Course overview

Begin your journey towards a career in aerospace with our Foundation Programme: Aerospace Engineering, designed to prepare you for progression to BEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering.

This foundation year provides the essential academic knowledge, practical skills and confidence to succeed in university-level study. You’ll explore core principles in mathematics, physics and engineering science, while developing your problem-solving, teamwork and communication skills through collaborative, project-based learning.

Working alongside students from other engineering disciplines, you’ll gain experience of interdisciplinary thinking and real-world ways of working. These are skills that are vital in the aerospace industry and beyond. You’ll also be part of a supportive learning community that helps you transition smoothly into degree-level study and prepares you to thrive in a fast-moving, high-tech sector.

On successful completion, you’ll progress directly to our BEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering degree.

Why Foundation Programme: Aerospace Engineering at Aston University?

Here to stay

Ranked 11th in the UK for ‘continuation’ (Mechanical Engineering; Complete University Guide, 2026)

Collaborative teaching

Our dedicated academics ensure smooth transitions for students from diverse backgrounds

Highly ranked

Ranked 12th overall in the UK for Mechanical Engineering (Guardian, 2025)

Take your passion for flight to the next level

From aerodynamics and propulsion to hands-on lab work, industry links, and real-world projects, discover five reasons why this degree could launch your career in aircraft design, drone technologies, defence and more.

Careers and Placements

Whatever your Aston University journey, we're here to help. Discover what's possible with Careers and Placements.

ASTON POWER SKILLS

Built into every undergraduate degree

Gain the skills employers look for worldwide.

AI & Digital

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Inclusive Leadership

Environmental Sustainability

Discover Power Skills

Course description

Foundation Programme: Aerospace Engineering

Aston University's Foundation Programme in Aerospace Engineering will equip you with the essential skills and knowledge to progress onto our BEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering degree.

What we will provide
You will benefit from expert teaching in the UK’s second largest city, delivered by passionate staff who are dedicated to your success. Our experienced faculty bring real-world insight into the classroom and will support you as you build the foundations for your future in aerospace engineering.

You’ll have access to excellent facilities, including modern computer labs and industry-standard software. As an Adobe Creative Campus, we provide access to a wide range of professional tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud and Solidworks, widely used across the engineering sector.

You are not required to bring your own device for this course. However, if you choose to do so, we recommend a laptop with an Intel i5 processor or above (or AMD equivalent).

What you will provide
It is important you learn how to adapt a growth mindset to your studies – understanding that intelligence and success come from applying yourself, you must be able to demonstrate critical thinking and have ambition and drive to excel.

What skills we teach
You will build a strong foundation in key technical skills such as computer-aided design (CAD), model making using 3D printing and foam, and basic metal work. Alongside these, you will develop essential people skills including teamwork, communication, problem-solving and an understanding of ethical and social impact, preparing you for the diverse and evolving demands of aerospace engineering.

Progression opportunities
On successful completion of our Foundation Programme in Aerospace Engineering, you will have the opportunity to progress onto our BEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering degree. Graduates from Aston’s engineering programmes have gone on to roles such as design engineer, systems engineer and project manager with leading companies in the aerospace and engineering sectors.

How you will learn

Our teaching combines engaging lectures with interactive workshops, helping you absorb knowledge through different approaches. You will work on real-world projects that challenge and inspire you, putting theory into practice through hands-on experience.

At Aston University, there are many extra-curricular activities to help you develop skills and explore your interests. Aerospace engineering students can get involved in industry clubs, live projects and events where you meet employers and connect with professionals.

We are committed to supporting you throughout your studies. You will have a personal tutor to offer guidance and support. The Library and Learning Services provides help with maths, academic writing and study strategies. You can also take part in PAL sessions, learning from peers who have experience of the course content.

What you will learn

On this programme, you will be introduced to the core principles and disciplines of aerospace engineering, science and mathematics through a series of team-based projects. While developing the essential skills needed to progress onto BEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering, you will gain valuable hands-on experience that will help you stand out in the industry.

Facilities

Aerospace engineering is a hands-on discipline combining lectures with practical lab work and design projects. You will develop individual and teamwork skills alongside peers, guided by experienced academics and expert technicians.

