USA · Bachelor's
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (AeroAstro)
SB in Aeronautics and Astronautics
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (AeroAstro)
Course Overview
MIT's SB in Aeronautics and Astronautics — known on campus as Course 16 — is one of the oldest aerospace degrees in the world. Sri Lankan A-Level applicants spend the first year on MIT's General Institute Requirements (mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry) before declaring the major at the end of sophomore year. The department offers three tracks: 16-1 Aerospace Engineering, 16-2 Engineering with Information Technology, and 16-ENG, a flexible track for autonomous systems or space exploration.
The defining experience is Unified Engineering — a year-long, team-taught sequence covering fluids, structures, signals and systems with hands-on lab projects. Students also access the Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel, the Space Propulsion Lab, and capstone subjects building actual flight hardware — drones, CubeSats and the annual student-built aerospace vehicle.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Three A-Level passes with predominantly A grades (or IB 40+) — Mathematics and Physics required, Chemistry strongly preferred.
- check_circle SAT 1500+ or ACT 34+ (test-optional for some cycles — check the current MIT policy before applying).
- check_circle Two teacher recommendations (one in maths/science) plus the school counsellor letter.
- check_circle MIT-specific application essays plus an interview with a regional MIT educational counsellor in Colombo.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 7.0 Overall recommended for non-native English speakers.
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 100 Overall recommended.
- check_circle Not required if you've been studying in English for 5+ years — most Sri Lankan international-school applicants are exempt.
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount ($) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year) | $63,260 | Rs. 20,243,200 |
| Housing & Food (MIT residence) | $20,150 | Rs. 6,448,000 |
| Health Insurance, Books & Personal | $5,930 | Rs. 1,897,600 |
| F-1 Visa, SEVIS & Travel | $2,200 | Rs. 704,000 |
| Total Year 1 Investment | $91,540 | Rs. 29,292,800 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
AeroAstro graduates qualify for 12 months of F-1 OPT plus a 24-month STEM OPT extension — 36 months in total. Recent SB graduates have moved into roles at SpaceX, Blue Origin, NASA Jet Propulsion Lab, Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Anduril, plus quantitative finance roles at Citadel and Jane Street. Around 35% of each class continues directly into Master's or PhD programmes at MIT, Stanford or Caltech.
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