2016-17

MSc in
Aerospace Vehicle Design
Option in Structural Design

www.cranfield.ac.uk
Postgraduate study
Cranfield University

MSc in Aerospace Vehicle Dynamics

Option in Structural Design
The MSc in Aerospace Vehicle Design aims to build knowledge on the design of flying
vehicles such as aircraft, missiles, airships and spacecraft. This course provides a taught
engineering programme with a focus on the technical, business and management
aspects of aircraft design in the civil and military aerospace sectors.

Manufacturers of modern aircraft are demanding more lightweight and more durable
structures. Structural integrity is a major consideration of todays aircraft fleet. For
an aircraft to economically achieve its design specification and satisfy airworthiness
regulations, a number of structural challenges must be overcome.

This course trains engineers to meet these challenges, and prepares them for careers in
civil and military aviation.

The Structural Design option aims to provide an understanding of aircraft structures,

airworthiness requirements, design standards, stress analysis, fatigue and fracture
(damage tolerance) and fundamentals of aerodynamics and loading. The suitable
selection of materials, both metallic and composite is also covered.

This course is suitable for students with a background in aeronautical or mechanical

engineering or those with relevant industrial experience.

Stand out from the crowd Unique facilities

Cranfield University has a truly global reputation for the quality
of its Aerospace education. The MSc in Aerospace Vehicle
Design can trace its origins back to when Cranfield was first
established, and it has continued to develop into a world
leading programme.
The course is directed by an industrial advisory committee
comprising senior members from major UK aerospace
companies, government bodies, and the military services.
The committee meets twice a year to review and advise on
course content, acquisition skills and other attributes are
desirable from graduates of the course.
You will be taught by a dedicated teaching team with many
years of both academic and industrial experience. In addition
to our academic experts, students benefit from presentations
by senior representatives from industry. Guest lecturers are
invited to give an overview of current issues/challenges
faced within their sector. Former speakerson the course have
included representatives from Airbus, Boeing, BAE Systems
and Eurocopter.
Flexible study
The Structural Design option of the MSc in Aerospace Vehicle
Design is comprised of 4 Compulsory Modules and a minimum
of 120 hours of Optional Modules, selected from a list of 18
options. Students are also required to complete an individual
research project.
The individual research project provides the opportunity for
students to deepen their knowledge of an area that is of particular
interest to them and is often associated with a real-world problem
that one of our industry partners are looking to resolve.
This course includes flying experience with our Slingsby Firefly
aircraft, and Jetstream Flying Laboratory in which on-board
monitors provide first-hand experience of the theory from a
pilots perspective. The course uses industry-standard software
such as NASTRAN/PATRAN for finite element analysis and
CATIA for digital mock-up, kinematics and assembly. The Centre
has a 3D printer, 3-axis CNC milling machine and workshop for
manufacturing scaled visual prototypes of aircraft designs, and
a composites lab with autoclave. In addition, the Centre also
has a structural integrity lab allowing static and fatigue testing
of material samples.
We also arrange visits to sites such as BAE Systems, Marshall
Aerospace, GKN and RAF bases which specialise in the
maintenance of military aircraft. This allows students to get
up close to aircraft and components.
Learning environment
Cranfield University is a wholly postgraduate institution which
offers a mature and focused learning environment. We have
an international student body and a blend of full-time and
part-time students which contributes to a rich learning and
working experience that closely replicates the diverse range of
backgrounds and experiences found in industry teams.
As well as attracting top level students, Cranfield also attracts
some of the most proficient and passionate academic staff
which combined with our industrial scale facilities offers an
exceptional learning experience.

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Cranfield University MSc in Aerospace Vehicle Design
 Postgraduate study
Cranfield University

Research and Careers

Research at Cranfield University

The Centre for Aeronautics is one of the worlds largest centres of

University postgraduate education and research in Aerodynamics,
Aerospace Vehicle Design, Structures, and Advanced Modelling and
Simulation tools and methods.

