Due to their similar names and industry, aeronautical engineering and aerospace engineering are often confused. The main difference is their scope:
- Aeronautical engineering focuses on aircraft that operate within Earth’s atmosphere, such as aeroplanes, helicopters, and drones.
- Aerospace engineering is the broader field, covering both aeronautical engineering (the aircraft within Earth’s atmosphere) and astronautical engineering (vehicles designed for space).
This article compares Aeronautical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering for course modules, career paths, salaries, and where to study, so you can decide if either matches your expectations and goals.
Aeronautical engineering vs aerospace engineering: Quick comparison
Let’s start with a quick overview of aeronautical engineering and aerospace engineering.
Aeronautical engineering | Aerospace engineering | |
Definition | Aircraft operating within Earth’s atmosphere | Aircraft, spacecraft, and space systems |
Scope | More specific: it only covers aircraft operating within Earth’s atmosphere | Broader: it’s the umbrella term for aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering |
Covers | Aeroplanes, helicopters, drones, aircraft systems | Aeroplanes, rockets, satellites, spacecraft |
Typical industries | Aviation, aircraft manufacturing, defence, airlines | Aviation, space, satellite technology, defence |
Career examples | Aircraft design engineer, flight systems engineer, aerodynamics engineer | Aerospace engineer, spacecraft engineer, satellite systems engineer |
Consider studying if you’re interested in… | Aviation and aircraft technology | Both aviation and space technology |
What are the main differences between aeronautical engineering and aerospace engineering?
Aeronautical engineers design, build, and maintain commercial aeroplanes, helicopters, military jets, drones, and other types of aircraft that operate within Earth’s atmosphere. Aerospace engineering is the broader field, combining aeronautical engineering with astronautical engineering, which includes space.
Studies: What do you learn in Aeronautical Engineering vs Aerospace Engineering degrees?
Both degrees require a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, engineering design, and computer modelling. During the early stages of either degree, you will usually study similar foundations, including mathematics, physics, mechanics, materials and engineering design. The exact modules and the point at which you specialise depend on the university. Later on, Aeronautical Engineering specialises in aircraft, while Aerospace Engineering covers a broader range.
Some example modules of Bachelor’s degrees in Aeronautical Engineering include:
- Engineering design
- Aircraft design
- Materials
- Aerodynamics
- Aircraft performance
- Thermodynamics
- Gas turbine design
- Machine intelligence
- Flight control systems
Students often spend time in laboratories, flight simulators, and design projects where they can apply their knowledge in practice.
Aerospace Engineering programmes may cover a wider range of subjects, including spacecraft, orbital mechanics and space systems. However, the balance between aviation and space varies between programmes. Besides aircraft, students also learn about spacecraft and technology. Example modules include:
- Engineering design
- Aerospace design
- Aircraft design
- Aerodynamics
- Flight mechanics
- Fluid Mechanics
- Space systems
- Space materials
Depending on the programme, Aerospace Engineering students may specialise in a specific area of the field during their studies, such as aviation, robotics, or space systems.
At Master’s level, students usually have the opportunity to specialise in a particular area of aeronautical or aerospace engineering. For example, the Master’s in Aerospace Engineering at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya offers specialisation tracks in Aerospace Vehicles, Airports, Propulsion, Space, and Air Navigation (EETAC). Degrees usually have a set of compulsory and optional modules, which students can choose from based on their interests.
Careers: What can you do with an Aeronautical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering degree?
With both degrees, you can work in aviation, defence, manufacturing, and research. That said, aerospace engineering may make it easier to move into space-related industries, as the degree typically includes subjects such as spacecraft design, orbital mechanics, and space systems.
Major aerospace employers offer different routes for students and graduates, including internships, industry placements, apprenticeships, traineeships and graduate programmes. Eligibility varies, so check whether each opportunity is intended for current students, recent graduates or applicants from particular countries.
