Programme Overview
Aerospace Engineering has accelerated the way we travel by developing different types of vehicles such as airplanes, helicopters, or robotized aircraft and air traffic management. It also deals with the development of rockets and satellites, and contributes to the improvement of forms of communication. The role of an aerospace engineer involves planning and designing air and space vehicles, as well as developing all related support and control systems.
Programme Structure
The 2nd Cycle in Aerospace Engineering has a duration of 4 semesters (2 years), equivalent to 120 ECTS. The structure is depicted below.
Note: The curriculum distribution, which is shown over the two years, may be different according to the optional modules chosen.
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1st year (ECTS)
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48
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12
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-
2nd year (ECTS)
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18
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12
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30
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The curricula of the 1st and 2nd Cycle were reformed in the 2021/2022 academic year, following Decree-Law 65/2018 and the implementation of a new teaching model. The MSc programme in Aerospace Engineering derives from the former Integrated MSc in Aerospace Engineering.
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Core Structure (66 ECTS)
The MSc in Aerospace Engineering (Major) allows the student to improve the capabilities and knowledge acquired in the 1st Cycle, including three main study streams and their secondary study streams:
Aircraft (aircraft mechanics)
- Aerodynamics and Propulsion deals with vehicle behaviour in the surrounding environment and principles of aeronautical engines.
- Structures and Materials aims at the development of materials necessary for aircraft and the respective manufacturing processes and industrial equipment.
Avionics (aircraft electronics)
- Control and Systems is centred on the development of aircraft control, navigation and decision systems.
- Electronics and Telecommunications is focused on the preparation of aircraft or transmission of information (traffic control, signals, radio) and on aircraft electronic equipment.
Space (space vehicles, equipment and spatial mission management)
- Vehicles and Missions: this study stream focused on the study and development of non conventional vehicles destined for aerospace missions.
- Multidisciplinary Modelling deals with studying and planning space missions in an integrated manner, while assessing their needs, either in each subsystem or in the mission as a whole.
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Free options (24 ECTS)
Part of the curriculum is of fully free choice, i.e., students may choose modules not only in Aerospace Engineering but also in any other scientific field offered by Técnico.
This component includes the possibility of taking a Minor – a number of multidisciplinary modules – which equals 18 ECTS credits. The offer cuts across all programmes offered by Técnico.
Extra-curricular activities may also be credited, to a maximum of 6 ECTS credit points.
In Aerospace Engineering, the Project course may be chosen as an option of 6 ECTS credit points. -
Dissertation (30 ECTS)
The dissertation is the final assignment of the study cycle, which allows students to focus and specialize on a specific subject that may take any of these formats:
- Scientific thesis
- Internship at a company
- Capstone project
Target Audience
The MSc Programme in Aerospace Engineering is intended for graduates in areas related to Engineering, namely those with a background in Mechanics, Electronics and related areas.
The programme is taught in Portuguese however may there be international or mobility students enrolled, the curricular units will be taught in English.
Career Opportunities
MSc graduates in Aerospace Engineering of Técnico can pursue a career in industries as diverse as the aviation industry, the mechanical industry, electronics and telecommunication, and develop activities such as:
- Planning, analyzing, building and testing aerospace systems, like rockets, satellites and aircraft;
- Scientific research and development (R&D);
- Quality control;
- Consultancy, leadership, supervision and management;
- Commercialization of products, equipment and processes;
- Vocational training and teaching.
Facts & Figures
MSc graduates already employed
100%
employability in the area of study
62.2%
internationalization
40.5%
Source: Técnico Employability Observatory | 2016/17 academic year data.
Entry requirements
To apply for a 2nd Cycle at Técnico you should:
- hold a 1st cycle degree in Science and Technology (except in the case of the 2nd cycle in Architecture, which requires a 1st cycle degree in Architecture);
- hold an academic, scientific or professional curriculum that certifies their ability to do the MSc programme which they apply for.
Candidates are selected according to these criteria:
- affinity between the degree they hold and the programme they apply for;
- type of degree they hold;
- academic success in the programme they attended.
Note: if requested, we may appreciate the academic, scientific or professional curriculum and the candidate’s performance during the interview.
Students' Organisations
Técnico students autonomously and proactively stimulate projects that complement their academic background. For example, Students’ Organisations provide them with skills and added value making them more competitive in the labour market.
Aerotéc is the main structure of Aerospace Engineering students, which promotes activities such as:
- Prototype development projects
- National and international competitions
- Training actions for Técnico students
- Workshops for high school students
- A repository of study material
- Revista Aeroespacial, the course journal
- Summer internships within the context of Técnico Summer Internships
- The organisation of the Aerospace Week
