BA (Hons) Airline and Airport Management

About University of West London

The University of West London is located in the heart of one of the UK’s most successful business regions, with strong connections to many national and multinational organisations.

The University prides itself on being “The Career University” offering over 140 undergraduate and postgraduate courses with a strong focus on employability and practical experience. UWL is ranked as the top modern* university in London, 8th modern university in the UK and ranked as the 34th university nationally by the Guardian University Guide 2021.

In The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020 rankings, UWL is ranked 52 in the UK of over 150 universities, rising an impressive 31 places in the league table, which was the biggest rise in the UK. In the National Student Survey (NSS) 2020, the University of West London was ranked the top university in London and in the top 25 in the UK for overall student satisfaction. Moreover, 98% of graduates are in employment or further study within six months of graduation**.

* Modern universities are defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992. UWL received the rankings listed above when compared to all other modern universities ranked in the guides / surveys cited.

** These are the latest figures according to Employment Performance Indicators (EPI) released by the Higher Education Statistics Agency HESA in 2018.

Introduction

The BA (Hons) Airline and Airport Management degree is an ideal course to equip supervisory or junior management staff operating in the Airline and Airport industry with the opportunity of learning formally about the contribution of this essential function in a variety of business and industry sectors. Course content includes modules specific to commercial aviation as well as contextualised business management units. In addition, the course encourages the development of intellectual and management skills in the areas of business and personal development. It provides the successful candidate with a formal higher education management qualification from which they can progress.

Course Objectives

The BA (Hons) Airline and Airport Management course aims to take a vocational perspective setting the study of commercial aviation alongside that of business management. The course seeks to prepare students from a variety of educational backgrounds to enter a range of different managerial positions in the commercial aviation industry. These are identified both in the public and the private sectors. All the courses aim to do following as appropriate to the level of study:

1. Widen perspectives through breadth, depth and relevance of subject coverage.

2. Develop intellectual skills of analysis, evaluation and interpretation, of problem solving and critical thinking.

3. Develop subject practical skills and evolve skilled, reflective practitioners with employment capability.

4. Develop transferable skills including effective communication, teamwork, independent learning and management of learning.

5. Encourage the integration of academic study with employment skills.

6. Meet the future challenges of working within the aviation industry.

7. Provide an encouraging and inclusive environment which aids independent learning and encourages social responsibility and positive attitudes to life-long learning and continuing professional development.

Awarding Body

University of West London, UK

Entry Requirements

Minimum Age

Language Requirement

Attainment of IELTS 6.0, or other equivalent English qualification

Academic Requirement

Cambridge GCE A level (From a minimum 112 UCAS tariff points depending on course), or

• SDH Diploma in Aviation and Travel Operations, or • Other CPE registered PEIs’ Diploma of related field, or

• Polytechnic Certificate with grade C or higher, or

• Other equivalent qualification deemed acceptable by University

Mode of Delivery

The method of lesson delivery consists of multiple delivery dimensions like face-to-face lectures, elearning, individual and group discussions, case analysis, demonstration, role-plays, online quizzes and project assignments.

Assessment Methods

Assignments / Projects

Graduation Requirements

Obtained a passing mark in all examinable modules

Progression Pathway

Achievement of the BA (Hons) Degree will entitle successful candidates the opportunity to progress to postgraduate (Level 7) study (subject to meeting the required entry requirements)

Course Duration

Full-time: 36 months
Part-time: 54 months
Industrial Attachment: Not Applicable

Maximum Candidature Period

Full-time: 6 years
Part-time: 8 years

Next available intake(s)

1st intake: February period

2nd intake: September period

Year 1 (Level 4)

Academic Development and Employability

The aims of this module are to help students’ research academic sources and develop critical approach to apply the correct academic writing skills. In addition, the module aims at helping students develop knowledge and understanding of employment in the sector as well as to enhance their employability.

Principles of Management and Leadership

This module aims at providing students with the basic knowledge and understanding of the key theories, concepts and models in management and leadership. Effective management is essential to the success of today’s organisations in the hospitality and tourism industry. Students with this module will be introduced to principles of management in terms of management of organisations, people, systems and self for the delivery of quality of customer service. It also provides students with an overview of leadership, in order to explore current thinking on leadership with the use of practical management and leadership tools and approaches. Finally, the module aims at providing students with the opportunity to develop awareness of their leadership traits and to develop their own leadership capabilities.

Introduction to Accounting and Finance

This module provides a foundation programme of studies in accounting and statistics in an appropriate industrial context. The role of accounting and statistics in the decision-making process is stressed. The module includes essential conceptual underpinning as well as practical applications and encourages an appropriately critical approach.

Introduction to Airline and Airport Management

This module aims to provide students with a basic understanding of the structure, nature and operating characteristics of the airline and airport industry. It will examine the key developments and component sectors that have helped shape the international aviation industry. Linked into these developments students will examine the roles and responsibilities of the major organisations associated with airline and airport operations and management.

