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Old 27th Jul 2006, 20:18
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Any advice would be great

I would like to ask all those ppruners out there for a bit of advice and help regarding a few things.

I am trying to decide whether or not to do a degree in aviation management. My first problem is which course to do. I have found that London Met University does both a Foundation degree in 'Aviation Management & Operations' and a BSc(hons) in 'Aviation Management'. However I am not sure which one to do and whether or not the Foundation degree would have any kind of benefit.
I have been working as a passenger service agent for the past 2 years and feel that I have gained as much knowledge as possible at this level. This experience has given me a very good understanding of the airport environment and aviation today. I have however recently changed my role to become a dispatcher. So far I have enjoyed the work and I look forward to carrying this on.
I have been looking into these courses for some time now and I am busy debating whether or not a degree would help further my career in the future or, if the experience I will gain from working at the airport would be more beneficial.
I will also be writing to some of the major airlines in the hope i may get some kind of feed-back regarding this issue in order to help make an informed decision. I do however feel that this may be unlikely. I would greatly appreciate for anyone with any high-level managerial experience or similar to give me some guidance on whether or not doing either of these courses would be beneficial.

Many thanks in advance
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Old 27th Jul 2006, 21:08
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Compromise!

Continue working at the airport whilst covering the course part-time/ distance learning. Try and get into a different area such as ops or planning. Companies don't often take on people without hands-on experience so get some experience whilst studying for your qualification. Then you'll look twice as attractive at the end.

Tell any perspective new employer that you are studying to further your career, and they may be willing to help you into duties or responsibilities which are relevant to the qualification you are studying. They may even offer you a career path once they know you're serious.

These companies are rare but they do exist.

Either way, stay focussed on what you want & good luck!

Six
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Old 27th Jul 2006, 21:31
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Thank you very much, I forgot to say that I would definately be studying this part time as i know that the experience gained would go along way especially in the ever changing industry.its pretty hard because its a case of trying to work my way up or trying to actually show i have something to offer these companies. can only hope hey.
and a question to sixmilehighclub which degree to do, the foundation one or bsc hon degree??
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Old 27th Jul 2006, 21:54
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Devil

Hi
I was actually looking into the BSc (Hons)-single myself, this looks like the better option mainly because its hons Degree and geared more towards management as compared to a foundation degree,both courses have the Pilot Pathway or Management pathway, there is however a top up course where by after graduating from the Aviation Managemnt& operations one could continue for an extra year in the aviation Management BSc so you could combine both, get the best of both worlds... best of luck
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Old 27th Jul 2006, 23:58
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Do you have a HNC?
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Old 28th Jul 2006, 12:27
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No i dont have an HNC, I studied business and economics at a level so i do have some knowledge of the whole management studies however would be good as this course is geared towards aviation.
Am i correct in saying that if I was to complete the foundation degree and then continued for another year i would end up with a bcs hon in aviation management, I only ask this as there is considerable time differences in completing each course part time? Shame companies didnt offer scholarships!
Oh and forgot to say that i only want to do the management pathway!

Thanx
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Old 28th Jul 2006, 16:07
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Have you considered Loughborough University's Air Transport Management course? ive graduated from there - really enjoyed it. It's a management and logistics degree eg economics, but has aviation specific modules eg airport operations, aviation safety, airport business and human resource managment. Loughboroughs a great uni as well - ive very much enjoyed my time there!
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Old 28th Jul 2006, 16:13
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Devil

hey
The (FDSc) Aviation Management and operations is Part-Time (day) 4years and Full-Time 2 years, the BSc is 4years Part-Time day and 3 years Full-Time, on completion of the FDSc i think open to correction on this one, one would go directly into year 4 of the BSc, London met s website should prob give you some extra info.
http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/
There is also some precourse study material that you might find useful
http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/depts/bss...ourse/home.cfm
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Old 29th Jul 2006, 10:24
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In response to flying tyger, I did look into Loughborough after i finished uni however if im to be honest my friend was killed on the first day of my A level exams so things dint go as planned!As one could imagine. I dropped one grade on each subject from what i was predicted and so did not have enough points to get in, i did try and try to plead with the uni to allow me a chance because of what had happened but as we all know with a lot of places rules are rules so that was that.

