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Aviation

Aviation

The aviation industry has bounced back with passenger air travel demand returning to pre-pandemic levels, alongside an increasing need for cargo and freight transportation to support global supply chains. Our aviation programmes provide the knowledge and skills that graduates need to thrive in this exciting and dynamic sector.

Buckinghamshire New University was the first higher education provider to introduce airline and airport management and pilot degrees in the UK. Our extensive experience in teaching aviation students means we have developed close relationships with a variety of businesses and bodies in the industry; this helps to ensure that students leave with the most up-to-date skills and inside knowledge, primed to enter employment.

Explore our Aviation courses

small airplane parked on a runway
Undergraduate courses
Group of people at airport security
Postgraduate courses
aviation student sat in a plane operating controls
Pilot Training

As one of the few universities that allows you to gain a university degree as well as a PPL or Frozen ATPL/ATPL (H), our Aviation Management with Pilot Training courses can help you achieve your dream of becoming a commercial, private or helicopter pilot.

This unique balance of practical and theoretical skills is highly sought-after by global aviation industry employers. With over 20 years’ experience, we have a strong track-record of helping students become confident pilots, with many of our alumni now flying for some of the best airlines across the world.

two suitcases in an airport with plane in the background
Aviation Management

We offer a range of courses that look into the background operations, logistics, security and management of the aviation industry that keep everything moving along.

Career opportunities after completing any of these courses are vast. As well as equipping you with the knowledge to work with an airline or airport, you could also pursue a career in any of the following fields (to name just a few): ground handlers, cargo operators, aviation technology companies, consulting firms and government bodies.

Aviation man stood with plane in background
wing of 7 airplanes lined up on a runway behind each other

Studying with us means you will learn with highly dedicated specialists, who have worked extensively in the fields they are teaching about, and have active national and international research profiles. In addition, guest speakers often deliver sessions for students within the University to enrich their learning. In the past, we have welcomed prestigious speakers from the likes of TUI and British Airways.

We encourage students to take part in our aviation mentoring programme, where we match them to lecturers, alumni and other industry professionals in their field of interest (from flight training to air traffic control). Students benefit from this one-on-one mentoring to help them build up their CV, knowledge and life skills alongside their degree course.

Students are also supported with state-of-the-art facilities on campus. Those doing pilot training have exclusive access to our FNPT II Flight Simulator allowing them to gain vital experience, without leaving the ground.

For all aviation students, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level, we have additional specialised simulation facilities allowing them to experience real-life airport scenarios, as well as developing their abilities in airfield planning and operations, and crisis and emergency management.

On top of services that BNU provides, we are also members of or partner with a range of external organisations to bolster your industry knowledge:

  • We have access to the Cirium (FlightGlobal) software package which can greatly assist you in your learning and the completion of several assignments.
  • We are classed as an Educational Establishment with Airports Council International Europe through our membership, giving you free access to the latest aviation news and developments.
  • We’re part of the London Heathrow Skills Partnership – this means that what you study is influenced by the UK’s largest airport and you’ll be one of the first to hear about opportunities. It also helps us to give you an up-to-date picture of what is going on in the industry throughout your studies.
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Combined with location, reputation, student offering and the ‘big family feel’: BNU was my first choice. BNU Aviation has a 20-year track record of producing well qualified industry professionals, who are working and flying for the best airlines, globally.
Darren Palmer Airbus A350 Senior First Officer for Cathay Pacific Airways
A head shot of Darren Palmer, smiling at the camera in front of an airplane wing
Two students standing next to each other talking

Undergraduate Open Days

Twilight light Gateway building and concourse

Postgraduate Open Days

aerial view of a woman sat at a table making notes next to her laptop

Undergraduate Application Guide

Hear from our academics and students

A podcast cover with the writing 'Let's talk BNU' with the BNU logo above it.

Podcast: All things Pilot training

We sat down with Jacob, a final year BSc (Hons) Air Transport with Commercial Pilot Training student to find out more about his journey over the past 3 years and what the future holds for him.

Fareeha Ahmed

Why combine flight training with a degree

Hear from Fareeha, a BNU alumni on why she chose to do pilot training whilst completing her degree at BNU.

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Being a member of the Aviation Society

Find out about the type of activities and experiences our very active (and free to join) Aviation Society gets up to.