Cranfield University

What you'll study

The programme covers the fundamentals and advanced topics needed to understand, design and test thermal power and propulsion systems. Core taught areas include thermodynamics, heat transfer, turbomachinery aerothermodynamics, combustion and fuels, and propulsion system integration. You will study gas-turbine performance and design, component aerodynamics (compressors, turbines, and nozzles), unsteady flow and aeroelastic effects, and emissions and environmental considerations.

Teaching blends lectures, problem classes and laboratory work. Practical modules use experimental methods for turbomachinery and combustion testing, data acquisition and uncertainty analysis, and computational approaches such as CFD and system-level performance modelling. Students also develop skills in materials and manufacturing relevant to high-temperature engine components, together with system safety and reliability analysis.

The programme culminates in a substantial individual research or industry-sponsored project, carried out on campus using Cranfield's propulsion and turbomachinery facilities. Projects typically focus on component design optimisation, combustor development, performance mapping, emissions reduction, or system integration and testing.

Entry requirements

• Typically a UK upper second-class (2:1) honours degree, or international equivalent, in mechanical, aerospace, aeronautical, or power engineering, or a closely related discipline with strong mathematics and thermofluids content.
• Applicants with a lower second-class (2:2) degree plus relevant industrial experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Demonstrable experience in engineering practice, research, or relevant industry roles strengthens an application and can be particularly relevant for those applying for an industry-sponsored place.
• English language proficiency is required for applicants whose first language is not English; recognised qualifications (for example IELTS or equivalent) at a level appropriate for postgraduate study are expected.
• All applicants must supply academic transcripts and references; some offers may be conditional on satisfactory performance in required background modules or a pre-sessional course to address gaps in knowledge.

Career prospects

Graduates go on to technical and engineering roles in aerospace propulsion, gas-turbine manufacture and maintenance, power generation, and defence. Typical job titles include propulsion engineer, turbomachinery design engineer, combustion engineer, performance/thermodynamics engineer, test engineer, and systems integration engineer.

Employers include major aero-engine manufacturers and their supply chains, power utilities, propulsion research organisations, test houses, and engineering consultancies. Many graduates also move into research and development roles or continue to doctoral research in aerothermal systems, combustion science or turbomachinery technology.

Why study at Cranfield University

Cranfield offers a campus-focused, industry-oriented environment with specialist laboratories and test facilities dedicated to propulsion and turbomachinery research. The course is taught by academics with active research portfolios and by engineers with current industry experience, providing a strong link between theory and practice.

Students benefit from close collaboration with industry through guest lectures, industrial case studies and the opportunity to undertake sponsored projects. Cranfield's emphasis on hands-on experimental work, access to high-speed rigs and engine testbeds, and a compact cohort make it well suited for students aiming to build practical testing and design experience alongside analytical competence.

Note: Specific entry conditions, available modules and the structure of the project component can vary; prospective applicants should consult Cranfield University's official programme pages or admissions team for the most current information.