Overview
This is a highly focused business management degree, designed to develop resilient professionals able to proactively apply specialist knowledge, skills and capabilities in a diverse, global aviation industry.
The course focuses on management of the multifaceted aviation industry from day one. You will be encouraged to explore the complex inter-relationships that exist between various stakeholders, such as airlines, airport operators, regulators, representative bodies and industry suppliers, in what is a dynamic and challenging environment.
The course encourages individuals with an enthusiasm for commercial aviation to develop and expand their understanding and engagement of the sector. Our aim is to raise your aspirations for management and positions of leadership that could help shape the future of the industry. The course offers an opportunity for individuals from a broad range of subject interests, experiences and backgrounds to develop the knowledge, skills and capabilities commonly required to chart a successful career within the aviation industry.
The course brings together management and transport systems theory, economics, aerospace engineering, logistics, transport geography, regulation and safety. It aims to provide a progressive learning journey, culminating in a holistic appreciation of the complexities of the global aviation ecosystem. Our current expert course team offer academic expertise and practical industry experience with an aim to immerse you in applied learning; utilising simulation, practical activities and exposure to industry.
The course threads together the aviation ecosystem with business awareness, strategic thinking, technical understanding, and operational application by embedding research-active teaching and industrial engagement. You will be guided through the foundations of aviation management towards a focused and applied business and operational appreciation. In your final year (level 6), you will be encouraged to demonstrate a strategic, independent and critical approach to problem identification and resolution which culminates in the submission of your dissertation.
The course is actively supported by guest lectures from expert industry practitioners and leaders (subject to availability). Visits to airports and airlines operations in the UK and overseas provide opportunities for students to bring their learning to life*. Students are encouraged to seek industrial placement and international study opportunities at the end of Year 2.*
**Please note that we are unable to guarantee any field trip, placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
Why Coventry University?
An award-winning university, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible experience. We continue to invest in both our facilities and our innovative approach to education. Our students benefit from industry-relevant teaching, and resources and support designed to help them succeed. These range from our modern library and computing facilities to dedicated careers advice and our impressive Students’ Union activities.
To ensure an optimised and continual student experience, the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via emerging online technologies and methods across all courses.
Global ready
An international outlook, with global opportunitiesEmployability
Career-ready graduates, with the skills to succeedTeaching Excellence
Taught by lecturers who are experts in their fieldCourse essentials
A degree which offers you more, at no extra costAccreditation & Professional Recognition
This course is accredited and recognised by the following bodies:
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT)
This course is currently accredited by The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) for the 2019/20 intake. Following changes which have been made to improve the courses, we are applying for re-accreditation for entrants of 2020/21 onwards. We anticipate that our application for re-accreditation will be successful. If any changes occur with respect to our accreditation related to this course, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible
Our Facilities
Flight Simulators
Our simulators create an exciting way to learn, with 61 channels of flight data which can be analysed to assess the accuracy of a students’ own design. The simulators are incorporated into an air traffic control environment.
Informal Study Area
Informal computer access to all the specialist software required for their students during their. There are bookable spaces where students can meet with academics or work in small groups.
Harrier Jet
Our Harrier T4 allows students to gain hands-on experience with the parts, tools and mechanical aspects of a real aircraft. It is used by many engineering disciplines to learn how an aircraft works and how to maintain it.
What our students say
I’m working with and learning from some of the best airport professionals and I believe that my industry experience is absolutely vital for my career development.
I’m getting great opportunities to get stuck into some big projects, including the new fast track immigration system. I enjoy the technical aspects of the airport operation and I’ve been supported and encouraged to flourish here.
Course information
Aviation Management has been an established subject within Coventry University for over ten years. The current core teaching team consists of an internationally diverse and experienced team of industry practitioners and academics who seek to reflect the global context of the industry.
The course is aimed at students who are driven by the desire to work as managers within the aviation industry to support the current and anticipated ongoing global growth in demand for air transportation. It is hoped that many of these graduates will proceed to positions of influence and leadership.