However after some re thinking i decided to take the route of 'work my way up' but just recently I have looked a lot into the part time course at london met as this will allow me to continue working at the airport and study for a degree, which i feel i missed the opportunity to do so after my a levels, i suppose it may be a personal thing for me to do it because of my situation but i love all things aviation and i like business so i feel as i am in exactly the right environment for me.I would like to prove that i didnt fall into this career and find the years passing away like so many people do instead show that I have a drive for this and doing a degree is one way to show that.

Thank you Eire Planner for the info, going to look at that in more detail, when are you looking to start course?

Thank you all again for your help
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Old 29th Jul 2006, 18:19
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Devil

Im currently at uni in dublin ive completed one year of accounting&finance,ive just lost all interest and intend to change course to a aviation Degree, hopefully all going according to plan i should be able to commence this course in september. In the London Met prospectus its gives estimated living expences for single student for the academic year as 8500STG holy .Does anybody no if London City Airport recruit for part time weekend work for any of these positions ground staff,dispatch,ops or pax agents? any info would be greatly appreciated?

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Old 29th Jul 2006, 22:10
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Tiger

Can you pm me details of the course?
Live in loughborough at the mo, work in AO Ops at EMA and have done for 17 years at various locations, FAA ticket, now studying C and G!
Any info me old,
Bored
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Old 29th Jul 2006, 23:22
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Eire planner

I had a good look at the pre course material and it looks ok to be honest, a lot i have picked up from working at the airport but always good to have read over things. However I did look at the maths refresher pack and it looks all a bit complicated, il hold my hands up and say im no genius when it comes to maths hence why i know not to try and become a pilot! Am i right in saying that the maths is for those who wish to take the pilots pathway?
I am going to try and start this september but will have to see how application goes. I spoke to someone the other day and there is an open day on 23 aug so i think will go and have a chat with the department about it all.I am already working so can only do it part time however i dont know about london city but some handling agents at airports offer part time jobs.london city is a very mon-fri airport so maybe bit doubtful,as they say, if dont ask dont get though.
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Old 30th Jul 2006, 10:27
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flying tyger

A question that i have been meaning to ask someone in order to see if i am to definetly study this course is

Since graduating with this degree, have you found it of any use to you when working at the airport and have you been able to apply any of your knowledge practically? And do you feel as if this degree has given you a better chance of promotion?

I know each situation is different however i am trying to determine if the expense and hard work WILL actually pay off or would be better in just carry on what i am doing.
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Old 31st Jul 2006, 14:42
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hey guys - sorry for lack of replies, i dont have internet at home at the mo. PM's might be best if you have any questions i dont manage to answer.

Although I didnt get the grades for loughborough from my a-levels, persausion and begging did work. if you have a few years work experience behind you, that can often make up for more than a-level results.

The course itself has provided a good background in all things airport,airline, and also some in road haulage and shipping - they like to give you an all round view of transport, logistics is in there as well. I've found its complimented my working life nicely, but there is nothing like a good old bit of hands-on experience (a year out working for a cargo charter airline in belgium and at EMA did that for me, flight managing the russian cargo a/c that there.) to help give you a more of a rounded view than what can be taught in the lecture hall.

I feel that my degree has given me an advantage over other people - i have a specialisation and one degree that isnt very common. Bear in mind that this degree is preparing students for aviation management roles, but skills are transferrable.

Bored CounterI dont any details to hand (as im at work and scribbling this!!) but try the UCAS website or www.lboro.ac.uk for some more details on the course. failing that - pm me with what info you want and i'll get back to you this weekend when i have bit more time

FT
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Old 31st Jul 2006, 23:28
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Well it seems as if your persausion payed off in the end. Seems as if i was the unlucky one!!
The degree at loughborough did look really good, when i was making the application there were no stats for the pass rate or anything so was a little cautious. However like I said previously I have found myself working in the airport gaining a great deal of hands on experience which i feel is much more valuable than the theory that may be taught as i am sure all of us know there are far too many variables in many situations we come across at the airport that the only way to overcome these problems but also to overcome them well is to have the know how, and this is when the experience really comes into play.
I would really only fully consider this degree if i knew for certain that all the money and effort (bearing in mind i am doing shifts therefore the studying will be slightly harder to fit in) would pay off well. then again i guess there is only one way to find out.

