Aviation Operations with Commercial Pilot Training BSc (Hons)
- Engineering: aerospace, aviation and aircraft
- Undergraduate
If you want a successful career in the aviation industry, our BSc (Hons) Aviation Operations with Commercial Pilot Training is for you. You'll focus on both the operational and commercial aspects of airline and airport operations, and develop the skills needed for the fast-paced, global industry. We are the only UK university with industry-standard flight simulators that include Airbus A320 Flight Simulator, Helicopter Simulator and Six-Degree of Freedom Motion Simulator.
This course is in Clearing.
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0800 0483 334
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Take off as a pilot and future aviation leader with Kingston
Prepare for career lift off.
As part of your studies, you will benefit from access to our specialist facilities. These include a flight simulator, drone lab, computer lab and rocket lab. All are designed to enhance your learning and prepare you for the challenges of the aviation sector.
Whether you are aiming to become a commercial pilot or an aviation operations specialist, this course will help you stand out. You’ll graduate ready to take the next step in your aviation journey.
The aims of the course are to:
- Provide you with a thorough understanding of the principles and practice of aircraft operation and of aviation operations in general so you are fully prepared for the EASA ATPL theory examinations and a career as a commercial pilot.
- Equip you with the knowledge and practical skills necessary for graduate employment in the air transport industry.
- Provide you with the opportunity to develop your written and oral communications skills.
- Prepare you to undertake research, further study and continue with lifelong learning by developing intellectual, problem-solving and key (transferable) skills.
Satisfactory completion of the BSc (Hons) Aviation Operations with Commercial Pilot Training will give you the possibility of postgraduate study on a suitable Air Transport Management MSc course.
Before starting Year 2, you will have the option to change course to Aviation Operations BSc (Hons).
Engineering at Kingston University
Follow along as our students talk through the skills they're developing to design their future careers.
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.
Why choose this course
Study for a degree in aviation operations alongside your flight training to ensure you graduate ready to fly into a graduate job with an airline. This programme combines theory with practical skills to ensure you have the most up-to-date awareness of the aviation industry and piloting abilities.
In Year 2, you will be able to do your Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) Theory on-campus, we will be delivering this in-house in partnership with an EASA/CAA approved Training Organisation (ATO). 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 will be required to complete the ATPL training.
In addition, an ATPL is only valid if you hold a Class 1 CAA Medical Certificate. In consultation with the ground 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, 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.
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.
International Success Support Scholarship
If you are an international student, you may be eligible for a £2,500 International Success Support Scholarship for this course, for September 2026 start only.
Course content
The programme will be taught at Kingston University and, in Year 2, you will be able to do your Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) Theory, which will be delivered in partnership with an EASA/CAA approved Training Organisation (ATO).
Year 1
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
Year 2
In Year 2, you will study the specialised topics required for commercial pilot training.
The course covers the Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) theory, following either the UK CAA or EASA syllabus.
You will follow a modular approach to ATPL theory. To enrol on the modular route, you must complete a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) in Year 1, as this is a regulatory prerequisite for admission to an ATPL theory course.
All flight-training and CAA examination costs are the responsibility of the student and are not included in the degree programme fee.
Core modules
Year 3
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
Aviation Operations BSc (Hons): an alternative route
Before starting Year 2 you will have the option to change course to Aviation Operations BSc (Hons).
Students on both routes follow the same foundational modules in Year 1 and re-join again in Year 3, developing strategic, operational, and research skills.
The pilot route diverges in Year 2, where students complete the training required for the UK CAA ATPL exams (all flight training is funded and arranged independently by the student). This integration allows pilot route students to gain both the academic and regulatory qualifications needed for a flying career, while also developing a wider understanding of airline and airport operations.
Aviation Operation BSc (Hon) students will continue to study at Kingston’s Roehampton Vale campus and not take part in the pilot training. Aviation Operations BSc (Hons) students may still pursue pilot training separately after graduation, having already developed a strong operational and academic grounding.
This course is designed for aspiring professionals eager to enter the diverse and rapidly evolving aviation industry.
Delivered in a dynamic, inclusive learning environment, it welcomes individuals from a wide range of academic backgrounds, interests, and experiences. The programme uniquely equips students with both the commercial insight and technical expertise needed to thrive in various roles across the aviation sector, preparing them to navigate and succeed in one of the world’s most complex and competitive industries.
What truly sets this course apart is its built-in flexibility, especially for those with ambitions to become commercial airline pilots.
Foundation Year in Engineering
Want to study on one of our engineering degrees, but don't meet our standard entry requirements?
Our Foundation Year in Engineering provides an alternative entry route.
International students: direct application
Are you an international student? Have you decided Kingston is the place for you? If so, you can apply for this course directly, rather than having to go through UCAS.
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.
What career opportunities does this course offer?
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. For example, easyJet, Loganair, Ryanair and more.
Future Skills
Our Future Skills programme is embedded within all our undergraduate courses and throughout the whole Kingston experience. These skills will help you to become a future-proof graduate by equipping 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. You’ll also understand how to demonstrate and articulate to employers how these future skills give you the edge.
Teaching and assessment
Scheduled learning and teaching on this course includes timetabled activities including lectures, seminars and small group tutorials. Most of the teaching will be classroom-based using traditional techniques.
It may also include placements, project work, workshops, workshops in computer labs, and laboratory workshops.
Inside the Department of Aerospace and Aircraft Engineering
Hear from our students and academics as they share their experiences and talk about the facilities and opportunities available throughout your studies.
Fees and funding
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying this course at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support.
International Success Support Scholarship
The International Success Support Scholarship provides £2,500 towards tuition fees if you are an international student starting in September 2026, on this course or selected others. Eligible undergraduate students can receive £2,500 per year for up to three years, helping to support their academic journey from day one.
You don’t need to apply separately. If you’re eligible, the scholarship will automatically be applied to your tuition fee invoice, empowering you to focus on achieving your goals at Kingston University.
For more details, please visit the International scholarships webpage.
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!
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. Find out more about course changes
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
What our students and graduates say
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.
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!
Kingston University is an incredible place to earn a degree while pursuing your Air Transportation Pilot Licence (ATPL). The journey may be challenging and uncomfortable at times, but it’s precisely these experiences that shape you into a remarkable pilot. I recently secured a job offer from the Civil Aviation Authority, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunities I’ve had here.
What are the facilities like?
When you join Kingston University, you will have access to a wide range of facilities and resources designed to support your studies. Use the virtual tour below to explore some of the facilities and learning environments that students within this subject area may experience during their studies.
Key information
The scrolling banner below displays some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).
