Aviation Operations with Commercial Pilot Training BSc (Hons)

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 one of our partner flight schools, which are approved Air Training Organizations (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 in Year 2 ranges from £84,000 to £94,250 in addition to University fees.

Apply for this course

Attendance	UCAS code	Year of entry
3 years full time	H464	2023
4 years full time including sandwich year	H465	2023

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 approximately £79,500. This is not covered by Student Finance and 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.

Location

Roehampton Vale and Penrhyn Road campus

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Reasons to choose Kingston University

Integrated into this course is a 15-month training course leading to a Frozen Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL).
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.

What you will study

As part of the course, you will embark on a 15-month integrated flight training course leading to a frozen Air Transport Pilots' Licence (ATPL).

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

Introduction to Engineering Design and Manufacture

30 credits

The principal aim of this module is to provide students with a flavour of what is involved in engineering design and to develop the good academic and professional practice needed to succeed during the course and attain professional status.

The module introduces the key aspects involved in:

planning a project from start to finish,
design processes incorporating a sustainability agenda,
building an awareness of the interactions across various disciplines,
regulatory frameworks and Health and Safety procedures.

The module develops good academic and professional practice by developing skills in self-reflection and recording professional development. The basic principles of measurement and manufacturing processes in a workshop and testing environment are also addressed in the module.

Engineering Mechanics, Structures & Materials

30 credits

The module introduces you to the fundamentals of structural analysis (statics and dynamics) and the mechanical behaviour of a broad range of engineering materials. The mechanics part provides an understanding of the behaviour of particles and rigid bodies whilst stationary and in motion. Bodies such as trusses in equilibrium are studied and the external and internal parameters such as force, moment, stress, strain, etc. are defined and calculated. The analysis of structural components will be developed with theoretical and numerical skills that are necessary in the design of real world structures. This section also introduces the dynamics of particles and rigid bodies with their engineering applications. Material test methods will be used to determine the deformations and failures of the various engineering materials. A selection of materials for engineering applications, such as metals, ceramics, polymers and composites, will be studied including their carbon footprint and their impact on the environment. The module is primarily delivered through lectures supported by tutorial sessions and laboratories.

Engineering Mathematics and Computing Applications

30 credits

The aim of this module is to provide a thorough background in engineering mathematics and equip you with the mathematical skills essential for solving engineering problems. The module also introduces the use of computing methods in engineering. The mathematics part comprises algebra, functions, logarithms, trigonometry, calculus, differential equations and vectors. The computing part covers the use of software for problem solving, visualisation and data representation. The emphasis is on using mathematical and computational tools to solve engineering problems.

Fluid Mechanics and Engineering Science

30 credits

This module introduces you to the fundamentals of fluid mechanics and engineering science. Taught to mechanical, aerospace and civil engineering students, it will use this broad audience to enhance a collaborative learning environment. The fluid mechanics 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. The engineering science section will consider subject areas relevant to each discipline. For mechanical and aerospace engineering students it will introduce thermodynamics and electrical engineering and for civil engineering students it will consider soil mechanics. The thermodynamics topic covers the key concepts of system, work, heat and the main thermodynamics laws with special reference to their engineering applications. The electrical engineering section covers the basic concepts and electrical quantities such as charge, current, resistance, voltage, power and energy before looking at fundamental electrical components and how they can be incorporated into both AC and DC circuits. The soil mechanics topic will introduce the fundamental properties of soils and their essential aspects.

In Year 2 you are taught the specialised topics required for pilot training. The content is aligned with the 13 theoretical knowledge subjects required to achieve a CAA ATPL(A) licence. You are encouraged to keep a reflective written log of your training. Please be aware that the cost of the second year is approximately £79,500 in addition to university fees.

Core modules

Professional Development for Commercial Airline Pilots

30 credits

This module is designed to support you in identifying the range of skills you have acquired over the course of your integrated pilot licence training and the first two years of your degree. The module is designed to prepare you for Level 6 study. In particular, it develops your ability to reflect on your learning, your critical thinking and communication skills. It is delivered primarily through on-line individual tutor support.

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 BCFT 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 Civil Aviation Authority. The assessment is conducted by BCFT and replicates the format and structure of the Theoretical Knowledge assessment of the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

Instrumentation, Law and Operational Procedures

30 credits

This module is designed to cover the syllabus required to pass the CAA flight training theoretical topics covering Aircraft General Knowledge-Instrumentation, Mass and Balance, Radio Navigation, 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 BCFT 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

Aerospace Technology

30 credits

This module is designed for students from a range of aerospace related programmes. It provides an understanding of how the principles of aerodynamics, propulsion, structures and materials science all determine the configuration and performance of fixed and rotary wing aircraft.

Individual Project - Aviation Studies

30 credits

The overarching aim of this individual project module is to provide you with the opportunity to impress. Working on a topic of your own choosing, with minimal guidance from your supervisor, you should apply approximately 300 hours of individual effort 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, though other topics may be permitted with the agreement of the module leader.

