Emirates MBA in Aviation Management

[airbusbatics]

Has anyone out there been through the MBA in Aviation Management by the Emirates Aviation College?

How would you rate it?

Any comments would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Airbusbatics

[cf680c2b]

If you want an MBA in aviation try Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Arguably the best aviation MBA in the world.

good luck!

[McGreaser]

This MBA is very good as well.........though maybe not an Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University MBA. (What being the difference ? Unless it automatically guarantees you a job. ) And logistically and financially makes more sense because you can attend the classes in Dubai and it's right next to Irish Village for the tea break:}:}

IMHO.........very worth doing if you want to beef up your cv for future endevours:ok:

[Fart Master]

Everybody I know who is doing the course says it's a box ticking exercise. They are more interested in getting your money out of your paypacket than anything else

[behramjee]

There is also Cranfield Univ in London (near Luton Airport) which offers a Masters of Science degree in Air Transportation which is one third of the cost of Embry Riddle.

Cranfield's program is also 1 year only and valued by many airlines worldwide who recruit their graduates. The current GF CEO and ex RJ CEO Mr Majali is a Cranfield Univ graduate.

Cranfield's degree will cost you approx US$ 45,000 all inclusive which includes tuition fees + housing on campus + meal plan + insurance + text books.

program overview: MSc Air Transport Management (http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/soe/postgraduatestudy/airtransport/index.jsp)

course content: MSc Air Transport Management (http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/soe/postgraduatestudy/airtransport/page8362.jsp)

entry requirements and fees: MSc Air Transport Management (http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/soe/postgraduatestudy/airtransport/page8363.jsp)

applications homepage for 2011 entry: Cranfield University - Courses that can be applied for online (http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/prospectuslinks/course.jsp?course=Air%20Transport%20Management)

[Fart Master]

Or try City University London for their MSc Air Transport Management Masters degree

[TheyCallMeTrinity]

What's the difference between an MBA from Emirates and Embry-Riddle? Is that a serious question?! HA!
Here's the short answer:

Embry-Riddle grads have gone on to become Astronauts and aviation leaders of industry.

Emirates MBA grads have gone on to be 50,000DHS poorer.

For those of you still considering the EK MBA program I am personally offering the Trinity University Phd for only 45,000DHS. No previous education experience required. Your cash guarantees your immediate placement.

[hugel]

City University London for their MSc Air Transport Management Masters degreeThis is a good course and they run some modules in the Middle East.

The students seemed to be experienced people from the aviation industry and not recent graduates.

It is very flexible course and there is a good choice of elective modules and usually more than one instance of one module per year to make your scheduling easier.

The student breakdown is aircrew/managers/technical/infrastructure/ regulatory and finance people.

As an aerospace person I found the networking very valuable.

hugel

[MrMachfivepointfive]

Did that programme a couple of years back. Best decision of my life. Lecturers are top notch aviation professionals (e.g. CEO Air Asia) and the administration by Roger Wootton is just great. Highly highly HIGHLY recommended. 5.5

[WELCO]

I've got no idea about Emirates Aviation College. However, doing a M.Sc. degree is far better than MBA these days. That's in terms of knowledge level that you come out with doing M.Sc studies. It's generally more technical and profound and hence might look more attractive in the CV from the employers' point of view. I hope that can help somehow.


Good luck.

[behramjee]

I got admission into Cranfield's MSc Air Transportation Management program for Fall 2011. Only 35 students worldwide get accepted into this course :ok:

Didnt know about City University London, shall look into it.

FYI, during my phone interview with Cranfield, the person who interviewed me worked for Boeing as an widebodied aircraft salesman for 18 years and said that Dr Majali (ex RJ and now current GF CEO) is also a Cranfield graduate from the same MSc program:D

[bala_murali]

Hi there All.:):):)I have got an offer letter from Buckinghamshire New University for Msc in air transport management for this January batch . Would like your feedback regarding the course and the college. I have finished my bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering and have worked in dell computers for 2 years. I am very passionate about joining the aviation industry and according to me from analyzing the current situation this seems to be the best entry ticket into the industry.:ok::ok: Would like to know from your experience whether is this course designed for a person with no aviation experience. Basically want to know the difficulty level of this course. Thanks a million for your time .Its much appreciated. :ok::ok::ok:

[Flyer Flier]

