PMAVMNCE - MSc Aviation Management in the Digital Age

This course is designed to appeal to Aviation graduates and, those graduates from business and marketing disciplines who now wish to focus or specialise in the aviation sector.

The MSc expects students to have achieved a substantial amount of managerial experience before commencement and as such, the course is also designed to appeal to professionals within the industry seeking to advance their career.

The course will offer an opportunity to develop and progress a career by providing a rigorous, in-depth and relevant focus on E-commerce and digital technologies whilst integrating this with strategy, leadership and core business functions within the Aviation sector.

There are seven core modules which all students will study on the course, they will also have the opportunity of choosing one optional module from within the business school.

Students will be directed to develop their understanding and show their ability to apply knowledge and analyses to various business contexts through a range of opportunities, including the use of their own work experience, case studies, business scenarios, presentations, problem-based learning exercises and study visits.

Lectures and seminars which constitute the formal face-to-face elements of the course are essential activities that will support the development of knowledge and understanding. These sessions will provide students with tools of analysis, outline methods for evaluation and give clear guidance on how students may best extend and apply their learning independently. The face to face sessions are action oriented and student-centred to encourage ‘deep’ as opposed to ‘surface’ learning, and give students the opportunity to apply their understanding to various business scenarios, and to test out their ideas.

An important aspect of the skills they must leave the programme with is working successfully with others to achieve a desired objective. Therefore a number of their assessments will use group assignments which we believe will help them to interpersonal skills and personal awareness.

MSc students will be allocated with personal academic tutors, with whom they will be encouraged to liaise about issues relating to their course.

Course aims, learning outcomes and relevant teaching, learning and assessment strategies have been closely integrated with the quality Assurance benchmarks to ensure that the course is fit for purpose.

The course aims to create:
• A systematic understanding of the management issues within the aviation industry and a critical awareness of current challenges and opportunities within this for the integration of new technologies.
• Provide insights into the strategies employed by the aviation sector and explain the contributions to entrepreneurial practices within it.
• Apply knowledge and understanding of the aviation sector to complex issues, systematically and creatively finding solutions to contemporary aviation challenges.
• A comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research into aviation management challenges and advanced scholarship
• Originality in the application of knowledge, and a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret industry management issues.
• Develop a range of cognitive and transferable professional, management and leadership skills.
• Undertake personal, academic and professional development to support life-long learning and career-building

Graduates who have successfully completed the course will be able to demonstrate skills and competences in the following areas;

Subject-Specific Practical Skills

• LO1 Analyse the degree, to which the aviation sector has incorporated advances in technology and assess the impact that this has had on management and operations.
• LO2 Foster a critical awareness of global aviation development in the context of sustainability
• LO3 Appraise various operational and financial strategies employed in both airlines and airports that are vital to the long-term viability of the industry.
• LO4 Investigate and evaluate appropriate research paradigms, philosophies and methods to propose a detailed research proposal.
• LO5 Foster critical awareness and thorough understanding of the Aviation Sector, combining knowledge and analysis acquired to develop a relevant industry specific original report to a professional standard.
Knowledge and understanding
• LO6 Demonstrate specialist knowledge and understanding of the Aviation Sector and the external context in which it operates, to evaluate strategic choices and make informed strategic decisions for change implementation.
Cognitive/intellectual skills

• LO7 Conduct independent research and use acquired knowledge to analyse and evaluate specific issues surrounding the aviation sector.
• LO8 Demonstrate self-awareness, self – reflection and self-development to promote higher level transferrable skills.
Practical/transferable skills including employability

• LO9 Demonstrate a sound understanding of practical issues relating to the Aviation Sector and be capable of providing comprehensive advice in dealing with them.
• LO10 Work independently to plan and deliver an work of a professional standard and demonstrate self-direction and originality in problem solving.
• LO11 Demonstrate the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring:
o the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility
o decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations
o Analytical skills, evaluation and synthesis in dealing with a business environment challenge

Module Title Module Code

Research Methods CA7001
E-Commerce CA7002
S-Systems and New Technologies CA7003
Sustainability CA7004
Strategy and Leadership CA7005
Finance and Forecasting CA7006
Business Research Project CA7P07
Project Management CA7008

Learning Outcomes 1 - 11

This course complies with the latest (June2015) QAA subject standard benchmarks. Namely, Subject Benchmark Statement Master's Degrees in Business and Management. It can be viewed at ;

http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmarks-statements

A range of assessment methods are used through the core modules and within the remainder of the course, reflecting the range of outcomes and diversity of learning approaches adopted by students. The assessment methods are designed to be for learning and of learning and foster the development of the range of learning outcomes given in Section 11. It is anticipated that the assessment strategy will support the development of effective and responsible business practitioners.