Our engineering workshops and labs provide access to industry-standard equipment and spaces, including 3D printing and rapid prototyping facilities, laser cutting, CNC machining, and advanced CAD and simulation software. You will work in collaborative design studios equipped with the latest tools to support your projects.

Dedicated project spaces and expert support help you bring your ideas from concept to reality. Alongside personal tutors and peer learning, our facilities ensure you gain valuable practical experience preparing you for the aerospace industry.

Course objectives

Provide the necessary fundamental skills and knowledge for progression into Stage 1 of study.
Develop transferrable and communication skills required to be successful in further study.
Develop ethical and inclusive, problem solvers and critical thinkers.
Begin to develop the global awareness, sustainability and inclusive practice required in modern professional practice.

Modules

Foundation year modules

In your foundation year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Undergraduate Professional Skills	15
Mathematics 1	15
Introduction to Scientific Principles	15
Industries of the Future	15
Global Engineering Project	15
Engineering Science Foundations	15
Applied Physics Foundations	15
Mathematics 2	15
Total	120

Foundation year outcomes

On successful completion of your foundation year, you will be able to:

Use mathematical principles to solve well-defined problems.
Solve well-defined problems using technical and scientific concepts relevant to the framework of study.
Collaborate in multidisciplinary teams, demonstrating inclusive, effective communication and teamwork skills.
Communicate discipline relevant technical ideas and solutions effectively, in a variety of ways, to diverse audiences, using appropriate terminology.
Conduct practical activities using appropriate equipment/tools, review data and draw conclusions to support technical decision-making relevant to the framework of study.
Discuss ethical and professional responsibilities, including stakeholder involvement, sustainability, safety, technical, EDI, and social factors.
Collect, interpret, and present, data from a variety of sources.
Reflect on their own learning needs and successes.
Demonstrate awareness of project management principles and methods.

ASTON POWER SKILLS

Built into every undergraduate degree

Gain the skills employers look for worldwide.
As an Aston student, you will develop expertise in four key areas:

AI & Digital

Join the rise of the humans. Don't fear AI, master it and use it for good. Develop digital skills for the future, whatever career you want to pursue.

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Don't follow the rules, rewrite them. Today’s fast-changing world needs original thinkers. Creators. Innovators. Risk takers. So get ready to think smart and reach the next level.

Inclusive Leadership

Make space for every voice to be heard. Be the one who brings people together with a shared vision. Learn to break down barriers and be the leader the future needs.

Environmental Sustainability

It's not game over for our planet. It's game on. Together we can create a greener tomorrow. The world urgently needs graduates who can shape more sustainable and ethical ways of working. The future depends on it.

Entry requirements

A Levels

Standard offer: CCD
EPQ Offer: CDD and Level 3 Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) grade B
Aston Ready (Widening participation) offer: DDD
Contextual offers

Aston Ready is our contextual offer scheme that could reduce your undergraduate offer by one or two grades. Assessed at the point of application, there are no additional forms to fill in.

Contextual offer criteria

Extended Diploma and National Extended Diploma: Merit Merit Merit
Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with an overall grade of Merit
National Diploma and Diploma: Merit Merit plus 1 A-level at minimum Grade D
Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with an overall grade Merit plus an A-Level in any subject at grade D OR achieve an overall grade Merit plus a BTEC Sub Dip/ Extended National Cert in any subject grade Merit
Foundation or 90 credits Diploma: Merit Merit plus 2 A-level minimum Grade CD
National Extended Certificate or Subsidiary Diploma: Merit plus 2 A-level minimum Grade CD

26 including 3, 3, 3 in Higher Level subjects

Successful completion of the QAA-recognised Access Diploma with 60 credits including 45 credits at Level 3. You must obtain a minimum of 9 Distinctions, 12 Merits and 24 Pass.

All subjects are accepted at T Level: Merit

Additionally to our Level 3 requirement each applicant must meet a GCSE (level 2) requirements:

GCSE English Language or Literature minimum grade C/4
GCSE Mathematics minimum grade C/4

Fees and scholarships

Course fees

This foundation programme is available to UK students only. International students interested in a foundation programme should visit OnCampus Aston.