Hi Bala,
Having sent the same question above to me through a private message, I think it's better if I reply on this thread, in case anyone else wants the benefit of my 2 rupees worth of experience.
And probably the best advice that I can give you after over 30 years in aviation, is don't listen too much to others' advice !
Getting on in the aviation business is a bit like getting on in the car sales business, you will be hearing about people doing really well, shooting straight up to the top or crashing out big time. It's very hit and miss and there doesn't seem much logic to succeeding.
What you need to do is take a very close hard look at yourself and honestly appraise your own strengths and weaknesses. Resist the urge to be a dreamer and work out a plan that suits your personality, intellect and funding. It's no good thinking of being an AME if you don't have a good mechanical aptitude and likewise you'll not make it as a successful manager unless you have a strength of character to suit.
Luckily aviation has a very wide of set of professions within it, so try and match the best one to your own abilities. At least that way, you stand a chance, because by the time you have added the downside of needing plenty of luck and plenty of contacts, you have to be at the top of your game to get that job you're after.
Sorry if that doesn't answer your question about the MSc in Aviation Management directly, but it's far more pertinent about you knowing the answer yourself. It's many years since I did my MSc at Cranfield and we graduated into a time just after the first Gulf War when aviation was at a dreadful low and there were no jobs anywhere. All of us got by somehow and most have done well, but none of it was due to the MSc and that was probably the biggest lesson of all.
Best of luck with your future, it's a great industry to work in! Sort of :ouch:
Regards
FF
P.S. I wouldn't worry too much about not having any aviation experience, it's more about learning a methodology of doing your individual research on what they teach you.
P.P.S. Having read all the above, don't forget not to listen to advice! Best tip of all !

[hugel]

Another endorsement for London City University's MSc Air Transport Management. If that is not quite your thang they also run MSc Air Safety Management and MSc Aircraft Maintenance Management. From what I recall about 50% students were pilots, the rest were engineers, managers etc. I don't recall meeting any students with no real-world experience.

They also run some of the modules in the Middle East, Dubai, Bahrain for those based out there.

hugel

[bala_murali]

Hi there Flyer

I went and spoke to some of the aviation professional at my local airport ( chennai ,India ) . the awareness regarding these avition master's program was not much . i was thinking of doing a flight dispather course to enter flight operations as a dispatcher. The overall cost for this is much cheaper and the duration of this course is just 6 weeks:rolleyes::rolleyes: . I dont know that a good thing or a bad things :confused::confused::confused:.(FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certification School-Site Map (http://www.sheffield.com/coursedispatch200.html).............
Didn't want to bank my future in a course that lasts for such a small duration .From considering the current situation and doing some self analyses of myself . this program seemed to be the best ticket for a fresher into the aviation industry. As you said from considering the various option this seem have good percentage of "HITTING IT THAN MISSING IT " . i do know these master courses are not highly regarded in the aviation industry but got to take a chance somewhere right. To put it in simple words ,this seemed to be the best calculated risk to enter into this awesome industry. waiting eargerly to hear your views.:ok::ok::ok:

[desertopsguy]

You said that you know that "these master courses are not highly regarded in the aviation industry"". Who is telling you this nonsense? In another post you were told that the FAA dispatch licence was useless outside the USA; your sources of information are truly misguided; as will you be if you listen to them.

A masters degree in an aviation discipline from an accredited university such as Embry Riddel, Cranfield, London City, to name a few, is a marvellous tool to help anyone with the drive, determination and ambition to succeed in the aviation business, that is a fact!

If the awareness of that at Chennai airport (not exactly a centre of aviation academia) is somewhat un-illuminated then that is not at all surprising.

Maybe check out some of these 'not-so-highly regarded' universities and see for yourself who their professors, lecturers, guest speakers and acadamics are. You might be surprised by the 'highly regarded' individuals who feature there. But then again, don't take my word for it, ask your mates at the airport :suspect:

D.O.G

[bala_murali]

HI there desporate guy

I got an offer letter from buckinghamphire new university for Msc in airtransport management. (Air Transport Management (http://bucks.ac.uk/default.aspx?page=10036) )The course starts this January . i got to tell them whether i accept the offer or not in a few days. i would like whether is this course worth it only is done in universities like city London and Cranfield . The general feedback regarding buckinghamphire was good but was not able to get a feedback from a person who has actually done this course there.

Was not able to get much information regarding this course with my mates in the local airport .

