Presentation
The Master’s Degree in Unmanned Aerial Systems is an official postgraduate programme offered jointly by the Universidade de Vigo (Engineering track) and the Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (Operations track). It is one of the few official university master’s degrees in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in Spain and brings together advanced training in both engineering and operation of unmanned aircraft systems.
This master’s degree provides specialised, multidisciplinary training related to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs/drones) and their systems. It offers two complementary pathways:
- Engineering of Unmanned Aircraft Systems – Led by the University of Vigo, focusing on the design, development, mechanics, and systems engineering of UAS.
- Operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems – Led by the University of Santiago de Compostela, focusing on flight operations, airspace integration, certification, and practical use of UAS technology.
Main Objective
The main objective of this master is to provide advanced, specialized training in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), enabling graduates to design, integrate, operate, and manage unmanned aircraft systems safely, efficiently, and in compliance with current regulations.
More specifically, the master aims to:
- Train professionals with solid technical and operational knowledge of UAS
- Integrate engineering and operational perspectives on unmanned aerial systems
- Develop the ability to design, analyze, and integrate UAS components and systems
- Prepare students to plan and manage UAS operations, including airspace integration and safety
- Ensure knowledge of aviation regulations, certification, and risk management applicable to UAS
- Promote the application of UAS technologies in civil, industrial, environmental, and security contexts
- Provide a foundation for innovation, R&D, and doctoral studies in aerial systems
Competencies
General and Transversal Competencies
- Apply advanced engineering and operational knowledge to complex UAS problems
- Integrate knowledge from engineering, aviation operations, and regulation
- Communicate technical information effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences
- Work efficiently in multidisciplinary and inter-university teams
- Act with professional ethics, responsibility, and safety awareness
- Adapt to technological and regulatory changes through continuous learning
Specific UAS Technical Competencies
- Understand and analyze the architecture and components of unmanned aerial systems
- Design, evaluate, and integrate UAS platforms, subsystems, and payloads
- Apply principles of aerodynamics, flight mechanics, and control to unmanned aircraft
- Integrate sensors, navigation, communication, and control systems
- Analyze UAS performance, reliability, and operational limitations
Operational and Regulatory Competencies
- Plan and manage UAS flight operations
- Apply aviation regulations, airspace management, and certification requirements for UAS
- Implement risk analysis, safety management, and operational procedures
- Ensure compliance with national and European UAS legislation
- Coordinate UAS operations in civil, industrial, and environmental contexts
Applied and Professional Competencies
- Use simulation, modelling, and mission-planning tools for UAS
- Manage technical projects related to unmanned aerial systems
- Apply UAS technologies to sectors such as agriculture, environment, infrastructure, mapping, and emergency response
- Evaluate the technical, economic, and environmental impact of UAS applications
Research and Innovation Competencies
- Design and carry out research and development (R&D) projects in UAS
- Analyze and interpret experimental, operational, and flight data
- Apply scientific methodology in aerial systems research
- Prepare and defend technical and scientific reports, including the Master’s Thesis (TFM)