3 global leaders of aerospace engineering preparing graduates for global success

Aerospace engineering is having a moment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), it was reported in 2022 that the average salary for this profession is approximately US$126,880 per year. It’s a figure that’s likely to grow, as does the demand for skilled professionals in this field. This is because commercial air and space travel is expected to expand, especially with NASA’s Artemis programme in motion. And with this increased demand comes a greater need for engineers to design and manufacture aeroplanes and spacecraft.

Engineers in this field evaluate designs to see that the products meet their criteria. They design, develop, and test aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles, in addition to creating and testing prototypes to make sure that they function according to engineering principles.

With aviation and space programmes becoming more active today, this would be a fine opportunity to advance your knowledge, skills and experience in aerospace engineering as a major. There are top three universities that are at the forefront of this field:

Wichita State University

Wichita State University is part of a state that’s home to Airbus, Bombardier-Learjet, Textron/Cessna/Beechcraft and Spirit AeroSystems. Source: Wichita State University

The seventh oldest Aerospace Engineering department in the US, a location within the “air capital of the world,” a long history of working with the big names in the aviation industry, including the likes of Airbus, Bombardier-Learjet, Textron/Cessna/Beechcraft and Spirit AeroSystems. These are the top features that define the Aerospace Engineering department within the College of Engineering at Wichita State University.

It offers the Master of Science (MS) in Aerospace Engineering and PhD in Aerospace Engineering. These graduate programs allow for specialisations in the following areas: Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics, Structures and Solid Mechanics, and Flight Dynamics and Control. Students can sign up for the university’s Cooperative Education and Internships programme too which gives them the opportunity to work for Innovation Campus partners in the local area. These partners provide amazing research facilities, makerspaces and labs, and access to top-flight centres like NIAR, allowing students to gain valuable experience and contacts in aerospace and other related industries.

Wichita State is currently ranked No. 1 by the National Science Foundation (NSF) for industry-funded aeronautical research and development expenditures. The university is also home to the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) which is considered to be among the best in the nation. So, what are you waiting for? Sign up to join the Aerospace Engineering department at Wichita State now. Scholarships valued at up to US$5,600 per academic year are available. International students who qualify for Global Select Scholarships receive a substantial tuition discount equivalent to 150% of the tuition rate students from Kansas pay.

 University of Southampton

Students at the University of Southampton learn all about aircraft aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, and structural design. Source: University of Southampton

Since the 1930s, the University of Southampton has offered aerospace engineering degrees, and just 30 years later, a group of engineering students made aviation history with the world’s first human-powered flight. Today, the university is producing graduates who go on to work at multiple top organisations, making a difference in the space industry, aerospace, or defence sector.

Before they go on making history, students here are required to take a four-year course that touches on subjects like aircraft aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, and structural design. While the first two years heavily focus on theoretical understanding, the next two will have students use the university’s design workshops and studios and gain practical experience in aircraft and spacecraft engineering by visiting industry and research establishments for a real-world view of possible careers.

Programmes offered here include the MSc in Space Systems Engineering. This programme was developed by world-class experts from its Astronautics Research Group and endorsed by the UK Space Agency. It covers how to design a total space system and how the various component subsystems function and integrate with one another. Another feature loved by students is the chance to take part in individual and group design projects as well as conduct their own critical research projects. These allow them to hone their expertise with the help of world-class facilities such as a spacecraft propulsion laboratory, an autonomous systems test bed and a shaker table.

For Oliver Hitchens, a graduate of the Aeronautics and Astronautics / Spacecraft Engineering (MEng) course, however, the best thing about Southampton was “meeting a diverse range of people that I can now call my friends.”

Vilnius Gediminas Technical University

Vilnius Gediminas Technical University focuses on drones, nano-satellites, 3D printing and military innovation in aeronautics. Source: Vilnius Gediminas Technical University

Students looking for flexible degree programmes should consider Lithuania’s Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (Vilnius Tech). Besides the usual in-person lessons, the Master of Engineering Sciences in Aerospace Engineering programme includes online courses from some of the best technical universities in the world, including the likes of MIT and TU Delft. By completing these modules before the programme starts, you’ll receive the most up-to-date information and kick off your master’s degree on the right foot. 

This two-year, four-semester programme covers aerodynamics, aircraft structures, mechanics, and aircraft engine types. More current technologies and issues — like drones, nano-satellites, 3D printing and military innovation in aeronautics — are explored as well. If you are curious, want to innovate and bring ideas, this “hackathon-like” programme’s development of science-based prototypes will be a great start to hone new skills and launch a career in this field. 

Other experiential learning opportunities include the chance to spend a semester abroad and participation in clubs and societies. For the former, there are various exchange programmes for Vilnius Tech students to gain exposure to the global aviation sector, work in multicultural teams and practise their professional English. There are also graduate projects, internships, career programmes, clubs and societies to diversify your knowledge and skills further. 

Situated along the Neris River, Vilnius Tech is part of the Vilnius Old Town – listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and one of the largest in Eastern and Central Europe with fine examples of baroque, classical, gothic, and renaissance buildings as well as its medieval layout and natural setting. Studying at Vilnius Tech means living among this beautiful architecture and enjoying all the capital city of Lithuania, from theatres and orchestras to festivals and ancient libraries.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International