By completing a capstone project of this nature, you are able to demonstrate that you can draw together the information from all the other teaching and learning on the course and, through innovation and analysis, demonstrate that you truly are independent learners.

Air Transport Economics

30 credits

Throughout the course of your studies, you will have so far 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.

In addition to looking in detail at the overall profit and loss equation:

Traffic x Yield - Output x Cost = Profit or Loss

The module also compares the operation of the air transport market with that in other sectors and, in more general terms, looks at what makes the industry tick. The standard method of recording and reporting financial performance is also considered.

On successful completion of this module, you will not only understand how your future role will contribute to your employer's success but, should you decide to move away from the air transport sector, you will have a firm grounding in the general economic principles by which all industries operate.

Airline Operations and Scheduling

30 credits

It is only when an aircraft is flying en route carrying passengers or cargo that it will be earning money for its operator. Ideally, that aircraft should spend as much time as possible in the air carrying a full load of passengers, all of whom have paid the highest possible fare. In this module, you will examine all the factors that go together in the creation of an airline operational schedule. You will explore how the route is selected and the appropriate fares determined. You will examine all the requirements for getting that aircraft airborne from aircrew, operations and maintenance perspectives. You will also look at what happens when it all goes wrong (through eg. inclement weather) and how the airline can recover from such disruption in the shortest possible time.

In order to make the teaching in this module as relevant as possible, the majority of the formal lectures will be delivered by a team of external lecturers, all of whom are active consultants working in industry.

All of the assessment will be derived from a group exercise in which you will have to derive a realistic schedule for yourselves; this will, however, contain some individual elements. As you are unlikely, hitherto, to have received any formal group working or project management training, this will be provided as part of the module.

Please note

Optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.

Entry requirements

Typical offer 2023

96–120 UCAS points from three A-levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications

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

Guided independent study (self-managed time)

When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for final assignments. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.

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 who will show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at Kingston University.

Your workload

Type of learning and teaching

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 1

Scheduled learning and teaching: 382 hours
Guided independent study (self-managed time): 818 hours

Year 2

Scheduled learning and teaching: 766 hours
Guided independent study (self-managed time): 434 hours

Year 3

Scheduled learning and teaching: 267 hours
Guided independent study (self-managed time): 933 hours

How you will be assessed

Type of assessment

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 1

Coursework: 50%
Practical: 5%
Exams: 45%

Year 2

Practical: 18%
Exams: 82%

Year 3

Coursework: 48%
Practical: 10%
Exams: 42%

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.

Dr Johannes Boroh

Mr Phil Hudson

Dr Andy Curley

Dr Sing Lo

Course fees and funding

2023/24 fees for this course

The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK) or 'Islands' student. In 2022/23 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 is approximately £79,500 (subject to any increases imposed by Bournemouth Commercial Flight Training (BCFT))
International	Year 1 (2023/24): £15,800 Year 2 (2024/25): £16,200 Year 3 (2025/26): £16,600 Plus the additional cost in the second year, which involves the integrated ATPL training and is approximately £79,500 (subject to any increases imposed by Bournemouth Commercial Flight Training (BCFT)).

Fee category

Amount

Home (UK students)

£9,250* plus the additional cost in the second year, which involves the integrated ATPL training and is approximately £79,500 (subject to any increases imposed by Bournemouth Commercial Flight Training (BCFT))

International

Year 1 (2023/24): £15,800
Year 2 (2024/25): £16,200
Year 3 (2025/26): £16,600

Plus the additional cost in the second year, which involves the integrated ATPL training and is approximately £79,500 (subject to any increases imposed by Bournemouth Commercial Flight Training (BCFT)).

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.

2022/23 fees for this course

The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK) or 'Islands' student. In 2022/23 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 is approximately £79,500 (subject to any increases imposed by Bournemouth Commercial Flight Training (BCFT))
International	Year 1 (2022/23): £15,400 Year 2 (2023/24): £15,800 Year 3 (2024/25): £16,200 Plus the additional cost in the second year, which involves the integrated ATPL training and is approximately £79,500 (subject to any increases imposed by Bournemouth Commercial Flight Training (BCFT)).

Fee category

Amount

Home (UK students)

International

Year 1 (2022/23): £15,400
Year 2 (2023/24): £15,800
Year 3 (2024/25): £16,200

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 for 2021/22 academic year. This decision only applies to new EU students starting in 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 residences. Free WiFi is available on each of the campuses. 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)

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;
a Learjet 25, providing a real-world environment for gaining practical engineering skills;
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.

Take a look inside our engineering labs at Roehampton Vale campus

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 First Officer with airlines such as easyJet, Ryanair, Flybe, 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

Changes from 1 August 2022

Up until 31 July 2022, this course was taught in the Faculty of Science Engineering and Computing. For students enrolling from September 2022, the course will be delivered by the Faculty of Engineering, Computing, and the Environment. There will be no impact on the teaching or the award of the degree.

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.