Pros and Cons of a Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace Engineering) (Honours) at RMIT University

Interested in a future in designing aircraft? Want to know how to build planes and drones? Then, take a look into an Aerospace Engineering degree at RMIT! 

We’ve asked Chris, an Aerospace Engineering graduate from RMIT, to reflect on his study experience and give you his thoughts about the degree. 

Read on to know the pros and cons of the course! 

Why should you study an Aerospace Engineering degree at RMIT?

Top 3 Pros of an Aerospace Engineering Degree

Top 3 Cons of an Aerospace Engineering Degree

Mistakes You Shouldn’t Make

Things to Know Before Starting RMIT Aerospace Engineering

What Makes this Degree Different

Motivations for Studying RMIT Aerospace Engineering

Potential Career Paths

Why should you study an Aerospace Engineering degree at RMIT?

Aerospace Engineering at RMIT is a great degree for those who enjoy a lot of practical learning. The course program incorporates a lot of hands-on classwork that is great for any kinaesthetic learners, such as being in computer and experimental laboratories. 

Though it might seem obvious, you should be enthusiastic about studying the science of aerospace objects. This is much more specific than studying broader engineering concepts that you’ll find in other engineering majors such as Mechanical Engineering.

Like any Engineering student, you’ll also have to be passionate enough about mathematics and science to put in long, often difficult, hours of study.  

Top 3 Pros of an Aerospace Engineering degree

#1: Many extracurricular opportunities offered at RMIT

You’ll find most definitely in Aerospace Engineering at RMIT that putting in your best effort does pay off well.  

“There are many opportunities to engage with RMIT’s industry partners or other universities on collaborative projects. Some of these projects can lead into future job opportunities,” Chris first tells us. 

Of course, you’ll have to show that you can put in the hard work! Chris gives his own experience of helping out on a Master’s project in his second year and how invaluable it was to his career. 

#2: Versatile knowledge 

As a second pro, Chris says, “The degree teaches skills like aircraft design, spaceflight systems, hydrodynamics, dynamics and control, and material fatigue. These open a wide array of doors into many industries.”

Given that we’re only beginning to scratch the surface of what Aerospace subjects can offer, you’ll find that there are projects in vastly different industries. You can work for the Australian defence forces, international airlines, automotive companies and even research organisations (for example, research in the use of composite materials in aircraft). 

#3: Prestigious recognition

“Aerospace Engineering is the most prestigious form of engineering,” Chris says. “After all, it literally is rocket science.”

Though challenging, graduating from Aerospace Engineering at RMIT provides a highly reputable skillset across many engineering industries. Whether or not you end up working in aircraft or spacecraft design, you’ll still find valuable opportunities for the critical-thinking and technical knowledge you gain.

Top 3 Cons of an Aerospace Engineering degree

#1: Few jobs in Australia

It is important to know that there is only a small number of spots for a career role popular amongst Aerospace Engineering graduates. As Chris says, “There are few jobs available for aircraft design or spaceflight systems in Australia.”

However, thinking open-minded helps. Chris adds, “Aerospace engineers are needed in many other industries too.“

This can mean looking into international positions, trying out different industry roles or just being resilient in finding a role in aircraft design or spaceflight systems! 

#2: High level of difficulty

It goes without saying that studying Aerospace Engineering will be difficult in one way or another. 

“It’s a challenging degree with high contact hours and expected workload,” Chris says. “If — like myself — a student undertakes a double Bachelor (with Business Management is the common one), they are advised by the faculty to overload (take 5 classes) every second semester to finish the degree with their cohort.”

In a full-time workload, Aerospace students attend 16-18 hours of class per week and that doesn’t even account for self-study! 

“Of course, there is no detriment to pacing oneself,” Chris says as a piece of advice. 

#3: Changing campuses in third year

“The shift between campuses can be difficult for some students,” Chris says. 

As the course becomes more specialised in the third year, Aerospace Engineering students move from the main Melbourne city campus to the Bundoora campus, which is quite far from the CBD. 

Getting there can be a struggle, especially for double-degree students. As Chris explains, “Those studying double Bachelor degrees will be required to attend both campuses which can be a challenge to organise.” 

Any regrets? 

“I overloaded my classes more than normal, which left me with little time for club activities. If I had my time again, I’d take the degree a bit slower so I could engage in more of the interesting competitions that the Engineering teams enter,” Chris says. 

Pacing yourself and enjoying the breadth of what university life offers is something students often forget to do.

Graduating a little bit later can be just as rewarding for work experience. In his case, Chris tells us, “There was an opportunity to work as an intern for a German industry partner which I decided to pass up in favour of graduating earlier — this would’ve been a very enjoyable experience.”

What do you wish you had known before starting RMIT Aerospace Engineering? 

The effort you put into university is more than studying and getting good grades. It’s also about making industry connections. 

“It took me a couple of years into the degree to realise how invaluable a good relationship with the professors is,” Chris comments.

“They’re not just there to teach content and mark your assignments. They can provide extraordinary opportunities within the university and with partner organisations to the students who show diligence and perseverance. They won’t provide anything like that to students they don’t know.”

What makes this degree different from the ones offered at other universities? 

Chris tells us that RMIT has the benefit of mixing a lot of practical learning. Laboratory experiments and practical assignments help to consolidate a deeper understanding of each subject matter. 

RMIT’s Aerospace Engineering program is also timely and updated to modern aircraft.

As Chris explains, “RMIT has a large focus on composite materials such as glass fibre, carbon fibre. Composites now make up over half the mass of aircraft for their lightweight high-strength properties… There is still significant interest in composite research to improve things like fibre strength, interfacing with other materials, and reduced crack propagation.”

What inspired you to choose RMIT Aerospace Engineering?

For Chris, choosing to study at RMIT was quite a natural choice. 

“Throughout high school, I was always a student who liked to know how things worked. Maths and science came naturally to me, and I always liked making things. By the time I was in VCE I was quite aware that I wanted to study Engineering, and I decided on Aerospace when I made the rounds of university open days,” he says.

“Aerospace just seemed the most engaging to me and appeared to have the most interesting projects. RMIT was chosen because of their more hands-on teaching style, which is how I learn best.”

What are the possible career paths?

Aerospace Engineering graduates typically work in the design of aircraft or spacecraft. However, there are various industries they can work in:

• Australian Defence Forces such as the Royal Australian Air Force, Australian Army 
• Aircraft manufacturing companies
• Spacecraft manufacturing companies

Lynn Chen is a Content Writer at Art of Smart Education and is a Communication student at UTS with a major in Creative Writing. Lynn’s articles have been published in Vertigo, The Comma, and Shut Up and Go. In her spare time, she also writes poetry.