Historically, the aviation industry has been resistant to specialist managers. However, growth and an inability to recruit appropriately qualified and experienced people means the industry is starting to look to specific aviation management degrees such as this in order to fill this gap. This course has successfully placed significant numbers of students in industry and the final destinations of graduates reflects an industry wide portfolio of airlines, airports, service providers, consultancies and regulatory bodies.
Having achieved its tenth anniversary in 2018, early graduates of this course are starting to achieve senior positions with considerable influence. These alumni, along with insights from our wider industry advisory board and market research, have identified current and emerging skills and capabilities that have influenced the shape and direction of this current programme.
This course seeks to provide a range of learning experiences and opportunities to form capable graduates within the field of aviation management; grounded in specialist business and management theory and practice, combined with fundamental knowledge of aeronautical engineering and transportations systems design, informatics and operational research methods. The course has been designed to prepare graduates for current industry requirements, whilst acknowledging its dynamic nature. As such, the course aims to address future trends such as the increasing reliance on data analytics as well as alternative methods to conventional flight.
The course starts with aiming to develop your understanding of the diverse theoretical foundations that underpin the industry, as well as the concept of the industry as an ecosystem. You will be introduced to the complex nature of the interdependencies of the myriad of stakeholders.
The course also seeks to prepare you for lifelong learning and professional development from day one. This will be supported by the development of soft skills such as communication, decision making and personal resilience, essential for the modern workplace and particularly in the unpredictable and risk intensive aviation industry.
To support this, a set of course level outcomes have been developed that aim to prepare you for industry. These are reflected in the module learning outcomes and their methods of assessment.
The course has been developed with the aim to provide a clear path with logical progression throughout the 3 levels of the degree. A course team approach to delivery is anticipated, using the specific strengths of the team where appropriate to support teaching and learning.
Modules have been written to be delivered by the current aviation management teaching team who are all specialists in the field but, supported where necessary by industry guest speakers and external visits*. Assessments seek to compliment the learning process and focuses on the skills and capabilities identified in the course level outcomes. A variety of methods are deployed and should continue to evolve through the course evaluation and improvement processes, considering feedback and developments in pedagogy and industry practice. Examinations have been minimised and students will have opportunities to be assessed using appropriately contextualised examples and case studies. Group work forms an important learning and assessment method and students will be encouraged to develop professional dialogues with peers and gain experience of receiving and giving feedback.
The course is delivered mainly in the Faculty of Engineering, Environment and Computing buildings in Coventry and can be studied full-time over three years, four years with an optional sandwich year or six years part-time.
*Please note that we are unable to guarantee any field trip, placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
95%
of BSc students in work or doing further study within six months after finishing.
Discover Uni, 2020
Course specification
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Modules
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
Our business, management and marketing courses are ranked 15th in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2020.
In more detail...
The course is ideal for individuals with an enthusiasm for commercial aviation and who wish to develop and expand their understanding and engagement with the industry. In so doing, the course should raise aspirations for management and positions of leadership that will shape the future of the industry. Specifically, the course should provide:
- Opportunities to develop a general understanding of business and skills in management within the aviation industry*;
- A breadth of knowledge and skills that emphasise the integrative nature of the functions of organisations within the industry;
- Knowledge of the professional responsibilities within aviation, including an understanding of the associated ethical and legal issues, and the need for continuing professional development;
- Experience of diverse team working and problem solving in simulated business and technical environments;
- Particular knowledge and skills in the application of engineering fundamentals, information technology and quantitative methods to support the analysis and design of policy for the aviation business;
- A range of relevant knowledge and skills appropriate to graduate level employment with airline operators, airport authorities, or air logistics providers, or to engage in postgraduate study.
