Course description
Course Description:The MSc in Astronautics and Space Engineering is suitable for graduates in engineering, physics or mathematics, and will prepare you for a career in this exciting field, from earth observation to planetary exploration, launch vehicles to spacecraft operations, and much more. This course was established in 1987 to meet the requirement of the space industry for high quality engineers with relevant skills. The course has evolved since then as needs have changed, and we are constantly working to ensure our curriculum continues to prepare our graduates for highly successful careers in the space sector.Start Months:OctoberFull Time/ Part Time:Full-time/Part-timeSchool:School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing Theme:AerospaceEntry Requirements:A first or second class UK Honours degree (or equivalent) ideally in a related subject. Other recognised professional qualifications or several years relevant industrial experience may be accepted as equivalent; subject to approval by the Course Director. For further and specific information please visit the course page. English Language:If you are an international student you will need to provide evidence that you have achieved a satisfactory test result in an English qualification. The minimum standard expected from a number of accepted courses are as follows: IELTS - 6.5 TOEFL - 92 Pearson PTE Academic - 65 Cambridge English Scale - 180 Cambridge English: Advanced - C Cambridge English: Proficiency - CIn addition to these minimum scores you are also expected to achieve a balanced score across all elements of the test. We reserve the right to reject any test score if any one element of the test score is too low. We can only accept tests taken within two years of your registration date (with the exception of Cambridge English tests which have no expiry date). Students requiring a Tier 4 (General) visa must ensure they can meet the English language requirements set out by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and we recommend booking a IELTS for UKVI test. Duration:Full-time MSc - one year, Part-time MSc - up to three yearsCourse Format:TaughtMScOverview: The space sector contributes £7.5bn per annum to the UK economy alone, and space activity across Europe and the world continues to thrive. There is a continuing need for talented employees with a good understanding of spacecraft systems engineering, coupled with a broad range of technical skills. Evolving constantly since 1987, this course has prepared graduates for highly successful careers in the space sector.Who is it for?:Suitable for graduates in engineering, physics or mathematics, this course will prepare you for a career in this exciting field, from earth observation to planetary exploration, launch vehicles to spacecraft operations, and much more.Why this course?:This Masters is highly respected around the world, and many of our students obtain employment/research offers in the space sector before the course finishes. We encourage interaction between our students and potential employers at events such as the Group Design Project industry presentation, dedicated interview days, and Alumni Conferences. In many space companies and agencies within Europe you will find our former graduates, some in very senior positions. Many of them continue to contribute to the course, forming a valuable network of contacts for those entering the industry and this course will equip you with the skills required to join them in a successful career in industry or research.This course is also available on a part-time basis for individuals who wish to study whilst remaining in full-time employment. Cranfield University is well located for part-time students from all over the world, and offers a range of support services for off-site students. This enables students from around the world to complete this qualification whilst balancing work/life commitments.Informed by Industry:The course is directed by an Industrial Advisory Panel comprising senior representatives from leading space and associated sectors. This group makes sure that the course content equips you with the skills and knowledge required by leading employers.The Industrial Advisory Panel includes: Mr Andrew Bradford, Director of Engineering, SSTL Dr John Hobbs, ex-EADS Astrium Dr Adam Baker, Newton Launch Systems Ltd Mr Steve Eckersley, EADS Astrium Mr Richard Lowe, Group Manager, EO Systems and Operations, Telespazio Vega.Your teaching team:You will be taught by a small team of dedicated space engineering specialists, including: Dr Jenny Kingston, Course Director Dr Peter Roberts Dr Steve HobbsPrevious sponsors of their work include UK research councils, the European Commission, the Royal Society British National Space Centre, and the European Space Agency.Knowledge gained working with our clients is continually fed back into the teaching programme to ensure that you benefit from the very latest knowledge and techniques affecting industry.The course also includes visiting lecturers from industry who will relate the theory to current best practice. In recent years, our students have received lectures from industry speakers including: Professor M Rycroft, International Space University Professor B Parkinson, EADS Astrium Dr S Hardacre, EADS Astrium, and Various external speakers from UK Space Agency.Accreditation:The MSc in Astronautics & Slace Engineering is accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements of 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.Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS)Course details:The taught programme for the Astronautics and Space Engineering masters is generally delivered from October to September. A range of core modules allows you to gain a firm grounding in space engineering before opting for specialist modules to build your knowledge in a certain area.Group project:This is a space mission design study conducted in teams of 10-15 students. It typically takes place from September to April and is assessed by written reports and presentations. It emphasises space systems engineering methodologies, and is designed to prepare our graduates for the project-based working environment often found in space companies and agencies. The topics chosen for the project are strongly influenced by industry.Recent Group projects have included: Asteroid Sample Return Titan Exploration Mission European Data Relay Satellite System.Our part-time students are encouraged to participate in a group project as it provides a wealth of learning opportunities. However, an option of an individual dissertation is available if agreed with the Course Director.European Data Relay Satellite SystemIndividual project:The individual research project is the largest single component of the course typically taking place between April and August. It allows you to develop specialist skills in an area of your choice by taking the theory from the taught modules and joining it with practical experience. A list of suggested topics is provided, and includes projects proposed by academic staff and industry.Recent Individual Research Projects have included: Thermal Analysis of a Google Lunar X-Prize Rover Cubesat Ground Station Implementation Responsive Space and Concurrent Engineering Space Suit Performance During Seat Ingress/Egress Radar Data Simulation for Soil Moisture Estimation.Part-time students are encouraged to participate in a group project as it provides a wealth of learning opportunities. However, an option of an individual dissertation is available if agreed with the Course Director.Assessment:Taught modules 25%, Group project 30%, Individual research project 45%Funding Opportunities:To help students find and secure appropriate funding, we have created a funding finder where you can search for suitable sources of funding by filtering the results to suit your needs. Bursaries may be available, however please be aware that funding will, in most cases, only be discussed once you have secured a firm offer of a place on the course. Please contact the Enquiries Office for further details.Cranfield Postgraduate Loan Scheme (CPLS)The Cranfield Postgraduate Loan Scheme (CPLS) is a funding programme providing affordable tuition fee and maintenance loans for full-time UK/EU students studying technology-based MSc courses.Conacyt (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia)Cranfield offers competitive scholarships for Mexican students in conjunction with Conacyt (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia) in science, technology and engineering.Your career:Cranfield University is heavily supported by the space industry in the UK. Many of these companies provide case study lectures, concepts and thesis topics for the individual research projects, and some actively support the group design projects. They also provide a guide to the content of the course, so they are confident that Cranfield are training people with the industry skills employers require.As a result, our graduates are regularly recruited by organisations including EADS Astrium, SSTL, Vega, ABSL, Tessella, OHB, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and the European Space Agency in roles including Systems Engineer, Spacecraft Operations Engineer, Thermal Analyst and Space Robotics Engineer. We arrange company visits and interview days with key employers.If your interests lie in research, many former students have gone on to pursue PhDs at Cranfield and other universities.
