BSc (Hons)

Aircraft Maintenance Engineering

Double-accredited. Industry-approved. Career-ready. The only UK degree where your hangar, licence, and future take off together.

How to apply Apply through UCAS Book an Open Day Chat to Us

Key Course Details

  • UCAS Code

    H402

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Pontypridd

  • Campus Code

    A

Fees

  • Home students

    £9,790*

  • International students

    £17,200*

  • Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.
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Earn your honours degree and EASA Part-66 B1.1 licence. The only UK course double-accredited by the Civil Aviation Authority and European Union Aviation Safety Agency delivered on a single campus.

Designed For

The magic of air travel has mesmerised people for over 120 years. If you’re fascinated by how things work and like getting your hands dirty to find out, aircraft maintenance could be for you. You’ll be prepared to work hard for three years, knowing each day takes you closer to your dream job.

Accredited by

  • The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)

  • European Union Aviation Safety Authority (EASA)

Career Paths

  • Aircraft maintenance 
  • Technical support 
  • Logistics  
  • On-wing support 
  • After sales 

Skills taught

  • Professionalism 
  • Reliability 
  • Communications and team work 
  • Logical thinking 
  • Problem solving 

This degree will fast-track you to your aircraft maintenance licence. We'll teach you everything you need for a successful start, starting with the fundamentals of maths, physics and electronics, then building your knowledge through practical application.

video-flight-sim-cy
video-aircraft-maintenance-engineering-inside-the-hangar-en
video-aircraft-maintenance-engineering-innovation-hub-en
Two students in overalls carry out maintenance on the underneath of an aircraft's wing
Student Pooja Umashankar poses in navy overalls in front of a jet enginge and a small aircraft
A student using the flight simulator on treforest campus

Double accreditation

We’re accredited by both the Civil Aviation Authority and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.

Extra certifications

Gain extra Part-145 industry-recognised certifications including Human Factors and Fuel Tank Safety.

Get hands on

Work on a BAE Jetstream and A320 fuselage in our hangar and fly in our Boeing 747 simulator.

Industry expertise

Learn from teaching staff who’ve had careers in the military or with commercial airlines.

Jump the career queue

Our course counts towards your aircraft maintenance licence, helping you on your way to your future career.

Module Overview

In your first year of study, you’ll learn the fundamentals first, with modules of maths, physics, mechanics and electronics. Then we’ll start applying these learnings to aerospace and commercial aircraft.

Aerospace Mechanics 
Understand the aerodynamics and physics related to flight and the control mechanisms used to maintain altitude, speed and direction.

Electronic Fundamentals for Maintenance and Electrical Fundamentals for Maintenance Engineers 
Gain foundations in Electrical and Electronic engineering ready for more complex avionics systems.

Aerospace Materials and Hardware 
Develop a theoretical and practical understanding of the materials and hardware requirements for aircraft design, manufacture and maintenance.

Professional Engineering Techniques 
Learn the soft skills engineers need, including communication skills, professional development planning and critical analysis.

Analytical Methods for Engineers 
Study mathematical principles and develop the knowledge and understanding to apply mathematical solutions to aircraft engineering problems.

In your second year, you’ll get to apply your knowledge through a series of practical challenges. You’ll get time in our hangar, working on real planes, getting to grips with the mechanics and understanding how human factors can make a difference.

Maintenance Practices for B1 Licence 
Master what you need to know to conduct aircraft maintenance tasks and legislative paperwork.

The Aircraft Instrumentation Systems 
Learn about aircraft sensors and their operation testing and how to interface them to a digital system.

Fundamentals of Air Transport Management 
Gain the knowledge and understanding of airline companies' challenges in maintaining and operating aircraft in a competitive commercial environment.

Human Factors 
Use case studies to understand how Human Factors (HF) influence and change the processes and procedures that were once standard practices.

Maintenance and Repair of Aircraft Propeller Systems 
Develop detailed knowledge of the theoretical aspects of propeller construction, control, operation, maintenance and storage.

In your final year, we put it all together. You’ll learn about aircraft systems and the highest levels of aircraft safety. We’ll look at new and emerging technologies and make sure your knowledge is future-proof. You’ll also work on a group project and an individual project to test your skills.

