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LOCATION
Docklands Campus
Location Fees and Funding
Here's the fees and funding information for each year of this course
Overview
*This course is subject to validation
The BA (Hons) Airline and Airport Management is a dedicated qualification which will introduce you to various aspects of the exciting aviation, airline and airport industries. Designed with insight from a range of aviation and industry experts, this course highlights the changes and developments within the industry.
You will gain an understanding of the human factors in aviation, airline strategic management, and airport operational management as well as have the opportunity to undertake an internship module. This course will provide a route to improve skills and knowledge for a career in the associated industries. This will help you develop the knowledge and experiences to pursue a career in the operations, planning, security, marketing and management of airlines as well as airports, ground handlers and cargo operators.
What makes this course different
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
You'll learn about the dynamics and complexity of the airline and airport industries and their sub-sectors. This will include developing critical thinking skills that utilise knowledge of management principles and practices to airline and airport-based operations and facilities through transferable and sector-specific skills.
You'll also develop effective management strategies for airport and airline organisations and enterprises and apply financial planning and budgeting skills that will assist in the decision-making processes. This will prepare you for practical business-related studies such as business and marketing plans. Develop and apply various strategies for an airport operator. You'll develop the skills to propose airport operation and management strategies using computer simulation tools and ensure that safety is the overriding objective within the airport industry. You'll also learn how to critically appraise regulatory, economic, professional and political information from various sources throughout the airport industry.
DOWNLOAD COURSE SPECIFICATIONS
This course is subject to validation. You can still apply for this course while it is being approved.
MODULES
- Core Modules
Personal Skills for Hospitality, Events and Tourism (Mental Wealth) ClosePersonal Skills for Hospitality, Events and Tourism (Mental Wealth)
The aim of this module is to equip you with an understanding of the importance of continual self-evaluation, personal development and skills necessary to progress in your professional life to ensure a minimal gap in the academia and industry skills requirements. It sets the base for personal skills audit and SWOT analysis of skills essential for and transferable to the HET Industries thus increasing one’s future saleability through a strong skills base for the experience industry.
The Business Environment for Hospitality, Events and Tourism CloseThe Business Environment for Hospitality, Events and Tourism
The aim of this module is for you to investigate the business environment in which the events, hospitality and tourism industries operate in. It considers and evaluates appropriate elements of policy, law and practice within each of these service-based industries, including commercial, public and voluntary sectors. The module will detail how providers respond to and reconcile both commercial demand and social need in relation to market segments.
Concepts and Approaches: The Airline and Airport Industry CloseConcepts and Approaches: The Airline and Airport Industry
Introduction to People, Organisations and Management CloseIntroduction to People, Organisations and Management
The module introduces you to the variety of work organisations in the Hospitality, Tourism and Events environments, and the various forms they take as well as understand and explore different approaches to the management of people within organisations and the consequences for employers and employees. It will equip you with the necessary skills to understand the human resources process and requirements within the experience and visitor economy.
Service and Experience Marketing CloseService and Experience Marketing
In this module you will learn about a range of concepts, tools and techniques that will both broaden and deepen your understanding of service and experience related marketing principles – with an emphasis on the importance of authenticity and earning the trust of the customer. Key areas of study include the marketing mix for services, target markets and segmentation, marketing planning, branding and positioning, marketing communications (including digital), and experiential strategy.
Understanding Hospitality, Event and Tourism Experiences CloseUnderstanding Hospitality, Event and Tourism Experiences
This module allows you to build work-based skills in hospitality, event and/or tourism management that are underpinned with relevant theory. It opens with an introduction to key design and experience theories and concepts such as: the experience economy; service encounters; experience escapes; the tourist gaze; co-creation; and symbolic interactionism. You will examine key management functions and consider these in the context of specific hospitality, events or tourism, in an authentic experiential setting.
