MSc Aerospace Engineering

The master's programme in Aerospace Engineering fosters skilled engineers for careers in the international aerospace sector and related fields. The programme offers specialisation in Aeronautics, Space, Lightweight Structures and Systems Engineering. Graduates have a solid theoretical foundation in aerospace modelling, analysis and design, as well as teamwork skills and a general ability to approach and solve complex engineering tasks.

Aerospace Engineering at KTH

The master's programme in Aerospace Engineering offers you a broad, challenging and internationally acknowledged education. It provides skills in aerospace modelling and design, solving complex engineering tasks, collaboration with others in project work, and communicating results and findings professionally. The programme at KTH is highly international, with contacts and students from all over the world. The astronaut and KTH alumnus Christer Fuglesang is the chairman of the Progamme's Advisory Board.

The master's programme in Aerospace Engineering is a two-year programme (120 ECTS credits) given in English. Graduates are awarded the degree of Master of Science. The programme is given mainly at KTH Campus in Stockholm by the School of Engineering Sciences.

During the autumn semester of the first year of study, all students take one fundamental mandatory course in each of four tracks: Aeronautics, Space, Lightweight Structures and Systems Engineering. In addition, one course is mandatory for all master's students at KTH: Theory and Methodology of Science. We aim to provide you with the opportunity to experience various aspects of aerospace engineering and make an informed decision when choosing your specialisation track.

Towards the end of the autumn semester, you choose one of the four available tracks. Each track has several mandatory courses worth about 25 ECTS credits. The rest of the courses are elective. We provide a set of recommended courses for your track, but you can choose elective courses entirely based on your interests and future sought careers. There are also many possibilities to combine courses between the tracks. The specialisation tracks start during the spring semester of the first year of study.

During the spring semester of the second year you will conduct a five-month long degree project. You can conduct the project at a company, an institute or a university, in Sweden or abroad. It allows you to work on open-ended, complex engineering problems, either in an industrial or in a research-oriented setting. The degree project is presented in a written thesis and discussed at an open seminar.

Aeronautics

The track focuses on modelling, analysis and design of aircraft. You will learn how to estimate the performance of an aircraft, compute its aerodynamic properties, simulate its motion in flight, and analyse how the aerodynamic and structural properties influence stability and control. The track is characterised by a strong interaction between theory and practice. You will, for example, plan, perform and evaluate a wind tunnel test during your studies.

Lightweight Structures

The Lightweight Structures track focuses on the analysis and development of lightweight materials and structures for more efficient mechanical solutions and products. Functionality per weight is a simple but highly relevant measure of efficiency since reduced weight can enable improved performance, more cost-effective production and reduce material consumption and environmental impact. The track mainly emphasises fibre composites, including non-metallic materials and sandwich structures, since such materials are often used in applications with extreme requirements. You will develop knowledge and skills in analysis, design, optimisation, materials, manufacturing and testing of lightweight materials and structures.

Space

Space technology plays a crucial role in modern society, enabling telecommunication and navigation services, weather forecasting, Earth observation and much more. The space track focuses on applications related to rocket and satellite technology, with particular emphasis on propulsion, trajectory analysis, spacecraft dynamics and systems perspective. The space environment and its impact on the design and instrumentation of satellites is another central theme in the education. Courses in human spacecraft, space research and space application provide a broader perspective of the field.

Systems Engineering

Aircraft, trains and satellites are examples of complex systems that have to be designed with reliable control systems and efficient maintenance plans to be competitive in today's global market. Upon graduation, you will be able to develop mathematical models of systems to analyse and optimise their performance. Control theory has a crucial role in the design of space missions and the robustness and performance of modern aircraft.

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm is one of Europe’s leading technical universities, as well as a key centre of intellectual talent and innovation. We are Sweden’s largest technical research and learning institution and home to students, researchers, and faculty from around the world dedicated to advancing knowledge.

History

KTH is a university with a rich history of pioneering ideas and innovation that dates back to 1827. For nearly 200 years KTH has educated students who have gone on to influence our present and make the technological advances that define modern society. Still today, KTH shapes the talents that will find the solutions for tomorrow’s challenges.

Research

KTH is working with industry and society in the pursuit of sustainable solutions to some of humanity’s most significant challenges: climate change, future energy supply, urbanisation, and quality of life for the rapidly-growing elderly population. We are addressing these with world-leading, high-impact research and education in natural sciences and all branches of engineering, as well as in architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history, and philosophy. Almost two-thirds of the SEK 4 billion turnovers are related to research.

Basic and applied research is performed side-by-side at KTH and interdisciplinary research is conducted in parallel with work in specific fields.

Career

KTH maintains close relationships with an expanding network of international companies and the industrial community in a number of fields, and working and studying here provides access to this network.

The latest career report shows that 94 percent of those who graduated from KTH 2010-2012 have been employed since they finished their degree and a remaining 6 percent have gone on to Ph.D. studies. Of the international student population, 30 percent go on to Ph.D. studies at KTH or other renowned universities. 32 percent of KTH Alumni leave Sweden for work or studies abroad. 13 percent lead others in their work, and 13 percent have already received their first managerial position.