PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION This Programme Specification is correct as of the date indicated; however, minor amendments may be made throughout the year and will be incorporated in the annual updating process. SECTION A: DETAILS OF THE COURSE AND AWARD Programme Title Awarding Body Teaching Institution Faculty School Name of Final Award NQF/FHEQ Level of Qualification QAA Benchmark Statement(s) UCAS Code Course Code(s) Mode and Length of Study Number of Intakes Regime of Delivery Language of Study Details of Accreditation BA (Hons) Air Transport with Commercial Pilot Training (Top-up) Buckinghamshire New University Buckinghamshire New University Design, Media & Management Applied Management & Law Bachelor of Arts with Honours, BA (Hons) Level 6: Bachelor's degree with honours Hospitality, leisure, sport and tourism N/A BR2ACT9 2 years FDL (0.5 FTE per year) 2, September and January Flexible & Distributed Learning English N/A Publication Date 28 February 2015 Potential Student Profile / Criteria for Admission: What the award is about and who it is aimed at The programme is designed for those students who wish to obtain a BA (Hons) degree in Air Transport whilst simultaneously pursuing a career as a commercial pilot in the airline and airport industry. The programme firstly provides an opportunity for advancement to those already in the airline industry as commercial pilots, who wish to broaden their industry knowledge base and management and analytical skills with a view to enhancing their career prospects. Secondly, graduates of the Foundation Degree in Air Transport Management with Airline Pilot Training, offered in conjunction with our partners Oxford Aviation Academy, will benefit by upgrading their qualification in preparation for a career as a commercial pilot. This top-up programme is thus designed to meet the needs of students who either are already following or wish to follow a career in the airline industry, initially as commercial airline pilots but with the medium-term objective of being eligible for progression into airline management roles. Potential students will, therefore, wish to enhance their employability by demonstrating leadership and management potential and a wider knowledge of the airline business than is immediately necessary for a pilot. Why should students choose this award? Modules studied for the BA (Hons) Air Transport with Commercial Pilot Training degree topup aim to reflect the changes inherent in the dynamic aviation industry. Buckinghamshire New University has historically been the leader in the field of aviation degrees with pilot training and this top-up programme remains at the cutting edge of provision in the sector. The award BA (Hons) Air Transport with Commercial Pilot Training (Top up) Page 1 of 7
offers students a programme of study that accommodates their particular needs and work programmes by offering the top-up to the BA (Hons) degree programme via Flexible and Distributed Learning (FDL). This facilitates study by students who are employed full-time whilst seeking employment in the aviation sector or who work irregular hours as commercial pilots and would not be able to attend university-based classes. Students who successfully complete all the academic modules on the course will be awarded the BA (Hons) Air Transport with Commercial Pilot Training degree. All modules are delivered by expert lecturers, many of whom have direct airline management experience. This programme allows commercial pilots to obtain direct access to L6 of an honours degree programme. Opportunities available for students after completion of the Award On successful completion of this award, students will find their employment and promotion prospects enhanced. Commercial pilots will have gained the requisite knowledge and skills to enable them to realistically aspire to management roles in airlines; while graduates who are not yet employed as commercial pilots are more likely to be able to obtain airline employment. All graduates will have developed transferable skills that can be used in a wide range of employment roles. Expected Knowledge and Skills Applicants who are in employment as commercial pilots may qualify for entry without holding prior higher education academic qualifications. Entrants to the programme who hold either a frozen ATPL plus a minimum of 2 years experience in the aviation industry or the Buckinghamshire New University Foundation Degree in Air Transport Management with Airline Pilot Training will be considered suitable for entrance to L6 of the BA (Hons) Air Transport with Commercial Pilot Training degree. Applicants without the Buckinghamshire New University Foundation Degree in Air Transport Management with Airline Pilot Training will be required to provide evidence of having successfully completed their frozen ATPL in addition to a letter of reference from their current employer confirming the candidate s length of experience in the air transport industry. Applicants who hold the Buckinghamshire New University Foundation Degree in Air Transport Management with Airline Pilot Training will be required to provide a transcript of their results. BA (Hons) Air Transport with Commercial Pilot Training (Top up) Page 2 of 7