- Study the multifaceted aviation ecosystem and its interaction within the dynamic environment in which it operates;
- Develop an understanding of the cohesive nature of the sector and the interaction between business and operational management;
- Expand the personal attributes of resilience, professionalism and integrity for a wide range of career opportunities within the aviation industry;
- Develop lifelong learning skills and personal development to contribute to the continued development of the sector and society at large;
- Studying facilities in Coventry University’s modern and well-equipped Engineering and Computing building, with access to significant industry simulation software and aviation data sources;
- The chance to attend guest lectures (subject to availability) from a variety of high-profile speakers from leading aviation organisations, with the aim of deepening and enriching your learning experience – recent speakers have come from organisations such as Aviation Security International, NATS, Birmingham Airport Ltd, Heathrow Airport Limited, IATA, the Civil Aviation Authority, Jet2.com and British Airways;
- The opportunity to participate in hosted site visits to major and regional airlines and airports within the UK and overseas*
* Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student. - Free student membership of WES, the Women’s Engineering Society, which is an Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity society open to all regardless of gender identity
Strong employer links with companies such as Flightglobal, PrivateFly and Birmingham Airport.
There are six main study themes that act as the foundation for all of the individual modules:
Research Inspired Teaching:
Teaching staff are encouraged to be research active. The number of PhDs within the teaching team is growing and the publication and conference presence of the members of the team is also increasing. At the time of writing, a further PhD is approaching completion.
The course is currently represented on several International bodies and organisations that promote research, education and training in aviation. These provide access to contemporary research and industry practice as well as opportunities to promote our students and graduates to potential employers. Taking a leading role in some of these organisations also creates opportunities to host meetings and conferences at Coventry University.
Research skills are taught throughout all levels of the course and are embedded within the delivery of many of the modules. In Year 1, students are introduced to the fundamentals of data analysis and at in Year 2, operational research methods are explicitly taught. In Year 3, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate your research skills through the preparation of a Project Proposal and production of an individual Dissertation Report.
Embedded Employability
This is an integral part of the course whereby we seek to distinguish our provision from other providers in the sector. We have a diverse team of current lecturers representing specialist areas within the industry and as such, aim to deliver a course with a strong applied industry focus. We work closely with our Industry Advisory Board to identify opportunities for both our placement students and our graduates. This has been complemented by out Talent Team, working closely with us to deliver workshops on CV development and interview techniques.
Students on the course have had opportunities to attend industry visits* to East Midlands, Heathrow and Birmingham Airports. Industry speakers have also been a regular feature of the course and a particular focus has been to increase the gender and ethnic diversity of these speakers, to ensure that the curriculum delivery reflects the student cohort and the international context of the industry.
You will be encouraged to develop a professional online presence and network from an early stage in the course. At the end of the second year, an average of between 20 – 25 students secure industry placements* with companies such as Airbus, Rolls-Royce, NATS, DHL, UTC, Skyteam, Star Alliance, Privatefly amongst others.
Creativity and Enterprise
These are essential skills for any graduate entering the workplace. Through the delivery of our modules, you will be encouraged to develop and create innovative solutions to challenging problems. This is achieved in a number of ways and assignment briefs are written to encourage you to explore various options for a given scenario, carry out self-guided research to inform your decisions and produce your solution through creative means. The course also engages with industry and invites specialist professionals to present guest lectures and run seminars with students (subject to availability).
In Year 1, students are invited to work together to create a commercially viable proposal to facilitate the development of aviation infrastructure. In Year 2, simulation software is used to encourage students to secure commercial competitive advantage by developing a creative approach to route development.
Intercultural and International Engagement
This is fundamental to the delivery of our course which is international by nature. The course traditionally recruits an international cohort that could enrich your learning experience. Many of our graduates could meet each other throughout their careers and will likely be part of professional networks which often transcend borders.
Course content is also delivered from an international perspective through case studies and examples. The teaching team also seeks to reflect the international diversity of the industry. Internationalisation is also supported by opportunities for international field trips*, normally offered at the end of Year 2. Further opportunities have also been created with industry partners for students to attend international industry conferences and networking events.*
Community Contribution and Responsibility
Sustainability and social responsibility is a key theme that runs throughout the delivery of the course, both explicitly and implicitly. You will be encouraged and expected to develop a responsible and ethical approach to aviation management. This is reinforced through engagement with guest lecturers (subject to availability) and professional bodies. Students on the course have the opportunity to contribute to the sense of community within the student body and their interactions with staff.
