AEROSPACE Msc BURSARY SCHEME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

AEROSPACE MSc BURSARY SCHEME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

GENERAL 1. What is this Scheme? 2. Why is support being offered for aerospace engineering MScs? 3. How is this Scheme relevant to current STEM undergraduates? 4. What financial support does this Scheme offer? 5. Does the Scheme apply in Wales, Scotland, England and Northern Ireland? 6. What university programmes are eligible?

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 7. Who is the Scheme for? 8. Which companies can take part? 9. What other eligibility criteria are there? 10. I plan to live and work outside the UK when I complete my MSc. Is this Scheme for me?

BENEFITS OF BEING AWARDED A BURSARY 11. What benefits are there in taking part in the Scheme? 12. Will winning a bursary help me find employment in the UK aerospace sector? 13. How do I find out more about aerospace careers?

HOW TO APPLY 14. What do I need to do and when? 15. Do I need to secure a place at a university before I apply for a bursary? 16. Can I submit applications for study at more than one university? 17. How important is my interest in working in the aerospace sector? 18. Can I ask an aerospace company to support my application? 19. Do I have to find employer support for my application? 20. Who assesses the bursary applications? 21. What will happen at interview? 22. What will improve my chances of success at interview? 23. Who will receive the funding?

GENERAL 24. What is CEng?

Aerospace MSc Bursary Scheme Partners: BAE Systems GKN Aerospace Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Bombardier Aerospace Belfast MBDA Missile Systems Department for Employment and Learning, Airbus Group Messier-Bugatti-Dowty (a Safran group Northern Ireland Finmeccanica UK company) Aerospace Growth Partnership GE Aviation Systems Rolls-Royce Spirit Aerosystems (Europe) 1

ABOUT THE SCHEME

1. What is this Government, leading companies in the aerospace sector, the Royal Scheme? Academy of Engineering (RAEng) and the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) created the bursary scheme to boost the supply of high-Level aero engineering skills to the UK economy. The national strategy for UK aerospace is led by the AGP (Aerospace Growth Partnership)

Its purpose is to bring into the UK aerospace sector new talent, knowledge and skill. It is designed for people who would not otherwise be able to finance their MSc studies. It is also to upskill certain categories of employee already working in UK aerospace, and to increase the number of professional engineers qualified to CEng level working in the sector.

Funding is available to pay tuition fees for up to 500 students undertaking taught MSc programmes at UK universities, starting in academic years 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015/16. The full list of eligible programmes is at www.raeng.org.uk/aeromsc.

2. Why is support The aerospace sector is a great UK success story. UK companies are global being offered for leaders. The sector is growing at about 5% per annum and will continue aerospace to offer excellent long-term careers. Aerospace is a high value, knowledge engineering MScs? intensive sector that requires and rewards high levels of skills. UK Government and businesses are keen to see the sector grow strongly, and take advantage of massive growth opportunities. Masters’ programmes enhance the skills of existing company employees, and prepare new graduates for high-level jobs in aerospace engineering.

3. How is this Scheme Because of the specialised, complex and rapidly changing technologies relevant to current used in the aerospace sector, major employers often prefer to recruit STEM1 Masters level graduates: however, with no student loans available, study undergraduates? at Masters level is too costly for many BSc and BEng holders.

This Scheme is designed to attract entrants to the sector who would not otherwise be able to aspire to it. We encourage students capable of tackling an MSc in engineering to find out more about opportunities in aerospace.

4. What financial Awards will fund 100% of MSc tuition fees up to a maximum of £9,500. support does this However, if you are currently employed by an SME in the UK aerospace Scheme offer? sector, the bursary Scheme will fund only 75% of the cost of your tuition fees up to a maximum contribution of £9,500. The scheme does not offer funding for living expenses.

1 Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics Aerospace MSc Bursary Scheme Partners: BAE Systems GKN Aerospace Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Bombardier Aerospace Belfast MBDA Missile Systems Department for Employment and Learning, Airbus Group Messier-Bugatti-Dowty (a Safran group Northern Ireland Finmeccanica UK company) Aerospace Growth Partnership GE Aviation Systems Rolls-Royce Spirit Aerosystems (Europe) 2

5. Does the Scheme Yes. You can apply for study at a university anywhere in the UK. See Q6 apply in Wales, for details of the eligible MSc programmes. Scotland, England and Northern Ireland?