SECTION B: PROGRAMME AIMS, OUTCOMES, LEARNING, TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT METHODS Programme Aims The main educational aims of the programme are to: Provide an attractive course of study which produces graduates with an understanding of the aviation industry and the management challenges with which it is confronted; Foster an environment in which students are encouraged to develop: academic skills; critical awareness; the ability to challenge knowledge; relate theory to practice; undertake critical analysis; and demonstrate powers of reasoning; problem-solving; synthesis; evaluation and research; Produce undergraduates that meet the changing demands of employment because of their acquisition and development of a wide range of personal and transferable skills including: selfreliance; reflection; adaptability; creativity; flexibility; and leadership qualities; Enable undergraduates to demonstrate the key skills of: written communication; the use of information technology; and the interpretation and application of information; Develop key personal and academic skills enabling students to become active and independent learners; Encourage undergraduates to reflect upon their studies and take responsibility for their own learning and continued professional development. Programme Learning Outcomes On completion of the BA (Hons) Air Transport with Commercial Pilot Training (Top-up), a student will be able to: Critically evaluate essential elements of strategy formulation and implementation in the air travel industry; Critically evaluate airline and airport strategies particularly focussed on alliances and mergers in the evolving global context; Interpret and critically analyse and evaluate an aviation organisation s financial and economic requirements, strategies and performance Critically review, consolidate and extend a coherent body of knowledge in order to execute a sustained piece of independent work; Synthesise and evaluate information from a wide variety of sources relating to current and future developments in the air travel industry; Critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data to make informed judgments; Plan, design, execute and communicate a sustained piece of independent intellectual work using appropriate media. Skills students will be able to: Synthesise, interpret and critically analyse and evaluate information and data; Research and assess theories, principles, concepts and factual information and apply these in explaining and solving problems; Plan, design and execute fieldwork with due regard for safety and risk assessment; Take full responsibility for managing personal and professional development; Self-appraise and reflect on own learning and performance; Use technology to aid efficient searching, analysis, selection and presentation of information; Work effectively independently; Enhance problem-solving skills and develop and present arguments based on analysis and evaluation; Improve written communication skills and show assured, accurate and fluent use of language in presenting information; Enhance numeracy skills, where relevant carrying out accurate calculations; BA (Hons) Air Transport with Commercial Pilot Training (Top up) Page 3 of 7
Evaluate and apply vocationally relevant concepts; Present clear, fluid and rational arguments at a sophisticated level of accuracy and complexity; Interpret and critically evaluate information in a vocational context; Recognise and respond to moral and ethical issues faced by managers and leaders in the aviation industry; Demonstrate vocationally relevant managerial skills and knowledge. Table 1: Programme Skills Matrix Assessment Module Code Information Acquisition Critical thinking, analysis and synthesis Self-reflection and Criticality Communication Skills: Oral Communication Skills: Written Information & Communications Technology (ICT) Numeracy & Quantitative Skills Problem Solving & Decision Making Independent & Self-managed Learning Working with Others TA654 TA660 Learning, Teaching and Assessment Methods to achieve the Programme Learning Outcomes At level 6 students are expected to become more independent learners. At this strategic level students should be able to demonstrate the ability to critically review and analyse theories, concepts, assumptions and arguments and to synthesise and evaluate information from a wide variety of sources in relation to the aviation industry. The diverse assessment strategy combines: case studies; contributions to a group wiki; essays; reports; the compilation of a portfolio; a research project; and the opportunity for selfassessment and reflection. The assessment regime is designed to test students ability to identify, analyse, critically evaluate and reflect on management issues and challenges with which the aviation industry is confronted. The Research Project requires students to produce a major piece of written work based on their research of a relevant topic of their choice. Submission, marking and feedback on student assignments is facilitated electronically. Students, who require guidance in relation to academic writing and the preparation of assignments, will have access to the materials developed by, and support from, the Learning Development Unit (LDU) and electronically to the services of tutors within the LDU. Students will also have opportunity for ongoing interaction, via blogs and the discussion board, with the Course Leader and module tutors. Learning at Level 6 is structured to ensure that students are engaged in subject-specific contexts. Students are afforded the opportunity to interact with and research diverse aspects of the aviation industry by virtue of fieldwork and the completion of their research project. Modules enable students to develop key skills which are aligned with both QAA and QCA. Programme outcomes are mapped against QAA hospitality, leisure, sport and tourism subject benchmarks whilst the modes and scope of assessment have been formulated with reference to the learning outcomes for each module. BA (Hons) Air Transport with Commercial Pilot Training (Top up) Page 4 of 7