Communicating information coherently and effectively in writing will be supported for example, through individual and collaborative report writing, and writing essays. Communicating orally will be supported through assessments that involve presentations.

Priority is given to methods of assessment consistent with giving timely feedback in order that the information can feedforward to future modules and assignments. This may mean that feedback is given for example, on drafts, in seminar discussions, or on formative presentations. Feedback may be given in a variety of formats and involve individuals or groups. It is anticipated that students will act on feedback given both within and between modules in order to maximise possible achievement.

Assessment workload will be managed so as there is not a bunching of assessments in certain weeks and the volume of assessments has also been carefully constructed so as not to have a negative impact on learning outcomes.

External Examiners have been carefully chosen to reflect a breadth of academic and industry expertise. They will serve to moderate marks to ensure consistency and academic robustness in marking coursework assessments.

It is anticipated that re-assessment work should be submitted within three weeks after the student has been informed of the failed module component. This will ensure progressive learning. The exemption from this will be the Business Project module whereby a hand in date of the end of August is give, with re-assessment pieces to be submitted in the January of the following academic year. (I.e. Submission August 2019, resit submission Jan 2020).

This course is designed to appeal to Aviation graduates and, those graduates from business and marketing disciplines who now wish to focus or specialise in the aviation sector.

The MSc expects students to have achieved a substantial amount of managerial experience before commencement and as such, the course is also designed to appeal to professionals within the industry seeking to advance their career.

The course will offer an opportunity to develop and progress a career by providing a rigorous, in-depth and relevant focus on E-commerce and digital technologies whilst integrating this with strategy, leadership and core business functions within the Aviation sector.

There are seven core modules which all students will study on the course, they will also have the opportunity of choosing one optional module from within the business school.

Students will be directed to develop their understanding and show their ability to apply knowledge and analyses to various business contexts through a range of opportunities, including the use of their own work experience, case studies, business scenarios, presentations, problem-based learning exercises and study visits.

Lectures and seminars which constitute the formal face-to-face elements of the course are essential activities that will support the development of knowledge and understanding. These sessions will provide students with tools of analysis, outline methods for evaluation and give clear guidance on how students may best extend and apply their learning independently. The face to face sessions are action oriented and student-centred to encourage ‘deep’ as opposed to ‘surface’ learning, and give students the opportunity to apply their understanding to various business scenarios, and to test out their ideas.

An important aspect of the skills they must leave the programme with is working successfully with others to achieve a desired objective. Therefore a number of their assessments will use group assignments which we believe will help them to interpersonal skills and personal awareness.

MSc students will be allocated with personal academic tutors, with whom they will be encouraged to liaise about issues relating to their course.

Course aims, learning outcomes and relevant teaching, learning and assessment strategies have been closely integrated with the quality Assurance benchmarks to ensure that the course is fit for purpose.

The course conforms with the Regulations of the University Postgraduate Scheme and there are no additional regulations.

All core modules and one optional module must be taken and passed to gain the full MSc award.

To gain the PG Diploma students must take all core modules with the exception of the Business Project. The module which is optional need also not to be taken to achieve the Diploma.

To gain the PG certificate students can take any 3 modules (excluding the Business Project and optional module)

At the beginning of the course all MSc pathway students will be involved in an extended induction programme which is designed to promote active learning and development from the outset. This will include the principles of individual and team learning and development, action planning and preparation for academic study at master’s level.

A number of the degree’s core modules are designed to give students the opportunity to develop their reflective learning and personal development. Several of the in-course assignments will for example, require students’ to work in groups to find solutions to a few problems on social, economic and environmental issues contained in cases which will be provided to them. The module on Research Methods and the dissertation also lends itself to helping students develop their reflective learning and self-development and has reflective assessments built into the assessment framework. There is also a business project module which is designed to promote reflective learning on the degree and again has reflective practice built into the assessment framework.

