housing, transportation, safety, security, healthcare and water? Do you find it fascinating to try to make things work from what you have available? There will be plenty of major challenges to get involved with in the coming years crossing over into Nano technologies, advanced materials, electronic printing, grapheme technologies, wearable's, 3d printing, renewables and recycling and biotechnologies. Technology now means that you can design and engineer from anywhere in the world, including your home. Advanced Mechanical Engineering looks at computational mechanics, response to materials and reliability engineering. The Victorians set up some of the most advanced mechanical engineering of our times and in many ways they were the biggest mechanical engineering innovators ever.
This programme specialises in mechanical engineering so you are becoming proficient in designing anything that has background moving parts to allow it to work such as engines, motor driven devices and the effects of nature on mechanical objects and their ability to perform. You also look at how material composition can alter performance issues and provide new innovative methods to solve challenges in every day life and natural and other risks to machinery in all situations. Your employment options are very varied, you may want to work within consumer goods to design and improve everyday objects like white goods, or you may like to be involved in very large scale hydro electric and power driving machinery in energy , manufacturing or large scale developments, or you may decide to get involved in innovation and enterprise yourself.
SEMESTER 1
Optional Courses
SEMESTER 2
Optional Courses
SEMESTER 3
Find out more detail by visiting the programme web page
Find out about international fees:
Find out more about fees on the programme page
*Please be advised that some programmes also have additional costs.
View all funding options on our funding database via the programme page and the latest postgraduate opportunities
Find out more about:
Find out more about living in Aberdeen and living costs
Other engineering disciplines you may be interested in:
Renewable energy engineering is in high demand globally as we find alternate methods of energy harvesting to meet our future energy needs and future proof our reliance on hydrocarbons as much as it is possible to do. Considerable innovation and improvements are continuous within this field as it is by no means at a stage where society can rely on it to fuel all needs. The sector is interdisciplinary and this programme provides you with a wide range of very useful skills and knowledge to problem solve and progress current renewables and work towards innovation whether that is in a renewables company or as a start up.
You study electrical and electronic engineering pertinent to smart grid, sensing energy use, developing energy harvesting techniques, and renewable energy exchange, plus ability to harvest energy from all of our natural resources including wind, solar, hydro, marine, geothermal, biomass and other newly developing areas.Renewables is definitely an employable sector as governments are now challenged by finite resources coming from traditional areas, climate change and societal concerns about how we harvest energy in the future and our ability to survive climatic issues, population increase and manage work and life.
Semester 1
Semester 2
Semester 3
Find out more detail by visiting the programme web page
• Online option available
Find out about international fees:
Find out more about fees on the programme page
*Please be advised that some programmes also have additional costs.
View all funding options on our funding database via the programme page and the latest postgraduate opportunities
Find out more about:
Find out more about living in Aberdeen and living costs
Other engineering disciplines you may be interested in:
Enhance your knowledge and skills in the rapidly developing field of additive manufacturing and advanced manufacturing technologies.
This course has been developed to meet the demands of industry and will expose you to cutting-edge manufacturing techniques and applications.
There are specialist modules in additive manufacturing, state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies, materials and a broad range of modules in advanced mechanical engineering.
You will undertake an industry-focused research project on additive manufacturing, working with both commercial and bespoke manufacturing technologies using high-performance materials.
Further optional modules are available, allowing you to customise the course based on your interests or career aspirations.
