Course Overview
If you want to qualify as a commercial pilot, this dynamic course covers the many areas of air transport management and prepares you for a successful career as a commercial pilot. It is one of only a few UK universities to have an FNPT II Flight Simulator, which you will use during the final year of your studies, helping you to prepare for the final phase of your flight training.
Unique to the UK Higher Education sector, Bucks New University’s programme will allow you to obtain a university degree and a frozen ATPL in just three years of full-time study - at a lower cost than doing them separately.
We are looking for applicants who can demonstrate an enthusiasm for flying and a strong interest in the aviation industry.
If you are successfully admitted on to this course you will be expected to find the additional fees for training to complete your Frozen ATPL with one of our accredited pilot training providers. This can cost up to £80,000 spread over the three years of this Degree.
The additional training costs of the programme are not covered by your loan from Student Finance England. For a breakdown of these costs please contact advice@bucks.ac.uK
What will this course cover?
Throughout this programme you’ll study key modules in air law, meteorology and instruments alongside broader subjects such as global aviation and airport operations. You’ll take basic theoretical pilot training, while a range of practical and advanced theoretical training modules will be available through our approved provider.
As well as commercial pilot training, this course is structured to equip you with a range of skills for progression into airline management roles. You’ll examine strategic and sustainability management, as well as the structure and development of the industry.
By the time you finish this course you’ll have demonstrated self-reliance and adaptability as well as qualities in leadership and communication. You’ll become a professional, well-trained pilot, ready to tackle the challenges that face the profession today.
More placements, more choices
Bucks is a Placement Plus university. So, whatever degree you do, you can be sure there’ll be plenty of industry-relevant opportunities on offer, to help you get into your chosen field.
We’ll also prepare you for work beforehand, with special Skills for Work training, further boosting your CV, and building skills employers will value. In recognition of the value we place on these skills we have incorporated this experience into your study time.
Placements Plus is all about helping you get some valuable experience under your belt while you’re a student. To increase your choices later, and help you get the graduate-level job you want.
Course Details
UCAS CODE: N8H4
Unique to the UK Higher Education sector, completing this Bucks New University programme will allow you to obtain a recognised UK Honours degree and a frozen Air Transport Pilot Licence in just three years of full-time study - at a lower cost than doing them separately. This is the highest commercial pilot category there is. Once you have met the required number of professional experiences, the frozen prefix will be dropped.
You’ll benefit from the experience of our specialist staff and balance academic study with professional qualifications. You’ll become a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society and obtain your Commercial Pilot’s Licence with Instrumental Rating and ultimately your Multi-Crew Co-operation Certificate, known as Frozen ATPL.
People 1st Gold Award In Aviation
We were the only Higher Education institution to have been awarded the People 1st Gold accreditation for our aviation degrees (2015 - 2017). Being so close to Heathrow, the course attracts a variety of guest lecturers. Our links with the airport also provide great opportunity for seasonal employment and work placements.
Course flexibility
If you are unable to complete any of the commercial pilot training modules, you’ll have the opportunity to transfer onto either the Air Transport with Private Pilot Training or Airline and Airport Management degrees.
What are the course entry requirements?
For this course, you'll need at least two A-levels and a GCSE Maths and English at grade C/4. Our offers usually require a minimum of 96 UCAS points.
Some knowledge of science subjects would be an advantage. Mature students with non-standard qualifications will be considered on an individual basis.
All applicants must demonstrate an enthusiasm for flying, a willingness to learn to fly and a commitment to a career in the airline and airport industry.
All students will require at a minimum a Class II Medical in order to undertake their PPL solo, those students wishing to undertake Commercial training will need to gain a Class I Medical prior to enrolling with their selected ATO. Further information on the requirements of Class I and II Medicals, including approved AME's, can be found on the CAA website.
Every application is considered on an individual basis.
For further details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.
Course Modules
Module Map
This module map provides a list of the modules that make up your course.
Each module is worth a specified number of credits (typically either 15 or 30 credits for undergraduate courses). Compulsory (or ‘core’) modules cover key subject knowledge, while ‘option’ modules enable you to develop your own interests. For a full-time course you must take modules worth a total of 120 credits at each level of the course. The number of option modules you can take depends on the number of compulsory modules at each level. You can find more information about how your course is structured via the Academic Advice pages.
Our teaching is informed by research and employer requirements, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the subject area. In addition, where we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an option module, this may not be offered. If an option module does not run, we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
The modules available on this course are as follows:
Year 1 Modules
- Developments of the Air Transport Sector
- Air Transport - Security and Safety
- Airline Management
- Airport Operations
- Management, Leadership and Change
- Private Pilot Licence (PPL) Practical Training
- Private Pilot Licence (PPL) Theory
- Structure of the Air Transport Industry
- Airline Crisis and Continuity Management
Year 2 Modules
- Air Law
- Aircraft General Knowledge
- Aircraft Performance and Planning
- Communications
- General Navigation
- Human Performance and Limitations
- Instruments
- Meteorology
- Operational Procedures
- Principles of Flight: Aeroplanes
- Radio Navigation
Year 3 Modules
- Aviation Finance and Economics
- Aviation in the Global Context
- Business and Enterprise (optional)
- Human Factors as a Fundamental Concept in Aviation Safety (optional)
- Research Project (optional)
- Strategic Management
- Sustainability Management
Fees
How much does it cost
Full Time Home and EU 2019/20: £9,250 per year
Full Time International 2019/20: £11,000 per year
Most courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees.
You could benefit from financial support through a bursary or scholarship during your time as a student. For more details visit our financial support, bursaries and scholarships section.
Questions about fees?
Contact our Enquiries Team:
0330 123 2023
advice@bucks.ac.uk
How do I apply?
For application details please visit bucks.ac.uk/applynow
Teaching team
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Dr. Hayley Stainton
Senior Lecturer
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Cass Davenport
Senior Lecturer
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Dr. David Warnock-Smith
Associate Head of School
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Sam Guest
Senior Lecturer
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Mr Peter Duquemin
Senior Lecturer
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Mr Dauda Hamzat
Lecturer
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Student Testimonials
Our students are our best ambassadors and their voices here will provide you with a clear sense of their Bucks experience.
Edgar Woodhead
I am finding the course very rewarding and informative. It will give me a greater understanding of the aviation industry, which will give me an advantage in securing a position as a commercial pilot. In a constantly changing industry awareness of the industry is key and the course gives us that knowledge.
The highlights so far have, of course, been flying, and I also pay tribute to the Aviation Society, which has enabled me to attend many industry-related events and build my connections with professionals.
Tai Tanweer
The transferrable skills learnt in my degree have helped me enormously in my career.
The degree is well structured. Generally when a person reads or hears Air Transport with Commercial Pilot Training on the degree the focus is put on Commercial Pilot. However, the course integrates with other programmes such as Airline and Airport Management, which is crucial for flight crew.
For example, fuel consumption is studied from a technical perspective for pilot but attending the Airline and Airport Management lectures also provides a different perspective into airline operating costs and how the airlines actually buy/hedge fuel.
I also made a lot of friends who I still visit and who work for major airlines and airports globally.
