Curriculum Information

Document Version

QAA Benchmarks

Educational Aim

Learning Outcomes

Course Structure

Level 3 Modules

Level 4 Modules

Level 5 Modules

Level 6 Modules

Teaching and Assessment

Learning and Teaching Methods

Employer Engagement

Visiting Speakers

There are a number of opportunities for students on this course to engage with visiting speakers and potential employers. This begins at Level 4 as part of the induction week and continues in the first year through the Professional Engineering Techniques module, which acts as a vehicle for guest speakers from industry (preferably alumni) to speak of their journey. At higher levels, students will benefit from contacts arising from the engagement of people from industry to teach specific topics in some specialised modules. Other events include the Annual Series of Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) and Institute of Engineering and Technologist (IET) speakers.

Volunteering

The Aviation Academy organises a number of events throughout the year such as school taster days, the Big Bang Fair and Head Start for local school children. Students on this course can assist at such events and engage in a wide range of outreach activities.

Field trips

The Aviation Academy has recently forged links with Ryan Air, Horizon, GJD AeroServices, Cardiff Aviation Training and the newly developed Aircraft Museum Wales. These relationships provide opportunities for our students to gain real-world experience in CAA approved Part-145 maintenance organisations, working on aircraft maintenance tasks.

Students visiting Cardiff Aviation Training will gain experience of engine start-up and ground running of a Boeing 747 aircraft via Cardiff Aviation’s flight simulators.

The Museum provides opportunities for students to volunteer their services in the restoration of military and civilian aircraft.

The demand for suitably qualified personnel to work in the aviation sector has resulted in a substantial increase in industrial engagement activities. Companies are keen to forge links and build progression opportunities within their organisations for our graduates. This has resulted in many invitations to visit Maintenance Repair and Overall (MRO) organisations in an attempt to inspire students to work for these companies.

Work Placements

Students are strongly encouraged to undertake a formal work placement between their second and third year of studies that can act as the vehicle for the dissertation topic for their final year project module. Such students will be hosted and work in a company.

Employer Forums

The Aviation Academy has recently formed an Industrial Advisory Group (IAG) which meets twice per year. This group was consulted regarding the validation of this award and its views regarding the content of the taught modules. The IAG also provides a platform that allows closer links between the industry and the Aviation Academy. This platform allows for further industrial collaboration across a range of areas to include specialist course development, increased industrial placement opportunities and final year student projects. The IAG, as well as providing input into the course/module content, ensuring it is current with the latest technologies and processes, also contributes directly by delivering a range of specialist guest lectures enhancing the students’ experience and employability prospects.

An annual event involving industry is the ‘Student Project Showcase’, where industrialists are invited to attend and present prizes to the most outstanding projects. This has been endorsed by industrialists who are generously providing prestigious prizes for the winning category. The IET also commended this event in developing the students and preparing them for the industry.

Means of Assessment

Learning Support

Induction

The School plans and runs a programme of induction activities during the first week of attendance. Early enrolling students have immediate access to their modules and introductory course material on Unilearn.

USW’s ICIS system also provides access to course information and module definitions.

Personal tutor

All Students starting at Level 3 or 4 are assigned a personal academic coach (PAC). The allocated coach will remain with the same students up to level 5 of their studies. At level 6 a more informal approach will be adopted, still following the PAC principle. At level 6 the project supervisor takes the lead point of contact concerning academic issues.

Office hours

Staff in the school are expected to acknowledge all student emails within 48 hours between 9 am and 5pm, Mon-Fri.

Tutorials

These sessions allow students to more practically engage with a topic and apply/develop/practise their learning through group and class discussions, problem-solving, undertaking short exercises, working through set tasks, demonstrating their work, all with the support of a lecturer. The more personal nature of these sessions facilitates personal and tailored student academic support.

Formative Assessment

Lectures/tutorials/seminars contain formative exercises to encourage students to apply their knowledge and gain feedback.

Progress meetings

This is initially conducted by the PAC; each student at Level 3 to 5 will meet individually with their personal tutor twice a year to discuss progress. The subject area also conducts regular staff meetings to discuss student progress and to identify any students at risk. The team will decide on the best approach to bring these students back on track. At Level 6, where the PAC supervision is undertaken by the project supervisor a more informal, but regular review takes place.

Research Supervision

Students undertaking project modules which are largely self-directed receive academic support from a project supervisor who meets with the student on a regular, typically weekly basis to ensure the projects are progressing satisfactorily. A member of academic staff is also appointed to manage the allocation and overall running of projects within the subject area and produces a student project handbook to aid the students in the delivery of the project.

Online Resources

Course booklets, module booklets, teaching materials and coursework assessment materials are made available online through USW’s virtual learning environment (Unilearn). Many supporting textbooks and other reading material are available electronically via the LRC.

Advice Centres

The University operates an Advice Zone located in the Library.

DDS Service

The University runs a DDS Service that can agree on an Individual Support Plan. The plan summarises the programme of support that feeds back to module leaders regarding additional requirements.

IT/Library

The University has a modern Library that provides access to textbooks, journals, online materials and equipment. There are open-access computer laboratories in the Library.

Course Exit Points

Progression Route

Students meeting a set of strict requirements set out by the EASA have the option of moving to the BSc (Hons) Aircraft Maintenance Engineering accelerated route in achieving the EASA Part-66 basic licence. This progression opportunity is only available for students transitioning to year 2, no other opportunity would exist after this stage. It is expected that the majority of students graduating from this award will go on to gain graduate employment in the aviation industry. Graduates achieving at least 2:2 classification from this award are well placed to go on to further study the MSc in Aviation Engineering and Management.

Entry Requirements

Admission to the course is typically through the following qualifications:

The entry criteria below shows the qualification range within which the University will make offers. Most offers made are at the top of the range but will take all aspects of an application into consideration and applicants receive a personalised offer. Combinations of qualifications are acceptable and other qualifications not listed here may also be acceptable.

Typical A-Level Offer

CCC - to include Mathematics or a numerate subject (this is equivalent to 96 UCAS tariff points).

Typical Welsh BACC Offer

Pass the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Diploma with Grade C/D in the Skills Challenge Certificate and BC - CD at A Level to include Mathematics or a numerate subject (this is equivalent to 104-80 UCAS tariff points).

Typical BTEC Offer

BTEC Extended Diploma Distinction Merit Merit - Merit Merit Pass in a relevant Maths, Science or Engineering subject (this is equivalent to 112-80 UCAS tariff points).

Typical IB Offer

Pass the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points from Higher Levels to include a numerate subject such as Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry

Typical Access to HE Offer

Pass an Access to HE Diploma in Maths/Science and obtain a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points

Additional Requirements

GCSEs: The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics and English/Welsh at Grade C/Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent but consideration is given to individual circumstances.

International Entry Requirements

English Requirements

In general, international applicants will need to have achieved an overall IELTS grade of 6.0 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component.

Foundation Year - DD (48 points)

Inclusive Curriculum Statement

The University of South Wales operates a policy of inclusive learning, teaching and assessment to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Course teams will have considered ways of designing out any potentially disadvantageous element of courses during the course design process. However some specific needs may remain, details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at: http://unilife.southwales.ac.uk/pages/3040-disability-and-dyslexia-service/

Addendum for Delivery at a Partner Institution

N/A