Innovation and Digital Literacy
This is fundamental to the teaching and learning strategy and has been employed through the course design as well as the proposed delivery of both content and assessment. The course aims to provide you with the skills required to live and work within a digital society. For example, you may be encouraged to develop a professional social media presence and personal professional online brand from day one. Simulation and data handling are embedded within the course and software packages are available for use.
The course is delivered through the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and all learning resources are digitally available, thereby facilitating learning anytime and anywhere.
*Please note that we are unable to guarantee any event, field trip, placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
The course seeks to support a range of teaching environments (for example, lectures, seminars, personal tutorials, and workshops) appropriate to the content being delivered and that cater for the needs of the diverse range of students that attend the course. To achieve this, learning opportunities are facilitated by a mixture of individual and group activity led learning, use of labs where appropriate, specialist software including business simulation, guest lectures and field visits.
A range of technologies are used to support learning including the university’s VLE and access to the internet is facilitated for all students through the provision of appropriately enabled devices.
All course texts are available in digital editions and students have access to industry standard data warehouses and opportunities are created for these to be used in learning and assessment from the beginning. The aim is that graduates of this course are confident users of technology and can interpret and communicate findings from data analysis competently and effectively. Simulation is also used to support the development of management decision making capability with modules designed specifically to achieve this at Years 2 and 3.
Assessments have been planned to address different learning approaches and needs, and may include individual and group coursework, group presentations, and online tests. Core assessments are strategically deployed to ensure you have knowledge of fundamental principles and concepts which underpin the industry. Applied-Core assessments should enable you to apply your learning to industry contextualised examples.
You will have the opportunity to work and be assessed both individually and in groups, presenting written material and delivering oral presentations. These methods should enable you to develop the communication, team working and leadership skills expected of graduates. Assessment loading has been given consideration as far as is possible so that there is minimal bunching of occurrences and workload is balanced.
On successful completion of the course a student will be able to:
- Develop sustainable solutions to aviation management problems, recognising the diversity of stakeholders that make up the global aviation industry.
- Select and apply a range of research skills, management tools and strategies, to resolve current and future challenges in the aviation industry.
- Promote, defend and justify recommendations using appropriately sourced evidence and data.
- Identify, analyse and evaluate data from various sources to support decision making, business improvement, effective governance and regulatory compliance.
- Work effectively in teams and as an individual, to deliver outcomes that recognise the diverse and international context of the aviation industry.
- Select and effectively deploy relevant software and technologies to support management decision making and sustainable aviation operations.
- Effectively manage relationships and behaviours that support management processes, business outcomes and professional development in aviation.
- Evaluate and synthesise contemporary theory and research findings to propose innovative solutions to aviation management problems.
- Effectively apply a range of management strategies and the principles of project management to achieve tangible outcomes to aviation management challenges and problems.
- Consider and apply the fundamental principles of transport systems design and aeronautical engineering to inform sustainable management decision making within the aviation industry.
Actual teaching contact hours will vary depending on the level of study and the requirements of a particular semester. In a typical week your contact hours will be divided amongst personal tutorials and computer laboratories; medium group teaching in tutorial sessions; and large group teaching in lectures. In addition, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study, approximately 16-20 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.
The number of contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 15 contact hours per week in the first year, 16 contact hours per week in the second year, and around 11 contact hours per week in the third year as you become a more independent learner.
International experience opportunities are fundamental to the successful delivery of the aviation management course, which is international by nature. The course has historically recruited an international cohort that could enrich your learning experience. The course content is also delivered from an international perspective through case studies and examples.
The teaching team continually seeks to reflect the international diversity of the industry. Internationalisation is also supported by opportunities for international field trips*, normally offered at the end of Year 2. Destinations for the field trips in recent years have included France, the United States, Oman and Indonesia. On each occasion students have enjoyed a week-long engagement with key elements of the local aviation industry infrastructure* (airlines, airports, and regulators) to broaden and deepen their knowledge and understanding – and to apply their learning from the first two years of the course.
*Please note that we are unable to guarantee any trip, placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
Global ready
Did you know we help more students travel internationally than any other UK university according to data from the experts in higher education data and analysis, HESA?
