AVIATION Management

MSc / PGDip

Accredited by the University of Warwick

Choose Award
Duration

1.5 years FT / 2.5 years PT

Placement

Up to 6 months (optional)

Entry

September, February

Fees

View Fees

Department of Hospitality and Tourism
Choose Award
Duration

1 year FT / 2 years PT

Entry

September, February

Fees

View Fees

Department of Hospitality and Tourism

£400k invested in our Aviation and Tourism suite, exposing you to sector-leading facilities

65.5m jobs supported by the aviation industry

Want to take off on an exciting career journey in aviation? Airlines welcomed more than 4.5 billion passengers in 2019 and the industry continues to operate within a rapidly changing environment facing an array of challenges. Our Aviation Management postgraduate course will give you the specialist skills and knowledge to help meet the high demand for talented managers in this dynamic sector.

Alongside focusing on passenger aviation operations and management, our course lets you tailor your studies to your career aims by specialising in a range of business and management subject areas. Whether you want to work in airlines, airports, civil aviation departments or aviation consultancies, you will gain the skills needed to make an immediate impact on any aviation organisation.

Studying at an Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT) Centre of Excellence, you will have the chance to engage with industry experts and guest speakers, attend industry events and work on ‘live’ consultancy projects, supported by our cutting-edge simulation facilities. You will also have the exciting opportunity to travel overseas for an international live industry project, while our aviation master's course includes the option of a six-month work placement, ensuring you graduate with a wealth of experience ready to make an impression on the industry.

Why should I choose this course?

  • RESIDENTIAL VISIT – Take on an international live industry project overseas – past destinations have included Dubai, Cyprus, the Gambia, the Azores and the Canaries
  • WORK PLACEMENT (MSc only) – Boost your industry experience before you graduate by undertaking an optional six-month placement
  • SPECIALISE YOUR STUDIES – Choose from a wide range of optional modules to tailor your learning in line with your interests and career aspirations
  • INDUSTRY APPROVED – We are a recognised ITT Centre of Excellence and our masters in aviation management has been developed with input from industry professionals
  • AWARD-WINNING UNIVERSITY – Study at the highest-ranking university in the region according to student choice (Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023)

Our facilities

Students on our aviation courses at University College Birmingham have access to outstanding simulation facilities in our Aviation and Tourism Suite. Our learning spaces on campus also provide ideal environments to build your knowledge, from lecture theatres to interactive group working spaces and extensive library resources.

Aviation and Tourism Suite

Take a look around our Aviation and Tourism Suite that features exciting simulation facilities for students on our aviation, travel and tourism courses.

Find out more

Course breakdown

  • Postgraduate

Core Modules

Aviation Market Analysis and Forecasting

This module provides you with the knowledge and skills in conducting market analysis of passenger aviation leading to traffic forecasts. Specific themes covered include evaluating air travel demand, aviation trend analysis, aircraft and route network analysis and financial considerations which will drive traffic forecasts.

Global Dynamic Environment

You will explore the dynamics and disruptions of global trends and developments on tourists and the wider tourism and aviation industries. You will examine the rise of new tourist typologies, the development of innovative & creative models, products and practices as destinations and organisations strive for sustainable competitive advantage. A particular emphasis will be placed on tourism and aviation futures and the response needed by industry and governments to develop more responsible and inspirational strategies.

International Live Project Management

This module is based on an overseas visit to undertake a specific consultancy project. By applying your project management skills to an international destination, you will develop your ability to produce management solutions for a real case study. You will get involved with project management at all stages, work in a team whilst leading a particular work package. The collaborative teamwork will focus on developing strategies/ solutions to your given project brief. Please note: the costs of the essential elements of the trip will be covered by UCB.

Masters Research Project

This module introduces students to the disciplines and techniques required for critical appraisal of complex data and industry practice; creating research designs and accompanying research techniques; building theoretical frameworks, and the scheduling and execution of a research project. The module will develop students' skills and expertise in the essential research tools they will need for both successful Postgraduate study and as leaders in their chosen service industry sector.

Strategic Aviation Management and Operations

The focus of this module is to develop your capabilities and knowledge to enable you to contribute to the strategic and operational direction of airlines and airports. Specific themes covered include exploring strategic operations management within an increasingly turbulent aviation environment; aviation competition, business diversification, managing change and safety/emergency management.

Options - choose one (semester 1)

Business Creation and Development

Business Creation and Development engages students in the more practical elements of enterprise activity, not just in terms of creating new businesses, but also in terms of entrepreneurship within the corporate environment and business growth. The module content will explore the key principles of the start-up and growth of a business, including entrepreneurship, business creativity, business growth, business planning, strategy formulation and business improvement.

Leadership in Decision-making

Service industries, such as hospitality and tourism, are very competitive. Organisations that make more effective decisions deliver superior financial performance. They need to constantly analyse and improve existing performance while looking ahead to try and judge the future requirements of the market. Management is about solving problems and making decisions. This module investigates sources of business data and information and how they can be transformed and applied to inform problem solving and decision making. People are not always rational and objective decision makers so this module also explores sources of and treatments for human bias in decision making. Decision making is not all about objectivity and numbers. There are many factors that need to be taken into account that are difficult to quantify or put a value on. Organisations need to consider the impact of their decisions on all stakeholders, there is an ethical dimension to decision making. Appropriate leadership skills are required to ensure an effective process and resolution. Problem solving, decision making and implementation can impact on people and how they feel. Stakeholders may have different interpretations of the situation and different views about the solution. They may be affected in different ways by the solution.

