uni/degree pilot training
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uni/degree pilot training
Hello, I wanted to ask you an advice and I have no idea because the italian system is COMPLETELY different (I am from italy)
I would like to go to University with a pilot-related degree, and I really do not know which degree would be useful in case I won't find a job/I cannot be a pilot for any reason.
I found some courses at Leeds University which are:
- Aviation Technology with pilot studies (3 years) with the possibility to do the pilot licences
- Aviation Technology with management (3 years) ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,
- Aviation and Aerospace Engineering
University of Loughborough:
- Aviation Engineering BEng (3 years) or MEng (4 years) (Actually I do not know the difference between BEng and Meng)
I found also Brunel University but I don't know if it is a good one!
If you could help me, that would be great!
I say that i do not have (right now and in 2013) 80K£+ to spend for a private flight school such as OAA, etc... (I will try with the BA FPP).
In italy I do not see any future!
PS. I am 20
I would like to go to University with a pilot-related degree, and I really do not know which degree would be useful in case I won't find a job/I cannot be a pilot for any reason.
I found some courses at Leeds University which are:
- Aviation Technology with pilot studies (3 years) with the possibility to do the pilot licences
- Aviation Technology with management (3 years) ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,
- Aviation and Aerospace Engineering
University of Loughborough:
- Aviation Engineering BEng (3 years) or MEng (4 years) (Actually I do not know the difference between BEng and Meng)
I found also Brunel University but I don't know if it is a good one!
If you could help me, that would be great!
I say that i do not have (right now and in 2013) 80K£+ to spend for a private flight school such as OAA, etc... (I will try with the BA FPP).
In italy I do not see any future!
PS. I am 20
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Hello my friend,
This year I graduated from University of Leeds BSc Aviation Technology with Pilot Studies. And I must say it is a brilliant course as is the University. The lecturers were professional, and although the course is still in development and changes every year it stays quite a popular choice. It introduces you to aviation environment quite nicely and although there is no University that prepares you to jobs properly, I find myself that I can talk about a number of things on the interview. It actually does prepare you for the profesionalism of the aviation environment.
But would I recommend it? For a guy like me probably no. Although I am totally satisfied with the course which prepared me in an educational and professional way to start my pilot studies, I still would like to study in University something even more mathematical/technological/engineering. Therefore I would recommend you to go for Aerospace Engineering or something like that. (There is still one at the University of Leeds).
Still BSc Aviation Technology at the University of Leeds is a good choice whatever you choose.
This year I graduated from University of Leeds BSc Aviation Technology with Pilot Studies. And I must say it is a brilliant course as is the University. The lecturers were professional, and although the course is still in development and changes every year it stays quite a popular choice. It introduces you to aviation environment quite nicely and although there is no University that prepares you to jobs properly, I find myself that I can talk about a number of things on the interview. It actually does prepare you for the profesionalism of the aviation environment.
But would I recommend it? For a guy like me probably no. Although I am totally satisfied with the course which prepared me in an educational and professional way to start my pilot studies, I still would like to study in University something even more mathematical/technological/engineering. Therefore I would recommend you to go for Aerospace Engineering or something like that. (There is still one at the University of Leeds).
Still BSc Aviation Technology at the University of Leeds is a good choice whatever you choose.
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I'm Italian too and I agree with the previous poster: it's better to use the university only for engineering studies to be applied to aeronautics afterwards. For being a pilot it's better to go the straight route, i.e. via a pilot training school.
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In general if the degree has any form of ATPL ie the theory exams for the pro license its pretty much a low grade faculty approved bit of paper.
To do something usefull in science or engineering you need the degree to be acredited by one of the proffessional institutions like IMechE or the like.
A bachelors degree is either a 3 year/4 year in scotland and isn't suffecient to get Chartered status post gradution and experence.
A masters is 4 years/5 in scotland and is.
The fees in England are extremely high these days for courses you need to sit down and work out what you really want to do. The fees for the degree would cover your CPL and IR.
