Cardiff School of Management>Courses>Aviation Management - BA (Hons) Degree

Aviation Management - BA (Hons) Degree

Entry Year

The BA Aviation Management degree is a dedicated aviation qualification, delivered in conjunction with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide and Cardiff Airport, which seeks to offer a uniquely innovative and exciting programme of study. The target audience are  students eager to find critical perspectives on, and management careers in, the Aviation sector. Students will gain an understanding of all aspects of aviation law, aviation strategic management, aerospace safety, airline management and employment issues relating to aviation.

The programme will be initially available in full-time mode of study only. The full-time programme is dedicated to ensuring that students receive world class training and education in the latest Aviation Management theories and systems to ensure meaningful employment in the industry post-graduation. The unique, hybrid delivery model of the programme will be a particularly attractive option for students with a keen interest in the industry, as well as people already working within the industry to gain an internationally recognised qualification and to enhance their skills and understanding of the industry as a whole.

The BA (Hons) Aviation Management aims to: 

  • Equip the aviation sector with innovative and highly skilled aviation management specialists who have the appropriate combination of academic knowledge and practical skills to meet the Industry's current and future needs. 
  • Develop highly skilled graduates capable of adding significant value to companies in the aviation sector. 
  • Develop discipline specific and generic leadership skills that will ensure that our graduates obtain long term and meaningful employment within the sector.
This degree will undergo a periodic review in 2023/4 to ensure the course content is and remains current. Should any changes to course content be made as a result of the review, all applicants will be informed once changes are confirmed.


Course Content

Students attending this programme will study a wide range of aviation management subject areas, with 80 credits per year being delivered by Cardiff School of Management (CSM) and 40 credits (4 separate courses) per year being delivered by Embry-Riddle Worldwide -  namely: 

Year 1 (CSM)

  • Law and the World of Business (20 Credits)
  • Managing People at Work (20 Credits) 
  • Finance for Managers (20 Credits) 
  • Academic and Professional Skills for Aviation Management (20 Credits) 


Year 1 Embry-Riddle Worldwide 

  • Introduction to Research Methods (10 Credits)
  • Principles of Management (10 Credits)
  • Management of Aeronautical Science (10 Credits)
  • Introduction to Aerospace Safety (10 Credits)

 

Year 2 (CSM)

  • Ethical and Sustainable Business Practices (20 Credits) 
  • Contemporary Operations Management (20 Credits)
  • Global Logistics Management (20 Credits) 
  • Work Experience for Aviation Management (20 Credits)

 

Year 2 (Embry-Riddle Worldwide) 

  • Corporate and Business Aviation (10 Credits)
  • Applications in Aerospace/Aviation Law (10 Credits)
  • Aviation Safety and Program Management (10 Credits)
  • Aircraft Crash and Emergency Management (10 Credits)

 

Year 3 (CSM) 

  • Dissertation OR Aviation Consultancy Project (40 Credits)
  • HRM and Employment Relations in Aviation (20 Credits)
  • Strategic Management (20 Credits) 


Year 3 (Embry-Riddle Worldwide)

  • Management of the Multicultural Workforce (10 Credits)
  • Management of Air Cargo (10 Credits)
  • Trends and Current Problems in Air Transportation (10 Credits)
  • Airline Management (10 Credits)

Learning & Teaching

The modules contained within this innovative course use a wide range of teaching and learning approaches. Modules delivered by Cardiff School of Management will principally consist of classroom-based and situational experiential learning. Classroom-based teaching will be delivered in appropriately equipped spaces. Lecture rooms are supplemented by group discussion, group problem solving exercises, and group games in order to consolidate learning and apply theory to a range of simulated aviation operational environments. Aviation Management students will exist as a part of the wider collective of Cardiff School of Management suite of programmes; as such, they will benefit from being a closely-knit and independent part of a much wider collective. This will give them the best of both worlds: a smaller-scale sense of community, but a large-scale social and study scene.

In addition to classroom-based learning, CSM modules across all three years of study will take place at Cardiff Airport: in students' first year, the 'Academic and Professional Skills' module will be delivered in Cardiff Airport's classroom facilities and will be taught in conjunction with CSM's employability team, with masterclasses delivered by professionals from various parts of Cardiff Airport's business operations. In their second year, students will undertake a minimum of 20 days' work experience at Cardiff Airport (or an alternative relevant organisation of their choice). This will enable students to contextualise the learning gained from the theoretical phases of the programme and, will provide the necessary 'shop window' to show their skills, knowledge and talents to future employers from within the sector. 

 In their final year, students will undertake an independently-driven academic research dissertation on an aviation topic of their choice, or they could take on an aviation consultancy project, addressing a real-world business issue at Cardiff Airport or elsewhere.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide's  (online) teaching experience is extremely engaging and taught by experienced faculty with industry connections. Students interact with other module participants who can be anywhere in the world, on a frequent basis. Embry-Riddle's teaching includes the innovative use of tools such as virtual labs, as well as a virtual community 'eUnion' where all Embry-Riddle students can network and collaborate on extra-curricular activities. Every Embry-Riddle Worldwide student can access virtual laboratories to experience such features as a virtual crash lab, where students can gather and submit data required for accident investigations. As an ERAU student, you will have access to  Hunt Library resources, as well as invitations to complimentary aviation webinars. Embry-Riddle Worldwide's online degrees have been ranked in the top 5 for 'best online bachelor's degree programmes' for the last 7 years in the national college and university rankings from the US News & World Report. They were awarded the number one position in the 2021 rankings – a remarkable achievement which highlights the top-quality management and delivery of their learning material.

