uni/degree pilot training

[SingaporeAirlines]

How about doing a degree in an unrelated discipline? Just as a security in case the market goes south?

[Swisspilot92]

KAG, why an oil shortage? because of the price? the price doesn't count anything...

[Genghis the Engineer]

Originally Posted by SingaporeAirlines

How about doing a degree in an unrelated discipline? Just as a security in case the market goes south?

Personally I think that this is a particularly bad idea.

Let's say you do a degree in aeronautical engineering, then go off to do pilot training, it doesn't work out, and you come back into aeronautical engineering. Your CV shows that you have maintained an interest in aeronautics, added skills and knowledge that are relevant to the profession, and may have something that makes you stand out from the crowd of cloned 22 year old fresh graduates.

On the other hand you do a degree in accountancy or zoology, then go and do pilot training, try to come back into your degree subject - you look to have shown no consistent interest in accountancy/zoology, and have probably forgotten the important stuff whilst you were off playing with aeroplanes.

Additionally however, all a degree gives is a fighting chance of entering a graduate profession to start learning. If you want a backup, get a licence or qualification in some saleable skill; cooking, plumbing, lifeguarding.... Something that you can walk into a job with, not into a trainee position - unless that trainee position is into a profession you really want (although, aeronautical engineer is a pretty sexy job on a good day).

[sura95]

Becoming a pilot, Uni or no Uni? 2012 post

Hi all,
I'm 17 and currently studying my A levels and aviation is my passion. I am currently studying towards my PPL as well. I was just wondering whether you advise going to uni and studying a full time degree or just studying abroad towards my ATPL.
I understand there are a couple or threads identical to this but those seem to be a couple of years back so maybe the airline industry has changed a bit? Maybe its easier or harder not to go uni?

Thanks for the advice.

[charliegolf]

Sura,

A few of bits of advice...

Read this forum for 2 hours. Really, 2 hours. Ask yourself what shape the pilot market seems to be in at present.

Only flying schools seem to actually believe that there is/will be a pilot shortage anytime soon. (On that makes a newbie an attractive prospect.)

Lots of university degrees are not looked upon favourably at present, so choose wisely. Sciences, Maths or languages would be my advice.

Be in £30k debt for a degree; or £100k for atpl and no job. Get the degree, and a job, pay cash for the flying.

Finally, they say about gambling: never bet more than you can afford to lose. Can you afford an atpl with no job afterward? That said, it's never for nothing- you will have a load of hours in the bank.

All in all... go to uni. Fly on the side- all the hours count. Good luck.

[sura95]

Hi all,

Thanks for the both of you for taking the time to respond to me. I have looked at the uni route but i understand that there is no point in getting a degree in 'becoming a pilot studies' since it wont provide me with a plan B.

I have decided to try to find an apprenticeship in engineering, then meanwhile I start my ATPL course at a flying school.
Does anyone recommend this?

Thanks.

[Lew747]

I wouldn't say an apprenticeship is a bad thing at all I done one in management with Royal Mail after I started as a humble postie in 2008 and allowed me fund all of my PPL, hour building and ATPL theory. First 6 ATPL exams in a fortnight At the same time I am now working as a delivery office manager with 30-40 people under me and a decent wage for someone my age.

Do I regret not going to Uni? Yes... mainly because of the experience rather than a course I would enjoy doing. At the same time I realise most of my friends are graduating now with approx £20-30k debt and are going back into normal jobs than anyone could do...e.g. retail, call-centre, childcare I only know 2 that have secured graduate jobs and one of them is on a poorer wage than I am.

I realise that it's going to take me another couple of years to have the money together to fund my CPL/IR...but you can only work within your means and i've not got rich parents willing to put the house up.

Best of luck whatever your decision.

[CuriousNewbie]

Urgent, please reply thoughtfully and insightfully.

Hi all, I'm a 19yr old with a lifelong dream of making it as a pilot. I've checked out the schools e.g CTC/OAA.

However also I've applied to study Economics at Hull university and been accepted.

Recently I stumbled across a different university degree from bucks new university which is with called "Air transport and commercial pilot training." Logically it would seem to be ideal. However over the 3 years it comes out to £80,000 + university debt, but I receive the appropriate licences and clock 250hrs of flying time. The flight training organisation working with the university is CTC and EFT.

So my question is which would you personally choose and why? Also other relevant information would be welcome.

Link for the degree course : Air Transport With Commercial Pilot Training

[9287Excellent]

I was on the former Kingston and Cabair University course, Aviation Studies with Commercial Pilot Training is its full title. I understand this is being continued with BCFT in Bournemouth, where I'm finishing my flight training. The course has been pretty good, I wasn't as impressed with the final year at the university in Kingston, but this has since changed based on our years' feedback and I understand they have improved it a lot, might be worth considering. The only thing to bare in mind is the first two years are done down in Bournemouth at the flying school, including the university exams. After the 2 years you get a foundation degree with the third year, top-up year, resulting in a batchelors degree.
We did our PPLs in the January of the first year and the commercial stuff you can either do in the break between finishing year 2 and starting year 3 or after year 3.
I know a few guys from the year above us and one guy from our year has gone to Cathay Pacific and one of the requirements was that he had to have passed the degree, so some airlines seem to require it, some not so bothered.

[CuriousNewbie]

Hi excellent, I've found a similar course to yours at Bucks new Uni. Would you recommend it? Were your flying hours funded or private funded by yourself? Is it worth it?

Thanks

[pudoc]

Go to the uni you've been excepted to and then go to a modular route. I personally would scrap uni all together...but that's just me.

[CuriousNewbie]

I think I'll get my Economics degree. Then after that pursue my Pilot training, at least then I'll have a backup plan.

[sura95]

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the advice once again. I have decided to go to uni but do a degree in either engineering or psychology! While im doing that ill continue with my ATPL privately. Decided i needed a back up!

Thanks,