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BA (Hons) Organisational Capability Development with Aviation

  • Study Mode: Part Time
  • Location: Distance Learning
  • Duration: One or Two Years
  • Start Date: September 2024

Designed for commissioned and non-commissioned officers of the UK Armed Forces, this course provides an opportunity for military personnel to undertake a bespoke, closed, higher education programme to bolster career prospects.

This course helps you develop your analytical, research and organisational skills. We aim to help you understand the business, management, and operational issues present in the aviation and security sectors.

This programme is eligible for funding under the UK Ministry of Defence Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) scheme – our ELCAS number is 1682.

The company made a point to mention in my feedback that my degree from BNU combined with my RAF experience meant that I was 100% the person to fill the skills gap that they currently have.
Adrian Hattersley
Headshot of Adrian Hattersley

Why study this subject?

BA (Hons) Organisational Capability Development with Aviation provides the perfect blend of topics including, aviation business, operations and logistics, and cargo. You’ll gain a stronger foundation of knowledge and an understanding of the broader operations, resilience, and strategic management.

Throughout the degree, you will be supported by our highly experienced academic team (who are military veterans), as well as being able to draw upon industry and sector specialists. On completion, you will be able to apply your learning to real-world issues facing your profession.

This degree provides an accessible and phased entry undergraduate programme for UK Armed Forces personnel that maps the skills of staff to the characteristics of typical civilian businesses.

It has also been designed to meet the needs of students who are, or who aspire to be, employed as managers in specific sectors such as civil aviation, security and resilience. There are many military personnel who have long-term experience and are seeking validation and evidence of this through the achievement of a degree qualification.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

BA (Hons) in Organisational Capability Development with Aviation will help successful graduates stand out and gain a competitive edge against their peers who may not have taken such an approach.

Throughout this distance-learning course, you will learn from skilled lecturers within the School of Aviation and Security who have a high level of working knowledge based on their military experience. Our tutors will give you the practical, managerial, and intellectual skills that will help you to excel in a business management, aviation operations or resilience role.

We offer students a supportive and flexible environment in which to develop and be able to apply this with confidence in their workplace. To support distance learning, all students will have access to our Virtual Learning Environment meaning that those who are often deployed to remote areas have a comprehensive student experience, combined with a flexible approach to tutoring sessions. 

The University has strong links with the military and is a holder of the Silver Military Covenant Award. We recognise the value serving personnel (both regular and reservists), veterans, and military families contribute to our business and country. As a member of the UK Armed Forces, you may be eligible to receive funding for this programme under the UK Ministry of Defence Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) scheme – our ELCAS number is 1682.

The lecturers delivering the BA (Hons) Organisational Capability Development course are very approachable, engaging and supportive. Lessons are, in the main, delivered weekly through the University’s electronic platform, enabling accessible distance learning to fit in around home and work life. I have thoroughly enjoyed my 2 years on this course and have learnt and achieved far more academically than I ever thought possible. Successfully completing this course has made me realise my love of research, learning and academia, so much so, that I will be hopefully returning to BNU and enrolling on a masters degree course.
Katy Newby
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What will I study?

The course includes core business modules that explore operations, organisational resilience, and strategic management. You will study airline and airport management and learn about the wider aviation industry. 

We also run Organisational Capability Development with Resilience where you’ll look further into corporate and strategic security management.

How will I be taught and assessed?

This programme is intended to link and build your capability, using previous experience and knowledge as the foundation and basis for study.

Throughout the course, we provide a high level of support both face-to-face and electronically using our Virtual Learning Environment. Our online learning platform helps you make the most of your time studying and allows you to focus on the issues relevant to your company (as well as minimising your time away from work).

The structure of learning for each module is as follows:

  • One month before the module start date, pre-course study materials will be released. The aim will be to ensure that students are prepared for activities well in advance of starting the module.
  • A one-day workshop will then introduce and discuss the range of theories and concepts involved in the subject area. The workshops will be designed to allow students to fully participate in working groups to discuss and analyse in a participative and pragmatic way.
  • This is then followed by distance learning, comprised of self-directed study online tutor and group interaction with students.
  • A second one-day workshop allows students to discuss and develop further responses to formative assignments; as well as build upon theories and ideas that are the results of their studies and research.
  • More distance learning will then follow in the same manner as above.
  • At the end of each module, students will be required to validate learning by submission of assessments.

The assessments are made up of both formative and summative assignments. In a formative approach, feedback given will support a collaborative environment between individuals, groups, and tutors, providing an opportunity for dialogue and reflection on their practices, and allowing responsibility for acknowledging areas of strength and areas requiring further improvements. In a summative approach taken after each assignment checkpoint, evidence will be sought to recognise that the learning outcomes of the assignment have been achieved at the appropriate level.

Where summative assessments take the form of examinations or Time Constrained Assessments, there will be optional methods of conducting the assessment based on the availability of students. The primary option will be to conduct examinations at RAF stations, and the secondary option will be to run examinations online using Blackboard where timed "examination windows" will be set up for students to complete and submit their work electronically.

What are the course entry requirements?

Armed Forces students will be offered two entry points to the programme depending on rank and experience:

  • Entry Point A (Level 5) - Two Years
  • Entry Point B (Level 6) - One Year

All students from the subject branches and trades up to and including the rank of Corporal will be eligible to commence the degree at Level 5. Students at Senior NCO rank (Sergeant) and above including commissioned ranks will be able to enter the programme at Level 6.

All applicants will be interviewed by the course team before a formal offer of a place on the course is made.

Modules

This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.

Modules

What are the tuition fees

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  • Home, Academic Year 2024 - 2025: £3,680 per year

This programme is eligible for funding under the UK Ministry of Defence Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) scheme – our ELCAS number is 1682.

Additional course costs and financial support

Most courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees.
You could benefit from financial support through a bursary or scholarship during your time as a student. For more details visit our financial support, bursaries and scholarships section.

Questions about fees?

If you have any questions about the fees above, contact our Enquiries team by calling 0330 123 2023 or emailing advice@bnu.ac.uk.

What are my career prospects?

On successful completion of this award, you will find your employment prospects enhanced and your understanding of the subjects covered significantly deepened.

Armed forces personnel will have gained the requisite knowledge and analytical skills to enable them to perform at higher management levels in the Service and the wider military.

Recent graduates joining civilian life are more likely to be able to obtain employment in various sectors and importantly will be better equipped to seek promotion.

All graduates will have developed transferable skills that can be used in a wide range of employment roles.

One of Buckinghamshire New University’s great advantages is having experienced tutors running the course who have served in the military and therefore understands the organisation and commitments soldiers have. This makes communication a whole lot easier and allows a community, such as the military, to be better managed and understood. It is also nice to see a well-balanced and diverse set of tutors. I would highly recommend this course to anybody that is thinking about pursuing further education and is unsure if they can fit it in around a busy schedule.
Natalie Jones
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Course leader

Head and shoulders photo of a smiling John Paulson wearing a grey suit jacket and a light blue shirt stood against a grey wall
John Paulson
  • Senior Lecturer
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