Overview
- Start dateJanuary (application deadline - early part of October).
- DurationThree years part-time MSc (Apprenticeship route - 3-6 months more following successful completion of the MSc)
- DeliveryTaught modules 40%, Group project 20%, Individual research project 40%
- QualificationMSc
- Study typePart-time
- CampusOnline
Programme details
Qualifications underpinning the standard
Our MSc in Aviation Safety Management, Risk and Regulation is mapped to the Risk and Safety Management Professional Apprenticeship Standard.
Who is it for?
This high-quality training, available in the UK via the Apprenticeship Levy, provides the skills and knowledge to allow employees to progress further in their careers by gaining a respected level 7 qualification.
Benefits to your company
Â鶹Éç, in partnership with CAA International*, offers this unique course to provide individuals working in the aviation industry with skills and knowledge in safety, risk and regulation. A detailed understanding of these areas is necessary for today's fast-paced environment, where organisations must be knowledgeable and prepared to solve current and merging safety, risk and regulatory issues.
The course aims to:
- Promote excellence in risk and safety management via a Master's level course that forms part of a high-quality Apprenticeship programme in aviation safety, risk and regulation.
- Provide a globally unique course that relates the regulatory background of all aspects of aviation safety.
- Promote safety management and performance-based regulatory practice within the UK and worldwide industry and government agencies.
*CAA International is the training and advisory services arm of the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
Benefits to your employees
Your early career professionals, or professionals with existing industry knowledge transitioning into different career paths, will greatly benefit from a postgraduate Master's qualification and a personal development opportunity with one of the UK’s top postgraduate universities. The applied nature of the programme enables personalised, specific and organisationally aligned development. Understanding the academic background of methods and techniques used in the management of risk and safety, and their practical application in the workplace, is a prerequisite for effective safety and risk management today.
Course details
The whole Apprenticeship MSc is expected to be completed in 39 months (the academic part takes 33 months, with an additional six months to complete the entire Apprenticeship MSc).
Course delivery
Taught modules 40%, Group project 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.
Group project 1 – Managing Current Safety Issues (Compulsory - Year 1)
Group project 2 – Managing Emerging Safety Issues (Compulsory - Year 2)
Individual project
Each MSc student will undertake an individual research project. The project aims to provide students with an opportunity to apply the technical and analytical skills taught during the course, in a practical way. The individual research project is a chance to study a specific subject or problem area in much greater depth. You will be assigned a supervisor who will help to guide you in your research.
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, you will be able to:
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Aviation Legislation and Regulatory Approach
Aim |
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) framework provides common standards to enable the continuing growth of the industry while aiming to improve the safety performance. In recent years, the shift from ‘Compliance based’ to ‘Performance Based’ approach to regulation and oversight, has been implemented by some of the leading regulatory authorities such as UK CAA, Transport Canada etc. Furthermore, the application of these concepts can also be by the service providers in the industry to manage safety in the most efficient way. 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, you will be able to:
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Aircraft Accident Investigation and Response
Aim |
This course is based around a case study approach to aircraft accident investigation. You will have the opportunity to experience important elements of aircraft accident investigation from initial notification of an event through to generating and communicating investigative findings. |
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Syllabus |
• Accident investigation approaches and response. • On-site appraisal and preservation of evidence. • Human factors in investigations. • Witnesses and interviewing. • Preparing and managing recommendations. • Communication of investigation findings. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you 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, you will be able to:
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Teaching team
This programme is delivered through the specialist Cranfield Safety and Accident Investigation Centre, which has been operating for 45 years to support global safety and investigation. The course combines the knowledge and expertise of the Centre’s academic staff with the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s senior staff.
How to apply
Next steps
If you would like to find out more general information about the course and your eligibility to attend the programme, please arrange a one-to-one discussion with the course director before you make a formal application.
For employer related enquiries, fees and funding, and the expression of interest/application process, please contact our Apprenticeships Team: apprenticeships@cranfield.ac.uk
Employers: please complete our .
Prospective students: please ask your employer to submit an to indicate their willingness to sponsor you.
Applications for apprenticeship routes have to come via the Expression of Interest form. Apprenticeship applications received via the application button on the non-apprenticeship pages will not be processed.
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 Â鶹Éç 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.
I am really enjoying the course content, and this is exactly what I was hoping for when I joined the ASMRR MSc. The assignment questions after each module are well-thought-out in my view, as they drive me towards a much better understanding of the module content, ensuring a high retention about the subject in my mind. As I am progressing through the second year of the MSc, I find that the knowledge gained is not only helping me significantly in my job role but also in enhancing my profile within easyJet.
From a university perspective, I find the research work that Cranfield does, especially in the field of aviation very exciting. As a student, I find the support system and flexibility that Cranfield provides extremely helpful.
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!