6. What university A list of eligible MSc programmes is at www.raeng.org.uk/aeromsc. You programmes are can also apply for a bursary to study an MSc that is not on this list; you eligible? will need to justify on the application form how this is relevant to your

future employment in UK aerospace and/or to your current employer’s business. Applicants who select degrees in Aerodynamics or Computational Fluid Dynamics must make a compelling case if they are to be awarded a bursary.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

7. Who is the Scheme This Scheme is for people who: for? - Would not have previously considered a career in aerospace engineering, or - Would not have been able to access MSc study in aerospace engineering because of the cost of postgraduate study, or - Are already employed by one of the Bursary Scheme partner companies or by an SME in the UK aerospace sector and are nominated by their employer.

The Scheme welcomes people who are qualified in another engineering discipline or in mathematics, physics or other related technical subjects. We are keen to receive applications from a diverse range of suitably qualified applicants.

We cannot accept your application if you are - Currently employed by a firm in the UK aerospace sector which is not a Bursary Scheme Partner or an SME; or are - Currently employed as an engineer in another sector where there are engineering skills shortages.

8. Which companies Partner companies, listed at the bottom of the page, can nominate their can take part? employees who apply to the Scheme. Those employees are assessed in competition with other candidates and, if successful, will receive a bursary Continued below worth 100% of the tuition fee up to £9500. The company assists its employee’s studies through mentoring, project work etc.

SMEs that are part of the aerospace supply chain can take part in the same way. In these cases successful applicants will receive a bursary worth 75% of the tuition fee up to £9500. The employer or individual concerned must pay the remaining 25%. These are the only categories of company whose employees are eligible. However, other companies within the UK aerospace sector are encouraged to provide a letter of support for independent applicants to the Scheme and to support students through mentoring, projects etc.

9. What other Nominated applicants, i.e. applicants who are already employed by a eligibility criteria partner company or an SME in the aerospace sector, must be working in are there? the UK in the aerospace sector on the first day of the MSc programme. See also Q2 & Q3 Independent and Supported applicants, i.e. all applicants who are not Nominated as described above, must be: - Ordinarily resident in the UK on the first day of the MSc programme (with the exception of frontier students* studying in the UK). - And one of the following: o EU nationals (including UK nationals) including direct family members as long as they have been ordinarily resident in the EEA for the last three years; or o Nationals of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland who are working in the UK, including direct family members and who have been ordinarily resident in the EEA for the last three years; or o UK residents with ‘settled immigration status’ (no restrictions on how long you can stay) who have been ordinarily resident in the UK for the last three years; or o Refugees and people who have been granted humanitarian protection including direct family members ordinarily residing in the UK on the first day of the first academic year of the course; or o Children of Swiss nationals who have resided in the UK where the children have been resident in the EU/EEA or Switzerland for the last three years; or o Children of Turkish nationals who have resided in the UK where the children have been resident in the EU/EEA, Switzerland or Turkey for the last three years. * “Frontier students” refers to students who study in the territory of one country and reside in the territory of another country, to which they return as a rule daily or at least once a week.

10. I plan to live and No. The scheme is intended only for people who are committed to living work outside the and working in the UK in the long term.

UK when I complete my MSc. Is this Scheme for me? BENEFITS OF BEING AWARDED A BURSARY

11. What benefits are Participants will gain a qualification that will be highly relevant to working there in taking part in the aerospace sector. There will be opportunities on the Scheme to in the Scheme? meet leading aerospace employers, gain work placements at participating aerospace companies and to engage in projects sponsored by them.

We expect that those who graduate from these programmes will be committed to work in the UK aerospace sector on completion of the programme.

12. Will winning a The Aerospace Growth Partnership (AGP) has argued strongly that the bursary help me lack of highly qualified engineers is a barrier to growth and that we need find employment in to up-skill the existing workforce and to attract new people to work in the the UK aerospace sector. sector? If you are awarded a bursary you will be invited to join a LinkedIn Group that will allow you to network with other Bursary Holders, aerospace companies and relevant universities. You will also be invited to register on a specifically designed recruitment website which is exclusive to bursary award holders that links you to aerospace employers that are seeking to recruit.