The Centre is multidisciplinary in nature and one of our greatest

strengths is the ability to offer expertise in specialist areas and to
integrate these technologies to create innovative solutions for the
needs of both industry and society.
I would truly recommend this course to anyone
Individual Thesis Project who aspires to a career involving aerospace
engineering, since it has helped me greatly in
The individual research project aims to provide the training necessary finding my dream job. The problem-solving skills
for you to apply knowledge from the taught element to research.
gained at Cranfield have helped me stand out
The individual research project may be theoretical and/or experim- from other candidates, helping me and my other
ental and drawn from a range of topics related to the course and colleagues secure jobs in the aerospace industry.
suggested by the staff, sponsor or to focus on your own area of
interest. Alistair Zammit, AVD 2012-13 student, BAE Systems
Recent Individual Research Projects include:

Review, Evaluation and Development of a Microlight Aircraft

Rapid Prototyping for Wind Tunnel Model Manufacturing
Design for Additive Layer Manufacture
Preliminary Structural Design of Fuselage Sections
Repair Analysis Methods
e-GO 2/3 seat A/C Structure Design
Design Methodology for Aircraft Primary Structures
in Preliminary Design Phase.

Your future career

The MSc in Aerospace Vehicle Design is valued and respected by

employers worldwide. The applied nature of this course ensures
that our graduates are ready to be of immediate use to their future
employer and has provided sufficient breadth of understanding The Cranfield National Flying Laboratory Centre
of multidiscipline design to position them for accelerated career
progression.

Graduates from this option have gone onto pursue engineering

careers in disciplines such as structural design, stress analysis or
systems design. Many of our former graduates occupy very senior
positions in their organisations, making valuable contributions to the
international aerospace industry.
Typical student destinations include BAE Systems, Airbus, Dassault
and Rolls-Royce.
AVD is unique and incomparable to any other
course. The Group Design Project is a good way
of introducing the students the processes used in
industry when it comes to designing an aircraft. It
is a very practical course and very well oriented to
industry. The staff are very helpful, along with the
PhD students who are always there to help.

Karan Kokane, AVD 2013-14 student

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www.cranfield.ac.uk
Postgraduate study
Cranfield University

Course information
The MSc in Aerospace Vehicle Design, Option in Structural Design is delivered via a combination of structured lectures, industry
guest lectures, computer based workshops and private study.

The course is structured with 12 compulsory modules and a minimum of 120 hours of optional modules, which are assessed via
a combination of written exams and individual coursework assignments, and an individual research project.

The students are assessed as follows:

Examinations 20%
Individual Research Project 80%

In order to keep our modules up-to-date and industry relevant, they are reviewed each year. Below is a list of typical modules, but
as this brochure is prepared up to a year in advance, please refer to the website for the latest information.

Example mandatory modules

Design and Analysis of Composite Structures (assessed via examination)
Finite Element Analysis (assessed via examination)
Structural Stability (assessed via examination)
Fatigue, Fracture Mechanics and Damage Tolerance (assessed via examination)

Example optional modules

Loading Actions
Computer Aided Design
Aircraft Aerodynamics
Aircraft Stability and Control
Aircraft Performance
Detail Stressing
Structural Dynamics
Aeroelasticity
Design for Manufacture and Operation
Initial Aircraft Design
Design of Airframe Systems
Aircraft Accident Investigation
Crashworthiness
Aircraft Power Plant Installation
Avionic System Design
Flight Experiment Methods
Reliability, Safety Assessment & Certification
Sustaining Design (Structural Durability).

Key facts Methods of study

Full time
Entry requirements
1st or 2nd class UK honours degree (or equivalent) in Fees
mechanical or aeronautical engineering. There is a limited Please contact the enquiries office. You can find more
opportunity for candidates with other qualifications to enter the information at www.cranfield.ac.uk/fee-information
course via a one-year Pre-Masters preparatory course, which
provides the necessary level of knowledge of engineering
principles applicable to aerospace design. Contact
Duration For further details and application forms please contact the
1 year Enquiries Office on:
Tel: +44 (0)1234 758008
Start date Email: enquiries@cranfield.ac.uk
October www.cranfield.ac.uk

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Cranfield University MSc in Aerospace Vehicle Design Date published: November 2015