- Core Modules
Airline and Aviation Operations Management CloseAirline and Aviation Operations Management
Finance for Hospitality, Events and Tourism CloseFinance for Hospitality, Events and Tourism
This module is aimed at those of you who are not majoring in accounting or finance but who are studying accounts and finance as part of their programme and is particularly focused on the Experience Economy cluster – Hospitality, Events and Tourism industries. It aims to ensure you understand and are able to construct a set of financial statements, evaluate performance, and have an understanding of planning and control frameworks as well as develop your understanding of the concepts, principles and ethical considerations on which good financial decisions are based.
Leadership in Hospitality, Events and Tourism CloseLeadership in Hospitality, Events and Tourism
The aim of this module is for you to examine theories and practices related to effective leadership within Hospitality, Events and Tourism. You will cover a range of different leadership theories and their relevance to, and impacts upon, organisations and employees. The module is designed to further support your development as an effective manager through the critical analysis of current theories and practices associated with leadership in the challenging environments faced by the fast-changing make-up of hospitality, events and tourism organisations.
Professional Practice in Hospitality, Events and Tourism (Mental Wealth) CloseProfessional Practice in Hospitality, Events and Tourism (Mental Wealth)
The module builds on the mental wealth level 4 module and is designed to expand your awareness and development of transferable skills required for your future career in their respective experience industries. This includes producing CVs and covering letters, constructing a professional development plan and reflecting on current professional skills as well as identifying areas of development and creating a career development plan. The module introduces you to the importance of understanding careers in the HET industries and the link to your academic studies.
Airport Management CloseAirport Management
Aviation Law and Crisis Management CloseAviation Law and Crisis Management
Professional Development in Practice - Internship CloseProfessional Development in Practice - Internship
This module provides you with the opportunity to engage directly with industry through volunteering initiatives and short internships. It therefore offers you the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge developed through your first year of study as you strive to become professional, employable graduates.
Sustainable Tourism Planning and Destination Management CloseSustainable Tourism Planning and Destination Management
The aim of this module is to develop your ability to analyse, evaluate and critique different models of sustainable tourism planning and destination management in diverse tourism settings. It draws upon a comprehensive body of theory and empirical research relating to sustainable development, destination management and tourism planning to engage students with the full scope of policy debates, issues and challenges pertaining to the development and management of tourism in accordance with principles of sustainability, responsible management and corporate social-environmental responsibility. Through a combination of theoretical debate, practical workshops and field trips you will gain a critical insight into the complex inter-relationships between the strategic concerns of the global tourism industries, public authorities, tourism businesses and diverse destination stakeholders and be able to devise creative solutions for sustainable tourism aligned with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
- Optional Modules
Optional placement year CloseOptional placement year
This course offers the opportunity of a year-long placement between years two and three. If you choose to take this option, you’ll spend your third year on a placement with a relevant company or organisation, adding valuable practical experience to your growing academic knowledge.
There is also the option of a 12 month international internship (between L5 and L6) will be offered to students who are able to participate in working in China, Brazil, Thailand; US; Paris and Marseille.
The extra placement year means it will take four years to complete your studies, instead of three
- Core Modules
Airport Strategy Management CloseAirport Strategy Management
Research Project CloseResearch Project
The overall aim of this module is to ensure that you develop your critical thinking skills, methodological awareness and analytical ability through the process of proposing, planning, managing and completing a research project.
The project is an excellent opportunity for you to focus on an aspect of your chosen field that you are particularly interested in, and it is especially valuable if you wish to work in a specific sub-sector – and it also helps prepare you for postgraduate studies.
The project is individual and based on a research question chosen by you, focusing on an aspect relating to your respective degree programme within Hospitality, Events and/or Tourism. The research project tests your ability to work independently, and it should have a strategic element (for example solving a problem, critically investigating a management issue, or testing a specific theory), and it may be based on secondary and/or primary research.
