International Airline and Airport Management BSc (Hons) - 2026/7

Other information

The school of Hospitality and Tourism Management is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, Resourcefulness and Resilience. This programme is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:

Digital capabilities form a foundational pillar, equipping students with the expertise necessary to navigate and leverage cutting-edge technologies specific to the aviation sector. This includes a thorough understanding of aviation software, systems, and digital platforms integral to airline and airport management, operations and safety.
The Employability pillar focuses on preparing students with a comprehensive understanding of airline and airport operations, along with a deep grasp of global aviation regulations and the industry¿s competitive landscape. This pillar emphasizes the development of leadership and strategic management skills, enabling graduates to confidently navigate and contribute to the aviation sector. It also encourages building a professional network and advocates for continuous learning and adaptation to stay abreast of industry trends, ensuring graduates are not just employable upon completion of their studies but remain valuable assets in the rapidly evolving aviation industry.

Global and cultural capabilities are essential in the international context of airline and airport management, to foster cultural intelligence and sensitivity among students. This pillar aims to equip students with the skills to effectively operate and communicate in the diverse and multicultural environment of the global aviation industry. To enhance these capabilities, the programme will not only emphasize exposure to diverse perspectives but also include direct teaching on intercultural competencies. This will be achieved through dedicated workshops, case studies on cultural differences in business practices, and scenario-based learning activities that prepare students to navigate real-world multicultural situations.

Furthermore, students will benefit from insights shared by a diverse range of guest speakers from across the global aviation and tourism industries. These guest speakers include industry leaders, experts, and professionals from different cultural and geographical backgrounds, providing students with firsthand knowledge of international operations and the importance of cultural sensitivity. A comprehensive list of guest speakers and their backgrounds is available on our dedicated webpage [link to the list on our website: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/school-hospitality-tourism-management/publications/visiting-speakers]

Understanding and respecting cultural differences, coupled with knowledge of international regulations and the ability to work across linguistic barriers, are emphasized throughout the curriculum. This integrated approach ensures students are well-prepared for the intricacies of global operations, ultimately enhancing international collaboration and customer service skills in their future careers.

Resourcefulness and Resilience are critical in the high-stakes and dynamic aviation industry, where professionals often face unpredictable challenges. This aspect of the program hones students' ability to think creatively and critically, enabling them to devise innovative solutions to industry-specific problems. Emotional intelligence, adaptability, and a growth mindset are fostered, ensuring students can effectively manage stress, setbacks, and the fast-paced nature of the aviation sector. This resilience not only aids in maintaining operational efficiency and safety but also supports personal well-being and professional growth.

Sustainability is increasingly recognised as a pivotal concern within the aviation sector, prompting this pillar to emphasize environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic viability. Students are encouraged to explore and advocate for sustainable practices and technologies that mitigate the environmental impact of airline and airport operations. This includes promoting social justice, diversity, and inclusion within the sector and adhering to ethical standards in decision-making. By integrating these values, future professionals are prepared to lead the aviation sector towards a more sustainable, equitable, and responsible future.

As can be seen in the programme structure, students begin with more general subjects in Level 4 to ensure students from different backgrounds can build a foundational understanding of key concepts in both aviation and management.

After having established a strong foundational knowledge in both management and aviation principles at Level 4, students will progressively advance to more specialized subjects in Levels 5 and 6. This progression allows them to apply their foundational knowledge in increasingly complex contexts, including industry-specific case studies, practical simulations, and projects that reflect real-world aviation scenarios. This scaffolding approach ensures that students develop the necessary skills and confidence to succeed as they move towards more advanced and specialized topics.

Level 4 modules like "Fundamentals of Service Delivery" and "Financial Accounting in Service Industries" provide foundational knowledge that directly supports the understanding of more advanced topics at Level 5, such as "Applied Financial Management in Services" and "Managing Organisation & Human Resources." This scaffolding ensures that students develop a solid grounding in service principles before tackling more complex management concepts.

The Level 5 modules "Airline Management" and "Airport Management" build on the introductory topics covered in "Airline & Cargo Operations" and "Airport Operations" at Level 4, providing students with a deeper, more strategic perspective of the operational challenges faced by the aviation industry.

At Level 6, modules such as "Strategic Planning and Development in Aviation" leverage the strategic thinking skills developed in "Strategic Management" and apply them specifically to the aviation context, ensuring continuity and integration of learning.

Additionally, throughout Level 4, students will have access to academic support services such as workshops on study skills, personal tutoring, and peer-assisted learning sessions to facilitate their transition into higher education and ensure they are equipped with the skills needed for successful progression.

Foundational modules (e.g., non-aviation-specific modules) will have tutorials/seminar sessions consisting of students on the IAAM programme together to enable personalised learning. For example, MAN1158 The visitor Economy & Business Environment and MAN1140 Fundamentals of Service Delivery modules will also cover aviation-specific topics and concepts with case studies and examples.

Several modules including Dissertation, Business Plan and Startup Ventures, as well as Consultancy for the Visitor Economy can be personalised and students on the IAAM programme will be coached to work on aviation-related topics within these.

Taking part in the Aviation Field Trip module is highly recommended for experiential learning. The cost of this field trip module is mostly subsidised by the University and there is a student contribution (normally around £500).

The programme places significant emphasis on group assessments, as reflected in both the programme specification document and module descriptors. The rationale for this approach is rooted in the nature of the aviation and service industries, which are inherently people-facing and reliant on collaboration and teamwork. Through group assessments, students develop essential interpersonal skills such as teamwork, leadership, negotiation, and conflict resolution, which are directly transferable to the collaborative work environment of the aviation industry. This format also allows students to simulate real-life work scenarios, enhancing their ability to work within diverse teams and understand different perspectives, which is crucial in a culturally diverse global industry.

Our research-led teaching approach aims to integrate the latest academic research into the learning experience, providing students with exposure to contemporary issues, debates, and developments in the aviation and tourism sectors. This involves incorporating relevant research studies and encouraging students to critically engage with them, developing their ability to apply academic insights to real-world challenges.