Aeronautical Engineering in 2025: A Guide for Students

Aeronautics is a growing industry and is also among the increasingly lucrative engineering branches. With the introduction of computer-aided design, advanced instrumentation and control engineering, as well as exploration in space and beyond, this program offers something for every engineering enthusiast. Commercial aviation, defence systems, aircraft crash investigation and airport management are just a few of the concepts that students of aeronautical engineering can choose to venture into. In this blog, we will shed light on some key aspects about pursuing aeronautical engineering. But firstly, let us understand what this discipline entails. 

What is Aeronautical Engineering?

Aeronautical Engineering is a subject that includes the study of huge air carriers, lightweight helicopters, vehicles such as drones, missiles and airplanes (commercial and noncommercial), weapon systems and several other flying vehicles. As a student, you will engage in learning all about designing, building, internal computing systems, aircraft maintenance engineering, navigation, safety measures, etc.. for these vehicles. Students learn the mechanics of how an aircraft works through theoretical and practical training in topics such as heat and combustion, propulsion, aircraft structure, aerodynamics, flight mechanics and so forth. 

Aeronautical Engineering in India

The table below includes details regarding aeronautical engineering in India. Look at the table below to understand it in an easy way.

Name of Course	Aeronautical Engineering
Level of Course	Undergraduate
Course Duration	4 Years
Eligibility	Candidates must have scored a minimum aggregate of 60% to 70% in their 10+2 Exam. Subjects of study should be Mathematics, Chemistry & Physics.
Examination Type	Semester
Course Fees	Ranging between INR 80,000 to 14 Lakhs
Admission Process	Merit-based or Qualifying Entrance Exam
Top Recruiting Companies	National Aeronautics Lab, Civil Aviation Clubs, HAL, DRDO
Average Starting Salary	INR 15,000 to 18,000
Jobs Offered	Design Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Management in Charge, Maintenance Engineer

Eligibility Criteria for Studying Aeronautical Engineering

Each degree has its own different criteria to pursue the program. Here are the eligibility requirements for UG, PG and doctoral courses in Aeronautical Engineering:

Undergraduate:

• Candidates must have studied science-related subjects such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, etc, at the higher secondary level from a recognised school/institute.
• Students could also be required to submit SAT scores, or must also be required to sit for an Entrance Exam specific to the University or College that they are applying to.

Postgraduate:

• For entry into a Master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering, individuals are required to possess a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautics or related engineering specialisations. Some universities also value a few years of professional work experience. 

Doctorate:

• A Master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering or a similar specialisation. 

Skills Required for Aeronautical Engineering

To excel in the Aeronautics industry, the foremost skill that a student needs is a strong interest in aviation, spacecraft, and flight technology. In addition, students must possess a combination of technical expertise along with the necessary interpersonal skills to manage day-to-day processes. Further, internships, projects, assistantships, programming languages, etc.. are highly valued and show the person’s commitment and desire. Here are a few career skills you must build to land your dream job as an aeronautics engineer:

• Technical knowledge of aircraft systems and management
• Mathematical Aptitude
• Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking
• Decision-Making
• Speed and Accuracy
• Computer Tools
• Verbal & Written Communication Skills
• Teamwork and Leadership Skills 

Also Read: Factors to Consider for Aeronautical Engineering Salary in UK

Popular Aeronautical Engineering Courses

There are many aeronautical courses that students can pursue for their undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate degrees. Some of the popular courses are mentioned below:

Undergraduate

These are the undergraduate degrees that most of the students prefer to pursue.

• Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics
• Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering
• Bachelor of Engineering (Honors) in Aeronautical Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Postgraduate

Here we have mentioned the popular postgraduate degrees in aeronautical engineering for the students:

• Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics
• Master of Science in Aeronautics
• Master of Science in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Master of Science in Advanced Aeronautical Engineering
• Master of Engineering (Honors) Aeronautical Engineering
• Master of Science in Advanced Computational Methods for Aeronautics
• MEng Aerospace Science and Engineering

Doctorate

Below, we have mentioned the popular doctoral degrees for the students of aeronautical engineering:

• PhD in Aeronautics
• PhD in Aeronautics and Astronautics
• PhD in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• PhD in Aerospace Science and Engineering

Apart from the above-mentioned study programs, individuals can also explore dual and joint degree combinations of bachelor’s, master and PhD degrees. While joint degrees are offered with multiple universities, dual degrees, on the other hand, integrate two or more disciplines, such as a B.Tech in engineering and management. Further study options of Integrated PhD or PhD after BTech are also open.

