Course summary
With over 20 years of experience, we specialise in preparing you for a dynamic career in aviation. In just three years, you will earn a full honours degree while completing your flight training and the ground exams required for your ‘frozen’ Air Transport Pilot Licence – Helicopters (ATPL(H)). Led by seasoned lecturers who were former airline pilots with major airlines, you will benefit from real-world insights and professional connections. You’ll work with our UK-leading partner Heli Air towards your ATPL, and together, we’ll help prepare you for a career in the exciting world of rotary wing aviation. Why study Aviation Management and Commercial Pilot Training at BNU? Integrated Pilot Training and Degree This programme offers a combination of academic study and professional pilot training. Unlike traditional aviation courses, you will graduate with both a BSc and a ‘frozen’ Airline Transport Pilot Licence – Helicopters (ATPL(H)). This dual qualification not only enhances your employability but also gives you the flexibility to switch between or combine roles in piloting and management within the aviation industry. Industry Partnerships BNU has relationships with leading flight training organisations and major aviation companies throughout the country. These connections can help provide you with networking opportunities, which could lead to internships, and placements, increasing your exposure to the industry before you even graduate. We work closely with our industry connections to make sure that the course content is regularly updated to reflect real-world practices and standards, so you can be confident that you're learning what employers are looking for. Aviation Management Skills Studying topics such as airline operations, airport management, aviation law, and safety regulations will help you master Aviation Management. Our broad curriculum prepares you not only to fly planes but also to take on leadership and strategic roles in areas like airline management, logistics, operations, and air traffic control. State-of-the-Art Facilities BNU has modern, industry-standard facilities including the use of immersive technology and virtual reality teaching, which can offer hands-on experience, allowing you to practice flying techniques, emergency procedures, and other critical aspects of pilot training in a controlled environment. Your practical training is complemented by classroom instruction, helping you develop both the technical skills and theoretical understanding necessary to excel as a pilot and aviation professional. Global Career Opportunities The combination of a recognised UK degree and an Airline Transport Pilot Licence - Helicopters (ATPL(H)) opens doors to careers not only in the UK but globally. The aviation industry is offers a truly international career, and your qualifications will be valued in numerous countries, giving you the flexibility to work with airlines, airports, or aviation management companies all around the world. What will I study? On the management side of this degree, you’ll learn how airlines and airports operate, covering topics like airline operations, airport management, aviation safety, and security. You’ll also study aviation law and regulations, along with the economics of the industry, gaining insight into the financial and legal challenges faced by airlines. For the pilot training, with our external training partner HeliAir you'll work towards an ATPL(H). This involves learning flight theory—covering aerodynamics, navigation, and flight planning—alongside hands-on flight training with approved providers. You’ll also practice using advanced flight simulators to handle complex procedures and emergencies. Additional studies include meteorology and aircraft systems, helping you understand how weather affects flights and how aircraft components function.
Modules
Year one Core Modules Aviation Operations Academic and Professional Skills Fundamentals of Management PPL Theory PPL Flying Helicopters Year two Core Modules Research Methods and Academic Skills ATPL Theory 1 (Helicopter) – Instrumentation and General Navigation ATPL Theory 2 – Meteorology, Human Performance and Limitations and Mass and Balance ATPL Theory 3 – Radio Navigation, Air Law and Communications ATPL Theory 4 (Helicopter) – Aircraft General Knowledge and Flight Planning and Flight Monitoring ATPL Theory 5 (Helicopter) – Operational Procedures, Principles of Flight and Performance Year three Core Modules Sustainability and Ethics in Aviation Extended Independent Work Operational Management in the Aviation Industry The Aviation Business Optional Modules Airline Assessment Preparation Course OR Aviation Strategy and Financial Performance OR Digital Technology and Innovation in Aviation OR Network Planning
Assessment method
How will I be taught and assessed? During your time at BNU you'll be taught through a mix of lectures, seminars, and simulation sessions. Classroom-based learning will cover key aviation management topics, with lectures and seminars providing the theoretical foundation for your studies. These sessions will be interactive, often incorporating case studies, group discussions, and presentations to help you engage with real-world aviation issues. For your pilot training, you'll work closely with HeliAir, where you'll receive practical, hands-on flight experience. This includes flight training leading to Private Pilot Licence for Helicopters (PPLH), ground school theory portion of ATPL(H), advanced flight training for your Commercial Pilot Licence for Helicopters (CPLH), Instrument Rating (IR), Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT), Airline Pilot Standards Multi-Crew Cooperation (APS MCC). The university will coordinate the academic side of your studies, including PPL(H) ground school theory, while your flight school delivers the practical pilot training component. For theoretical modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of written assignments, exams, presentations, and case studies. These assessments will test your understanding of aviation management concepts, industry regulations, and your ability to apply what you've learned to practical scenarios. For your pilot training, assessments will be in accordance with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations, with 9 ground school exams for PPL(H), and 13 ground school exams for ATPL(H) theory, and practical flying tests for your flight training. For more information, please visit: https://www.bucks.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/bsc-hons-aviation-management-commercial-pilot-training-helicopters
How to apply
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- N850
- Institution code:
- B94
- Campus name:
- High Wycombe Campus
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
Visit bnu.ac.uk/international to find out more about applying to BNU as an international student!
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 104 - 128 points
A level - BCC - ABB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMM - DDM
GCSE/National 4/National 5
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
https://bucks.ac.uk/applying-to-bucks/general-entry-requirements
English language requirements
Test | Grade | Additional details |
---|---|---|
IELTS (Academic) | 6 | We require an IELTS score of 6.0 (with no element lower that 5.5) or a recognised equivalent. |
If English is not your first language or if you have studied in a non-majority English-speaking country, then you will typically be required to demonstrate your English language ability (speaking, listening, reading & writing) by way of a test such as IELTS.
BNU English Language Requirements
Student Outcomes
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
England | £9535 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £9535 | Year 1 |
Republic of Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
EU | £15150 | Year 1 |
International | £15150 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Sponsorship information
There are several ways you can fund your studies, including sponsorship and student loans. You may be able to use ELCAS credits for some of our courses. We also have scholarships and bursaries to help support our students.
Provider information
Buckinghamshire New University
Queen Alexandra Road
High Wycombe
HP11 2JZ