Depending on where you’re based or where you’d like to work, check out the career pages of:
- Airbus
- Boeing
- European Space Agency
- European Union Agency for the Space Programme
To improve your chances of landing these internships and your first job, look for degree programmes with work placements, internships, or a year in industry. These opportunities allow you to combine theory and practice, get more value from your degree, and make your CV stronger.
Salaries: How much do aeronautical and aerospace engineers earn?
Just like other jobs, salaries for aeronautical and aerospace engineers can vary depending on factors such as country, level of education, years of experience, specialisation, and the company you work for. Salaries can be high, but they vary considerably by country, employer, specialisation and experience. The figures below use different national measures, so treat them as individual country examples rather than direct comparisons:
- According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for aerospace engineers in 2024 was $134,830 per year.
- Based on Indeed data, aeronautical engineers working for Boeing in the US earn an average salary of $114,168 per year. At Airbus, they earn $117,395 per year.
- In the UK, the salary for aeronautical and aerospace engineers ranges between £30,000 and £70,000.
- According to the Government of Canada’s Job Bank, aerospace engineers earn a median wage of CAD $50 per hour.
Do you need a Master’s degree to become an aeronautical or aerospace engineer?
You can enter many aeronautical and aerospace engineering roles with a relevant Bachelor’s degree. A Master’s can help you develop expertise in areas such as propulsion, space systems, aerodynamics or advanced materials, and some specialised positions may require one. Always check the requirements for the roles and country that interest you.
Depending on the position, they may also accept relevant Master’s degrees, such as Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, or Statistics, as long as you have industry experience. Here is an example of what Airbus requires for one of its positions posted in July 2026:
Where to study Aeronautical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering?
Here’s an overview of five top study destinations for Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering and why they stand out:
Country | Highlights | Example universities | Major companies |
|
| Boeing, SpaceX, NASA, Airbus | |
|
| BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce Holdings, Airbus | |
|
| Airbus, Safran, Dassault Aviation, European Space Agency | |
|
| Airbus, KLM, Fokker Technologies | |
|
| Airbus, Lufthansa, OHB SE |
Choosing between Aeronautical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering
If you’d like to keep your options open at undergraduate level, consider choosing Aerospace Engineering, as it’s the broader field. This way, you’ll learn about both aeronautical and astronautical engineering. You can then specialise through internships, Master’s degrees, or years in industry.
If you’ve found an excellent Aeronautical Engineering degree that aligns with your goals, it can be a great choice if you’re already sure that you want to focus on aircraft and aviation. You’ll gain more specialised knowledge from the start, while still developing transferable engineering skills that open up opportunities in aviation, defence, automotive, renewable energy, robotics, and more.
Use Bachelorsportal for Bachelor’s degrees and Mastersportal for Master’s degrees to compare various options for their location, tuition fees, length, and on-campus or online options.
What should international students check?
Before choosing a degree, look beyond its title and check the programme details carefully:
- Course focus: Does it concentrate on aviation, space systems or both?
- Accreditation: Is the degree recognised by the relevant engineering body in the country where you may want to work?
- Practical experience: Does the programme include industry projects, internships or a work placement—and can international students participate?
- Work eligibility: Will your student visa allow you to complete an internship, and can you stay and work in the country after graduating?
- Language requirements: Check both the teaching language and whether employers expect you to speak the local language.
- Career restrictions: Some defence and government roles require citizenship or security clearance. The US Bureau of Labour Statistics notes that engineers working on national defence projects may need security clearance. ESA programmes also have nationality requirements, so studying in a country does not automatically make you eligible for every opportunity. BLS career requirements, ESA eligibility information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is aeronautical engineering?
Aeronautical engineering is the branch of engineering focused on designing, developing, testing, and improving aircraft that operate within Earth’s atmosphere.
What is aerospace engineering?
Aerospace engineering is a broader field that covers both aeronautical engineering (aircraft) and astronautical engineering (spacecraft).
Who hires the most aerospace engineers?
Aircraft manufacturers, defence companies, government agencies, space agencies, and research organisations hire aerospace engineers, alongside other engineering disciplines including aeronautical, mechanical, and cybersecurity engineers.