Throughout their time as a BA (Hons) Aviation Management student at Cardiff Metropolitan University, each student will be supported by the allocation of a personal tutor who will provide pastoral support for the student's time on the course. The Programme Director will also provide strategic leadership and direction to the course and will be available to each student who has specific issues regarding course content and structure. The programme will be delivered by experts within their field of study. These will include aviation management specialists as well as operations, logistics and law experts who will impart the latest theories and insights from their respective subject areas.

Assessment

With the exception of the dissertation/consultancy project, all Cardiff Metropolitan module assessment is based upon 4,000 words (or equivalent) assessments. These assessments are diverse in nature and will range from the traditional essay to presentations, industry reports and discussion sessions and collaborative investigation projects. The assessment methods are designed to give students the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of theoretical, applied, and professional practice issues. Close engagement with the aviation industry is key to this course. Much of the assessment work will be focused upon industry reports and consultancy projects undertaken with aviation organisations. It will  involve the input of industry experts to ensure that the skills and knowledge learned are relevant to the Sector. 

The online delivery of Embry-Riddle Worldwide modules means that students are assessed in a variety of stimulating, engaging ways. Assessments occur on a more continual basis when studying Embry-Riddle modules, but each assessment counts for a less critical amount of the overall module. Examples of innovative, thought-provoking assessments that you'll undertake are: a 'pecha kucha' presentation, case study analyses of air accidents, site visit reports (after visiting an airport firefighting facility!), and weekly contributions to online discussions.

The capstone research project will be presented as a traditional 12,000 word report, supplemented with a presentation to an academic/practitioner audience.


Employability & Careers

It is expected that many graduates from this course will go on to obtain positions within the aviation industry in areas such as: operations and production managers, logistics managers and general managers with a wide-ranging responsibility for all aspects of aviation management. For students wishing to go on to further study, the course provides entry on to a wide range of taught and research degree Masters programmes within the University where graduates can progress on to either an MA, MSc or MRes degrees in order to develop and enhance their knowledge base and area of expertise. 

Close connection with Professional Bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and the Ryal Aeronautical Society (RaeS) will enable students to work towards chartered status of their institution thus increasing the employability opportunities of the student. The programme is working towards being recognised by the RAeS.

Entry Requirements & How to Apply

Typical Offers

  • Tariff points: 112
  • Contextual offer: See our contextual offers page.
  • GCSE: Five GCSEs at Grade C / 4 or above to include English Language / Welsh First Language, Mathematics / Mathematics – Numeracy.
  • English Language Requirement: Academic IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in all elements, or equivalent.
  • A level subjects: Minimum three A levels to include Grades CCC. No specific subjects required. Welsh Baccalaureate – Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate considered as a third subject.
  • BTEC National / Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: DMM
  • T Level: Merit.
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma: No specific subjects required.
  • International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: 2 x H5. No specific subjects required.
  • Irish Leaving Certificate: 2 x H2 grades. No specific subjects required. Higher level subjects only considered with a minimum grade H4.
  • Scottish Advanced Highers: Grades DD. No specific subjects required. Scottish Highers are also considered, either on their own or in combination with Advanced Highers.

If you do not meet the above entry requirement, we also offer a Foundation Programme which allows progression to Year 1.

Combinations of the above qualifications are accepted if they meet our minimum requirements. If your qualifications aren’t listed, please contact Admissions or refer to the UCAS Course Search.

Further information on Overseas qualifications can be found here.

If you are a mature applicant, have relevant experience or RPL that you would like us to consider, please contact Admissions.


How to Apply

Further information on how to apply can be found here.

Contact Us

For general enquiries please contact the Admissions Team on 029 2041 6044 or email askadmissions@cardiffmet.ac.uk

For programme specific enquiries please contact Programme Director, Dr Nicholas Jephson: NJephson@cardiffmet.ac.uk

We endeavour to deliver courses as described and will not normally make changes to courses, such as course title, content, delivery, and teaching provision. However, it may be necessary for the university to make changes in the course provision before or after enrolment. It reserves the right to make variations to content or delivery methods, including discontinuation or merging courses if such action is considered necessary. Please read our Terms and Conditions for the full information.

Key Course Information

UCAS Code: N854

Foundation students should also use this UCAS code and apply for entry point 0 on the UCAS website.


Place of Study: 

Llandaff Campus

School:
Cardiff School of Management

Course Length:

Three years full-time or four years full-time if undertaking year long industry placement. 
Four years full-time if undertaking foundation year.
Five years full-time if undertaking foundation year and year long industry​ placement.

Five years part-time.

Part-time fees:
Charges are per single module unless specified: undergraduate = 10 credits. Generally students will study 60 credits per year; to obtain a true costing please clarify this by contacting the programme leader directly.

DEGREE HIGHLIGHTS

Dr Nick Jephson, Spencer Birns (CEO at Cardiff Airport) and team members from across Cardiff Airport explain the degree highlights and opportunities available with the Aviation Management – BA (Hons) at Cardiff Met.