Aviation Operations with Commercial Pilot Training BSc (Hons)

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold award

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold award

Our commitment to high quality teaching has been recognised with a TEF Gold rating. The University has received an overall rating of Gold, as well as securing a Gold award in the framework's two new student experience and student outcomes categories.

Why choose this course?

This course will help you take off as a pilot and future aviation leader. In Year 2 you'll be based at our partner flight school, which is an Approved Training Organisation (ATO), with training delivered by specialist ground school instructors. You'll study the syllabus of the 13 Theoretical Knowledge exams needed to obtain a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATPL (A) licence.

Please note: the cost of flight training could be around £90,000 in addition to University fees. Student Finance does not cover any CAA exams or flight training. Hence, additional funding would be required to complete the ATPL training.

Attendance UCAS code Year of entry
3 years full time H464 2024
2025
4 years full time including sandwich year H465 2024
2025

Please be aware that, in addition to university tuition fees, the cost of the flight training, including any CAA exams, is not covered by Student Finance. Hence, additional funding would be required to complete the ATPL training.

An ATPL is only valid if you hold a Class 1 CAA Medical Certificate. In consultation with the flying school, students are encouraged to undertake the Class 1 Medical between the first and second years of the course. For those who may be concerned that there may be an impediment to being awarded the Class 1 Medical then it is recommended that the medical is undertaken prior to commencing the course. For further information on Class 1 Medicals and other regulatory restrictions (including those affected by the UK leaving the European Union) visit the UK Civil Aviation Authority website.

Please note: Teaching on this course may take place on more than one KU campus.

Main location Roehampton Vale and Penrhyn Road campus

Reasons to choose Kingston University

  • Facilities include a flight simulator, drone lab, rocket lab, and open and closed channel wind tunnels.
  • You'll be taught at an approved Air Training Organisation (ATO) delivered by specialist ground school instructors.
  • As well as pilot ground training, this course offers knowledge of the operational, technical and commercial aspects of the airline industry, to help you stand out at future job interviews.
  • The course may lead to a frozen Airline Transport Pilot Licence (fATPL).

What you will study

The programme is unique in that teaching and learning on the degree takes place at Kingston University (Year 1 and final year) and at our flying school partner (Year 2), which is an Approved Training Organisation (ATO), with training delivered by specialist ground school instructors.

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 1 introduces aviation and equips you with the maths and physics skills needed for Years 2 and 3. You are introduced to the theory of flight and the aircraft systems that enable aircraft to fly. You are also provided with the core communication skills required to become a pilot and a future leader.

Core modules

Navigate for Professional Engineers

15 credits

You will be introduced to your course learning aims and will consider your learning targets from now until graduation. You'll take ownership of your personal academic journey through the development and application of academic skills aligned to Kingston's Graduate Attributes and your discipline-specific professional body learning outcomes.

You'll be tutored in a range of 'learning to learn' techniques. You'll be introduced to assessment for learning and the roles of feedback, reflection and feedforward as integrated parts of your learning journey. This will be supported through active engagement in Kingston's Navigate Programme.

Aviation Mathematics

15 credits

This module introduces the principles of aviation mathematics as a foundation, which may assist students in developing further understanding in their second year at an approved training organisation partner (i.e., Kingston University's flying school partner). The module covers topics such as algebra, polynomial, rational, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic, among others.

Aviation Science

30 credits

The module introduces students to the fundamental scientific principles that underlie aviation. In particular students will study aerodynamics, thermodynamics, mechanics of materials and structural analysis.

The aerodynamics section will cover the fundamental properties of fluids and the main basic conservation equations used and their engineering applications. It also introduces the concept of dimensions and the SI units of measurement. Thermodynamics section deals with the relationship between heat and various other forms of energy. The emphasis will be on the impact of these relationships on the performance of aircraft propulsion systems.

