Study Aerospace Engineering in Europe

This master's program in Aerospace Engineering offers two specialization tracks: Aeronautics and Space. The Aeronautics track focuses on fluid dynamics, aero-structures, fatigue and damage tolerance, and rotorcraft systems. The Space track emphasizes spacecraft design, propulsion, orbital mechanics, and control systems. Both tracks include foundational coursework in numerical methods, structural mechanics, and aerodynamics, along with electives in advanced aerospace topics. The program concludes with a substantial final project or internship-based research. Some courses are tailored for students with limited prior credits in specific technical fields, ensuring academic alignment and progression.

Admission to this master's program in Aerospace Engineering requires a first-cycle degree or equivalent qualification, preferably in industrial engineering, civil engineering, physics, mathematics, or IT-related disciplines. Applicants must have adequate academic preparation in mathematics, physics, and engineering. Those with fewer than 24 credits in specific aerospace-related fields may be required to take an additional foundational course. English language proficiency at B2 level is compulsory and must be certified through approved exams or university qualifications. Selection is competitive, with a capped number of available places, and based on academic documents, language certificates, and additional merits. Applications are open to those not yet graduated, provided the degree is obtained by the set deadline. EU students typically pay around €1,200/year based on family income. Non-EU students usually pay a fixed fee of about €1,400/year. Check with the university for your exact fee.

This bachelor's program delivers a comprehensive education in aerospace engineering, focusing on essential subjects such as mathematics, technical mechanics, thermodynamics, CAD, electronics, and fluid mechanics. Students also study materials science, measurement techniques, control and simulation, and computer-aided design. From the fifth semester, they specialize in one of four tracks: Aircraft Design (FZB), Flight Operations Technology (FBT), Propulsion Engineering (TWT), or Space Technology (RFT), each offering advanced modules such as aerodynamics, propulsion systems, space systems, and maintenance. Supplementary electives include subjects like project management, programming with MATLAB, and virtual reality. The program culminates in a practical project and a bachelor's thesis.

To apply for this bachelor's program, applicants must hold a recognized university entrance qualification, which may include general or subject-specific certificates, vocational training with work experience, or equivalent foreign credentials. Some qualifications may require an additional practical component or official recognition depending on origin. While a pre-study internship is not mandatory, prior hands-on experience with materials or manufacturing is considered beneficial. Proof of English language skills at level B2 is required through tests like IELTS (5.5–6.5), TOEFL (iBT 72–94), or equivalent certificates, unless applicants are exempt based on previous English-language education. Additionally, applicants must complete an online self-assessment and present the confirmation at registration.

This master's program offers advanced training in aerospace engineering with a flexible structure that allows students to either specialize in a focus area or follow a general track. In the first two semesters, students study both synergetic and advanced modules across engineering and aerospace topics. They can choose from five focus areas: Airframe Design and Production, Flight Physics and Flight Guidance, Sustainable Aircraft Propulsion Engineering, Space Exploration Engineering, or General Aerospace Engineering. Each focus includes targeted subjects like aircraft systems, propulsion integration, space mission design, or climate adaptation in aviation. The program concludes with a master's thesis and colloquium in the third semester.

To apply for this master's program, candidates must hold a completed degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering, such as a bachelor's or a Diplom degree with a relevant specialization. Applicants with qualifications from outside the European Higher Education Area must provide both their final grade and a GRE Quantitative score in the 83rd percentile or above; both elements count equally toward admission. Additional documentation is required for applicants from China, India, or Vietnam, including an APS certificate. English proficiency must be demonstrated with a TOEFL iBT (minimum 92), TOEFL PBT (580), IELTS (6.5), or a Cambridge FCE (Grade C), unless the applicant holds a degree from an English-language university. Alternatively, candidates may take an English test on-site in Aachen.

Delivered jointly across three institutions, this doctoral program trains highly qualified researchers capable of addressing current challenges in the transport sector. Research areas include weapon system dynamics, vehicle development, the analysis of train and transport systems, and aircraft structural mechanics, with the possibility of conducting part of the studies or research abroad. Current research topics include developing a comprehensive methodology for ensuring energy efficiency and passenger comfort in electric buses across varying climatic conditions, and the integrated computational and experimental development of an advanced cooling system for electric vehicle battery controllers using novel hybrid fluids.

Core coursework spans a broad range of subjects, including academic communication, aerospace engineering, the dynamics and mathematical simulation of vehicle transmissions, the dynamics of armament systems, fundamentals of scientific research methods, mathematical simulation of dynamic, hydrodynamic, and thermodynamic processes in vehicles and technological equipment, metrology theory and practice in aviation production, nonlinear vehicle dynamics, optimization and optimal control of transport processes, challenges and solutions in intermodal transport systems, rotor dynamics and diagnostics, simulation of dynamic road traffic flow, the interaction between vehicles and roads, the theory of internal combustion engines, traction electric drives and their control, and the traction theory of rail vehicles.

Alongside these subject-specific modules, students build core research competencies through a dedicated set of skills modules, including academic and technical research writing, design thinking in research, digital tools for research writing and publication, research data management, research ethics, grant management for research projects, science communication for public audiences, and systematic literature review methods.

Applicants must hold a master's degree in transport engineering, or in a related field such as aeronautical engineering, mechanical engineering, marine engineering, electronics engineering, civil engineering, energy engineering, computer science engineering, or business, or an equivalent qualification.

Admission is based on a competitive evaluation with three components. The novelty, relevance, and alignment of the applicant's proposed dissertation topic with the department's priority research areas is assessed separately by the doctoral committee, on a scale of up to 10 points. The applicant's proposed academic supervisor is also evaluated, on a scale of 1 to 10, based on their publication activity, their track record in securing competitive research funding, and their experience supervising doctoral students, contributing 15% of the competition score. The largest share of the score, 70%, comes from an evaluation of the applicant's overall preparation for doctoral studies, scored out of a maximum of 10 points. Applicants must reach a minimum competitive score of 6.5 to be admitted.

This master's program includes core courses in flight, spaceflight, structures, and systems engineering, with optional courses tailored to each specialization. Year 2 culminates in a 30-credit degree project based on the chosen track. Additional electives span topics like spacecraft dynamics, control theory, propulsion, and optimization.

To be admitted to this master's program, you need a bachelor's degree (180 ECTS), English 6 proficiency, and coursework in math/programming (25 ECTS, including control theory and programming) and applied mechanics (20 ECTS, including solid and fluid mechanics).