Aviation Travel Geography

This module aims to explore the inter-relationship between aviation, geography and tourism. The module will focus on the location of key gateway airports in Europe and worldwide together with an insight to the terminology associated with airport operations. Students will also develop knowledge of the basic principles of aviation meteorology. The module continues by providing an overview of the European region and provides an insight about the geographical character that comprises the setting for tourism.

The Aviation Experience

This module introduces knowledge and skills to develop students’ current understanding of the aviation industry. Students will be informed about concepts and theories related to the aviation industry including The Customer Experience; Theory of flight; and Safety and Security. To introduce you to creative methods for learning.

Year 2 (Level 5)

Managing Human Resources

This module aims to enable participants to gain knowledge and understanding of the activities involved in effective human resource management within the aviation industry. The module focuses on practices and processes of how people are managed at work. In addition, it identifies the current trends in human resources management.

Sales and Marketing

As a career choice, one of the major attractions of airline and airport operations is contact with people. This module introduces students to the factors which influence consumer behaviour in this area, together with the concepts and principles of marketing management.

Air Cargo Operations

Air cargo represents a relatively small percentage by volume of world trade, but its significance leaps by value. The air cargo industry serves as a key engine of economic growth and development. It supports trade and investment, promotes connectivity, and improves efficiency and competitiveness. The Air Cargo Operations module aims to explain the above principles to students. Students are expected to understand the complex and changing issues required to maximize all aspects of the air cargo business and see all parts of commercial aviation operations.

Human Factors in Aviation

This module will introduce students to the essential knowledge and understanding required for the management of people in airline and airport organisations.The module covers key concerns for personnel and developments in the tourism industry concentrating on the main generic areas of resourcing, training and development, motivation and reward. These areas will be considered within the current legal and political environment of the UK.

Airline and Airport Operations Management

This module aims to introduce students to a range of skills techniques and operations practices appropriate to the airline industry. The module will be multidisciplinary in its perspective drawing upon a range of competencies developed both in the airline, airport and business core. Students will be expected to manage the day-to-day running of an airline or airport, including the management of facilities and staff resources and operations and functions of airlines and airports.

Research Methods for Managers

This module aims at providing students with broad knowledge and understanding of the principles and practices in conducting research. It focuses on the use of a range of different research methods in order to successfully undertake a dissertation or any research project. The module encompasses the understanding and application of appropriate research designs, research statistics, the use of the computer for data analyses, and report writing and presentation.

Year 3 (Level 6)

Air Route Planning

The aim of this module is to introduce students to route planning and provide an understanding of the political, economic, regulatory and cultural environment of both origin and destination airport’s catchment area. Moreover, Route Planning module aims to teach students the design of an airline’s network and develop their critical and analytical skills in analysing the profitability potential.

Strategic Airport Planning and Development

Airport Planning and Development is essential for airport managers. Students as future managers need a strong understanding of the current situation and local constraints an airport can face. A clear roadmap for the development of airports and a comprehensive solution for the challenges they face are necessary. Focusing in those areas, this module will provide students with thorough understanding of the political, economic, regulatory and environmental context in which an airport operates.

Aviation Policy and Strategy

This module aims to provide a dynamic introduction to the process by which aviation policy is formulated. The module takes into account key factors in the political, economic, social and technological environment which influence aviation policy making. To this end the module will focus on the influence of aviation organisations e.g. IATA, CAA, AEA et al, societal values, the role of special interest groups, aspects of political power and socio-economic global forces of change. A dualistic framework for the study of how aviation policy is developed will be advanced focusing both on European civil airlines and airport providers. The relationship between research and policy making will also be considered. Here the use of a range of international case studies is used to explore the methods by which aviation policies can and have been prioritised and the success or failure of policy initiatives judged.

Contemporary Issues and Management of Change

This module aims to examine a range of contemporary issues appropriate to the aviation industry. The module reviews changing operational characteristics and procedures within the commercial aviation sector and the impact of new technologies and innovations. The perspectives included are wide ranging and vary from year to year depending on current and topical themes. The intention is that by utilising knowledge and analytical skills already acquired, students will increase their capability to reason from a multi-disciplinary perspective and will recognise that it is not practical for a manager to view issues in isolation.

Service Industries Dissertation

The dissertation is an opportunity for the student to study a topic that is of personal interest, will develop both their knowledge and skills of that topic and their research skills, and may be beneficial to their future carer plans. The student identifies their area of research and develops research questions to be answered or hypotheses to be tested in the industry context relevant to their course of study. The dissertation that results from this research will be a professionally presented piece of work that demonstrates the student’s abilities in critical thinking and writing and their skills in completing an independent self-managed piece of research.

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BA (Hons) Airline and Airport Management