[bala_murali]

Hi there guys :):)
Would like to know what is the difference between Msc in Air Transport management and MBA in aviation management?:hmm::hmm:
I have got a offer letter from Griffith university in Australia for MBA in aviation management( Griffith University | Graduate Certificate in Aviation Management - Nathan (http://www17.griffith.edu.au/cis/p_cat/admission.asp?type=overview&ProgCode=3112) )
and Buckinghamshire new university in UK for Msc in air transport management for this January batch?(Air Transport Management (http://bucks.ac.uk/default.aspx?page=10036) )

I have done my bachelors degree in electrical and electronics and have worked in dell computers for 2 years as a senior hardware technical support executive. 60 percent of the people have told me that doing these masters degree in a waste of time and the rest 40 % told me that I is a very good way to enter the industry, especially for a person with no aviation experience like me . :sad:
From what I come to know, nothing in aviation is 100 % sure. So I am willing to take the chance. Flight operation is what I am mainly interested in! But yes if I don’t get through that I can work in other field also .I take these master degrees as an entry ticket to the aviation industry.
So guys I would like your views on both of the MBA and MSc . If anybody body has finished the above programs from these colleges let me know your feedbacks regarding the university also .It will really help me make a good decision. Thanks a million for your time :ok::ok::ok:

[IXNAT]

IMHO, any Master's degree is for the most part a waste....other than CV filler and a requirement for some positions. So a waste of time, but essential, especially if one has no practical experience in the chosen field.

As far as the EK program. I would ask if in fact the degree is recognised and the "institution" acredited. By whom? I don't know, but tread carefully giving EK "university" any money for anything, unless tied to a recognised acredited university/college.

[hugel]

@IXNAT

Is continuing education a waste of time ? I don't think so in any industry that is driven by procedure, licencing and knowledge.

How can a qualification be "essential for many positions" yet "a waste of time". I don't follow your train of thought at all.

In terms of accreditation there are institutions like RAeS, there are government organisations that rate universities based on staff and research output, there are employers that sponsor students that have a view, and of course there are students that have actually done it , maybe with their own money.

Ask any of the above what they think about a particular course.

hugel

[bala_murali]

Hi there hugel
Is continuing education a waste of time ? I don't think so in any industry that is driven by procedure, licencing and knowledge.

How can a qualification be "essential for many positions" yet "a waste of time". I don't follow your train of thought at all.

In terms of accreditation there are institutions like RAeS, there are government organisations that rate universities based on staff and research output, there are employers that sponsor students that have a view, and of course there are students that have actually done it , maybe with their own money.

Ask any of the above what they think about a particular course.

hugel


Would love to know your opinion on my post ( above XNATS post ) .

From speaking to some aviation professionals ,they suggested that i do a MBA in operations than an aviation specific MBA even though my plan was to work in the aviation industry . They told an MBA in operations would be a much better choice compared to a MBA in logistics and supply chain management.i still dont understand the connection between an MBA in aviation management and MBA in Operation . How is an MBA in operations connected with the aviation industry.


Would love to know your view . THanks a million for your time for your time .:ok::ok::ok:

[desertopsguy]

Anyone who thinks that continuing education is a waste of time has quite likely never continued to educate themselves and with that notion should probably not even bother trying.:ugh:

[Great Thinker]

Hey frnds,

I am very much keen in making my career in aviation industry.I came across this course,and thought MSc air transport Management of cranfield can allow me to step into aviation.I am very much passionated of aviation.

I just wanted few details from you all,becoz some of you are undergoing this course and some completed.So experiences of you all can guide me better.

1-How is the course prospect after completion in terms of career growth,job profile etc

2-What remuneration can be expected from the industry in starting days of career?

3-Is assistance can be expected from the department after completion of course for placements??

***Very Imp***

Being a citizen of another country(India).So will I able to get job in aviation industry over there and work permit,to gain experience prior returning to my homeland.

[rsoman]

Being an alumni of Cranfield ATM programme and being from India here are my inputs. Some of this may not be what some guys posting here asking for information would like to hear but then truth may not always be palatable


1 Embory and Cranfield are still the best bets or a full time programme. City is of course wll regarded but unless things have changed it is still a part time programme for working executives. Most of the others are a waste of time and money.

2 Specific to Cranfield, facilities are good faculty is okay but when I was there they seem to have the first priority for their own research than to the students. Also they hold a lot of "short courses" who also get preference of the faculty time. A very good library with good access to databases - the best part I guess of the programme.

3 Placement assistance is mediocre to say the least. If it is a boom year (and aviation is wonderfully cyclical in that regard), a few companies may come along, if it is a bad couple of years - we had 9/11 and SAARS coming in successive years - then forget it you are on your own.

4 The economics for people from my part of the world particularly if you have financed the course with Bank Loans is NOT IN YOUR FAVOR ,especially if you are a fresher. Of course many of my country men now have a lot of money to throw around - in that case it is not a bad choice - better pay that bit extra to go to Cranfield than Buckinghamshire or Inverness but again that is no guarantee you will get a job back home. There is a university in India which offers a similar programme at less than half the cost and with a much better placement record.

