3 answers
Ava
Student
Ranipet, Tamil Nadu, India
1
Question
Updated
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I am doing Physics undergraduate degree currently, and I want to do my postgraduate degree in Aerospace engineering. Mostly in abroad universities, so what can I do to get enrolled Like what are the extra courses i need to take while doing my current degree to bridge the gap between physics and aerospace engineering degree? And also, how can I boost my profile to be qualified to get into abroad universities for Aerospace engineering postgraduate degree after completing a physics undergraduate degree ?
How to get into aerospace engineering postgraduate degree in abroad universities after completing physics undergraduate degree in india?
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3 answers
Andrew Au
Professor of Mathematics & Statistics, Retired
258
Answers
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
An undergraduate degree in physics should pave your way to a postgraduate degree in engineering such as aerospace engineering in the United States. It should be appreciated that physics is the foundation of engineering.
To boost your transcript, you may want to consider taking some undergraduate engineering courses that are related to aerospace engineering, or even some general engineering courses.
To boost your transcript, you may want to consider taking some undergraduate engineering courses that are related to aerospace engineering, or even some general engineering courses.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on my query.
Ava
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach, Mentor
1221
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Ava,
Going from a physics undergraduate degree to an engineering graduate degree is definitely possible but "abroad" is a very big place. Basically, you'll have to look at admission criteria for individual programs that you are interested in. Postgraduate programs are not generally designed for you to start from scratch. Look for programs that accept students from science and engineering backgrounds and offer bridging courses to catch up to fundamentals of engineering. You may get a list of pre-requisites to fulfill within a certain timeframe to be admitted. You may need to take a year to make the switch. You can also look for postgraduate programs in applied physics which would be more forgiving.
Generally speaking, the UK might be your best bet as their programs are the most flexible when it comes to accepting non-engineering majors into postgrad engineering programs. There are also options in the US, Canada and Australia but it would depend in the individual programs. Continental Europe tends to be the most strict in accepting non-engineering majors. Degrees tend to be consecutive and you need to have the same (or very closely related) major in undergraduate to be accepted into a postgraduate program.
Again, generally speaking, the more "applied" your physics background is, the better. Look at skills that are valued in engineering and try to fill those gaps if possible. If you want to go into engineering, take courses in statics, dynamics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics and materials if they are available at your current school. Look for online options if you school doesn't have those courses. See if you can participate in any engineering projects at your school. Take courses in programming languages, e.g. Python or things like CAD. If you can get an internship in an engineering company that would be super helpful.
In your application for a postgrad program in engineering, you want to emphasize the benefits and strengths of your physics background for solving engineering problems.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MjItc1vom0
Going from a physics undergraduate degree to an engineering graduate degree is definitely possible but "abroad" is a very big place. Basically, you'll have to look at admission criteria for individual programs that you are interested in. Postgraduate programs are not generally designed for you to start from scratch. Look for programs that accept students from science and engineering backgrounds and offer bridging courses to catch up to fundamentals of engineering. You may get a list of pre-requisites to fulfill within a certain timeframe to be admitted. You may need to take a year to make the switch. You can also look for postgraduate programs in applied physics which would be more forgiving.
Generally speaking, the UK might be your best bet as their programs are the most flexible when it comes to accepting non-engineering majors into postgrad engineering programs. There are also options in the US, Canada and Australia but it would depend in the individual programs. Continental Europe tends to be the most strict in accepting non-engineering majors. Degrees tend to be consecutive and you need to have the same (or very closely related) major in undergraduate to be accepted into a postgraduate program.
Again, generally speaking, the more "applied" your physics background is, the better. Look at skills that are valued in engineering and try to fill those gaps if possible. If you want to go into engineering, take courses in statics, dynamics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics and materials if they are available at your current school. Look for online options if you school doesn't have those courses. See if you can participate in any engineering projects at your school. Take courses in programming languages, e.g. Python or things like CAD. If you can get an internship in an engineering company that would be super helpful.
In your application for a postgrad program in engineering, you want to emphasize the benefits and strengths of your physics background for solving engineering problems.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Rafael Diaz Montelongo
Consultant
563
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Rafael’s Answer
Hi Ava! Physics gives you a strong foundation in math, mechanics, and thermodynamics, which are core to aerospace, so you're not starting from scratch at all. To bridge the gap, I'd recommend taking elective or extra courses in fluid dynamics, aerodynamics, structural mechanics, control systems, and programming (Python and MATLAB are big ones). If your university doesn't offer those, platforms like Coursera, edX, or NPTEL have solid options that can supplement your coursework. Getting hands-on experience matters a lot too, so look for research projects, internships, or lab work related to aerospace, propulsion, or computational modeling, even if they're within your physics department. From my own experience, I can say that building a diverse profile really makes a difference. I pursued multiple certifications alongside my studies, including ones in data science, project management, quality assurance, and optimization, and that kind of initiative shows admissions committees that you're serious and self-driven. I also studied abroad during my undergrad, which broadened my perspective and made me a stronger candidate for international programs later on. For boosting your profile, focus on a few key things: aim for strong GRE/TOEFL or IELTS scores, try to get involved in aerospace-related research or publish a paper if possible, and reach out to professors at universities you're interested in because building those connections early can open doors. Scholarships are also out there, so apply broadly and don't be shy about it. You've got a solid starting point with physics, and with the right extra effort, you'll be in a great position. Best of luck!
Your advice was very helpful, thank you for your eloborate guidance
Ava