Introduction to Human Factor and Aviation Safety

30 credits

Safety matter is a crucial element in the aviation industry and it is also closely related to the topic of human factors. The module introduces aviation students to these two pertinent components in the air transport industry. This module discusses the basic principles of aviation safety and the human factors as a foundation, which may assist the student in developing further understanding in both second and third years. Students are also introduced to personal wellbeing in aviation.

Introduction to the Aviation Industry

15 credits

This module introduces the students to the basic knowledge of the aviation industry and the options for various career opportunities. The module is mainly delivered through face-to-face lectures and some tutorials. The module also introduces students to the challenges the industry may face in the future.

Introduction to Flight Operations

15 credits

Introduction to airline flight operations is to develop our students in BSc Aviation Operations with Commercial Pilot Studies with knowledge of airline flight operations, so that when they start working in an airline or any aviation company, it can be expected that our graduates are likely to possess the underlying procedures and know-how, which in turn to help them integrate smoother in the company. The module also introduces the student to the principle of flight operations (e.g., procedures at different flight phases) using a flight simulator.

In Year 2 you are taught the specialised topics required for pilot training. The content is aligned with the theoretical knowledge subjects required to achieve a CAA ATPL(A) licence. You are encouraged to keep a reflective written log of your ground school training.

Core modules

Exploring

15 credits

Students will demonstrate a developing awareness of the skills required to operate as a professional in their subject area. These skills will include the development of teamworking, interpersonal and interdisciplinary skills, critical self-reflection, communication and presentation, time management, and the ability to organise, strategise and prioritise.

Students will develop their personal development plan (via their digital skills portfolio) and begin to explore and evidence how these acquired skills are applied across the portfolio of modules at Level 5. A key element of this module will be the participation in an inter-disciplinary design thinking project. Students will contextualise their subject-specific knowledge, skills and behaviours as an interdisciplinary team member charged with developing a solution to a designated sustainability challenge.

Professional Development for Pilots

15 credits

This module is designed to support students in identifying the range of skills they have acquired over the course of their integrated pilot licence training and the first levels of their degree. In particular, it develops the student's ability to reflect on their learning, their critical thinking and communication skills. It is delivered primarily through on-line individual tutor support.

This module are also in agreement with some of the Kingston University graduate attributes, such as a reflective approach to their own learning and an appreciation of the benefits of lifelong learning, creativity, and communication skills through their report, which is also in line with the standard practice in the real world, where airline trainee pilots are expected to be able to reflect on their performance during their training phases.

Instrumentation, Mass and Balance

15 credits

This module is designed to cover the syllabus required to pass the CAA flight training theoretical topics covering Instrumentation, Mass and Balance, and Radio Navigation. These topics are considered to be the core subjects for flight operations and the content is designed and approved by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The assessment is conducted by our flying school partner and replicates the format and structure of the Theoretical Knowledge assessment of the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

Air Law and Operational Procedures

15 credits

This module is designed to cover the syllabus required to pass the CAA flight training theoretical topics covering Air Law and Operational Procedures. These topics are considered to be the core subjects for flight operations and the content is designed and approved by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The assessment is conducted by our flying school partner and replicates the format and structure of the Theoretical Knowledge assessment of the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

Flight Operations and Meteorology

30 credits

This module is designed to cover the syllabus required to pass the flight training theoretical knowledge topics covering Principles of Flight, Aircraft Performance, Flight Planning and Monitoring, Meteorology and Communications. These topics are considered to be the core subjects for flight operations and the content is designed and approved by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The assessment is conducted by our training partners and replicates the format and structure of the Theoretical Knowledge assessment of the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

Aircraft Systems and Navigation

30 credits

This module is designed to cover the syllabus required to pass the CAA flight training theoretical topics covering Aircraft General Knowledge - Airframe, Systems and Powerplant, General Navigation and Human Performance. These topics are considered to be the core subjects for flight operations and the content is designed and approved by the UK CAA. The assessment is conducted by a CAA Approved Training Organisation (ATO) partner and replicates the format and structure of the Theoretical Knowledge assessment of the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

In Year 3, the focus is on understanding the operational and commercial nature of the airline industry. You are given the opportunity to research a topic of your choice to enhance your independent learning skills. You will also carry out a group project on airline management.

