Overview
- Start dateJanuary
- DurationMSc: three years part-time; Postgraduate Diploma: two years; Postgraduate Certificate: one year
- DeliveryTaught modules: 40%; Group projects: 20%; Individual research project: 40%
- QualificationMSc, PgDip, PgCert
- Study typePart-time
- CampusOnline
Why this course?
This programme is delivered through the specialist Cranfield Safety and Accident Investigation Centre, operating for 40 years to support global safety and investigation. This course is unique as it combines the knowledge and expertise of the centre’s academic staff with the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s senior staff.
The structure of the course supports enhanced depth of learning and the blend of different modes of delivery enables student to have more flexibility. Cranfield University offers a comprehensive range of library and IT services tuned to support a part-time mode of learning, enabling national and international students to study while balancing work/life commitments. The course is innovative, different, unique and flexible:
- Innovative and different – the taught modules and group project modules have a variability of credits, enabling more flexibility and enhanced depth of knowledge.
- Innovative and different – the course has two group projects, each in the second half of each academic year. This gives opportunity to students on the PGDip and PGCert paths to gain experience in group projects and provides students on the MSc path with a great opportunity to further develop and practice their team work skills.
- Unique – developed and delivered in partnership with the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
- Flexible – clear and easy-to-follow structure of the course, delivered via online live streaming of classes with supplementary use of pre-recorded material, gives part-time students more flexibility and ability to manage their time effectively.
Informed by Industry
Cranfield University has worked closely with CAA International* to develop this unique course. The UK CAA is world-leading in the adoption of risk-based regulation, which aims to focus regulatory efforts on areas representing greatest risk.
*CAA International is the training and advisory services arm of the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
The regulation of aviation safety has evolved significantly from just compliance checking. The implementation of safety management systems in industry and the practice of risk-based surveillance in the regulator, pioneered in the UK, have fundamentally changed the regulatory landscape. Never has it been more important for regulators and industry across the world to have a common understanding of how these tools can drive improved safety performance. We have chosen to work with Cranfield University in designing this course because of their exclusive focus on aviation and postgraduate education; access to a working airfield, with virtual control tower and aircraft, make this a unique place to learn.
Aviation seems set for accelerated adoption of new technologies and new ways of doing business globally. In such a world, those who can best apply safety management and performance-based practices will be particularly well-placed to make a difference. With its focus on regulation, its use of group working and its engagement of current practitioners, this programme is a unique personal development opportunity designed to prepare aviation professionals for that world. I am so excited about this programme’s potential!
Course details
The whole part-time MSc is expected to be completed in three years. The PGDip takes two years, with all taught and group project modules to be successfully completed. The PGCert is expected to be completed in one year, with taught modules 1 and 2 and group project 1 to be successfully completed.
Year 1 | Module 1 (30 credits), module 2 (20 credits), group project 1 (10 credits) | PG Cert (60 credits) |
Year 2 | As above plus module 3 (10 credits), module 4 (20 credits), group project 2 (30 credits) | PG Dip (120 credits) |
Year 3 | As above plus IRP (80 credits) | MSc (200 credits) |
Module 1 - Advanced Safety and Risk Management (compulsory - year 1)
Module 2 - Aviation Legislation & Regulatory Approach (compulsory - year 1)
Module 3 – Aircraft Accident Investigation and Response (compulsory - year 2)
Module 4 – Responding to Risk in Sociotechnical System (compulsory - year 2)
Course delivery
Taught modules: 40%; Group projects: 20%; Individual research project: 40%
Group project
The structure of the course strongly promotes group work, with projects in both of the first two years. This provides an invaluable experience for the students not only on the MSc route but also on PGDip and PGCert exit routes. All students will experience working on group projects to develop their communication, team work and project management skills. This is one of the reasons that make this MSc course appealing to a wide audience.
- Group project 1 – Managing Current Safety Issues (compulsory - year 1)
- Group project 2 – Managing Emerging Safety Issues (compulsory - year 2)
Individual project
- Thesis project (compulsory - year 3)
Modules
Keeping our courses up-to-date and current requires constant innovation and change. The modules we offer reflect the needs of business and industry and the research interests of our staff and, as a result, may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons. Changes may also be designed to improve the student learning experience or to respond to feedback from students, external examiners, accreditation bodies and industrial advisory panels.
To give you a taster, we have listed the compulsory and elective (where applicable) modules which are currently affiliated with this course. All modules are indicative only, and may be subject to change for your year of entry.
Course modules
Compulsory modules
All the modules in the following list need to be taken as part of this course.
Advanced Safety and Risk Management
Aim |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Aviation Legislation and Regulatory Approach
Aim |
This module will aim to evaluate the challenges which the ICAO and National Aviation Authorities (NAA) are facing in terms of not only developing new standards and regulations but also achieving effective oversight and safety assurance. It will also critically review the differences between "compliance based" and "performance / risk based" approaches and their impact on the State Safety Programmes (SSP) and Safety Management Systems (SMS). |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Aircraft Accident Investigation and Response
Aim |
Students will be presented with a simulated accident scenario during which they will be exposed to all elements of the investigation such as evidence collection, interviewing, analysis and the generation of safety recommendations. |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Responding to Risk in Sociotechnical Systems
Aim |
Capturing the required high organisational performance is key to maintaining and improving high levels of safety in an evolving system. This course considers aviation from both organisational and individual perspectives. Models, tools and techniques are examined to capture, appraise and mitigate risks that emerge due to the interactive complexity of the system. |
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Syllabus |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
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Teaching team
Your career
Most students on this course will probably be already in full-time employment at the time of attending the course. However, this MSc prepares them for a higher level of responsibility in a variety of areas. The course has a unique blend of subjects covering the varied topics within risk and safety management, which will have a huge benefit for people within all aviation sectors. It is therefore entirely possible that the course will enable people to take on additional responsibility and/or transition to other areas within the aviation industry.
How to apply
Online application form. UK students are normally expected to attend an interview and financial support is best discussed at this time. Overseas and EU students may be interviewed by telephone.