If you want to do a degree in English, Scotland will be cheaper or Mastrict
To do something usefull in science or engineering you need the degree to be acredited by one of the proffessional institutions like IMechE or the like.
A bachelors degree is either a 3 year/4 year in scotland and isn't suffecient to get Chartered status post gradution and experence.
A masters is 4 years/5 in scotland and is.
The fees in England are extremely high these days for courses you need to sit down and work out what you really want to do. The fees for the degree would cover your CPL and IR.
If you want to do a degree in English, Scotland will be cheaper or Mastrict
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To do something usefull in science or engineering you need the degree to be acredited by one of the proffessional institutions like IMechE or the like.
i'll hopefully start aeronautical engineering at the glasgow university next year (septmber 2013)
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Glasgow is not a problem it does have the approprate creditations for what you want to do.
The courses are basically signed off as fit for pupose by an outside body. They have to comply with a minimum standard in regards to content.
None acredited degrees are approved by the University and thats pretty much it. They have no real quality control.
Basically the acredited degree is the first step on the ladder to obtaing the status of "Chartered Engineer" or "Chartered Accountant" etc.
The courses are basically signed off as fit for pupose by an outside body. They have to comply with a minimum standard in regards to content.
None acredited degrees are approved by the University and thats pretty much it. They have no real quality control.
Basically the acredited degree is the first step on the ladder to obtaing the status of "Chartered Engineer" or "Chartered Accountant" etc.
As a general rule, a BSc is probably not accredited, but a BEng or MEng probably is. The Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) is the usual accrediting body for 'our' community.
I agree with MJ - Scotland is cheaper than England, and the course at Glasgow is very well regarded.
I agree with MJ - Scotland is cheaper than England, and the course at Glasgow is very well regarded.
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So thanks guys!
I think i will apply at Glasgow! but my dream is to become an airline pilot...in the summer break could i start the PPL? I wanted to do an Eng programme with pilot studies but i think i will do it on my own!
What do you think? msg me in PM if you would like to..it would be better!
I think i will apply at Glasgow! but my dream is to become an airline pilot...in the summer break could i start the PPL? I wanted to do an Eng programme with pilot studies but i think i will do it on my own!
What do you think? msg me in PM if you would like to..it would be better!
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Its a hard course and will give you little to help you become a pilot academically.
That aside it is a well respected course and you will enjoy Glasgow and uni life. Any engineering degree will train you in problem solving and give you a solid technical background. If engineering interests you go for it. If you are just doing it because you think it will help you become a pilot have another think because it is alot of very hard work if don't like the subject.
There is quite good argument that you can't train an engineer you can only provide an engineer that was born with it the tools to prove what they have a gut feel for anyway.
Nothing stopping you training for a PPL but personally your money would be better spent with some of the other clubs and societys which are there. Why you might ask? Basically so that your CV will have something different on it when it comes to applying for jobs. There are hundreds of pilots out there with virtually the same CV's. The ones that stand out are the ones that the person has gone done scuba diving or VSO or any other group activity. Not everything about going to uni is learning the degree subject there is another significant part of life studies Which for an engineer does include shagging social sciense students on a thursday night in the QM union (don't lower your self down to arts please) and the same with nurses in Clatty pats/sticky vickies if still open.
That aside it is a well respected course and you will enjoy Glasgow and uni life. Any engineering degree will train you in problem solving and give you a solid technical background. If engineering interests you go for it. If you are just doing it because you think it will help you become a pilot have another think because it is alot of very hard work if don't like the subject.
There is quite good argument that you can't train an engineer you can only provide an engineer that was born with it the tools to prove what they have a gut feel for anyway.
Nothing stopping you training for a PPL but personally your money would be better spent with some of the other clubs and societys which are there. Why you might ask? Basically so that your CV will have something different on it when it comes to applying for jobs. There are hundreds of pilots out there with virtually the same CV's. The ones that stand out are the ones that the person has gone done scuba diving or VSO or any other group activity. Not everything about going to uni is learning the degree subject there is another significant part of life studies Which for an engineer does include shagging social sciense students on a thursday night in the QM union (don't lower your self down to arts please) and the same with nurses in Clatty pats/sticky vickies if still open.
