Aircraft Maintenance Engineering and Management BSc (Hons)

What is special about this course?

Are you considering Aviation as a career? Are you looking to study towards a Part 66 Aircraft Maintenance Licence? Would you like your training delivered by an organisation that has more than 90 years of experience in training aircraft maintenance and management personnel for the global aviation industry?  

This unique course is the only one of its kind in Scotland and is designed to produce graduate-calibre aircraft maintenance engineers. 

The BSc (Hons) Aircraft Maintenance Engineering and Management meets the syllabus requirements of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (UKCAA) Category B1.1 aircraft maintenance licence syllabus (EASA Part-66)*. Delivered in conjunction with Air Service Training (Eng) Ltd**, the longest established aviation maintenance training organisation of its type in the world, it provides you with the opportunity to obtain an Approved EASA and/or UKCAA Part 66 Certificate of Recognition in addition to an honours level degree. 

The Approved Part 66 Certificate of Recognition allows a reduction of the minimum aircraft maintenance experience required by an individual prior to applying for an aircraft maintenance licence. 

Obtaining a Category B1.1 licence is the first step on the path to becoming a certifying, licensed aircraft engineer, a person responsible for signing-off (certifying) the work carried out on aircraft, systems and equipment.

The course is taught by staff with industrial experience both in military and civilian environments. You will combine academic and technical knowledge, understanding and skills, with the personal qualities and leadership skills needed to succeed in this dynamic industry.

In years one and two, you will develop hand and maintenance skills of aircraft components and equipment, including system diagnosis, structural repairs and inspection techniques on a variety of airframes, alongside essential academic knowledge in areas such as maths, aerodynamics and propulsion.

Unlike many other aircraft management courses, the third year provides an insight into the management roles within an aircraft maintenance environment and the wider knowledge and skills required by the aviation industry. In your final year you will complete a capstone project which will give you the opportunity to showcase all the skills you have acquired.

You will be based at UHI Perth which boasts world-class facilities, including hangar spaces for practical activities that simulate an active commercial EASA/UKCAA Part 145 maintenance environment. You will also benefit from close links with many companies in the aviation industry within Scotland, the UK and worldwide.

* Applications to complete other licence categories such as B1.2, B1.3 and B2 Avionics will be considered on application but cannot be guaranteed.   
**AST hold both UKCAA and EASA Approvals post Brexit, Approval references: UK.147.0002 and EASA.147.0174

Special features

• Provides you with the opportunity to obtain a training certificate in addition to an honours degree
• Specifically designed to develop your management and leadership skills
• Taught by staff with a wealth of industry experience and knowledge
• Experience of an EASA Part 145 aircraft maintenance environment
• Students benefit from AST RAeS (Royal Aeronautical Society) Corporate membership
• You will benefit from the expertise of the AST, the longest-established aviation training organisation of its type in the world
• Close links with the global aviation industry
• Optional 6-week professional training package is offered in the third year of the programme or after you have completed your final year

Accommodation

We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.

Entry requirements

• 3 Scottish Highers at BCC or above: one of these must be Maths; you must have grade B or above in either Maths, Physics or Engineering Science; OR
• 2 A levels at grade C or above: one of these must be Mathematics 

PLUS

• National 5 Physics at grade B and National 5 English at grade C OR
• GCSE Physics at grade 5 and English at grade 4

• Alternatively, HNC Aircraft Engineering OR
• Foundation Apprenticeship Engineering level 6, or NC level 6 in an engineering discipline, plus National 5 Physics at grade B and National 5 English at grade C
• Please note that Higher Application of Maths is not valid for entry into this course
• Applicants with other relevant qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis, as will applicants who have equivalent or higher level qualifications from other disciplines, wishing to enter the programme in order to undertake a career change into aircraft maintenance engineering and complete the EASA completion certificate

Advanced entry to year three:

• Applicants in current or very recent employment within the aircraft industry, with an HND/DipHE award in an Engineering discipline, may be considered for advanced entry to year 3 on a case by case basis

Year 1 - CertHE

Core modules may include:

• Electrical and electronic fundamentals for maintenance engineers
• Materials and hardware for maintenance engineers
• Core maths 1
• Aviation maintenance practices
• Engineering skills 1 for maintenance engineers

Year 2 - DipHE

Core modules may include:

• Engineering skills 2 for maintenance engineers
• Gas turbine engine technology
• Applied aerodynamics for maintenance engineers
• Structural mechanics and dynamics for maintenance engineers
• Aircraft systems (electrical/avionic)
• Fixed wing aircraft mechanical systems

Year 3 - BSc

Core modules are:

• Aircraft maintenance management
• Aircraft reliability and fault diagnosis
• Aircraft and engine performance
• Avionics

Option modules may include:

• Professional practice (40 credits) OR
• Airworthiness requirements and group project

Year 4 - BSc (Hons)

Core modules are:

• Advanced aircraft and engine performance
• Airline operations and quality management
• Aircraft design for maintenance engineers
• Sustainable aviation
• Aviation crisis management
• Engineering project and project management (double credit)

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

• EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
• EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
• EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term-time address in Scotland, studying full time, the following fees apply:

4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,542.

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK and EU students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying (see the Funding section opposite).

EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes.  Students will get an automatic scholarship of £4,000 per annum and the 4th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

Further information on international course fees.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.

Additional costs

An optional 6-week professional training package (AMET) is offered in year three or after you have completed your final year, for which there is an additional charge of £2,500; this package forms part of the requirements to gain fast-track issuing of a category B Licence but it is not needed to obtain the degree. Students will be responsible for all living and travel costs whilst undertaking AMET.