Students working in a simulator

Aero-System Operations (AESOP) Program

The University of Cincinnati College of Engineering and Applied Science (UC CEAS) and the University of Bordeaux (UBx) in France have partnered to create the Aero-System Operations (AESOP) Collaborative Degree Program to meet the growing demands of the field of aeronautical maintenance.


About the AESOP Program

In today’s competitive environment, top opportunities are going to skilled engineers who have a wide-range of professional capabilities. Aero-Systems Operations (AESOP) is an exceptional program joining UBx expertise in maintenance with UC expertise in engineering. Students at each university may purse UC CEAS' Master of Engineering (MEng) and UBx’s International Diploma collaboratively.

The AESOP program allows you to be adaptable and versatile to any challenges you might face
Image of Nilesh Naik, maintenance engineer and AESOP graduate

"The AESOP program was instrumental in helping me get my current job because it gave me the skills and experiences I needed to work on aircraft engines — their development, repairs and testing — and that made me a sought-after candidate. The program’s specialty in aviation operations, which isn’t offered by many schools, allows you to be a jack-of-all-trades. That is a very valuable skill in the aviation industry as this allows you to be adaptable and versatile to any challenges and new projects you might face."  

-Nilesh Naik, maintenance engineer and AESOP graduate

AESOP is not only a resume boost, but a chance to spend a semester abroad and experience a new way of life
Photo of Will Mnich

"I would tell anyone to do it because you learn so much about yourself. It's a big opportunity for self-growth because you are so disconnected from the world you know," he said. "You get to learn a lot about different cultures, different people, and I still talk to people I met from all over the world. My biggest piece of advice is to try and learn French before you go." 

-Will Mnich, mechanical engineer and AESOP graduate 

Read more about Will's experience

Expand your opportunities

The AESOP curriculum offers a practice-oriented, personalized degree that prepares engineers to excel in the new working world. Advantages of the graduate degree include:

  • Obtain a Master of Engineering degree and an International Diploma from UBx in only one year
  • Maintain licensure requirements with graduate courses
  • Gain a unique international graduate study experience with the fall semester at UBx's Evering Institute in Merignac and the spring semester in Cincinnati
  • Specializations in structural maintenance and avionics maintenance
  • Increase your earning potential
  • Expand your knowledge and marketability
  • Broaden your understanding of engineering through an interdisciplinary focus

Employment Market

AESOP graduates go on to work in a variety of roles, including:

  • Flight test engineer 
  • Maintenance engineer
  • Manufacturing engineer
  • Processes engineer
  • Project engineer
  • Structure engineer
  • Testing engineer

Examples of companies that AESOP graduates have gone on to work for include:

  • Akka Technologies
  • Amazon Prime Air
  • Axiom Space
  • Expleo Group
  • Honeywell
  • Safran
  • United States Air Force
  • Major Airlines

Admission Requirements

The options for admission into the AESOP program include: 
 
  • B.S. from an accredited engineering or engineering technology program (or international equivalent) with undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0/4.0
  • European B.S. with at least three years of professional experience
  • European master's degree within a college of science 

Students for whom English is not the primary language require minimum level test scores of:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 85
  • International English Testing System (IELTS): 6.5
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE): 59
  • Duolingo English Test: 110

Questions? Contact Us!

Eugene Rutz, University of Cincinnati
Director of Academics
eugene.rutz@uc.edu

Christophe Farges, University of Bordeaux
christophe.farges@u-bordeaux.fr