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Aviation Management with Commercial Pilot Training in Helicopters at Buckinghamshire New University - UCAS

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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

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

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

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6We 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

https://www.bnu.ac.uk/study/general-entry-requirements


Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
81%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
89%
Go onto work and study

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

In addition to the tuition fees, there are additional costs to consider for this programme. We have provided approximate costs to give you some guidance on this, but recommend you check with your chosen flight school for the most up-to-date information on pricing and other related matters. The Private Pilot Licence is taken in the first year of the degree, in addition to other academic modules. The PPL Theory element of the training is taken as an academic module, and is included within the degree fees, but the flying element plus equipment, CAA fees, etc. are extra. We recommend to budget for a total cost of around £15,000-£17,000 additional fees in Year 1 for this. The fee will vary depending on school chosen, and you will see cheaper prices advertised, but this is a realistic figure, and includes things like: Medical extra hours (few students complete in 45 hours) landing fees headset books equipment flight test aircraft hire CAA flight test RT ground exam fees. Please check with your chosen flight school for the most up-to-date information on pricing and other related matters. To complete the Fixed Wing Commercial Licence with Instrument Rating, if that is the aim, will cost in the region of £50,000 or more. You can speak to various flying schools in the UK directly to get the most up-to-date costings. **International Students** As an International student you take the Air Transport with Commercial Pilot degree in a slightly different order — in effect Year 1 is the same, but Years 2 and 3 are swapped. To complete the Commercial Licence with Instrument Rating, if that is the aim, will cost in the region of £50,000 or more. This can often be completed at the same school as your ATPL Theory, but it is not a requirement for the degree, so you are free to choose (subject to visa requirements). For more information, please visit www.BNU.ac.uk

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.

Aviation Management with Commercial Pilot Training in Helicopters at Buckinghamshire New University - UCAS