Core modules

Applying Professional Skills

15 credits

Students will demonstrate the ability to apply their developing professional skills competencies in their chosen area and will ensure they have a broad understanding of the business environment in which professional activities are undertaken. The module will develop the student's technical, management and interpersonal skills required to perform in a team environment and prepare the students for employment and entrepreneurship.

Students will participate in Kingston University's Bright Ideas competition where they will work together as a team to develop a business idea of their choice. To do this they will need to interact with relevant stakeholders outside the University.

Students will be guided to interact with professional and learning communities beyond the university and reflect on these interactions. This may include participation in co-curricular events such as subject-specific and career development events (e.g. talks, workshops, speed interviews), networking opportunities offered by the subject-specific professional bodies, exploring pathways to professional chartership/membership, leveraging interactions with professionals in the development of the final year research project and, reflecting on the co-benefits of these interactions.

Aircraft Performance

15 credits

This module aims to equip students with the knowledge base essential for the systematic application of important principles of aerodynamics and propulsion to evaluate the performance of fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft.

Airline Operations

15 credits

The module discusses all the requirements for getting an aircraft airborne from aircrew, operations, and maintenance perspectives. Students will also discuss what happens when it all goes wrong (eg through inclement weather) and how an airline can recover from such disruption in the shortest possible time. Furthermore, students will examine all the factors that go together in the creation of an airline operational schedule. They will also explore how the route is selected.

Additionally, the module introduces the final-year Aviation Operations students to commercial pilot operations from the safe operations perspective. Safe operations can be achieved by understanding and implementing the proper concept of crew resource management (CRM), which in turn plays an important role in supporting and enhancing safe airline operations.

Aviation Group Project

15 credits

The module is closely related to the Airline Operations module. The assessment will be derived from a group exercise in which the students will have to derive a realistic schedule for themselves; this will, however, contain some individual elements.

The module also enables students to develop their ability to respect for the views of others, which is one of the Kingston University graduate attributes

Air Transport Economics

15 credits

Throughout their studies, students have studied material that has been focused on a specific role or roles within the air transport industry whether it be aircraft design, maintenance, operations or repair and overhaul. The aim of this module is to take a step back and explore how employers within the various sectors of the air transport industry combine all these functions in order to make a profit.

Aviation Individual Project

30 credits

Working on a topic of their own choosing, the student, with minimal guidance from their supervisor, should apply approximately 285 hours of individual time into the analysis of the problem and determination of the best solution or course of action. That analysis can take a variety of forms ranging from an in-depth comparison of a number of already documented potential solutions to the collection and comparison of experimental and theoretical data. The topic investigated should ideally be of an aircraft operational or engineering nature.

Future Skills

Knowledge to give you the edge

Embedded within every course curriculum and throughout the whole Kingston experience, Future Skills will play a role in shaping you to become a future-proof graduate, providing you with the skills most valued by employers such as problem-solving, digital competency, and adaptability.

As you progress through your degree, you'll learn to navigate, explore and apply these graduate skills, learning to demonstrate and articulate to employers how future skills give you the edge.

At Kingston University, we're not just keeping up with change, we're creating it.

A female engineering student, in the engineering lab.

Entry requirements

Typical offer 2025

  • 96–120 UCAS points from three A-levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications
  • BTEC National Extended Diploma in an Engineering, Science or Technology subject with grades MMM

Typical offer 2024

  • 96–120 UCAS points from three A-levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications (General Studies and Critical Thinking at both A-Level and AS Level not accepted in the tariff.)
  • BTEC Extended Diploma in an Engineering, Science or Technology subject with grades MMM.

Candidates are normally required to hold five GCSE subjects at grade C/4 or above, including Mathematics and English Language.

Additional requirements

Entry on to this course does not require an interview, entrance test, audition or portfolio.

Alternative routes

We will consider a range of alternative Level 3 qualifications such as an Access Course in a relevant Engineering, Science or Technology subject which has been passed with 96 UCAS points.

