Bachelor of Engineering in Aeronautical Engineering

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”).

Minimum grades    

Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include: Two H5 (Higher Level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary Level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Mathematics, Irish or another language, and English.

Subject requirements    

In addition, applicants must hold a minimum grade H4 in Mathematics and grade O6/H7 in any one of the following: Applied Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Physics with Chemistry, Engineering, Design & Communication Graphics/ Technical Drawing, Technology, Computer Science, Biology, Agricultural Science, Construction Studies.

The cost of studying at University of Limerick varies largely depending on the type of university and the degree chosen. More often than not, humanities, arts, and education courses are less expensive than degrees in medical, engineering, or management. Furthermore, students who choose to study at the postgraduate level typically pay higher tuition fees, which again vary depending on the programme chosen.

Most universities provide scholarships or financial aid to students in order to help them offset their tuition costs. Students should be aware that additional course fees and incidental expenses may not be included in tuition. On average, international students can expect to pay €20900 annually, to study in University of Limerick.

Job titles for graduates with this degree

Graduates progressing directly into employment take up a wide variety of roles. The following provides a sample of initial roles listed on the Graduate Outcomes Survey by graduates approximately one year after graduation:
 

• Aero Design Engineer
• Aeronautical Engineer
• Aerospace Stress Engineer
• Aircraft Design Engineer
• Associate Technical Professional
• Camo Engineer
• Design Engineer
• Design Liaison Engineer
• Development Engineer
• Engineering Technician
• Graduate Engineer
• Maintenance Coordinator
• Maintenance Programme Engineer
• Material and Process Engineer
• Project Engineer
• Quality Engineer
• Research Assistant
• Service Engineer
• Support Engineer
• Technical Consultant
• Technical Designer
• Technical Project Manager
• Technical Representative
• Technical Services Engineer
• Trainee Pilot