These facilities, added to your MSc qualification and status as a Bursary Holder will certainly improve your chances of being recruited by a UK aerospace employer.

13. How do I find out See the RAeS careers website and strategic vision at more about http://aerosociety.com/Careers-Education . You can also access sector aerospace careers? reports published by organisations such as ADS and the Aerospace Growth Partnership (www.adsgroup.org.uk). Look at our Partners’ websites. Most have dedicated careers areas, for example http://www.mbdacareers.co.uk/graduates.html.

HOW TO APPLY

14. What do I need to Apply as soon as possible. Applications open in November 2014 for MScs do and when? starting between September 2015 and July 2016 and once the available bursaries are awarded the competition will close. Continued below

You must complete the Phase 1 Application Form as well as applying to your chosen university for the MSc programme you wish to undertake. Send the completed Phase 1 form to [email protected].

Read Advice to Candidates for guidance on completing the forms. Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria will be asked to complete a Phase 2 application form. If successful at this stage, you will be invited for interview; this will normally be at the Royal Academy of Engineering in London. You will be notified of the outcome within 3 weeks. If you are offered a bursary you will be asked to complete and return a form accepting the conditions, after which the award will be confirmed.

15. Do I need to secure Not necessarily. You can apply for a bursary either before or after a place a place at a has been secured, or at the same time as applying to your chosen university before I university(ies). However before applying for the bursary you must ensure apply for a that your current qualifications are likely to be acceptable for entry to bursary? your chosen MSc programme. Mathematics and physics are especially useful.

16. Can I submit The Phase 2 bursary application form allows you to name up to two applications for different MSc programmes. study at more than one university?

17. How important is Your level of interest in working in the aerospace sector is very important. my interest in It will be assessed through your personal statement and at interview. You working in the should research the sector, particularly the areas in which you hope to aerospace sector? work so that you can explain and illustrate your interest and commitment.

18. Can I ask an You can approach any UK aerospace sector company or research aerospace organisation to support your application. The company will need to company to commit to practical support for you; this support could be, for example: support my - Mentoring support during your studies; application? - A period of work experience; - A suggested project title appropriate to your chosen MSc; Continued below - A statement on your chosen MSc’s relevance to that firm’s business plan.

If you wish to approach the partner companies involved in this project you can contact them, enclosing an up to date cv, via:

BAe Systems [email protected] Bombardier Aerospace [email protected] EADS/Airbus [email protected] Finmeccanica [email protected]

GE Aviation Systems [email protected] GKN Aerospace [email protected] MBDA Missile Systems [email protected] Messier-Bugatti-Dowty [email protected] Rolls Royce [email protected] Spirit Aerosystems [email protected] (Europe)

You can also go to www.adsgroup.org.uk and click on Membership and then Membership Directories to see a list of other aerospace companies.

19. Do I have to find No. But it could help your application if you do so. Experience shows that employer support applicants who have secured, or are actively seeking, an aerospace for my application? employer’s support have a much better chance of success in the competition.

20. Who assesses the Representatives of the Royal Academy of Engineering and the RAeS will bursary assess applications. The interviewers are normally Chartered Engineers applications ? who are Fellows of the RAEng and/or Fellows or Members of RAeS.

21. What will happen You will be asked to discuss what you have said in the Phase 2 application at interview? form about your motivation for applying for the bursary, and why you need it. You will have to show your commitment to, and suitability for, a career in UK aerospace engineering. If you are invited for interview you will receive written guidance on how to prepare for it. It is important to research the sector and be able to talk confidently about your chosen field of study.

22. What will improve - Research major employers and current issues in the sector; if my chances of possible, obtain a letter of support from an aerospace employer success at - Join a relevant professional body such as RAeS – if you are interview? currently a student, membership will be free - Have a clear idea of the content of your chosen MSc programme and explain why you have chosen it - Be ready to explain how the bursary award would make a real and substantial difference to your future - Describe your personal career goals e.g. to achieve Chartered Engineer

23. Who will receive The bursaries will be paid directly to the university concerned. the funding?

GENERAL

24. What is CEng? CEng stands for Chartered Engineer. Chartered Engineers may use the

postnominals ‘CEng’ after their name. This shows that you have achieved the highest professional accreditation of your engineering knowledge and skill. Go to www.aerosociety.com or www.engc.org.uk for details.