Applications from those that have undertaken an Engineering foundation year will also be considered.

International

We welcome applications from international Applicants. View our standard entry requirements from your country.

All non-UK applicants must meet our English language requirements. For this course it is Academic IELTS of 6.0, with no element below 5.5.

Country-specific information

You will find more information on country specific entry requirements in the International section of our website.

Find your country:

Typical offer and UCAS points explained

Like most universities, we use the UCAS Tariff point system for our course entry requirements.

Find out more about UCAS Tariff points and see how A-level, AS level, BTEC Diploma and T-level qualifications translate to the points system.

Teaching and assessment

Scheduled learning and teaching on this course includes timetabled activities including lectures, seminars and small group tutorials.

It may also include placements, project work, workshops, workshops in computer labs, and laboratory workshops.

Guided independent study (self-managed time)

Outside of the scheduled learning and teaching hours, you will learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, preparing for and completing your work for assessments. Some independent study work may need to be completed on-campus, as you may need to access campus-based facilities such as studios and labs.

Academic support

Our academic support team here at Kingston University provides help in a range of areas.

Dedicated personal tutor

When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at Kingston and show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at Kingston University.

Your workload

A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.

One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 120 credits across a year (typical for an undergraduate course) would equate to 1,200 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below for each year of study. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.

  • Year 1: 28.41% scheduled learning and teaching
  • Year 2: 68.17% scheduled learning and teaching
  • Year 3: 20.83% scheduled learning and teaching

The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.

Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.

How you will be assessed

Types of assessment

  • Year 1: Coursework 50%; exams 45%; practical 5%
  • Year 2: Exams 82%; practical 18%
  • Year 3: Coursework 48%; exams 42%; practical 10%

Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. If your course includes optional modules, this breakdown may change to reflect the modules chosen.

Feedback summary

We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.

Your timetable

Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled learning and teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 6pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.

Class sizes

To give you an indication of class sizes, this course normally enrols 40 students and lecture sizes are normally between 40 and 140.  However this can vary by module and academic year.

Who teaches this course?

This course is taught at Kingston University's Roehampton Vale and Penrhyn Road campuses in Years 1 and 3, and at one of our partner flight schools for Year 2.

Postgraduate students may run or assist in lab sessions and may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader.

Course fees and funding

2025/26 fees for this course

The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK) or 'Islands' student. In 2025/26 the fees for this course are:

 Fee category Amount
Home (UK students) £9,250* plus the additional cost in the second year, which involves the integrated ATPL training and costs around £90,000 (subject to any increase imposed by our training partner)
International

Year 1 (2025/26): £18,500
Year 2 (2026/27): £19,200
Year 3 (2027/28): £19,900

Plus the additional cost that involves the integrated ATPL training: around £90,000 (subject to any increase imposed by our training partner).

For courses with a sandwich year, the fee for the placement year can be viewed on the undergraduate fees table. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.

* For full time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.

Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest-rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.

2024/25 fees for this course

The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK) or 'Islands' student. In 2024/25 the fees for this course are:

 Fee category Amount
Home (UK students) £9,250* plus the additional cost in the second year, which involves the integrated ATPL training and costs around £90,000 (subject to any increase imposed by our training partner)
International

Year 1 (2024/25): £17,800
Year 2 (2025/26): £18,500
Year 3 (2026/27): £19,200

Plus the additional cost that involves the integrated ATPL training: around £90,000 (subject to any increase imposed by our training partner).

For courses with a sandwich year, the fee for the placement year can be viewed on the undergraduate fees table. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.

* For full time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.

Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest-rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.

Note for EU students: UK withdrawal from the European Union

The Government has recently announced that new students from the European Union and Swiss Nationals starting their course after August 2021 will no longer be eligible for a student loan in England for Undergraduate or Postgraduate studies from the 2021/22 academic year. This decision only applies to new EU students starting after 2021/22. If you are an existing/continuing EU student, you will continue to be funded until you graduate or withdraw from your course.