The project may be undertaken as a traditional dissertation, or in the form of a consultancy project. The taught part of the module includes guidance on how to frame a research topic or consultancy project, developing a research question and objectives, completing a literature review and research design, and how to choose appropriate forms of analysis. During the research process, you will critically engage with literature on your chosen topic, formulate valid aims and objectives, evaluate methodological approaches, plan and execute appropriate data collection, select relevant modes of analysis and develop strong arguments that address the research question and objectives originally posed. Overall, the module aims to develop your independent research skills to allow you to be confident researchers – which is an invaluable asset, wherever your future career path will take you.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Experience Economy (Tourism, Hospitality & Events Industries) CloseEntrepreneurship and Innovation in the Experience Economy (Tourism, Hospitality & Events Industries)
The module will develop your understanding of the unique production - consumption characteristics in the experience economy and the implications for entrepreneurship and innovation. You will develop the knowledge, confidence and skills to conceive, develop and communicate a business proposal in the light of emerging market trends, technological change and new developments in the tourism, hospitality and events industries.
Exploring Professional Practice in Hospitality, Events and Tourism (Mental Wealth) CloseExploring Professional Practice in Hospitality, Events and Tourism (Mental Wealth)
This module aims to provide you with the necessary skills that bridge your academic gains into the workplace. This is completed through examination of and participating in various types of recruitment methods such as Assessment Centre; to assess and develop the soft skills that make them more marketable, ready and sustainable for the industrial revolution.
Sustainable Aviation CloseSustainable Aviation
Airline Revenue Management CloseAirline Revenue Management
HOW YOU'LL LEARN
We offer traditional on-campus face-to-face on campus teaching subject to your individual timetable (and health requirements). Students can interact and collaborate in person and online in any of these live-streamed sessions. Live-streamed sessions will also be recorded, so you can login when you want, playback and watch from the comfort of your home and whilst on the go. Lab, rehearsal and practical on campus sessions are scheduled in blocks with online options.
Benefit from industry engagement in every module, across all Hospitality, Events and Tourism courses. Including guest speakers, site visits, placement opportunities, competitions, field trips and debates.
We are investing in key areas beyond your studies including our career services, library and well-being, to be available both face-to-face on campus and online with many of these available 24/7. We have new, modern library facilities on both campuses offering inspirational environments for study and research. Libraries contain resources in print and digital formats, a range of study spaces and dedicated librarian who can assist with your learning. Students are supported with any academic or subject related queries by an Academic Advisor, module leaders, former and current UEL students.
Academic support
If you need a bit of extra help with certain skills such as academic writing, English, maths or statistics, our Academic Tutors offer workshops, drop-in sessions and one-to-one appointments to help our students achieve their potential.
You can receive advice and guidance on all aspects of the IT systems provided by the university from our IT Service Desks located on all three campuses.
Our Student Support hubs in Docklands and Stratford feature centralised helpdesks to cater for your every need. UEL provides also support and advice for disabled students and those with specific learning difficulties (SPDs).
Workload
Your overall workload consists of class and online tutor-led sessions, individual learning, practical activities. The size of classes can vary depending on the nature of the course, module and activity. This can range from large groups in a lecture theatre setting, to smaller groups taking part in seminars and collaborative work. You will receive your personalised timetable at the beginning of the academic year depending on your course.
HOW YOU'LL BE ASSESSED
- Year 1 – 100% coursework
- Year 2 – 95% coursework, 5% examination
- Year 3 – 80% coursework, 20% practical
Assessment tasks are mainly spread across the year to make the workload manageable. Assessment methods include group works, exams and individual work including essays, presentations, case studies, professional development and practical activities depending on the nature of the course. All grades count towards your module mark. More details will be included in the student handbook and module guides.
Feedback is provided within 15 working days in line with UEL's assessment and feedback policy.
CAMPUS and FACILITIES

Docklands Campus, Docklands Campus, London, E16 2RD
WHO TEACHES THIS COURSE
The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.
Related Courses
YOUR FUTURE CAREER
Ordinarily, UK airlines contribute over £11bn to the economy and support around 200,000 jobs. By focussing on the management of the airport, airline and ancillary businesses you will gain a broad understanding of this exciting industry and establish you to be well equipped for a career in aviation management.
There are employment opportunities such as expert operatives, supervisors, junior managers, creative 'intrapreneurs' and Start-Up Business Entrepreneurs (niche services) have been identified across the airline and airport sectors.
UEL is connected to a number of trade and professional associations whose membership comprises employers and operatives from across the Hospitality sector. These include: