Aerospace MSc Bursary Scheme

New for 2013 - Launch a career in Aerospace Engineering through the Aerospace MSc Bursary Scheme

We have the top aerospace industry in Europe, and are second in the world only to the US. There are great opportunities ahead …but aerospace is a global industry and there are many other countries hoping to have a slice of the pie. That is why the government is doing all it can to make the UK an attractive environment for aerospace – ensuring that companies are more likely to invest in jobs and facilities here with us.

Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP
Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills

Aims of the scheme

The Aerospace MSc Bursary Scheme aims to:

  • Generate more aerospace MSc qualified professionals with high level skills who will work in the sector; and to

  • Up-skill the existing UK aerospace workforce and reinforce the supply of skilled people with knowledge and expertise in key areas of technology for the future.

Your upward trajectory

UK Aerospace is a national success story. This scheme has been developed in partnership with leading employers to help the UK stay ahead of its global competitors by developing the sector’s professional workforce. Announced by the Prime Minister at the Farnborough International Air Show in July 2012, funding from the UK government, the NI Administration and industry will provide up to 500 bursaries over the next three years.

Who is it for?

We are keen to hear from a wide range of applicants. Whatever your background you will need strong motivation and firm commitment to a career in aerospace in the UK. You could:

  • Not yet be employed in the UK aerospace sector (e.g. a current or recent graduate) but with the support of one of the Bursary Scheme partner companies or an SME company within the sector’s supply chain;

  • Have no connection with an aerospace sector employer (if you are successful, the Scheme will introduce you to relevant employers);

  • Be employed by one of the Bursary Scheme partner companies or by a SME company in the UK aerospace sector supply chain and applying with the support of your employer.

The scheme will pay MSc tuition fees (up to £9,500) on behalf of successful applicants. Bursaries will be awarded to candidates who can demonstrate their commitment to working in the UK aerospace sector and who have been offered a place on an eligible MSc programme. Applications will be accepted before an MSc place is offered but will be conditional on receiving, and taking up, the MSc offer from a university.

A limited number of bursaries is available and you are strongly recommended to apply as soon as possible.

Company employee applicants must be:

  • Working in the UK in the aerospace sector on the first day of the MSc programme

Other applicants must be:

  • Ordinarily resident in the UK on the first day of the MSc programme (with the exception of frontier students* studying in the UK); and

  • One of the following:

    • EU nationals (including UK nationals) including direct family members as long as they have been ordinarily resident in the EEA for the last three years; or

    • Nationals of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland who are working in the UK, including direct family members and who have been ordinarily resident in the EEA for the last three years; or

    • UK residents with ‘settled immigration status’ (no restrictions on how long you can stay) who have been ordinarily resident in the UK for the last three years; or

    • Refugees and people who have been granted humanitarian protection including direct family members ordinarily residing in the UK on the first day of the first academic year of the course; or

    • Children of Swiss nationals who have resided in the UK where the children have been resident in the EU/EEA or Switzerland for the last three years; or

    • Children of Turkish nationals who have resided in the UK where the children have been resident in the EU/EEA, Switzerland or Turkey for the last three years.

*“Frontier students” means frontier workers who work in the territory of one country and reside in the territory of another country, to which they return as a rule daily or at least once a week.

How to apply

  • Look at our Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ] (548KB) Adobe PDF document icon for more Scheme details.

  • If you are already employed in aerospace, or have links with a UK aerospace employer, obtain a letter confirming their support;

  • If you have no links with the sector yet, get up to speed on current issues in aerospace engineering by visiting www.aerosociety.com and key employer websites;

  • Choose your intended MSc programme from the list [MSc Programmes] (389KB) Adobe PDF document icon and apply to the university following their published procedure. Be sure to mention that you are an Aerospace MSc Bursary candidate when you apply.

  • Download the Phase 1 application form (1.08MB) Adobe PDF document icon. Read the Advice to Candidates (401KB) Adobe PDF document icon and complete the form, then email it to AeroMSc.

Then ...

  • Eligible candidates will be asked to complete the Phase 2 application form.

  • If your application shows strong motivation to pursue a career in the UK aerospace sector, and that the bursary will make a difference to you, you will be invited to interview. This could be via the internet, telephone conference, face-to-face or at a relevant University Postgraduate Open Day.

  • The UK aerospace industry is characterised by success in 6 key areas. At interview, you will need to:

    • Explain which of the 6 areas – structures, propulsion, aerodynamics, systems, manufacturing and maintenance - you wish to pursue;

    • Show that, if you are awarded a bursary, you intend to make your career in the sector.

  • In order to benefit from a bursary award, you must take up a place on your chosen MSc programme. Your tuition fees will be paid to the University direct. Once enrolled, you will get free student membership of the Royal Aeronautical Society and be able to take advantage of the numerous learning and networking events provided by them, the Royal Academy of Engineering and major aerospace employers.

If you will graduate in 2014 or 2015, email us at AeroMSc to be alerted when the bursaries for study in 2014/15 and 2015/16 become available.

Universities and employers

We also want to hear from

  • University undergraduate programme leaders and careers advisers seeking progression opportunities for their high-flying STEM graduates

  • Employers in the aerospace sector seeking to up-skill their most talented professional and technical staff.

  • Practising engineers with graduate-equivalent qualifications and relevant experience in aerospace or a related sector.

 

Royal Aeronautical Society Logo

Aerospace MSc Bursary Scheme Partners:

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Department for Employment and Learning, Northern Ireland

Aerospace Growth Partnership

BAE Systems

Bombardier Aerospace Belfast

EADS/Airbus

Finmeccanica UK

GKN

MBDA Missile Systems

Messier-Bugatti-Dowty (a Safran group company)

Rolls Royce

Spirit Aerosystems (Europe)

Updated May 2013

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