5 With virtually every teeny weeny country asking me to get a visa in my advance even for a casual visit thanks to my nationality you can imagine what the situation is with regard to work permit. Air Transport managers are not a scarcity occupation in UK (indeed because of the recession half the natives are going to places like SIN or Middle East where a lot of my country men find work so competition is stiff even there), but a Indian nurse who is not even a graduate will find it easier to get a work permit in UK than an Indian MSc graduate from Cranfield since nursing is a SCARCITY occupation . So except for a lucky few hardly anyone gets a work permit in UK after finishing this course

6 Indian job scenario is not bad but you mostly have to get in on your own. Waving a Cranfield qualification most times will not even get you an interview for the simple fact that most of the decision makers have not even heard of it. The department does hardly anything - most major employers hardly boast of 2-3 Cranfield alumini. Harvard boasts of an impressive alumni network, the management programme at Cranfield (The MBA school - not the Air Transport Dept) does much better but the ATM course is zero in this regard with regard to India. Most people I know who have got placement here (and it is hardly a couple of dozen) were either experienced and who got in by their OWN HARD WORK in some cases waiting for a couple of years with non existent placemeent assistance or got lucky in graduating in a boom year. The Indian course which I am speaking about has no such problems as they are aggressive in promoting their course and actively seek placement assistance for their students. Their students are everywhere from GDS to airpots to Airlines but the ATM department is still not bothered .

To sum up, unless you are well established financially (and even then think twice) or have an industry experience of a few years, it is not worth taking this course especially if you are a fresher. And bank financing for this course from India is strictly to avoid. For the same money you can put yourself through IIM (Indian Institutes of Management) and your placement chances in the aviation industry in India will be TEN TIMES more than the Cranfield ATM programme. Ofcourse there is one major difference - competition to get into an IIM is 100 times more difficult that getting into the Cranfield ATM programme. Just because you are an aviation enthusiast doesnt mean that you will die without doing a specialized aviation programme- indeed in the Indian context the smart thing to do is graduate from IIM , get a placement in a good aviaition employer anywhere not just India and after a couple of years your employer will gladly finance your course at City or Cranfield or Embory and you will be much better off than graduating from Cranfield.



Cheers

Balamurali - if I have to revert to you please turn your PM facility on.

[ramgopal]

very nicely put r soman would like to know which indian institute are you talking about and if at all the specialisation is required as you might be knowing. seems like you are employed somewhere in aviation.so if you can tell me what position am i looking for after i do an mba in aviation management and what specialisations can i go for, that would be great.

[rsoman]

Being a Cranfield graduate it may look rather inappropriate that I give out details of a rival programme.That said I have been trying to alert the director and the faculty at Cranfield that their continued inaction is forcing people like me to advise Indian students to consider the cheaper Indian alternative seriously but other than a bunch of meaningless (alteast to me) and half hearted excuses nothing much seem to be happening,well here goes.

University of Petroleum & Energy Studies::About UPES (http://www.upes.ac.in/mba-avi-manag.html)

Cheers

[desertopsguy]

I don't find any issues with Cranfield's job assistance efforts and receive regular emails regarding well known and stable companies looking to hire from Cranfield. Airbus, Raytheon, Rolls Royce just to name a small few.
There is also an alumni page on Linked-In and the course directors regularly post leads and useful information that would help any would-be jobseeker.

Not everyone wants to work in India, if that is where you want to be then by all means attend an Indian Uni but Cranfield caters for an international mix and you must have surely met people from all over the world while you there.

Another point worth considering is that alot of the people on the Cranfield MSc are already employed or have positions waiting for them. People who go from undergrad direct to MSc/MBa will not always walk into a job as they lack that vital industry experience required to transition from MSc to employment quickly. The expectation of a high entry level salary just because you have an MSc is also another expectation that is often not met.

I don't agree with your point about most other courses apart from Embrey Riddel & Cranfield being a waste of time and money. There are many others that are excellent in other countries (Enac in France and there are also ones in Geneva and Australia). If you look at Embrey Riddel course content you will find it is very USA-centric, and that is fine if you intend to work in the US.

If the nationality of the person is a barrier to the them taking up employment in a reputable company in the US/UK/EU or elsewhere, then that is nothing to do with the school. Any prospective student should consider this before taking out expensive loans to attend foreign schools.
I don't have the right to live and work in the USA or China therefore I would not go to a US or Chinese uni and then automatically expect to work there afterwards, that is just plain crazy.

