Degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics

Study a top Engineering degree in Malaysia & the UK for 60% of the cost

Our undergraduate degree courses in Engineering allow you to study for two years at our safe and modern campus in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, and two years in Southampton, UK, for 60% of the cost of studying in the UK alone*.

We also offer generous scholarships, including a 100% first-year fees discount for top-achieving applicants.

Our Aeronautics and Astronautics graduates are in great demand from some of the world’s leading companies. Here is what you can expect to gain from your educational experience:

• Access to world-class facilities including our wind tunnel complex, used by Formula One and Olympic athletes.
• Hands-on experience in designing projects within each year of study to develop your capabilities as a future engineer.
• A route to Chartered Engineer (CEng) status, recognised by international bodies including the Board of Engineers Malaysia via the international agreement known as the Washington Accord.
• A qualification that is also accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
• Flying opportunities through the Students’ Union in the UK.
• Multi-national exposure via the split-campus programme (2 years in Malaysia and 2 years in the UK).

Entry Requirements

• Successful applicants typically have AAA or above at A level in Mathematics, Physics and one other (except General Studies and Critical Thinking).
• Pass in science practical assessment is required where applicable. The equivalent to that would be IB : 36 points overall, 18 at Higher Level including 6 in both Higher Mathematics and Higher Physics
• Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM): AA in Mathematics and Physics plus A in one other subject
• Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) – Senior Middle Level: Students studying Science track in English with minimum 4 As including Mathematics I and II and Physics (not including Art, Chinese, Malay or Mathematics)
• Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (Aeronautics), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM): First-year entry with minimum GPA of 3.4
• Monash University Foundation Year: Minimum of 310 overall with 80 per cent average in Mathematics and Physics, and subject to attending an extended technical induction programme
• English language qualifications: Band 1C, IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component.

Programme structure

You can either choose to retain a broad-based study path with our MEng Aeronautics and Astronautics or to select one of our seven specialised degrees . You will learn through a combination of lectures, tutorials, laboratory experiments, coursework and individual and group projects. The seven areas of specialisation are:

• Aerodynamics
• Aeronautics and Astronautics
• Airvehicle Systems Design
• Computational Engineering and Design
• Engineering Management
• Materials and Strcutures
• Spacecraft Engineering

Our degrees integrate design projects and the development of design skills within each year of study. Practical work enables you to gain hands-on experience and develop the critical skills and judgment needed for your future career.

Our teaching follows the semester pattern of our UK campuses. Two semesters begin at the end of September and January, with examinations in January and May. Should you choose to exit this programme after successfully completing three years of study, you will be eligible for a BEng qualification.

The BEng route develops the same core skills as the MEng, however, by choosing the MEng you will study a more extensive range of subjects at an advanced level.

Years 1 and 2 in Malaysia

The first two years in Malaysia are the same across our Aeronautics and Astronautics degrees. Students focus on core engineering sciences, such as aerodynamics, propulsion systems, mechanics of flight, and fluid dynamics and control. This gives you a professional grounding for the design and operation of air vehicles and spacecraft.

Years 3 and 4 in the UK

In year three you will carry out an individual project, which brings together the concepts and skills you have learned. In the past, students have studied the deflection of asteroids and investigated the aerodynamics of a race car wing.

In year four, you will take advanced modules related to your chosen degree, and participate in a major group design project, applying your engineering knowledge to a design problem.

Our fourth-year group design projects are often linked to current research activities or sponsored by industry. Previous projects have included the design and manufacture of a hybrid sounding rocket for space research and a UAV for search and rescue operations.

