of graduate employers say relevant experience is essential to getting a job with them
Why should I choose this course?
- RESIDENTIAL VISIT – Carry out an international live project abroad, with previous students having visited Dubai, the Azores, the Canaries, the Gambia and Cyprus
- WORK PLACEMENT – Take an optional six-month placement to build additional industry experience before graduation
- SPECIALISE YOUR STUDIES – Pick from a range of optional modules to shape your learning in line with your career aspirations
- INDUSTRY APPROVED – Our masters in aviation management has been created with support from industry professionals and we are a recognised ITT Centre of Excellence
Our facilities
As a student on one of our aviation courses at University College Birmingham, you will have use of our Aviation and Tourism Suite. Our campus also offers a variety of learning spaces from lecture theatres to group working spaces and extensive library resources, providing ideal environments in which to build your knowledge.
Aviation and Tourism Suite
Explore our Aviation and Tourism Suite offering state-of-the-art simulation facilities for students on our Aviation Management course.
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)
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 are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain up-to-date as well as being informed by industry and the latest teaching methods. Occasionally we may need to make unexpected alterations to modules – should this happen, we will communicate with all offer holders as soon as possible.
Entry requirements
Academic entry requirements
A 3 Year Degree with an average of at least 60%
A 4 Year Degree with an overall average of at least 55%
Postgraduate diploma
Applicants holding a 3 Year Degree with an average between 55-60% or a 4 Year degree with an average between 50% and 55%, will be offered entry onto the Postgraduate Diploma in the first instance. Those achieving Masters level passes on the Postgraduate Diploma can proceed to the Masters gaining the award in the same amount of time as if they had initially registered on the Masters Programme initially.
English entry requirements
If English is not your first language, you will need a recognised English Language qualification to meet the entry requirements onto a degree programme.
English Entry requirements for students applying from India
Board | Minimum Requirement (2021) |
---|---|
CBSE | B Grade |
ICSE | 60% |
Cambridge | B Grade / 6 Pointer |
Maharashtra State | 60% |
Andhra Pradesh | 60% |
Kerala | 60% |
Karnataka | 60% |
West Bengal | 60% |
If you do not have one of the above qualifications, please see here for the full list of accepted alternatives.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
IELTS 6.5 with no element less than 6.0
Key information
Teaching and assessment
Your advanced learning and skill development will be facilitated by lectures, seminars, guest speakers, creative dialogues, industry events and e-learning activities. You will also have a variety of action learning opportunities through industry live projects, simulations and scenario planning.
Assessment will be conducted through case study analysis, consultancy projects, professional presentations, essays, business reports, discussions and debates, as well an individual research project for those on the MSc course. All assessments will be marked individually.
Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2021-2024 (UK website).
Accreditations, endorsements and partnerships
At University College Birmingham, we work with a variety of organisations and professional bodies in order to offer you the best possible training and qualifications recognised and respected by industry.
Work placements
Placements provide you with vital real-life experience and help build your skills and confidence before you graduate, as well as potentially leading to a job after your studies. Our dedicated hired@UCB employability team will help you to find your ideal placement.
Our Aviation Management course includes an optional six-month placement upon completion of the taught part of the course. You will be required to secure your own placement, with support from our experienced hired@UCB employability team.

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.
Career opportunities
- Airport operations manager
- Passenger transport manager
- Business development manager (Postgraduate)
- Marketing executive (postgraduate)
- Transport planner
- Management consultant
Please note: The examples of roles are to serve only as a guide.
hired@UCB
Our dedicated careers, employability and placements team is here to support you in every step towards your future.