So thanks guys!
I think i will apply at Glasgow! but my dream is to become an airline pilot...in the summer break could i start the PPL? I wanted to do an Eng programme with pilot studies but i think i will do it on my own!
What do you think? msg me in PM if you would like to..it would be better!
I think i will apply at Glasgow! but my dream is to become an airline pilot...in the summer break could i start the PPL? I wanted to do an Eng programme with pilot studies but i think i will do it on my own!
What do you think? msg me in PM if you would like to..it would be better!
Your dream is to be an airline pilot, so you're going to go and do 4 years study of engineering, rather than 18-24 month study of flying?
Run that past me again?
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do you know why i want to go to uni? first i like engineering and second because if i do not get any job as a pilot i have the degree! that is important! if you invest in 30.000/50.000£ for pilot training and then you do not get a job..who will repay that? working in a call center won't be enough!!
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what about University of Sheffield (aviation eng. with private pilot instruction)..or there is liverpool uni, brunel and salford....I'd go 4 sheffileld but because I heard good things about it and the course!...
Sheffield, Salford, Brunel and Liverpool are all good. They will also all attract tuition fees of about £9k per year for a UK or EU student. Glasgow is as good, and a lot cheaper - simply because it's in Scotland.
Okay, a fascination with engineering is a fair reason, but bear in mind that if you do fail to get a flying job 2 years after graduation, your engineering skills won't be all that current and getting a job in that field may be little easier than getting a flying job. That said, adding in all that you'll have learned on your flying course may give you some advantages.
Okay, a fascination with engineering is a fair reason, but bear in mind that if you do fail to get a flying job 2 years after graduation, your engineering skills won't be all that current and getting a job in that field may be little easier than getting a flying job. That said, adding in all that you'll have learned on your flying course may give you some advantages.
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I have just done 3 years of Aero at Glasgow and can tell you it's a fantastic university. The teaching staff are extremely knowledgeable and do a really good job and teaching the various modules.
My dream was always to become a pilot but when I finished secondary school (June 2009) there simply wasn't any jobs or schemes such as BA FPP or Aer Lingus and thus financially, it wasn't a smart move. I went to university thinking the degree in Aero may help in areas (aspects of Flight Mechanics) and also the general life experience living away from home and having to do things such as your own food shopping and washing. Sounds odd but it's all things future employers may look out for as well as the degree required.
The degree was tough and a great challenge but that's what attracted me to the course. But having applied for the BA FPP, Aer Lingus and the FTE MPL scheme and getting right to the final stages in them all, my motivation for engineering declined somewhat knowing I had what it takes to train as a pilot and that the airlines saw great potential in me by forwarding my application through the various stages.
During May of this year I applied to the new CTC/Flybe course and having been invited to the next stages of selection my preparation for the CTC day was greater than the preparation I did for my exams.
Thankfully, I was one of the lucky 6 selected and having passed my summer exams, I now have a BSc in Aero with distinction. It's not accredited and nor can it get you in respectful engineering job but in the end I just had to follow the dream and take this fantastic opportunity with Flybe and CTC.
Some may say I wasted 3 years with university but I have no regrets - there were many experiences I had during uni life that allowed my to shine during the interviews with Flybe and CTC and even some of my 3rd year flight mechanics (taught my India Mike) allowed me to impress the pilot interviewing me on the technical aspects of flying.
My view is that if you really have a passion for engineering go ahead and go for it. But if you have a bigger desire to fly then don't go down the university path, the degree is so demanding that if you're heart just isn't in it any more, you won't do well.
Hopefully this is useful to you coming from someone who was once in your position.
My dream was always to become a pilot but when I finished secondary school (June 2009) there simply wasn't any jobs or schemes such as BA FPP or Aer Lingus and thus financially, it wasn't a smart move. I went to university thinking the degree in Aero may help in areas (aspects of Flight Mechanics) and also the general life experience living away from home and having to do things such as your own food shopping and washing. Sounds odd but it's all things future employers may look out for as well as the degree required.