Some of you may be wondering why be so doubtful but i read an article in the times back in feb 2006...........and il quote you what it says:

Britain's biggest companies gave warning last night that, despite a record number of graduates entering the job market this year, many will lack the basic skills needed for employment.
Almost half of businesses said that they did not expect to recieve 'sufficient applications from graduates with the correct skills' Last year 598 positions were left unfilled as third of employers said that they could not find candidates of sufficient quality.

This may seem like nothing but I find myself stuck bang in the middle of the whole argument of Degree vs Work experience.

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Any high level managers out there reading this please feel free to give your opinion.

Sorry for long reply again but need all the help i can get.
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Old 1st Aug 2006, 17:13
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xxx5572,

Im a graduate of the BSc Aviation Management programme, so may be able to answer some of your questions.

If youre unsure which course to study (FdSc or BSC), you can always start on the Foundation degree and progress the the full BSc if you want to.

The foundation degree includes a work based learning element in the second year (third or fourth year if you study part time - not sure of precise timescale for part timers), which you should be able to do where you presently work.

As for employability, im working towards a job flying, so I cant answer that from your perspective.

Before I started this course, I had a bit of Ops experience which helped with the degree (there were some things I already knew etc). With your experience, I'm sure there would be parts of the degree that you'd find a little easier, which obviously helps (because you'd get a better classification!!)

As for the maths pack you're referring to, all students have to study the pre course material, but if I remember correctly, there are no assessed bit of work you have to do based on it. You are however, expected to know the stuff for when you start. It's not too difficult, and you probably know much of it anyway.

If you plan to take the pilot pathway, there is a maths and physics revision pack you have to complete and reach and acceptable score (cant remember what though).

EIRE-PLANER - Are you planning on studying the management or pilot pathway?

Any other questions, fire away.
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Old 1st Aug 2006, 20:43
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Devil

Professor Plum
I’m planning on taking the BSc with the Mgt pathway. All going according to plan hoping to commence my Flight training on completion of this course. In the prospectus it says optional modules provide the opportunity to learn the technical requirements for the PPL is this possible on the MGT pathway if so which FTO do they use for the flight training? for accommodation did you live on campus or in one of the halls of residence if so what was the accommodation like? In year 3 one of the module s is Air Law is this studied on a Level comparable to ATPL? Are there any additional maths modules I could take, try to keep the grey matter in shape for atpl? All info greatly appreciated. sorry about all the questions just trying to get a good perspective before i commit to this one.

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Old 1st Aug 2006, 22:56
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It is possible to learn the theory exams for the PPL as part of the course, with the exception of the RT practical test, although the lecturer for the PPL subject can do the test for you, so no hassles there. As for FTO for the flying, you can train wherever you like.

If you gain your PPL, this can be counted as one of the units towards the degree, and the theory exams would be another unit. The theory exams would be taken during you first year, and you'd need to have your PPL by the end of summer, just before your second year (if you were studying full time), although I think you can still do the flying in your second year if you haven't got it by then, as its a second year unit. If you already have your PPL before you start the course, then you are credited both units.

When I was there you could also study the theory for the IMC rating as one unit on the course (year two if I remember correctly). Not sure if that units still available though.

This link

Shows you a breakdown of the course. If you click on the Purple unit codes, It'll show you info regarding that unit. The PPL Theory unit code is: CA1004. The PPL flying is: CA2000, and the unit for the IMC theory is CA2080.

For accomodation, you mentioned living on campus, this is not possible as London Met isn't a campus university. It consists of a collection of buildings in central London. There are halls you can live in, which are all within a few miles of the uni. I lived in claredale halls in the first year and had the time of my life!! I never knew my liver could take so much of a bashing, and very much recommend it.

If you havent applied for halls you need to ASAP. Further details here
and
here

The other two halls available; Sir John Cass, and John Bell House are both in dodgy areas. The location of Claredale isnt fantastic, but I think its the better of the three.