Students enrolled on this programme study by Flexible and Distributed Learning. Students may complete this top-up programme over a period of up to two years. This facility is available to enable students, who are working as airline pilots, flexibility in completing the top-up to Honours degree whilst simultaneously undertaking a demanding flight schedule. Students receive study materials by means of Webex, podcasts, vodcasts and other appropriate VLE tools and interact with their tutors on-line through the use of discussion boards, blogs and wikis. Resources and activities in the modules will be made available via the VLE; these may include references to papers, case study analysis, debates and/or discussions on relevant themes and contemporary issues in relation to the global aviation industry. Students are also introduced to directed reading, including relevant websites and journal articles that will enable them to apply the concepts covered to the aviation industry. Students are encouraged to use the Discussion Board feature to discuss issues raised in lectures, case studies and directed reading and are expected to contribute their ideas using the online forum, the discussion being facilitated and guided by the module tutor. Use of the VLE further allows students to develop and demonstrate competence in the area of information technology. Support for the planning, implementation and presentation of the research project is provided through on-line action learning sets conducted via Blackboard through the use of discussion groups, blogs and, where appropriate, videoconferencing. In the action learning sets participants work within a small, mutually supportive group facilitated by a member of the programme team. Students are allocated a project supervisor, appropriate to the research topic selected, who advises and supports students in the completion of the research project. The Course Leader functions as personal tutor to students enrolled on the programme. A review of students progress is undertaken after each module in order to monitor progress, identify incipient problems and, where necessary, take remedial action. BA (Hons) Air Transport with Commercial Pilot Training (Top up) Page 5 of 7
SECTION C: PROGRAMME STRUCTURE(S) AND MATRIX MAPPING Table 2: Programme Structures and Requirements Course Title: Mode: Course Code: BA (Hons) Air Transport with Commercial Pilot Training (Topup) Flexible and Distributed Learning (FDL) BR2ACT9 Total UK Credits available for Course = 120 Total European Credit Transfer System credits awarded for Course = 60 Module Code Module Title Academic Level Course Stage / Year Module Type Credit Value (normally 30) Assessment Regime CW (written) % TCA, Practical, Other Exam % TA654 Aviation in the Global Context 6 1 C 30 100 SB TA660 Commercial Analysis and Planning 6 1 C 30 100 SB Sustainability and Strategy 6 1 C 30 100 SB Research Project 6 1 C 30 100 SB Semester Taught Ordinarily each module will run once per year, and students can take these in any order. Those commencing their studies in September may take any modules in their first year, and any (all) outstanding modules in their second year of study. Students commencing their studies in January can take any of the three taught modules in either their first or second year of study, but must start the research project in the September following their commencement of the course. September enrolment: Each Module can be studied in either year Mod Mod Title Year 1 of study Year 2 of study TA654 Aviation in the Global Context Autumn Autumn TA660 Commercial Analysis and Planning Spring Spring Sustainability and Strategy Summer Summer Research Project All Year All Year January enrolment: Each Module can be studied in a column in which it appears Mod Mod Title Year 1 of study Year 2 of study TA654 Aviation in the Global Context Autumn Autumn TA660 Commercial Analysis and Planning Spring Spring Sustainability and Strategy Summer Summer Research Project All Year, commencing in September of Year 1 and completing by the end of Year 2 BA (Hons) Air Transport with Commercial Pilot Training (Top up) Page 6 of 7
Table 3: Mapping of Programme Outcomes to Modules Programme Outcome Level 6 (Code) Critically evaluate essential elements of strategy formulation and implementation in the air travel industry Critically evaluate airline and airport strategies particularly focussed on alliances and mergers in the evolving global context Interpret and critically analyse and evaluate an aviation organisation s financial and economic requirements, strategies and performance TA654 TA 660 Critically review, consolidate and extend a coherent body of knowledge in order to execute a sustained piece of independent work Synthesise and evaluate information from a wide variety of sources relating to current and future developments in the air travel industry Critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data to make informed judgments Plan, design, execute and communicate a sustained piece of independent intellectual work using appropriate media TA654 TA660 SECTION D: CONTACT HOURS Note: Hours are worked on the basis of full-time study. 1 Academic Credit is equated to 10 notional learning hours. A full-time undergraduate student will normally study 120 credits in an academic year which is therefore equated to 1200 notional hours. Module Descriptors provide detailed breakdowns of the categories given below. Taken over two years, this equates to 600 hours per year, but the hours shown below indicate the fastest possible completion rate. Table 4: Breakdown of Contact Hours Year of course Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities Guided Independent Study Placement / Study Abroad Total Year One 0 1200 0 1200 Total 0 1200 0 1200 SECTION E: ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS This programme conforms to the approved University procedures as detailed on the University website with no exceptions: The calculation of this award will be as follows: 100% Level 6 The following modules may not be condoned: Research Project () This programme will be covered by the following University regulations: University Academic Framework and Assessment Regulations 2013 Buckinghamshire New University BA (Hons) Air Transport with Commercial Pilot Training (Top up) Page 7 of 7