MSc Unmanned Aircraft System Technology

Overview of the Programme

This MSc in Unmanned Aircraft System Technology is designed to equip practitioners of the future with the in-depth knowledge required to safely and legally design, manufacture and operate SUA (up to 20kg MTOM) here in the UK.

Small Unmanned Aircraft (SUA) which are more commonly referred to as “Drones”, are being used for civil purposes in a growth business sector predicted to be worth £15 billion of pounds over the next 10 years. UASs are currently revolutionising everything from agriculture to film-making and are increasingly being used to monitor, research and conduct data gathering missions in surveying, mining, forestry, ecology, archaeology virtual reality and computer gaming. This degree is intended to address the looming skills shortage in this field and is ideal for workplace professionals wishing to pursue an interesting and relevant course to enhance their career development.

This is a practical, hands-on course in which students will get to build, fly and keep their very own drone. An engineering degree qualification is not necessary to enrol on this course. Scientists across all disciplines who wish to adapt drone technology to their field of study and people from any industry, employed or self-employed, are eligible and encouraged to join the course. For example in agriculture, drones can be used to assess crops and yields. This can be achieved by understanding the technologies behind the drone and then adapting it for a specific purpose. The course is not so much about training people to become pilots, it’s about providing the skills to extract and process data in a whole range of subject areas.

Students will learn the legal and safety aspects of advanced drone operations and also plan missions and conduct actual operations in the field. Flying tuition will be provided by our Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) qualified staff using our drone simulator and also out on our dedicated flight-test field.

Key Course Features

• Build and keep your own Drone.
• Learn to fly and safely operate a Drone.
• Field trips to conduct actual Drone missions.
• Use of Wrexham Glyndwr University’s Advanced Composite Manufacturing and Testing Facilities.
• Use of Wrexham Glyndwr University’s Drone Simulator and Flight-Test field facilities.
• The latest computational software for engineering design, and image analysis.

Assessment and Teaching

You will be assessed throughout your course through a variety of methods including portfolios, presentations and, for certain subjects, examinations.

Teaching and Learning

Teaching methods include lectures, laboratory sessions, student-led seminars and guided research.

Independent learning is an important aspect of all modules, as it enables students to develop both their subject-specific and key skills.

Independent learning is promoted through guided study or feedbacks given to students.

Wrexham Glynd?r University is committed to supporting our students to maximise their academic potential.

Career Prospects

The course equips you with a thorough knowledge and skills in engineering at the forefront of new and emerging technologies. Graduates will be well placed to become subject specialists within the industry or to pursue research careers within academia.