Need to know more?

Our undergraduate fees and funding section provides information and advice on money matters.

Additional costs

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs that are not covered by tuition fees which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, access to shared IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.

Textbooks

Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. You may prefer to buy your own copy of key textbooks; this can cost between £50 and £250 per year.

Computer equipment

There are open-access networked computers available across the University, plus laptops available to loan. You may find it useful to have your own PC, laptop or tablet which you can use around campus and in halls of residence. Free WiFi is available on each campus. You may wish to purchase your own computer, which can cost between £100 and £3,000 depending on your course requirements.

Photocopying and printing

In the majority of cases, written coursework can be submitted online. There may be instances when you will be required to submit work in a printed format. Printing, binding and photocopying costs are not included in your tuition fees, this may cost up to £100 per year.

Travel

Travel costs are not included in your tuition fees but we do have a free intersite bus service which links the campuses, Surbiton train station, Kingston upon Thames train station, Norbiton train station and halls of residence.

Placements

If the placement year option is chosen, during this year travel costs will vary according to the location of the placement, and could be from £0 to £2,000.

Field trips

All field trips that are compulsory to attend to complete your course are paid for by the university. There is an optional trip to Duxfold which can cost £10-£20.

3D printing

It is not compulsory as part of your degree to print projects using the 3D printer. However if you wish to, you will need to pay for the material. Printing costs are estimated by weight (cheapest material is 3p per gram and most expensive material is 40p per gram).

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Kingston University will supply you with a lab coat and safety goggles at the start of the year. A £10 voucher will be supplied to help cover the cost of the safety boots when purchasing with our supplier Activity Work Wear. Safety boots can range in cost between £25 and £100.

Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL)

Please be aware that, in addition to university tuition fees, the cost of the second year, which involves the integrated Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) training, is around £90,000. Student Finance does not cover any CAA exams and flight training, hence additional funding would be required to complete the ATPL training.

An ATPL is only valid if you hold a Class 1 CAA Medical Certificate. Students are encouraged to undertake the Class 1 Medical between the first and second years of the course. For those who may be concerned that there may be an impediment to being awarded the Class 1 Medical then it is recommended that the medical is undertaken prior to commencing the course. For further information on Class 1 Medicals and other regulatory restrictions (including those affected by the UK leaving the European Union) visit the UK Civil Aviation Authority website. A Class 1 Medical can cost £500 to £600.

Facilities

Kingston University

There is a wide range of facilities for practical work at our Roehampton Vale campus, where this course is based. You will have access to a modern environment with the latest technology, including:

  • The rocket propulsion laboratory is a fully equipped rocket propulsion test lab for testing and firing of live rockets for data acquisition. Here you can fire rocket engines you have designed and constructed. Current apparatus include:
     gaseous oxygen and propane bi-propellant engine
     nitrous oxide and PMMA hybrid engine
     liquid oxygen and high density polyethylene (HDPE) 300 N engine
     fully automated/programmable firing sequence
     sandblast chamber with extraction system for safety
     thermochemistry software packages for simulation of rocket combustion. 
  • a fully equipped manufacturing workshop where you can manufacture your rocket engine designs using the extensive range of equipment – including CNC machines
  • 3D rapid prototype printer allowing you to print off your computer designed models for testing and evaluation
  • industry-standard test and experimental equipment for metrology, robotics, fatigue and quality control
  • state-of-the-art computing facilities for computer aided design (CAD) and other specialist software
  • a mission control room equipped with high-performance PCs with tri-screen setup, for planning and operating space missions
  • large-scale wind tunnels that enable testing in winds of up to 90 miles per hour
  • laser doppler anemometry system which allows us to make very accurate velocity measurements in the wind tunnel.

Aviation operations students will also have access to the flight simulator which is equipped with visual display, instrumentation, pilot controls, motion base and instruction station.

Flight simulator facility

After you graduate

Careers and progression

With your degree and frozen ATPL, you'll be able to apply for initial employment as a commercial pilot with regional and short-haul airlines such as easyJet, Loganair, Ryanair, among others.