UK students
(2026/27)

Annual tuition fees:

£9,790*

UK students (Home Undergraduate):

On 20 October 2025, the Government announced that tuition fees in England will be increased annually in line with inflation, starting in 2026. The Government have since confirmed that it intends to determine the inflation-linked increase using the Retail Price Index, although this is subject to parliamentary approval.

According to the Department for Education’s Policy Paper published on 26 November, the annual tuition fee for the Programme commencing in the academic year 2026/7 is expected to be £9,790, subject to parliamentary approval. If you are holding an offer at Aston, when the annual tuition fee for your Programme for the 2026/27 academic year has been confirmed, we will write to update you. We will also provide as much information as we can about the inflation-linked increase in tuition fees for future academic years.

The duration of your programme is set out at the top of this webpage and you will be responsible for the payment of an annual tuition fee in each of these years. The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees annually in accordance with its Terms and Conditions and subject at all times to the maximum tuition fee caps set by Government from time to time. This means that your total tuition fee may be higher than stated above. An increase in fees will allow the University to cover the increased costs of delivering the course and ensure it is able to maintain high standards of education and facilities.

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs.

Explore our scholarships

Assessment

This foundation programme employs a range of authentic assessment methods, including presentations, coursework, quizzes, and some exams. We make sure to coordinate deadlines to ensure you have a manageable workload.

The assessment methods will reflect the most effective and relevant way to review your performance for each module. Therefore, each module will be assessed in a variety of ways to reflect your knowledge from that module and how you would apply it in the real world.

Career prospects

Engineering and physical science skills are essential to many aspects of modern life, making graduates in these fields highly sought after. Students who complete an Engineering and Physical Science Foundation Programme typically progress to study for their bachelor’s degree.

After finishing their BEng or MEng degree, some graduates have secured roles such as mechanical engineer, design engineer, project manager and consultant with leading companies including BAE Systems, Bentley Motors, Network Rail, Caterpillar Inc, Corus and Jaguar Land Rover.

Be part of our community

Once you have joined us at Aston University, you’ll always be part of our community, even beyond graduation.

Alumni services

Frequently asked questions

Why study the Foundation Programme: Aerospace Engineering at Aston University?

Our Foundation Programme in Aerospace Engineering is designed to build your confidence and technical skills, preparing you fully for progression onto your degree. You will learn through interactive teaching, hands-on experiments and collaborative projects that connect theory with real-world applications.

At Aston, you benefit from a dedicated foundation team who specialise in personalised support and small-group teaching, helping you every step of the way. You’ll also have access to extensive university resources including one-to-one tutoring, workshops and peer-assisted learning sessions, all aimed at supporting your academic success.

As an Aston student, you’ll join a vibrant community with access to the Students’ Union, student societies and wider campus facilities. This supportive environment, combined with practical learning and skill development, equips you to thrive in aerospace engineering and beyond.

How will I study on the Foundation Programme?

Students will receive timetables that details the room and time of each subject. Each module will have a lecture that is delivers course content to all the students and seminar in smaller groups to provide more focused skills required for each module. Each module will have a total of four hours of teaching each week.

Is Birmingham a good place to study?

Our campus is based in the centre of Birmingham, the youngest major city in Europe and a great place to live, work and study.

Great music and entertainment with a vibrant nightlife. Bars, clubs, pubs, live music, festivals, concerts. Whatever your tastes, there's something here for everyone.
Fantastic food. Birmingham's diverse community means you can try anything from the famous Balti triangle, the Chinese Quarter, high street chains, halal and vegan food, and Michelin-star dining.
World-class shopping. The Bullring and Grand Central is a shopper's paradise. From the world's biggest Primark to luxury brands at the Mailbox.
Arts and culture. Museums, galleries, theatres, concerts and Birmingham's art collection is as wide as it is impressive - not to be missed.
Green, open spaces. One of the greenest cities in Europe, Birmingham has hundreds of publicly accessible parks and green spaces across the city.
Sporting action. Birmingham has some of the most exciting venues for watching or participating in sport in the UK.

Discover Birmingham