Aircraft Maintenance Engineering and Management BSc (Hons)

Course code H410

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.

The degree is IEng accredited with the Royal Aeronautical Society.

* 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 professional training package is offered in the third year of the programme

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, 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
  • 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

 

Royal Aeronautical Society logo

Civil Aviation Authority Logo

Air Service Training Logo

European Union Aviation Safety Agency logo

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)

How will I study my course?

  • Full-time
  • You will learn through a combination of face-to-face lectures and tutorials, laboratory and simulation exercises, practical workshops, field trips, and online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors
  • A significant proportion of the first two years will be spent on practical activities
  • An optional professional training package is offered in year three, 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 License but it is not needed to obtain the degree

How long will my course last?

  • Full-time: 4 years @ 40 hours per week

Where can I study my course?

  • Perth

Start date

  • September

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.
Study Mode 2023-24 2024-25
Full-time (120 credit modules) per year £1,820 £1,820
Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year £915 £915
Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) £305 £305

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:

Year Level 2023-24 Full-time 2024-25 Full-time
Year 1 CertHE £9,250 £9,250
Year 2 DipHE £9,250 £9,250
Year 3 Degree £9,250 £9,250
Year 4 Honours free free

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.

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.

Year Level 2023-24 Full-time With scholarship 2024-25 Full-time With scholarship
Year 1 CertHE £15,360 £11,360 £15,996 £11,996
Year 2 DipHE £15,360 £11,360 £15,996 £11,996
Year 3 Degree £15,360 £11,360 £15,996 £11,996
Year 4 Honours £15,360 Free £15,996 Free

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:

Study Mode 2023-24 2024-25
Full-time per year (120 credit modules) per year £15,360 £15,996
Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year £7,680 £7,998
Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) £2,560 £2,666

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 professional training package (AMET) is offered in year three, 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.

What can I do on completion of my course?

Successful completion of this course will allow you to enhance your career prospects within the aviation industry, particularly the aircraft maintenance sector.  
 
The primary career route expected upon completion of the course is a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer. This role is divided into the following categories: 

  • B1.1 Fixed Wing: Aeroplanes with Turbine Engines - Turbine Engines: (often referred to as jet engines) and also called combustion turbines, are rotary engines that extract energy from a flow of combustion gas. It has an upstream compressor coupled to a downstream turbine, and a combustion chamber in-between. Turbine aircraft may be propeller or jet driven. 
  • B1.2 Fixed Wing: Aeroplanes with Piston Engines - Piston Engines: (otherwise known as reciprocating engines) use fundamentally similar technology to those used by cars and motorcycles where pistons in cylinders are used to generate motive force for propulsion by turning pressure into a rotating motion. These engines always drive a propeller. 
  • B1.3 Rotary Wing: Helicopters with Turbine Engines - This licence category will allow the mechanical engineer to service to base maintenance level, helicopters with one or more Turbine Engines and all associated systems including power plants, fuel systems and associated pneumatic, hydraulic and air-conditioning systems. 
  • B1.4 Rotary Wing: Helicopters with Piston Engines - This licence category will allow the mechanical engineer to service to base maintenance level, helicopters with a Piston Engine and all associated systems including power plants, fuel systems and associated pneumatic, hydraulic and air-conditioning systems
  • B2 Avionic: Electronic systems fitted to all aircraft - If you are more electronically orientated and decide that you would like to be an Avionics Engineer specialising in scheduled maintenance, restoration and modification of communication, navigation, radar equipment; guidance and control systems including auto-pilot/auto-land and cabin entertainment then this license is the one to choose, Note: this qualification is only licensed at category B level

The B licence together with the degree can lead to roles such as: 

  • Aircraft maintenance engineer 
  • Aerospace systems engineer 
  • Avionics and mission systems engineer 
  • Aviation safety engineer 
  • Aircraft propulsion engineer 
  • Technical services management engineer 
  • Aerospace engineering management 
  • Continuing airworthiness management engineer 
  • Aviation compliance management engineer 
  • Aircraft maintenance planning and management 

The skills you will learn and develop during this course are also transferable to many other roles within the aviation industry, as well as sectors including oil and gas, renewables and nuclear. 

Can I progress into further study?

On successful completion of the course you may wish to consider progression to our MBA Business Administration (Aviation).

Is there more information available online?

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This was the right course for me because I knew I wanted to be an engineer, and I love aircraft and spacecraft. I also liked that the Perth campus was close to Edinburgh. I am very grateful for all the support I found at UHI. The lecturers always make the best out of every class, and we’ve often been asked for feedback to tailor the classes to our needs. I feel supported by the staff at UHI.  

The facilities here are very good, and I can for sure say that my favourite places in the campus are the Aviation Hub, where I spend a lot of times due to my studies, and the climbing wall, where some of my classmates and I have been going for a while to relax and distract ourselves from the course.  

Scotland has among the best natural sceneries I have ever seen. When the sun shines it feels unreal how beautiful it is. I love driving north and enjoying the Highlands and Islands, it really makes my time here special. I often think about my future, and I know I will miss these times. 

Erica studies Aircraft engineering at UHI Perth. 

Apply for Aircraft Maintenance Engineering and Management BSc (Hons)

I want to start in Aug/Sep 2024

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.