Aerospace Turbine Propulsion Systems 
Continue to develop maintenance engineering skills by investigating propulsion systems, their environmental impact and alternative sustainable solutions.

Aero-Structures, Aerodynamics and Systems 
Put your skills and knowledge together to review aircraft maintenance.

Aviation Legislation 
Understand the aviation sector's legislation and the laws surrounding aircraft maintenance and how they define your expectations and responsibilities.

Employment in a PART-145 organisation 
Understand how a PART-145 MRO organisation works, including Human Factors, Fuel Tank Safety and Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems.

Group Project 
Gain an insight into working in a regulated Part-145 MRO organisation by preparing and conducting maintenance activities.

Individual Project 
Develop a project plan to review an aircraft engineering problem and conduct in-depth research in aircraft maintenance or design an engineering solution.

Course Highlights

How you’ll learn

This is a time-intensive course that makes the most of your study hours each week. You can expect to spend about 27 hours each week between the classroom and practical facilities. We focus on making sure you complete your course ready to start working in the industry, so we teach first and show second, giving you the opportunity to get hands-on with aircraft in our hangar.

You’ll learn the exact procedures used in industry and complete the course with all the knowledge and skills you need to go straight to work on an aircraft. We’ll assess your progress through assignments, coursework, ongoing class tests, practical work and exams.

Teaching staff

Our teaching staff come from a range of backgrounds with a comprehensive knowledge of aircraft maintenance. Some members of our team have come from the RAF and are experienced in military aircraft, others have had careers with commercial airlines. They all still have close industry contacts and are constantly checking that what we’re teaching you is still relevant for the workplaces of today and of tomorrow. We also have people on our teaching team from academic backgrounds who have completed relevant industry research. This combination ensures we can pass on all the skills you need.

Placements

Our close relationships with industry help us make sure you have every opportunity to learn and experience life on the job. The course includes an employability module in your third year when you are encouraged to approach industry to learn more about what they’re looking for from future hires. We take an annual trip to Ryanair and work with Virgin Atlantic to get you out of the university campus and into the workplace.

Facilities

A lot of our students come here for our facilities, which are among some of the best in the world. If you’re going to be keeping aircraft safe, we believe you need to learn on actual aircraft. Our hangar includes a BAE Jetstream to provide a simulated maintenance environment. We also have a Boeing 747 flight simulator, the rear of an A320 fuselage, three sheet metal workshops, a composites workshop, an avionics suite and a host of engines to learn on.  

You will be set tasks that include removing and replacing landing gear, and removing and reinstalling a propeller. You’ll learn what it takes in real-time using the real tools of your trade.

Student Stories

A student is standing under the wing of a plane unscrewing some bolts.
Engaging with industry whilst studying

Mathew Mugwagwa

Aircraft Maintenance Engineering student

Student, Pooja Umashankar, stood in front of an aeroplane wearing engineering workshop uniform.
The University’s outstanding reputation made it the obvious choice for me

Pooja Thathsarani Umashankar

Aircraft Maintenance Engineering student

Aircraft Maintenance Engineering student Matthew Dyke poses in red overalls in front of the engine on a small plane in an aerospace workshop
I found my engineering pathway at USW and believe others could too

Matthew Dyke

Aircraft Maintenance Engineering student

Accredited By

Civil Aviation Authority
European Aviation Safety Agency

Why USW?

£32,235

average earnings for Aircraft Maintenance Engineering graduates

Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022/23

  • 100% of our Aircraft Maintenance Engineering graduates work in aviation roles directly related to their degree (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022/23)

  • Top in Wales for teaching quality in Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering (Times Good University Guide 2026)

Why USW?

Top in the UK

for student satisfaction in Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering

Complete University Guide 2026

  • 100% of our Aircraft Maintenance Engineering graduates work in aviation roles directly related to their degree (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022/23)

  • Top in Wales for teaching quality in Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering (Times Good University Guide 2026)

Careers and Employability

Graduate careers

Thanks to our dual accreditation by the CAA and EASA, you’ll complete your degree ready to work anywhere in the world. Almost all our graduates stay in aviation and go on to have rewarding, exciting careers that include international travel and ongoing training and development.  

