Aerospace Engineering: A prospective career option for students after Class XII 

There are many youngsters fascinated by aircraft and spacecraft. They are keen to know more about behind-the-scenes of how these machines fly high on the horizon.  For them, pursuing a career in aerospace engineering can be the ideal option. This is the domain of engineering that attempts to provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge required to manufacture spacecraft and aircraft. 

Courses available  
There are diploma and undergraduate in aerospace engineering that students can avail after completion of Class XII Board exams. These courses will teach students about the fundamentals of flight vehicles and systems, covering both space flight (spacecraft, rockets, satellites, etc.) and sub-space flight (airplanes, helicopters, missiles, etc.) along with concepts like aircraft instrumentation system, civil aviation regulation, aircraft structure and avionics and aircraft radio system. 

The diploma courses (2-3 years) include:  

• Diploma in Aerospace Engineering 
• Diploma of Aeroskills (Mechanical) 

The undergraduate course (4 years) includes: 

• B.Tech in Aerospace Engineering 

Institutes for studying Aerospace Engineering in India  
Some of the popular institutes in India where students can pursue Aerospace Engineering are NITTE Meenakshi Bangalore, OPJS University, Rajasthan, Swami Vivekananda University, Madhya Pradesh, Jain University (JU), Bangalore, Hindustan University, Chennai, and Vinayaka Mission’s Kirupananda Variyar Engineering College, Salem. 

Eligibility criteria 
Students can get enrolled in the diploma programmes right after Class 10. For the 4-year B.Tech programmes, they must have a minimum of 60% aggregate in PCM stream in Class 12 to pursue the four-year UG degree and qualify some entrance exams. The popular entrance exams for studying aerospace engineering include IIT JEE, GATE and AME-CET.  

Career options  
Apart from becoming an Aerospace Engineer, there are other career options for students who have pursued engineering in this stream. These include: Astronomical engineer, Design engineer, Engineer, Conveyance Systems Integration, Engineer (Aerospace industry), etc.  

Organisations that employ aerospace engineering graduates include the likes of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Indian Airlines, Air India, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Aeronautical Development Establishment, Civil Aviation Department, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Indian Air Force, Indian Army, Indian Navy and the Coast Guard, among others.