Aeronautical Engineering Specialisations

Like every Engineering degree program, Aeronautics begins with a foundational study of physics, mathematics and chemistry. Further along in the program, students can choose to specialise in the following areas related to Aeronautical Engineering: 

• Aerodynamics
• Aeroelasticity
• Composites Analysis
• Avionics
• Propulsion
• Structures and Materials

Aeronautical Engineering Syllabus and Subjects

As a student of this field, you will be exposed to a diverse range of aircraft systems, their manufacturing, design, maintenance, and management. The following are the core subjects that are a part of every Aeronautical Engineering syllabus:

1. Aircraft Performance
2. Aircraft Structure
3. Propulsion Systems
4. Fundamentals of Gas Turbine Engines
5. Principles of Aerodynamics
6. Body Design
7. Beams and Trusses
8. Turning Performance Studies
9. Maintenance of Aircraft
10. Missile Propulsion
11. Aircraft Stability and Control
12. Global Aviation Sector
13. Aircraft Traffic Control
14. Aircraft GPS Technologies
15. Aircraft Safety and Emergency Operations

Top Universities for Aeronautical Engineering Abroad

Aeronautical Engineering Colleges in the USA have established themselves as the gold standard not only in terms of career prospects but also when it comes to curriculum, renowned faculty and so forth. However, emerging options in locations like the UK, Australia, and Canada have also been recognised for their efforts by the Times Higher Education and other rating agencies. Given below are some of the names you must consider:

University	Location	QS World Rankings 2025
University of Oxford	United Kingdom	3
Harvard University	United States	4
Stanford University	United States	6
University of Cambridge	United Kingdom	5
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	United States	1
California Institute of Technology	United States	10
Princeton University	United States	22
University of California	United States	12
Yale University	United States	23
Columbia University	United States	34

Colleges For Aeronautical Engineering in India

Apart from universities abroad, there are many popular colleges in India for Aeronautical Engineering. Some of these colleges are mentioned below:

1. Delhi Institute of Aeronautical Sciences
2. Indian Institute of Science
3. Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar
4. Indian Institute of Technology, Indore
5. Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology
6. Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar
7. Jamia Millia Islamia
8. Panjab University
9. Aligarh Muslim University
10. Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani
11. National Institute of Technology, Rourkela

Related Articles: Aeronautical Engineering in Canada

Tuition Fees for Aeronautical Engineering

The approximate annual tuition fees for pursuing a Bachelors’s or Masters’s in Aeronautical Engineering abroad range from USD 15000 – USD 56000 (~INR 11-42 Lakhs). Here we have mentioned the average tuition fees for studying this degree.

Country	University/College	Approx. Annual Tuition Fees (USD)
India	IIT Kanpur / IIT Bombay / MIT Chennai	USD 1,000 – USD 2,500
USA	MIT / Stanford / Georgia Tech	USD 30,000 – USD 55,000
UK	University of Bristol / Cranfield Univ.	USD 20,000 – USD 40,000
Canada	University of Toronto / McGill University	USD 18,000 – USD 35,000
Germany	TU Munich / RWTH Aachen	USD 0 – USD 3,000 (public universities)
Australia	RMIT / UNSW / Monash University	USD 25,000 – USD 40,000

Job Profiles and Scope of Aeronautical Engineering

As mentioned above, a degree in Aeronautical Engineering equips you for a career in a number of industries across various levels. While a Bachelor’s or Master’s level course is considered apt for professional as well as research-oriented pathways, short-term courses help in fast-track career development in a particular subdivision and are largely skill-based. Glance over the few job profiles mentioned below that you can explore after an Engineering degree or course in Aeronautics:

• Research Assistant
• Lecturer/Professor
• Aircraft Technician
• Aerospace Medicine Expert
• Aircrash Investigation Expert
• Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
• Technical Officer
• Aircraft Design Engineer
• Quality Assurance Engineer
• Airworthiness Engineer
• Aerodynamicist
• Structures and Materials Engineer
• Acoustic Experts
• Stress Analyst

FAQs

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BE Aeronautical Engineering: Syllabus, Salary, Fees, Jobs	You Need to Know About Aeronautical Engineering Salary
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Aerospace Engineering in USA	MS in Aerospace Engineering in USA

We hope this blog has proved successful in putting out, in a clear and concise manner, the important as well as lesser-known elements related to Aeronautical Engineering. Needless to say, choosing a field based on your strong points is an extremely vital part of career-making. At Leverage Edu, through our AI tool as well as a team of experienced counsellors and mentors, we aim to provide you with all the necessary information, support, and guidance so that you can take an important step towards a rewarding career. Call us immediately at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counselling session.