In 2018/19, we were able to provide a total of 5,469 experiences abroad that lasted at least five days.
Much of this travel is made possible through our Global Leaders Programme, which enables students to prepare for the challenges of the global employment market, as well as strengthening and developing their broader personal and professional skills.
Explore our international experiences1st for
international experiences
Sending more students overseas than any other UK uni 2016/17
5,469
Student experiences
The number of student trips abroad for at least 5 days in 2018/19
12,000
and counting
The number of students we’ve helped travel internationally since 2016
12
global programmes
As well as trips, we offer other opportunities like language courses
What our students say
International trips are definitely a highlight of my time at university. I had an opportunity to attend the Paris Air Show, take part in International Winter School in Switzerland and undertake a course field trip to Hong Kong.
Entry Requirements
What our students say
A mixture of theory and practical work is a great way of learning and the fieldtrips allowed me to put learning into practice.
Tuition Fees
We pride ourselves on offering competitive tuition fees which we review on an annual basis and offer a wide range of scholarships to support students with their studies. Course fees are calculated on the basis of what it costs to teach each course and we aim for total financial transparency.
For more information, please visit our Finance pages.
Course essentials at no extra cost
We're committed to communicating study costs clearly to make sure you're not faced with having to make any unexpected payments.
This is why our ‘Flying Start’ package provides you with a few course essentials. Your full-time fee for an undergraduate degree will cover the following:
UK field trips
Any mandatory site visits and trips within the United Kingdom.Key material
This can include core textbooks, software and equipment.Laser prints
1,000 A4 sides of black and white laser printing credits per year.Optional year
Pay no tuition fees for optional work placements or study abroad trips.Course essentials - additional costs: This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to) travel, accommodation, activities and visas. This course may incur additional costs associated with any equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire.
EU student fees
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year remain eligible for the same fees as home students and the same financial support. Financial support comes from Student Finance England, and covers undergraduate and postgraduate study for the duration of their course, providing they meet the residency requirement.
For tuition fee loans
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year must have resided in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland for the three years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that three year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
For maintenance loans
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year must have resided in the UK and Islands for the five years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that five year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
What our students say
A mixture of theory and practical work is a great way of learning and the fieldtrips allowed me to put learning into practice.
Career prospects
Graduate Immigration Route visa
Based on current information from the UK Government, international students whose study extends beyond summer 2021 may be eligible for a visa under the UK Government’s Graduate Immigration Route, which will enable students to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to two (2) years. Check the most up to date guidance available to check your eligibility and any updates from the UK Government before making an application or enrolment decision.
This course aims to prepare you for a wide range of career options within the aviation industry, either in the UK or overseas – from airline and airport management to air transport consultancy, roles with industry suppliers and manufacturers or in international logistics.
Previous graduates have progressed to roles in airport and airline operations management, consultancy, finance and revenue management as well as various graduate schemes and further study.
Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and aims to give you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The university’s Talent Team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your future management and leadership career within the aviation industry.
Where our graduates work
At the last count, we have had students and staff from 88 different nations participate in the aviation management course at Coventry University. Consequently, we have alumni working in numerous aviation organisations around the globe, participating in the complex network of airlines, airports, suppliers and regulatory/trade bodies that together create the aviation ecosystem. The fact that our alumni consistently secure rewarding positions within the aviation industry throughout the world clearly demonstrates the value of a Coventry University Aviation Management degree.
What our students say
To all students who are thinking whether to go for a placement or not, I would say: do not hesitate and go for it! Be proactive and do not be afraid to face new challenges. The past year has been the most exciting period of my life and I am thankful for such an opportunity at Brussels Airlines.
An industrial placement is a great opportunity to have a sneak peek into the routine of work life, meet interesting people and participate in engaging conferences. Last but not least, I would suggest that you not consider the money that you may receive but focus more on the invaluable experience, personal development and networking opportunities that you can get out of it – don’t waste a year of your life.
Disclaimer
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the 2020/21 Contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.
The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.
For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.