Tourism Experience Management

Within a dynamic global environment, consumers increasingly desire experiences rather than services. Accordingly, a growing number of travel and tourism organisations are responding explicitly by designing, promoting and staging experiences. Within this module you will develop your knowledge and skills in the creation, measuring, marketing and management of the overall tourist/passenger/visitor experience.

Options - choose one (semester 2)

Marketing and Digital Media

This module will provide you with an in-depth understanding of marketing and digital media within the context of global travel and tourism. Using an interdisciplinary approach, the module will combine theoretical foundation with contemporary marketing and digital media techniques. Key themes will include digital travel trends, changing consumer dynamics, marketing competitiveness and brand management, digital revenue generation and strategies for success.

Revenue & Performance Analysis

You will be introduced to the wide variety of financial information available to managers. You will use this information to find ways to greatly enhance the decision-making process to increase revenue and maximise profit within the sector. You will consider internal and external influences and their impact on decision-making from an operational perspective.

Risk and Crisis Management

Aviation and tourism operate within an unpredictable and turbulent global environment and is influenced by a number of actual and perceived risks. To mitigate such risks, destinations and organisations must plan, develop and implement risk management strategies. When faced with a crisis, creative and appropriate crisis communication and recovery strategies are essential to ensure that organisations and destinations survive and sustain their competitiveness. This module will also examine the challenges of decision-making in unpredictable and crises conditions.

Placement (Optional - MSc only)

Postgraduate Work Placement

The Postgraduate Work Placement module provides students with the opportunities to further develop practical skills, relate theory to practice and to gain a sound base of experience. In addition, the module seeks to develop 'life skills' to assist students in progressing towards a career in management. The placement period offers the student the opportunity to experience work in the hospitality industry and to gain academic credit for their learning. It is important therefore that students are given the opportunity to work in an organisation which is both appropriate to their needs and has a professional approach towards training and development. Students' needs and any previous experience are taken into consideration, when introducing them to a suitable employer. The staff in the hired@UCB suite will draw on their extensive experience to ensure that the objectives are met as fully as possible.

The modules listed above for this course are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up to date and informed by industry as well as the latest teaching methods. On occasion, we may need to make unexpected changes to modules – if this occurs, we will contact all offer holders as soon as possible.

Entry requirements

Academic

  • MSc Aviation Management – A grade classification of 2:2 is required, or international equivalent
  • PGDip Aviation Management – A grade classification of third-class is required, or international equivalent
  • A subject-related UK or International honours degree from a recognised institution

Work-based

  • We also consider applicants who are currently employed and wish to apply to University College Birmingham.
  • To apply, you must have 5 years of relevant managerial work experience, demonstrating in-depth knowledge of the sector for the subject matter you are interested in pursuing.
  • A reference detailing your roles and responsibilities from your line manager and a meeting with the programme team will usually be scheduled prior to a place being offered.

International students

For academic and English entry requirements for EU and international students, please visit the Country Specific Information page.

Additional

If your degree is not related and you do not have relevant managerial work experience, please contact Admissions so that we can discuss your application on an individual basis before you apply.

If you have any questions, please complete our enquiry form:

Enquiry Form

Key information

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Lectures, guest speakers, seminars, creative dialogues, industry events and e-learning activities will facilitate your advanced learning and skill development. There is also a range of action-learning opportunities through scenario planning, simulations and industry live projects.

You will be assessed through consultancy projects, case study analysis, professional presentations, business reports, essays, discussions and debates and an individual research project (for those undertaking the MSc). All assessments are individually marked.

Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2021-2024.

Tuition fees

UK students

If you are a UK student or an EU student with settled or pre-settled status enrolling on a MA/MSc course at University College Birmingham, your fee for this academic year will be £8,750. The fee for the PGDip course is £6,350.

View postgraduate fees

International students

If you are an international student enrolling on one of our postgraduate programmes (e.g. MSc, MA) in 2023/24, your fee for this academic year will be £14,500 per year.

View international fees

UCBconnect - meet other students on your course

Starting university is an exciting time, but we understand that it can sometimes feel a little daunting. To support you, we have created a platform called UCBconnect, where you can meet other students who have applied for the same course at University College Birmingham, before you start studying here.

As soon as you have been made an offer, you will be sent an invitation via text and email to complete your user registration and join UCBconnect. For more information, please visit ucb.ac.uk/ucbconnect.

Latest updates

Join the conversation and check out the latest updates from our Department of Hospitality and Tourism.



UCB Hospitality
UCB Tourism

 

Percentage
70%

of graduate employers say relevant experience is essential to getting a job with them

Work placements

Work placements are vital for gaining real-life experience and for building your confidence and skills before you finish your course – and they may even lead to a job when you graduate. Our Hired team can help find the ideal placement for you.

Our Aviation Management master's course offers you the option of a six-month placement on successful completion of the taught part of the course. You are required to secure your own placement with the support of our experienced Hired team.

Note: Students on the PGDip course, or those planning to top-up from a PGDip to a master's degree, will not be eligible for a placement during the course.

My ambition for the future is to lead a team working on plane turnaround at a busy airport. This course gives me insight into a wide variety of jobs within aviation and management. It prepares me and gives me an opportunity to stand out when searching for a job.

Luka Nekic Aviation Management MSc

Career opportunities

The example roles and salaries below are intended as a guide only.

Airport operations manager

Average Salary: £35,461

Passenger transport manager

Average Salary: £30,000

Business development manager (Postgraduate)

Average Salary: £37,500

Marketing executive (postgraduate)

Average Salary: £37,500

Transport planner

Average Salary: £32,500

Management consultant

Average Salary: £50,000

Hired

We are here to support your career goals every step of the way. 

Find out more

Lucie’s Story

Lucie's dissertation project didn't just help her earn her master's degree – it led directly to a job in the aviation industry.

Read Story

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