Aeronautical Engineering courses
Thread Starter
PPRuNe Engineering Dept Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 295
Likes: 1
From: Deep in the boglands of Western Ireland
Aeronautical Engineering courses
I'm putting this here under genghis' advice, so here goes.....
Well, I've finally been asked by the sausage machine educational system to think about what college courses I want to do, and as Aero engineering is the only thing on the CAO form that interests me, that's what I'm putting down. However, there's a snag. There's only two AE courses on the Irish isle, One in Limerick and one in Belfast. If I want more choice, I must go to the UK. I've looked them up, and I see 150 courses, pretty much covering all major cities. So, if I do end up going to the UK, then that means it's a matter of choosing which city I'd like to spend a few years in (and, of course, the quality of the course)
However, I've been told that if I got an MEng from Uni of Limerick's AE course, then that'd hold more weight than a UK MEng (all this stuff about Concorde being tested at Shannon).
So, my current line of thinking is this: Limerick as 1st choice, but put down a few UK courses in case Limerick has no space. Belfast goes on the list, but now I've to choose between London, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow, or Farnborough.
Can anyone recommend uni in one city over another? As far as I can see, all these courses are the same, so I'm basing my UK course decision on quality of uni life.
Have I gone seriously wrong in my chain-of-thought?
Any memoirs of college pish-ups are welcome as well! 
Well, I've finally been asked by the sausage machine educational system to think about what college courses I want to do, and as Aero engineering is the only thing on the CAO form that interests me, that's what I'm putting down. However, there's a snag. There's only two AE courses on the Irish isle, One in Limerick and one in Belfast. If I want more choice, I must go to the UK. I've looked them up, and I see 150 courses, pretty much covering all major cities. So, if I do end up going to the UK, then that means it's a matter of choosing which city I'd like to spend a few years in (and, of course, the quality of the course)
However, I've been told that if I got an MEng from Uni of Limerick's AE course, then that'd hold more weight than a UK MEng (all this stuff about Concorde being tested at Shannon).
So, my current line of thinking is this: Limerick as 1st choice, but put down a few UK courses in case Limerick has no space. Belfast goes on the list, but now I've to choose between London, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow, or Farnborough.
Can anyone recommend uni in one city over another? As far as I can see, all these courses are the same, so I'm basing my UK course decision on quality of uni life.
Have I gone seriously wrong in my chain-of-thought?
Cunning Artificer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,125
Likes: 7
From: The spiritual home of DeHavilland
You're going to study what interests you the most and you plan to base your decision on the quality of university life? Can't see anything wrong with that logic, in fact, you're a natural engineer.
As a father of one current student and two graduates I advise you to look at the living costs in the city of your choice. Where rents are cheaper you'll get better accomodation - a very important factor in the quality of your life. [I know of one poor chap at Oxford Brookes who woke up one morning unable to open his eyes because his eyelashes had frozen together.] Not many universities can offer Halls of Residence, not even to all of the the first year students. Beware of Landlords!! Some of the best advice I've seen for renting is here at the University of London's accomodation advice page Read the stuff under "Publications."
Student social life is pretty much the same regardless of location. General poverty and the contempt of the local population obliges students to flock together in the 'student places' for cheap food and loads of cheap beer. Been like that for centuries.
On the other hand, although Limerick is obviously cheaper than Farnborough, do take time to check the facilities in the various universities; some are better equipped than others and their courses will be more enjoyable and fulfilling as a result. Good Labs = good coursework.
Good Luck, have fun and welcome to the wonderful world of aviation.
**************************
Through difficulties to the cinema
As a father of one current student and two graduates I advise you to look at the living costs in the city of your choice. Where rents are cheaper you'll get better accomodation - a very important factor in the quality of your life. [I know of one poor chap at Oxford Brookes who woke up one morning unable to open his eyes because his eyelashes had frozen together.] Not many universities can offer Halls of Residence, not even to all of the the first year students. Beware of Landlords!! Some of the best advice I've seen for renting is here at the University of London's accomodation advice page Read the stuff under "Publications."
Student social life is pretty much the same regardless of location. General poverty and the contempt of the local population obliges students to flock together in the 'student places' for cheap food and loads of cheap beer. Been like that for centuries.
On the other hand, although Limerick is obviously cheaper than Farnborough, do take time to check the facilities in the various universities; some are better equipped than others and their courses will be more enjoyable and fulfilling as a result. Good Labs = good coursework.
Good Luck, have fun and welcome to the wonderful world of aviation.
**************************
Through difficulties to the cinema
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Manchester,England
I went to Manchester and can thoroughly recommend it. Good city for night life, cheap and a really good music scene if you're into that sort of thing. Also quite good on the accomodation front. Most freshers can get hall residence if they so desire!!
Good luck.
P.S. you'd be better of in the long term doing LAW!!!
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2000
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 14,480
Likes: 178
From: UK
You said round the corner that you're interested in aircraft design (good on you, so am I). This actually eliminates a few courses. If you look at Bristol or Imperial for example, the courses are in large part aimed at producing technical staff to work as small cogs in big teams - important well paid jobs, but not really the design of whole aeroplanes.
If you're interested in whole aeroplane stuff, look at the slightly less highbrow redbrick courses (Southampton, Bath, Glasgow for example) or the two superb ex-poly's Kingston and Hatfield.
Others have commented on living conditions, and I agree with them. But also, look at the 2nd to 4th year options on the various courses, look for whole aeroplane (aerospace vehicle design, helicopter dynamics, flight dynamics, aircraft systems design) courses rather than "backroom" courses like supersonic aerodynamics, combustion thermodynamics, etc. I'm not putting those courses down, the industry will always have well paid jobs for good aerodynamicists and thermodynamicists, but if you want to work on whole aeroplanes - whether as a pilot or engineer, look for whole aeroplane courses.
G
If you're interested in whole aeroplane stuff, look at the slightly less highbrow redbrick courses (Southampton, Bath, Glasgow for example) or the two superb ex-poly's Kingston and Hatfield.
Others have commented on living conditions, and I agree with them. But also, look at the 2nd to 4th year options on the various courses, look for whole aeroplane (aerospace vehicle design, helicopter dynamics, flight dynamics, aircraft systems design) courses rather than "backroom" courses like supersonic aerodynamics, combustion thermodynamics, etc. I'm not putting those courses down, the industry will always have well paid jobs for good aerodynamicists and thermodynamicists, but if you want to work on whole aeroplanes - whether as a pilot or engineer, look for whole aeroplane courses.
G