And finally, Cranfield has been in aerospace and aviation education since 1946...if anyone in a decision making position has 'not even heard of it' then that is certainly not the school's fault, there are more than enough switched on people out there who have.

Good luck,

All the best.

[rsoman]

desertopsguy

First of all my post is intended for Indian students and is from an Indian experience with particular relevance to finding work in India post Cranfield. This was already I think clear enough in my earlier post but still not clear enough apparently . For a person from say EU who pay subsidized rates the course is a steal what with students from outside EU paying 4-5 times the tution and propping up the course , and the EU students to a large extent.

If you look at Embrey Riddel course content you will find it is very USA-centric, and that is fine if you intend to work in the US.

Cranfield was truly wonderful in that regard.Our first lecture itself was from the head of marketing at Ryan Air and the course was peppered with LCC wonder strategies. The only issue was that the first Indian LCC got off the ground only around the time our course ended and the next one took another two years in coming. But then the Brits are always ahead of their time - right:rolleyes:

Another point worth considering is that a lot of the people on the Cranfield MSc are already employed or have positions waiting for them

Very true. We graduated when SAARs had just followed 9/11 and even the locals were struggling. I luckily had a position waiting - my old employer was luckily willing yo take me back - but then I thought I left them to get a better deal and a career shift:rolleyes: It took another three years of my own effort to finally get in where I wanted .

If you look at Embrey Riddel course content you will find it is very USA-centric, and that is fine if you intend to work in the US.


Unfortunately a lot of Indian top airline managers are either graduates of the IATA MBA programme at Concordia in Canada or from Embry. Cranfield is an unknown to them. A few do the part time MSc from CiIty, so even that is better known than Cranfield.

People who go from undergrad direct to MSc/MBa will not always walk into a job as they lack that vital industry experience required to transition from MSc to employment quickly. The expectation of a high entry level salary just because you have an MSc is also another expectation that is often not met.

Totally agree and my point I wish to make is that the faculty advisors at Cranfield should make this clear to prospective graduates. Instead they come out with delightfully vague answers in many cases.

If the nationality of the person is a barrier to the them taking up employment in a reputable company in the US/UK/EU or elsewhere, then that is nothing to do with the school. Any prospective student should consider this before taking out expensive loans to attend foreign schools

Very true - but unfortunately again the faculty advisers keep quiet about this at the time of admission inquiries especially when 80% of the students who seek admission from India are freshers from India. Once people get out and start struggling then the Hmmmms and Haaaas start ..... Many Indian students including myself when we first applied thought that it will be a struggle to get in, what with the reputation of the course and the 1946 Vintage etc etc. But as my Dad (who financed my course said) "Never mind Son... don't worry ... u will get in because most UK univs needs your money....). True enough I got in without even an interview and finally I ended up where I wanted 3 years after graduation and due to my own efforts- after 3 rejections - all of them who had never heard of Cranfield -, only because I had enough experience (in a related field). But for freshers it may not always be that easy although admission is never that difficult!.

And finally, Cranfield has been in aerospace and aviation education since 1946...if anyone in a decision making position has 'not even heard of it' then that is certainly not the school's fault, there are more than enough switched on people out there who have.

Unfortunately not in India as I found out to my cost! Situation has not changed much in recent times. Mailing a brochure of the student CVs to be "HR Manager" and then saying end of the story does not help in India. Most faculty hardly keep in touch with any senior aviation managers in India as evidenced from the fact that students doing India centric thesis find it hard to establish contacts with the right people to get information.


There is also an alumni page on Linked-In and the course directors regularly post leads and useful information that would help any would-be jobseeker.

It may be of interest to know that the current course director of the full time programme hardly posts anything on this page. Most of the faculty postings are almost exclusively from one of the faculty who is a FORMER course director and who while not among the shining stars in terms of qualifications/publications/consultancies etc compared to many others in the faculty is one of the few who genuinely is interested in helping out the students (and whose idea was the linked in group). It is people like him who are the saving grace of the department .

Also let me make it known that what ever is posted here by me is well known and conveyed in writing much earlier to some of the faculty and the current head of the ATM department.


And finally let me also make it clear that a higher educational qualification will always be an asset but then for many Indians as mentioned in my earlier post there may be more cost effective alternates to achieve the same end result as a Cranfield ATM Course.

[fawazsadhr]

hi,, i've just completed my b.e, in aeronautical engineering, and am interested in pursuing my mba in aviation mgt,, currently i'm working up on my experience for the course. Kindly guide me, i need advice on where when and how. going thru multiple universities,, confusedddd.