Reflective learning and personal development are developed throughout the core modules on the MSc, through making connections between core, specialist and research modules and, in making connections between the learnt environment and their own experiential learning. This is one of the most important features of the course as it will involve students working independently and collaboratively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

The course will provide a springboard for a variety of career routes both in the UK and internationally. On graduation, you will be equipped for management and leadership within the aviation sector. The sector is diverse and ranges from operational management, strategic overview and planning, regulations and compliance and financial management.
Postgraduate students who successfully complete the course might be expected to pursue a diverse career range such as, careers in PhD research, Aviation consultancies such as Mott Macdonald and major airlines and airports such as British Airways and London Heathrow respectively. Other career pathways might be with bodies such as National Air Traffic Control and the Civil Aviation Authority.

By the end of the course, students will have developed their self-awareness and practical/transferable skills that will enhance their employability. Engagement with the alumni network and events that enable them to meet with employers and business practitioners will support their ability to progress their careers.

In addition to this, the teaching team are well connected in the sector and will endeavour to do all they can to assist students in searching for suitable employment in the sector nationally and internationally. There will also be the opportunity for some of these graduates wanting to do a PhD to do so in several specialist universities, both here and overseas.

We have professional links to the Royal Aeronautical Society (REAS), Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, (CILT) and, National Air Traffic Control (NATS). Such bodies offer an extensive coursework library section and, careers information linked to our curriculum/reading lists to ensure that they offer the full range of expected texts to support our courses.

Students will be eligible to apply for membership of both the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and The Royal Aeronautical Society. The level of membership awarded is commensurate with your qualifications and industry expertise.

Careers and advice sessions are offered by LMU academic staff with extremely good industry links, supported by careers workshops and planning sessions from established industry working partners. Graduate careers could range from commercial route management, airline management, head of ground operations or, business continuity manager.

Students will also be actively encouraged to arrange to meet with the university’s Careers Service. Additional activities including networking events, masterclasses, workshops, guest lectures etc will also support career development and employability.

Upon graduating, you'll have a variety of career routes available to you, both in the UK and internationally. You'll be equipped for management and leadership within the aviation sector, which ranges from operational management, strategic overview and planning, regulations and compliance and financial management.

As a postgraduate, you can develop an exciting career in PhD research, Aviation consultancies such as Mott Macdonald and major airlines and airports such as British Airways and London Heathrow respectively. Other career pathways include bodies such as National air Traffic Control and the Civil Aviation Authority.

The areas of aviation management you could work in include:

• Passenger handling management
• Airline Operations management - under wing
• Air cargo management
• Airline sales management
• Airline marketing management
• Revenue management
• Engineering management
• Cabin crew management
• Flight deck management

The specialist areas of aviation you could work in include:

• Airline finance and procurement
• Airline strategy
• Airline branding
• Airline IT support
• Airline Corporate Legal services
• Airline procurement

Some of the positions gained by BSc graduates include Easyjet route planning manager, NATS head of environmental policy, TUi head of operations, London City - head of ground operations, London Gatwick Head of Infrastructure project, London Southend - Head of Customer Service.

You will be required to have:

• a minimum of a 2.2 (or equivalent) in a related subject discipline

The course is open to professionals already working within the aviation industry, but without necessarily having an undergraduate degree. However, you must have a minimum of two years related work experience at managerial level within the industry, this will need to be confirmed by two letters of reference. You'll also need to submit a CV in support of your application.

If you have experience which falls outside of this remit and is non-standard, we'd like to invite you to interview / Skype interview for a more detailed discussion relating to your application.

A full university application form will need to be submitted, including a detailed statement to support your application to the course. You should also submit an up-to-date CV and copies of awards / professional qualifications.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the use of the English Language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. IELTS (for non -UK applicants) requires an overall score of 6.5 with a minimum score of 6 in each individual component.
For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

There is the possibility in the future, as the course becomes more established, that we could accept students with PG cert / PG dip from business and management related disciplines but this would require the design of a top up programme and could not be implemented immediately.