How to become an aerospace engineer
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
University
You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in aerospace engineering, avionics, or a related subject like:
- electrical or electronic engineering
- mechanical engineering
- manufacturing or product engineering
- physics or applied physics
- software engineering or mathematics
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths
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College
You can do a higher national certificate (HNC) or diploma (HND) in engineering before applying for a job with an aerospace company. Subjects include:
- Level 4 HNC Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
- Level 5 HND Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering
- Level 5 HND Diploma in Electrical Engineering
Entry requirements
You may need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course
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Apprenticeship
You can do a degree apprenticeship as an aerospace engineer or a related subject such as specialist power and propulsion gas turbine engineer degree apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
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Work
You can join a company as an engineering technician and do training on the job to qualify as an engineer.
Direct Application
You can apply for jobs directly if you've got qualifications and experience, for example from working in electrical or electronics engineering.
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Further information
You can find out more about careers in aerospace engineering from Careers in Aerospace.