Careers and recruitment advice

The Faculty has a specialist employability team. It provides friendly and high-quality careers and recruitment guidance, including advice and sessions on job-seeking skills such as CV preparation, application forms and interview techniques. Specific advice is also available for international students about the UK job market and employers' expectations and requirements.

The team runs employer events throughout the year, including job fairs, key speakers from industry and interviews on campus. These events give you the opportunity to hear from, and network with, employers in an informal setting.

Employability preparation at Kingston University

In addition to building expertise in your own discipline, our courses will also help you to develop key transferable skills that you'll need for professional life or further study once you graduate. 

As well as a range of careers and employability activities at Kingston, we also offer you the chance to apply and develop your skills in live contexts as an integral part of your course. Opportunities include:

  • placements
  • working or studying abroad
  • volunteering
  • peer mentoring roles
  • internship opportunities within and outside the University.

In your final year, you'll get the opportunity to complete a major 'capstone' project where you can apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired to a range of real issues in different contexts. This is a great way to learn and is a valuable bridge to employment or further research at masters level.

Courses available after you graduate

If you decide that you would like to go on to postgraduate study after your undergraduate course, we offer a 10% discount on our postgraduate course tuition fees to our alumni.

What our students say

The Kingston University aviation studies course has been essential for me in securing a position with Ryanair. The aviation industry is by nature very competitive and unstable, so putting all the odds on your side is fundamental in improving your chances of success. By the end of the course you will not only have an in-depth knowledge of pilot theory, but also of the aviation industry as a whole.

The course is designed for aspiring commercial airline pilots to gain a frozen Airline Transport Pilot Licence and BSc degree. During the first two years at Bournemouth Airport, I completed my PPL and ATPL ground school. As the ground school covers much more detail than the norm over a longer period of time, you acquire a greater understanding of all the subjects. This helps in securing very good ATPL results, which in turn helped me impress the Ryanair interview panel. During the third year at Kingston University, you cover all the modules of the aeronautical engineering course, as well as an additional airline operations and scheduling module. Numerous progress tests and individual/group reports and presentations along the way help develop good communication skills, confidence, and teamwork. These above average skills will definitely make you stand out from the crowd.

Throughout the course, instructors and lecturers are always available, helpful, professional and very knowledgeable. The atmosphere is friendly and I made some very close friends. The flexible nature of the course means that you can adapt your training to suit your needs. As choosing where to carry out your next stage of training can be difficult, I found that the three years gives you enough time to weigh up all your options."

Alexander Marca, Aviation Studies for Commercial Pilot Training Foundation Degree FdEng and BSc (Hons) top-up

The decision to pursue a career in civil aviation is one that cannot be taken lightly. Commercial pilot training is expensive, complex and daunting. The Kingston University aviation studies course equipped me with the knowledge and flexibility I needed to secure a job as a first officer with the Europe's largest independent regional airline.

The course is designed for students who want to study for a bachelor of science degree in parallel with professional flight training. Basic flight training and ATPL theory are conducted alongside a standalone 'degree' qualification in Bournemouth. Knowledgeable instructors and modern teaching techniques ensure a solid training foundation for students. The extended teaching period and development of communication skills through technical reports, group projects and presentations instilled a greater depth of understanding which I firmly believe helped me secure my first airline job!

The third-year modules are tailored to give students wider exposure to the aviation industry; I particularly enjoyed Airline Operations and Scheduling module where we were tasked with creating a fictitious airline and presenting our business model to a panel of industry experts.

For me, the course struck the right balance between university education and pilot training. I have made lifelong friends and have had experiences I will always cherish. It also served its purpose perfectly and I look forward to starting my new career as an airline pilot!

David Knight, Aviation Studies for Commercial Pilot Training Foundation Degree FdEng and BSc (Hons) top-up

Key information set

The scrolling banner(s) below display some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).

Course changes and regulations

The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Course changes explained.

Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.

Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.