It’s an exciting time to work in aircraft maintenance. The industry is changing quickly as it adapts to the challenges of the climate crisis and the need for greener travel. Joining the industry now gives you the opportunity to be at the forefront of that change.

Careers support

Our careers service offers a range of advice and guidance for students. We’re invested in your future and want to help you succeed. From writing your CV to putting you in touch with industry contacts, you can count on our team to help you achieve all your ambitions. Throughout your course, we’ll help you develop your future goals, identifying your strengths and advising you of how you can put them to the best use in your future career.

Industry Partners

Our outstanding reputation in aviation training,  built on years of excellence, industry trust and graduate success has opened doors to partnerships with some of the biggest names in the sector, including Ryanair, Virgin Atlantic, Rolls-Royce and British Airways.

These strong connections give our students access to career opportunities and pathways with leading employers. It’s the perfect springboard to launch your career in aircraft engineering and progress towards the accelerated Part-66 basic aircraft maintenance licence.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

UCAS points: 96 (or above)

Typical qualification requirements:

  • A Level: CCC to include Mathematics or a numerate subject
  • Welsh BACC: Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales Grade C and CC at A Level to include Mathematics or a numerate subject.
  • BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma Merit Merit Merit  in a relevant Maths, Science or Engineering subject 
  • Access to HE: Pass an Access to HE Diploma in Maths/Science and obtain a minimum of 96 UCAS tariff points.
  • T Level: P

International applications welcomed:

We welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications of our entry requirements. For more details related to your country of residence, please view our dedicated country pages.

English language requirements

International applicants will need to have achieved an overall of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component/TOEFL 4 overall and a minimum of 4 in each component or equivalent.

Equivalents can be located on our English Language pages.

If you have previously studied through the medium of English, IELTS might not be required, please visit our country specific page for further details. If your country is not featured, please contact us.

If you do not meet the English entry criteria, please visit our Pre-Sessional course pages.

Contextual offers

We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended, for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer, and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions.

USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university.

 

We're here to help

Whether you a have a question about your course, fees and funding, the application process or anything else, there are plenty of ways you can get in touch, and we'd love to talk to you. You can contact our friendly admissions team by phone, email or chat to us online.

 

Fees and Funding

UK Full-time Fee

£9,790

per year*
International Full-time Fee

£17,200

per year*

Further Information

Studying at university is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).

*Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee is anticipated to remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course except as described below.

Please be aware that we may increase the maximum fee for home students on full-time undergraduate courses only where the Welsh Government increases the permitted level of inflation of fees. Fees for all students (including part-time, postgraduate and international students) may be amended in accordance with our applicable Fees and Debt Management Policy.  We will ensure that students are given clear, intelligible, unambiguous and timely information about our courses and costs in good time, ahead of the next academic year.

 

Fees and Funding Scholarships and Bursaries Cost of Living Support

Additional Costs

As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.

How to apply

All applications for full-time undergraduate courses or foundation degrees should be made via UCAS. Take the next step: Apply through UCAS. You can apply to us directly for all part-time undergraduate courses, if you’re seeking advanced entry or you’re an international student. To apply directly, please choose the application form below for your preferred start date and mode of study (full-time or part-time).

Advanced entry

If you already have a relevant qualification or experience related to the course you're applying for, you may be eligible to start at a later stage of the course. For example, students from partner colleges can ‘top up’ their qualifications to a degree by joining us in Year Two or Year Three of a course. This process is known as ‘advanced entry’, you can apply directly to the University for 'advanced entry' using the application forms provided above.

Applicants accepted through advanced entry may study a different combination of modules to those advertised, as they will be joining a course already in progress. You will be contacted and advised about these modules once your application has been processed and an offer made.

International admissions

International applicants can apply to us directly. If the University has an in-country team in your region, your application will be assigned to them for assistance.
 

University Quality Assurance

At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.

If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.

student-25
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Next Steps

How to apply
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