Offer Holders

What have been the best aspects of studying on your course and why?

The best aspect of this course is working with a small group of like-minded people who you get to know so well over the university experience. There is a unique opportunity to form strong friendships with everyone in the cohort, which I am sure will last well beyond university. The course itself offers a wide variety of topics, giving you a broad knowledge of the aviation industry.

Tell us about some of the projects you have completed so far

In first year, your tutor group complete a team project together. You are assigned an aircraft as a group and divide up different parts of the aircraft. My team was given the Lancaster bomber and I specifically looked at the undercarriage. As well as research, work on the X-Plane simulators was carried out. We had to produce a team report and complete a presentation.

In third year, you complete your dissertation project but also have an individual poster presentation and written report on a set case study. I chose to look at how the third runway at Heathrow would affect the target of carbon-neutral growth at the airport. It was enjoyable to research a topic of my choice and share what I had found with my cohort.  

What does the city of Leeds have to offer students?

The city itself has plenty to offer, from bars and restaurants to shops and activities. There are cinemas, mini golf courses, bowling alleys etc. Millennium square is close to campus and hosts fairground rides, Christmas markets, an ice rink and multiple other events throughout the year.

Leeds has a good reputation for being a great place for students with plenty of clubs and nights out, pub quizzes, and has a variety of coffee shops too. There are also museums, the Leeds and Liverpool canal and other areas nearby to explore. Leeds city has a great student atmosphere, just give it a quick google and you will see how much there is on offer!

Read more about Jessica's experience studying Aviation Technology BSc

Looking back, why did you choose to study at the University of Leeds? 

I wanted to study Aviation but could not find the right course. Some were too heavily engineering-based, and some were too business-focused. I studied the three sciences and maths at A Level, hence taking the engineering route seemed the most logical, yet I found that the majority of it did not interest me. I wanted to approach the industry with a mix of backgrounds, including business, management and operations. However, I did not have any experience of studying these subjects in A-levels (such as economics or business studies) or even GCSEs, to be able to succeed in the business-based courses.

Finding the course at Leeds was a dream come true. It was a perfect, 50:50 mix of the scientific/engineering aspect, and the business or management focus. This way, I got to utilise my strongest skills from my previous education and yet still learn completely new topics that I had never covered before.

Would you recommend your course to others? 

I would definitely recommend my course. Aviation is a rapidly growing industry with thousands of different opportunities to get involved with, no matter your background or preference. There’s always an aspect of aviation to fall in love with. I started the course not knowing exactly what I wanted to do post-uni, whereas some of my course-mates wanted to be pilots or controllers. The degree is a massive bonus if you want to do those things, but it also opens your mind to other prospects.

The course covers so much – such as pilot studies, engineering, meteorology, human factors, management, operations, safety and much more. There is so much to get involved with and endless ways to have a brilliant time.

What were the best aspects of studying on your course and why?

The course has a range of modules in many different areas, such as operations, safety, engineering and management. As someone who did not know what area they wanted to go into, learning about almost every aspect of the industry is a great way to help you make some of those important decisions.

The practical elements of the course gave great context to the learning. There were many different lab experiments, such as using full-size wind tunnels to ascertain the aerodynamic effects of a trip wire or a metallic engineering equipment to find the stress and strain of certain aircraft part materials.

There are also simulators to aid understanding: a full-sized static A320 cockpit, as well as computer simulators (X-Plane) with external cockpit controls. With this equipment, you can design any aircraft type and test your choices or test current aircraft designs to push the operating envelope to the limit.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with new students?

University is an amazing experience, and everyone is in the same boat. Before I started, I found myself worrying about what I thought would be important, such as what halls I was going to get, how far away that would be from campus or whether I was ‘cut out’ for uni life. It turned out I didn’t need to worry about any of that, as it all worked out for the best. Even for those who needed to make changes, someone was always there to help get you sorted. The university is truly run by students, and no matter what you are interested in, you will find your crowd.

Find out more about Holly's experience

Why did you decide to study at the University of Leeds?

I was looking for a university that had a robust aviation course that would set me up to be a pilot in the future. The University of Leeds was the only university that had an aviation program that would allow me to get some flying experience as well as prepare me for other roles within the aviation industry. Even though I had never visited the city, I had friends at the university who enjoyed living there and recommended it.

Why did you want to undertake a year in industry?

My course introduced the huge variety of roles that are available in the aviation industry, which opened my mind to more than just wanting to be a pilot. I wanted the take the opportunity to work in the industry and apply the content from my course. More importantly, I wanted to gain experience early and develop a much more realistic view of what working in the aviation industry would be like.

What is your role at Heathrow Airport?

I work as an Airport Operations intern and my role has been within the Aerodrome Safety and Assurance team. My main responsibilities are publishing safety information and doing data and trend analysis of the safety behaviours on the airfield.

Are you glad you have taken a placement? Would you recommend it to others?

I would definitely recommend a placement to others – especially Aviation Technology students. The course covers a lot of industry-relevant information and a year in industry gives you the chance to apply it. The university sets students up to stand out in the working environment and make a good impression to industry-leading professionals. A placement is your chance to learn about the industry and figure out what you want to do after you graduate.

Read more about Tinopuwanashe's experience studying Aviation Technology BSc

What has been the best aspect of studying on your course?

I like the teaching quality of my lecturers – they all have a professional background in aviation. They are not only able to share their knowledge but also their working experience in the industry. As a result, I was able to learn much more than from just books. The facilities in the university are also fully equipped – like the FNPT II simulator and A320 simulator, where we practise flying techniques. Last but not least, being on such a unique course gives me an incredible chance to study with a group of students who share similar aspirations, and develop bonds and friendships with them. 

Tell us about some of the exciting projects you have completed so far

There were plenty of projects during my first year but the most exciting was working on a group research project on the simulators. The objective was to study an aircraft's designs, then run experiments on the flight simulator by changing the flight model and analysing the changes. At the end of the project, we made a presentation on our work. This particular project was challenging because the time limit was very short. 

What does the city of Leeds have to offer students?

Leeds is a very vibrant city, with a variety of shopping malls, restaurants and clubs that support students. Because the university is right next to the city centre, it is convenient and accessible for students. This is especially beneficial for international students who would like to explore different cities in the UK, as Leeds train station is one of the major hubs of the UK train system, allowing you to travel easily and discover the country. 

Find out more about Cheuk Man Sin's experience