Mandatory modules

Year 1

• Aircraft Operations and Flight Mechanics
• Design and Computing
• Electrical and Electronic Systems
• Mathematics
• Mechanics, Structures and Materials
• Thermofluids

Year 2

• Aerodynamics
• Astronautics
• Engineering Management and Law
• Materials and Structures
• Mathematics
• Mechanics of Flight Propulsion
• Systems Design and Computing

Year 3

• Aerospace Control Design
• Aerothermodynamics
• Introduction to Aircraft Design
• Aircraft Structural Design
• Individual Project

Year 4

• Group Design Project

Career opportunities

Recent graduates are employed at organisations including: BAE Systems, European Space Agency, Jaguar Land Rover, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, and Rolls-Royce. Our programmes offer a route to chartered status and are fully accredited* by the Royal Aeronautical Society and Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Our degrees are aligned with the UK Space Agency Programme, and we have strong links with the European Space Agency and other major aerospace companies.

We are:

• A founding member of the Russell Group
• A top 20 UK university (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020)
• A top 100 global university (QS World University Rankings 2021)
• No. 4 for Mechanical Engineering - (The Times Good University Guide, 2020)
• No. 1 for Electrical & Electronic Engineering - (The Guardian University Guide, 2021)
• No. 7 in the UK for Aeronautics and Astronautics – (The Complete University Guide 2021)
• Targeted by top employers

University of Southampton Malaysia opened in EduCity (Johor) in October 2012. The university has a global reputation for academic excellence and is a founder member of the Russell Group of research-intensive UK universities.

University of Southampton is among the world's top 100 higher education institutions. The QS World University Rankings 2021 has placed the University of Southampton 90th among global universities, making the University of Southampton Malaysia the best UK university in Malaysia.

Programmes offered at Southampton Malaysia are highly ranked globally and in the UK. We are ranked number 1 in the UK for Electrical and Electronic Engineering programme (Guardian University Guide, 2021), number 4 for Mechanical Engineering (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2020), number 7 for Aeronautics and Astronautics (The Complete University Guide, 2021) and number 11 for Computer Science (The Complete University Guide, 2021). Our Business, Management and Marketing programme is also ranked top 10 in the UK, according to Guardian University Guide 2020.

Our students can benefit from the best of both worlds by studying in Malaysia and in the UK. The University's Engineering programmes are split -campus programmes: Engineering students study 2 years in Malaysia and 2 years in the UK. Students from the other programmes also can apply to complete their degrees in the UK whenever they want (1+2 and 2+1 delivery models are available).

Studying in the University of Southampton Malaysia helps save up to 75% of the cost, compared with completing the programmes fully in the UK. The Engineering split-campus programmes are 40% more affordable. Our Engineering students pay for their 1st and 2nd year studies in Malaysia Ringgit (MYR) and they enjoy a 20% discount when they transition to the UK to complete their 3rd and 4th years.Students studying Business Programmes in Malaysia campus will save up to 60% of the cost of our UK-based degree, if they choose to complete the programmes fully in Malaysia campus.

Our students work alongside with world-leading academics, with access to cutting-edge facilities and global collaborations. Students studying in the Malaysia campus are offered the same course content and teaching quality as students in the UK. Many resources and facilities available at the UK campus are also assessible by our Malaysian campus's students such as digital library and career webinars. The new Malaysia campus* features state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities such as Dry Research Lab, Design Studio, Computer Science Lab, Thermofluid Lab, Aero Lab and Green Energy Lab. In the UK campus, we have invested £8m in our undergraduate teaching and project laboratories.98% of the Southampton graduates were in employment or further study within six months of completing their degree (Graduate Outcome, 2017/18). Our recent graduates have gone onto work with the world’s leading companies like Dyson, Huawei Malaysia and JP Morgan.

In September 2021, the University of Southampton Malaysia will welcome students to our new campus*, part of EcoBotanic City in Johor. The new multi-storey campus is built to accommodate up to 2,000 students and features state-of-the-art laboratories, learning and recreational spaces for an exceptional educational experience. Our students can enjoy a film, shopping and more at a wide range of entertainment facilities in a number of shopping malls within close proximity to EcoBotanic City. Our campus is only 40-minute drive away from Singapore. The University's students also enjoy travelling to Kuala Lumpur or other parts of Malaysia for short weekend trips with convenient transport systems.

*subject to Ministry of Higher Education approval