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Engineering and the Environment
Home Subject Home Postgraduate study Taught Degrees
MSc Unmanned Aircraft Systems Design(1 yrs)Unmanned aircraft systems (sometimes referred to as drones, UAVs, UAS or RPAS) arerevolutionising our ability to monitor and understand our environment. This industryledcourse focuses on the cuttingedge design of these sophisticated vehicles and is ideallysuited to engineers looking to specialise or to enter into this fastpaced industry.
Due to the explosive growth of the industry, unmanned aircraft systems designers are in high demand. This course hasbeen created to provide graduate engineers with the skills and knowledge needed to design unmanned aircraftsystems.
You will be taught by leaders in the field. The University has a strong reputation in autonomous systems with manyworld firsts including: SULSA, the first 3D printed plane and the first lowcost maritime surveillance UAV, 2SEAS.
Practical learning is a fundamental part of this oneyear course. You will design, build and fly your own unmannedvehicle as part of a group design project. We provide you with access to worldclass facilities to put your designthrough mission validation including: a UAV test pilot base and dedicated flying site, stateoftheart wind tunnels andrapid prototyping labs. You will also have the opportunity to study for a pilot’s licence.
Your core modules will give you a solid foundation of aerospace control systems and avionics. You will master designmethodologies and put these into practice. Each semester, you can select specialist modules that are aligned to yourinterests.
The emphasis of the course is on the design of the vehicle, rather than the wider systems such as ground station and
software associated with navigation and communications. The course will explore civil and commercial applications ofunmanned systems. Although some of the teaching material may reference military technology, the course will notcover military, defence or weaponspecific systems.
In addition to group work, you will undertake an individual research project. Previous examples include thedevelopment of a hybrid vehicle and a multirotor automated LiPo battery changer. Our students also benefit from ourmany industry partnerships and external contributors, including QinetiQ and RollsRoyce.
View the specification document for this course
To Apply
You can apply through the University of Southampton's online postgraduate application system. For more backgroundand detailed information, see How to Apply.
The deadline for new applications to this course is the 31st July each year.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) and the Institution of MechanicalEngineers (IMechE) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements forFurther Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEngaccredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registrationrequirements.
Programme Structure
Full-time study
The fulltime MSc course lasts for 12 months. The first 8 months are normally spent mainly on the taught component,with lectures divided into two 12week periods (semesters 1 and 2), and with exams at the end of each semester. Thefinal 4 months are spent fulltime on a research project, for which some preparation is done in semester 2.
The taught component comprises a number of modules totalling 120 credit points. Among these, 90 credit points arecompulsory, with 30 credits being selected from the optional list in the Modules section. Suitable alternative modules,perhaps from other courses, may be substituted in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the Course Organiser.
Part time study is not available for this courses.
Exit Points
The taught component of the MSc course is assessed independently of the research project component. Progression tothe research project depends on successful completion of the taught component. The MSc award depends on passingthe examinations and on successful completion of a dissertation on the project. The possible exit points are:
PG Certificate (60 Credit Points)PG Diploma (120 Credit Points)MSc (180 Credit Points)
We only accept applications to the 180 Credit MSc course. The PG Diploma and PG Certificate are exit points only andare not standalone qualifications.
Key facts
Attend flight school and receive advanced training leading to the possibility of a pilot qualification recognisedby the UK CAA.
Design, build and fly your own sophisticated unmanned vehicle.
This MSc is supported by a number of major UK companies including BAE Systems, RollsRoyce, QinetiQ andCobham.
Location
Flight testing
Working on UAV
HighfieldDownload a map
Location
Boldrewood CampusDownload a map
designs
Design, build and testyour own UAV
KRAKEN UAV projectvideo
Find out about ourexisting unmannedsystems activities
Southampton engineersfly SULSA the world'sfirst printed aircraft
2Seas research project
Decode researchproject
What's related
Why get an MSc in Unmanned Aircraft Systems DesignPreparation for the UAV programmeDesigning your career in Unmanned Autonomous VehiclesPostgraduate degree in UAV design brings opportunities for flight training
Computational Engineering Research
Web links
Apply for funding via the Aerospace MSc Bursary SchemeThe University cannot accept responsibility for external web sites
Entry requirements
Typical entry requirements
Honours Degree
This MSc course is aimed primarily at people with mechanical or aerospace engineering degrees. However, wellqualified and motivated applicants with other degrees (for example electronics) will be considered. The admissionscriteria will allow such individuals but they will be encouraged to undertake a suitably amended syllabus to ensure theyacquire the necessary base skills.
Upper second class honours degree (2:1 or equivalent) in Engineering, Mathematics, Physical Sciences or a relatedsubject. Those candidates with relevant employment experience will be considered if they do not meet therequirements. Applications are assessed individually, and any candidates who do not match the standard profile butwho have appropriate academic qualifications and/or industry experience are encouraged to apply.
Equivalent Qualifications
Relevant employment experience would be considered if a candidate does not meet the formal qualificationsrequirements. We are always happy to receive applications from candidates with equivalent qualifications. If you areunsure about our entry criteria, please contact our admissions staff who would be happy to provide advice in advanceof your application.
English Language requirements
If your first language is not English, we need to ensure that your listening, written and spoken English skills wouldenable you to enjoy the full benefit of your studies. For entry onto our courses, you will need an International EnglishLanguage Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 or an equivalent qualification.
