Recommended university for flight test related MSc?

[MachineMan]

Hi,

I'm a professional pilot from mainland Europe with a few thousand F/O hours in Airbusses big and small under my belt, age (too) rapidly approaching thirty.
As I had the chance to become a airline-sponsered cadet a few years ago during my first year at the university, I left at that time to fulfill my dream of becoming a professional pilot. As I don't like leaving things unfinished, I came back to join the university again some moons ago. I'm presently studying for my BSc in math with major in physics while still flying.
As I really got to like doing something that challenges my mind, I'm now seriously considering doing an aerospace-related MSc once I'll have finished the BSc I'm currently working on.
As we don't have any aerospace-related universities in the country I live in, my question to you guys now is which British universities you would suggest to be suitable for someone with my background to do an MSc in the field of aerospace/flighttest, full-time or part-time.
Aim of the degree in addition to satisfaction of my personal desire for knowledge would be maybe being able to join an aircraft manufacturer for the design and testing of the machines I now "only" fly for a living.
What do you think?

Regards, MM

[Genghis the Engineer]

To the best of my knowledge, there's probably only one option in the UK, which is this (http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/coa/tech-ftd/ftd-2.htm) (at Cranfield which is, I should say, a very highly respected aerospace university).

G

[MachineMan]

Thanks Genghis,

I've had a thorough look at their website before I wrote my initial post. It all looked pretty sound to me, but I didn't feel in a position to really judge their course offerings.
So if I understand correctly what you're saying, doing a course at Cranfield isn't just paying for some shiny certificate which won't have any value in the real world, but a wise decision.
Speaking of that, how would you rate my idea of pursuing such a degree in general, considering my position in life regarding academics as well as aviation? Am I daydreaming if I think there might be a possibility somewhere in aerospace to put to use what I'm learning now or not.

Brgds, MM

[Genghis the Engineer]

I speak as a graduate of (and occasional lecturer at) another university, but Cranfield is THE specialist aeronautical university in the UK. It's based on an airfield (you can find it in the AIP, also called Cranfield), and has a specialist flying laboratory centre.

Unless they've changed recently, Cranfield only does postgraduate degrees, but you meet graduates with Cranfield specialist MSc degrees all over the British industry - and I can't think of many who haven't been very capable. So, yes it would be much more than just a shiny certificate (although presumably it is that as well).

I work in the light aircraft industry, and don't feel qualified to comment on big aeroplane careers. But, in the light and military industries my experience would suggest that your combination of flying experience plus something like the Cranfield MSc would open up a lot of very interesting work. Whether it pays well is another question, because very little pays as well as the airline industry, and most company Test Pilots and Flight Test Engineers will not get paid as well as most airline Captains and senior airline Engineers. But, that's not generally why they do it.

G

[MachineMan]

Been away the last few days to earn a part of that reportedly generous salary... I somehow must have picked the wrong place to work at :}
Your comments as well as the PMs I received helped a lot in my decisionmaking; thanks everyone. Back to the books then I guess..

MM