Airline, Airport and Aviation Management

Designed in conjunction with senior aviation managers, this course recognises the demand in today’s international aviation community for graduates with sound business skills and a good understanding of the entire aviation system. Aviation is an exciting industrial sector that ranges from the technological excellence of Boeing and Airbus to the management of global airlines and airports.In the most recent Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey, 100% of all 2017 graduates from this course were in work or further study within six months.

This multi-disciplinary course focuses on giving you a sound academic base in the core disciplines of business management, with a particular focus on the international business environment. It will help you develop an understanding of the global business environment in which airlines and airports operate through the study of economics, human resource, marketing and finance.

Integral to this course is the development of decision-making skills, from an operational to an international strategic level. Transferable skills that are necessary for a career in international business management are developed through engagement with real-life and virtual business issues, giving you the opportunity to study key aspects of management and leadership. Our staff members have excellent links with members of the aviation community and will encourage you to develop your career path early on in your studies.

Your learning environment will mirror that of an international organisation as you’re encouraged to learn with and from your fellow students about their different backgrounds, cultures and perspectives. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit major international airlines and airports, and commercial aircraft manufacturers. You’ll hear from visiting lecturers from airlines, airports, maintenance organisations, consultancy organisations and aircraft manufacturers, and we also have a dynamic Aviation Society at the University which organises regular guest speakers and trips.

In addition to the University’s extensive facilities and resources, the School subscribes to database services, aviation journals and magazines appropriate to aviation management studies, and you’ll have access to these throughout your studies. The teaching on this course received a 92% student satisfaction rate in the 2018 National Student Survey. In the most recent Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey, 100% of all 2017 graduates from this course were in work or further study within six months.

Assessment

You'll be assessed through written coursework, oral presentations, individual and group research projects, portfolio work, problem-solving case studies and a final research project of 8,000 words.

Professional accreditation

You'll be encouraged to obtain Royal Aeronautical Society membership and engage with the Society's regular lectures and events throughout your studies. Membership of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) is also encouraged. We have close links with this professionally focused partner for the aviation sector.

Entry requirements

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

• A minimum of grades CCC in three A levels in academic or business subjects (or a minimum of 96 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC National, OCR Diploma or Advanced Diploma)
• English Language and Mathematics GCSE at grade C (grade 4 from 2017) or above (or equivalent)

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

Accelerated study

If you have relevant qualifications or credit from a similar course it may be possible to enter this course at an advanced stage rather than beginning in the first year. Please note, advanced entry is only available for September start. See our information for students applying for advanced entry.

After the course

Upon graduating, you'll have a variety of career routes available to you, both in the UK and internationally. You'll be equipped for management and leadership within the aviation sector, which ranges from operational management, strategic overview and planning, regulations and compliance and financial management.

As a postgraduate, you can develop an exciting career in PhD research, Aviation consultancies such as Mott Macdonald and major airlines and airports such as British Airways and London Heathrow respectively. Other career pathways include bodies such as National air Traffic Control and the Civil Aviation Authority. The areas of aviation management you could work in include:

• Passenger handling management
• Airline Operations management - under wing
• Air cargo management
• Airline sales management
• Airline marketing management
• Revenue management
• Engineering management
• Cabin crew management
• Flight deck management

The specialist areas of aviation you could work in include:

• Airline finance and procurement
• Airline strategy
• Airline branding
• Airline IT support
• Airline Corporate Legal services
• Airline procurement

Some of the positions gained by BSc graduates include Easyjet route planning manager, NATS head of environmental policy, TUi head of operations, London City - head of ground operations, London Gatwick Head of Infrastructure project, London Southend - Head of Customer Service.