The Air Law module in the 3rd year is different to ATPL Air Law although there are some bits which are the same. The Degree module is more concerned with liability of Airlines/Airports, whereas ATPL Air Law is concerned more with rules of the air etc.

There are finance units you can take in the 2nd and 3rd years which obviously involve maths. I found the 2nd year one hard, and didnt do it in year 3 (we had various options). The maths is a different type to that needed for ATPLs. If you can do the maths/physics brush up pack they send you before your ATPLs, then you shouldnt have any hassle with the maths. Thats what its designed for - a brush up! You dont need to be A'Level standard or anything.

The first year is the same across the BSc and two foundation degrees (management and Pilot pathways), so you can transfer between them anytime up until the start of the second year.

Are you planning on doing your ATPLs at London Met after the Degree?

Have you had a look around the uni? The PPL/ATPL side is taught at Tower hill, and most of the degree specific modules are taught at Moorgate, so if you visit, have a look at both locations.
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Old 2nd Aug 2006, 15:42
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professor plum

Thank you for your help,Im glad that we have managed to get someone that is doing this course into the discussions.

I will be attending the open day on the 23rd of August to speak to any of the relevent people regrding the part time lay out and time scale. However I am quite certain that i will be applying for the BSC degree as they both require nearly the same study time, and so may as well get the full degree which should count more.
Would you know anyone on your course that is taking the management option or is the course split between the two pathways.
Also I believe in the prospectus it mentions guest speakers coming in from airports, are these people actually qualified with a specialised skill (eg head of operations) or just normal management that I would expect to see during the everyday running of the airport.Any good field trips? Are there many books on aviation management in particular?

Sorry aswell for the questions but taking the opportunity to learn as much as i can before the 23rd.
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Old 2nd Aug 2006, 17:49
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I've graduated now, but know people that have done all the pathways.

Not sure what you mean when you ask is the course split between the two pathways. The basic layout is...

1st yr: the same for everyone.
2nd yr: Pilot foundation degree people do ATPLs and CPL flying after. Management foundation people do management type units (with BSc students) then work placements. Management BSC students do management units all year with the foundation degree students. No work placement.

At this point, Management Foundation degree students can leave with their foundation degree, or progress to the 3rd year of the BSc via a 8 week top - up course during the summer. Total time to get BSc degree - 3 yrs.

Pilot foundation degree students can leave with their foundation degree, or go for the BSc. Pilot foundation degree students CANNOT progress via the top course, and have to then go on to year two of the BSc course to get the degree. Total time to get BSc - 4 years, (but you get cheap ATPL theory + student loan for beer money).

BSc students who havent gone via a foundation degree, can simply do year three and graduate with the BSc Aviation Management.

You dont have to decide on exactly what route you want to take until the end of the first year, (or part time equivalent). the above scales are full time. part time takes roughly twice as long, but you can progress at your own speed.

Hope that clears up the course structure 'cos it a hard concept to get your head around.

Guest speakers:

yes there are some. these vary depending on what unit youre studying at the time. They've included people who work for aviation connsultancy companies regarding heathrow T5, and also possible locations for future airports. There have been airline pilots also. If they get guest speakers in, they're usually lectures worth going to.

Trips have included London City Airport. Heathrow T5, and Frankfurt Hahn and RAF Cosford (i think).

The everyday lecturers are a mix. They include people from the CAA (part time lecturers),ex BA middle management types, ex cabin crew, people with MBA's etc.

Some are very good, some are pants. Lecture notes are available for download on the uni network, so i never bothered going to crap lecturers lectures, and downloaded the notes. If your part time, and have difficulty attending, its therefore possible to catch up in your own time.

As for books, Rigas Doganis writes most of the good ones. there are a number of business/finance books used too, but experts from those particular fields write those books.

Is the open day a department specific open day or just a general "london met" open day? The uni does hundreds of courses, so if its a uni - wide open day, you may not have all of you questions answered. I'd advise calling the department to arrange a chat/look around the moorgate/tower hill buildings (which may or may not be covered on any uni - wide tour).
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