The degree was tough and a great challenge but that's what attracted me to the course. But having applied for the BA FPP, Aer Lingus and the FTE MPL scheme and getting right to the final stages in them all, my motivation for engineering declined somewhat knowing I had what it takes to train as a pilot and that the airlines saw great potential in me by forwarding my application through the various stages.
During May of this year I applied to the new CTC/Flybe course and having been invited to the next stages of selection my preparation for the CTC day was greater than the preparation I did for my exams.
Thankfully, I was one of the lucky 6 selected and having passed my summer exams, I now have a BSc in Aero with distinction. It's not accredited and nor can it get you in respectful engineering job but in the end I just had to follow the dream and take this fantastic opportunity with Flybe and CTC.
Some may say I wasted 3 years with university but I have no regrets - there were many experiences I had during uni life that allowed my to shine during the interviews with Flybe and CTC and even some of my 3rd year flight mechanics (taught my India Mike) allowed me to impress the pilot interviewing me on the technical aspects of flying.
My view is that if you really have a passion for engineering go ahead and go for it. But if you have a bigger desire to fly then don't go down the university path, the degree is so demanding that if you're heart just isn't in it any more, you won't do well.
Hopefully this is useful to you coming from someone who was once in your position.
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The Aviation Technology course at Leeds includes the PPL (subsidised by the university) in your first year. By subsidised I mean I paid £4800 for 45 hours in a PA28 out of Sherburn in 2009, including the PPL skill test (not including examiner fee - £100), and a starter kit. I got my own headset and some additional kit with the spare change. The benefit of doing a PPL this way is you meet some great friends and learn along side other like minded individuals, all of course with the same dreams and ambitions. The whole course was a fantastic experience, both academically and socially (nights out, life skills, living away from home) and I can't recommend it enough - it has certainly given me knowledge and a lot of useful skills for the future.
Last edited by ABZ777; 5th Aug 2012 at 21:47.
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Swiss pilot:
I don't understand this logic.
If you really want a back up plan, like you write it, then it should be a back up plan!
First get your pilot licence (note I am not encouraging you to be a pilot, we will face an oil shortage in 2015-2020), then look for a job while you do a university degree, that way this is a back up plan. The sooner on the market, the better it is as you cannot predict the economical cycles and hiring periods.
What I would do: keep the money you plan to spend for university, go to north america to get a cheap CPL, then spend a few years in Africa (or other place) to build some turbine time, then see what the world has to offer to you from there No money spent (your salary would have already reimbursed your north ameraican CPL). If you don't like it, go to university this is your back up plan, a real back up plan.
Aviation has to be started young if possible, it is funnier to go around the world at 20 years old.
do you know why i want to go to uni? first i like engineering and second because if i do not get any job as a pilot i have the degree! that is important! if you invest in 30.000/50.000£ for pilot training and then you do not get a job..who will repay that? working in a call center won't be enough!!
If you really want a back up plan, like you write it, then it should be a back up plan!
First get your pilot licence (note I am not encouraging you to be a pilot, we will face an oil shortage in 2015-2020), then look for a job while you do a university degree, that way this is a back up plan. The sooner on the market, the better it is as you cannot predict the economical cycles and hiring periods.
What I would do: keep the money you plan to spend for university, go to north america to get a cheap CPL, then spend a few years in Africa (or other place) to build some turbine time, then see what the world has to offer to you from there No money spent (your salary would have already reimbursed your north ameraican CPL). If you don't like it, go to university this is your back up plan, a real back up plan.
Aviation has to be started young if possible, it is funnier to go around the world at 20 years old.
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kag, i want to go to uni because i do not have enough money to do pilot training at this time. Uni of liverpool "offers" an fATPL course with the aerospace eng. degree (done in the summer break and after graduation) at 38k£.
I do not have money to pay the name of the schools such as OAA, CTC etc...(exception for BA FPP but the amount will be given back)
I do not have money to pay the name of the schools such as OAA, CTC etc...(exception for BA FPP but the amount will be given back)