At The Cutting-Edge Of Engineering Science...

The term 'engineering' is used in many different ways. If you've chosen to explore training in Automotive and/or Aeronautical Engineering, it's likely you're looking for a technical challenge and an exciting career.

In the UK, the aerospace industry competes on the world stage, and is a front runner in scientific and technological developments. Well over a quarter of a million people work in the automotive industry, and the UK motorsport industry is acknowledged around the world.

Getting The Right Qualifications

There are a good number of universities in the UK offering BEng and MEng Degrees in Automotive Engineering and Aeronautical Engineering, several with international reputations. Graduates can also follow on and take a PhD or MSc if they wish. (Shorter courses are available from local technical institutions as well.) BEng and MEng courses at university usually follow the same structure for the first two years, and then take on a different format for the final year or two.

Certain course options will offer students the chance to study part-time, on a sandwich course basis. There are opportunities for some students to get sponsored whilst at university. This also usually means a work placement afterwards. It really is good advice to do your research thoroughly, as there are such a lot of alternatives to consider.

Automotive-Engineering

All cars, bikes, coaches and heavy goods vehicles come under the remit of auto engineering. Auto engineers need to have knowledge of several other engineering principles - primarily mechanical engineering. As standards are constantly set to improve to accommodate global issues, new technologies such as ultra low emissions are being introduced.

In the life cycle of a vehicle, design engineering comes first, followed by development engineering and then manufacturing engineering. Designers are not only responsible for the automotive design, but also for testing each component part. We have development engineers next, who are rather like systems engineers. These people often provide information to design engineers to regulate performance etc. Finally, the manufacturing engineers will work out how to actually make the vehicle.

Degree courses in automotive engineering are very demanding, but extremely interesting. Modules will cover all aspects of design, development and manufacture - and use examples to illustrate principles such as fluid mechanics. There are also very strict regulations to be learned and adhered to in safety engineering.

All components have to function well for the job they're designed to do, but they also have to work synergistically with the whole vehicle. That's why automotive engineering students need to learn about the work of development engineers. This area also covers trade-offs - such as learning how to achieve performance whilst maintaining fuel economy. In the end, developers must have carried out sufficient checks and tests to verify that the finished automobile will be street legal and in line with the manufacturers' demands.

When the design and development work are completed, the vehicle is ready for the manufacturing process. Manufacturing engineering is involved with a wide assortment of tasks related to the planning and engineering of assembly.

The responsibilities of these engineers specifically include machine design and layout, and project management of every stage of the assembly.

The Aerospace Industry

Aeronautical engineering covers all things to do with flight technology - the design, construction and science of aircraft. If you qualify at degree level or above in Aeronautical Engineering, you will have proved yourself worthy to enter the fascinating business of aerospace. (Formula One design engineers use aerospace technology as well, if that appeals to you).

Atmospheric pressure and temperature changes place huge stresses on aircraft during flights. Aeronautical engineering requires a great deal of specialist knowledge, and so teams of engineers who each specialise in their own branch of science work together on projects.

University students will be introduced to aircraft design techniques early on in their training, with modules on key analytical subjects. Examples of analytical subjects are Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics and Dynamics. Study is divided into theoretical mathematical elements and empirical testing - much of which is done by computerised simulations in commercial environments.

(Nevertheless, students will still get plenty of opportunity to experiment with wind tunnels and other physical testing machines). Engineering students will get a lot of practical hands-on experience. Both BEng and MEng degree courses will incorporate practical project work to be carried out in teams. Engineering degrees will also allow students to learn various other subjects and skills. Subjects to choose from might include European languages, presentation skills and teamwork.

Aeronautical and automotive engineers are at the forefront of technological advances, and can make a valuable contribution to society. Graduates and Post-graduates can gain professional recognition as Incorporated Engineers or Chartered Engineers.