The sky’s the limit for aerospace students

The University of Hertfordshire and Bedford College are flying high with the first Foundation Degree in the country in Aerospace and Defence Systems.

The accessible degree will make successful students ideal candidates for aerospace, defence or satellite-related jobs in the future. It will also provide them with a flight plan which could take them up to a BSc Honours degree at the University of Hertfordshire or a Masters Degree at Cranfield University.

Students who enroll on this course may also be eligible for a £1,500 bursary.

Programme leader and former RAF Chief Engineer Phil Plumey is enthusiastic about the new course:

“There has been nothing like it before. It can take a National Diploma 18-year-old on to a two year degree-level course and at the same time provide them with real work experience across a whole range of careers in aerospace and related industries. They can cap it off with a final year to achieve a BSc from the University of Hertfordshire at Hatfield and after that even a Masters at Cranfield University.

“One of the advantages of a Foundation Degree is the access to real work experience – many of our employer contacts are very interested in the students who will be produced by this course as some struggle to get the right people.”

Dr Andy Lewis, Associate Head of the University of Hertfordshire’s School of Aerospace, Automotive & Design added: “The ‘defence’ aspect is unique and the course is very industry-focused. It is ideal for students who want to experience different aspects of aerospace so that they can then decide what to go on to do.”

As well as real work experience, the course will include study including e-learning packages written by world experts in aerospace for Cranfield University.

Entry qualifications for the Foundation Degree are 80 UCAS points e.g. a relevant National Diploma plus GCSEs in Maths, English and a Science, or A Levels or an AVCE in Physics, Maths or Engineering.

Places are limited and four have already been taken by existing College engineering students – ring Phil Plumley on 01234 291521 or email pplumley@bedford.ac.uk