Selection process:
Intake: 20
All individuals are selected and treated on their relative merits and abilities in line with the University’s EqualOpportunities Policy. Disabled applicants will be treated according to the same procedures as any other applicant withthe added involvement of the Disability Office to assess their needs. The course may require adaptation for studentswith disabilities (e.g. hearing impairment, visual impairment, mobility difficulties, dyslexia), particularly the practicallaboratory sessions, and we will attempt to accommodate students wherever possible.
Visit our International Office website or the NARIC website for further information on qualifications.
Typical course content
The central modules aim to cover topics that directly relate to and enable students to design the vehicle
platform. Hence fluids, structures, design, materials manufacturing and reliability are covered in the core. It
is expected that students should have studied these topics at undergraduate level. Where this is not the case
students will be expected to undertake other modules and remedial work to bring them up to the necessary
level.
Year 1
The first eight months are normally spent mainly on the taught component, with lectures divided into two 12weekperiods (semesters 1 and 2), and with exams at the end of each semester.
The final four months are spent fulltime on an Individual Project, which accounts for 60 credit points, six of which areallocated to an oral presentation.
Group Design Project
The Group Design Project enables students to undertake a full design/build/test cycle for a given Unmanned SystemsDesign brief within a multidisciplinary team of students. Students will be put into small teams. Each team will be givena civil or commercial mission specification. They will then have a number of milestones they will have to meet,including concept generation, evaluation and selection, culminating in the construction and testing of the system in therealworld.
Autopilot systems
Each team will be issued with a sophisticated autopilot system, ground station and telemetry.
The autopilot serves two purposes. Firstly it will enable each team to accurately measure the performance of theiraircraft (stall speed, maximum level speed, rate of climb etc). Secondly students will be able to write control scriptsfor their test flights so that all test flying can be carried out under automatic control. This has the benefit of givingstudents experience of flight automation and autonomy but also allows the aircraft to fly much more accurate flightprofiles than is possible under manual control.
Individual project
Each student will be required to undertake an individual project. Generally students will undertake a project of theirown choosing. The individual project will start in the second semester and will be completed in September.
Examples of individual projects include:
Development of miniature variable pitch propulsionMultirotor automated LiPo battery changerInflight thrust measuringStructronicsAutomated camera control and feature recognitionHigh precision automated landingNovel Low cost higher accuracy manufacturing processes
SESA6062
FEEG6006
SESA3030
SESA6075
FEEG3001
FEEG6005
SESG6035
SESM3030
Semester One
The compulsory modules total 105 credit points. You must select 15 credits from the optional modules below.
Compulsory:
UVSD Group Design Project
Systems Reliability
Aerospace Control Design
Optional:
Aircraft Propulsion
Finite Element Analysis in Solid Mechanics
Applications of CFD
Advanced Sensors and Condition Monitoring
Control and Instrumentation
Hybrid VehiclesComparison of fixed and retractable undercarriagesHigh precision height sensingHorizon sensingAutomated tracking of vehicles
FEEG6012
Core:
MSc Research Project
SESA6062
FEEG6009
SESA6069
SESA3026
SESA3033
FEEG6010
SESA6064
SESA6073
SESG6036
SESG6039
SESM6037
Semester Two
Compulsory:
UVSD Group Design Project
Design Search and Optimisation (DSO) principles, methods, parameterizations and case studies
Avionics
Optional:
Aircraft Structural Design
Wing Aerodynamics
Advanced Finite Element Analysis
Aircraft Structures
Powered Lift
Advanced Control Design
Composites Engineering Design and Mechanics
Automotive Propulsion
FEEG6012
Core:
MSc Research Project
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learningoutcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if s/he takes full advantageof the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information can be found in the programme handbook (orother appropriate guide or website).
Teaching and learning
The range of subject matter covered in the modules calls for varied teaching and learning techniques. These will includelectures, tutorials, individual and group planning exercises and practical work. You will be encouraged to openlycommunicate your professional experiences, exchange ideas and knowledge share. Onetoone tutorials are alsoarranged to cater for individual learning differences.
Ground-breaking research
Your education will be timely and relevant while you are taught by our worldleading academics who are at the forefrontof their field. This is especially important in engineering where technology is advancing rapidly. We also have a globalnetwork of companies, shared facilities and expertise to draw on to advance your learning curve.
Research project
Candidates wishing to obtain an MSc will carry out a research project and complete a dissertation. Research projectsmay concern any of the areas covered by the course. The research project will bring together all the acquired skillslearnt on the course, and demonstrate indepth knowledge of one or more of the subject areas studied. It will involvesourcing and gathering information, critical analysis, and evaluation and presentation skills. The project should containyour own original ideas. It should also exceed the existing standard of technical design, and address a novel problem
that requires the application of new research.
Assessment and examinations
Testing is conducted through a combination of unseen written examinations and assessed coursework in the form ofproblem solving exercises, laboratory reports, design exercises, essays, and individual and group projects.Experimental, research and design skills are assessed through laboratory reports, coursework exercises and oralpresentations.
Student support
Every student is assigned a personal tutor from the start of their degree.
Administration
We have our own team of administrators who act as a point of contact for daytoday advice and information forpostgraduate students. They are also responsible for collecting assignments and issuing the documents and formswhich are required during your period of study.
Course Lead
Dr Zhiwei Hu
Programme UCAS/JACS Code Programme length
MSc Aerodynamics and Computation 1 years