Program Overview
The Aircraft Engineering (PgDip PgCert) at Cranfield University is a MSc programme in Engineering over 36 months, delivered On-campus. This programme equips graduates with advanced knowledge and practical skills for professional and academic careers in the field.
Students gain a rigorous grounding in both the theoretical foundations and applied dimensions of engineering. The programme combines coursework, research components, and practical projects that develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and specialist expertise relevant to industry and research needs.
Graduates of the Aircraft Engineering (PgDip PgCert) programme are well-prepared for careers in academia, industry, government, and the private sector across United Kingdom and internationally. The programme provides an internationally recognised qualification within the Bologna higher education framework.
Key Program Features
- Duration: 36 months
- Language of instruction: English
- Study mode: On-campus
- English requirement: IELTS 6.5
- Location: Cranfield, United Kingdom
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Aircraft Engineering (PgDip PgCert) programme are prepared for diverse careers in engineering:
- Design Engineer
- R&D Engineer
- Project Engineer
- Systems Engineer
- Technical Consultant
- Engineering Manager
Program Curriculum
Keeping our courses up-to-date and current requires constant innovation and change. The modules we offer reflect the needs of business and industry and the research interests of our staff and, as a result, may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons. Changes may also be designed to improve the student learning experience or to respond to feedback from students, external examiners, accreditation bodies and industrial advisory panels.
To give you a taster, we have listed the compulsory and elective (where applicable) modules which are currently affiliated with this course. All modules are indicative only, and may be subject to change for your year of entry.
Course modules
Compulsory modules
All the modules in the following list need to be taken as part of this course.
Introduction to Avionics
| Aim |
To provide you with a comprehensive overview of avionics systems and infrastructures. |
|---|---|
| Syllabus |
• Historical overview of the development of avionics hardware. • The evolution of the cockpit. • Modern Human-machine interface and interaction. • Automation – evolution, the modern fly-by-wire autopilot and the flight management system. • Display technologies – HDD, HUD, HMD. • Airborne sensor systems. • Fundamentals of radio communication. • Navigation and communications systems – terrestrial and satellite-based systems, autonomous navigation systems, digital data links. • Radar – principle of operation, operational modes, radar cross section. • Avionics databases – fundamental architectures; ARINC 429, 629, 664; MIL-1553. • Traffic and terrain surveillance and situational awareness systems – transponder, TCAS and EGPWS. • Principles of air traffic management. • Military applications – electronic warfare and countermeasures. • Product design considerations – design standards, fault tolerance and product life cycle. • Case study – a complete avionics installation. This module has an additional tutorial inside the cockpit of the large aircraft flight simulator. Students will be able to appreciate the cockpit layout design, understand information displayed to the pilot, and have the opportunity of flying the simulator. This tutorial is intended to enhance the learning process and the knowledge gained. |
| Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
|
