Inside the Air Transport Management MSc: Classes, assignments, and group project work

What’s it really like to study Air Transport Management at Cranfield? Adit walks us through a typical day, assignment expectations, and the excitement of hands-on group projects.

This is the second of three blog posts in the series:

• Part 1 – Landing at Cranfield: First-term experiences and life beyond the classroom
• Part 2 – Inside the Air Transport Management MSc: Classes, assignments, and group project work
• Part 3 – From classroom to cockpit: What’s next after Cranfield?

Can you describe an average day on the Air Transport Management MSc?

There are 10 taught modules in the programme. A typical taught-module timetable lasts about a week — Monday to Friday — and during those weeks, you can expect to have classes for around eight hours a day. Sometimes the day starts later and finishes later, but on average it’s about eight hours.

After the teaching week ends, you usually get a week or two to yourself. You can use this time to revise concepts, start your assignment, or even take a short break. I usually spent this time in the library, but others chose to visit London for a couple of days before returning to the assignment period. The cycle repeats with each module. You generally get around 21 days to a month to complete each assignment, which is quite reasonable when you’re writing 2,500–3,000 words. It only becomes hectic if you leave everything to the last minute — especially when two or three deadlines fall in the same week. With good time management, there’s plenty of time to study, relax, and spend time with friends while still performing well academically.

The transition from undergraduate to postgraduate study

The transition wasn’t a huge shock, mainly because of the introductory module we had at the start. There’s a formative assessment that gives you all the “shocks” early on, but because it’s formative it doesn’t count towards your final grade. You receive detailed feedback on where to improve and what could be done better.

The introductory module also helps set expectations for the course. You get insights into the industry, meet guest lecturers, and understand what the year will look like. Sometimes you still need a couple more assignments to really get into the rhythm, but that introductory module definitely helps make the transition less intimidating.

You’re also assigned a personal tutor from the Centre for Air Transport Management team (CATM). You have a one-to-one relationship with them throughout the year, and they help with everything — from setting up your NHS registration and getting a GP, to settling into campus life, to discussing your academic performance. It really helps. I remember relying on my tutor during my first couple of modules to make sure I was on the right track and not getting overwhelmed.

And the reason I mention this is because not all courses or universities offer this level of support. It’s something that genuinely helped me in the beginning and throughout the course.

What was your experience of group project work?

The group project was a fantastic experience, mainly because of how closely it reflects real industry practice. This year, we had to pitch a business start-up idea for launching an airline in any country in Africa. When you work in a group, responsibilities are delegated, and if the group dynamics are good, it becomes a wonderful learning experience. Every meeting brings new insights from the different departments within the team, and that really helps broaden your understanding.

The work you’re assigned requires diligence, of course, but as you get into it, you begin to understand the nuances of the air transport industry. Everything you learned during the taught modules slowly starts coming together and fitting into place.

“That’s the beauty of it — when all the theory you’ve studied begins to make sense in a realistic context. You get those “eureka” moments, and it’s incredibly rewarding.”

The group project also gave us the chance to connect with industry experts. We had CEOs from several airlines come in to judge our pitches, and we were able to interact with them directly. Alumni from the Air Transport Management course also came back to support and share their experiences. Overall, it was not only an excellent way to reinforce what we learned in the taught modules but also a valuable networking opportunity.

When do you have to decide on elective modules for the Air Transport Management MSc?

You can come in with an idea of what you might want to choose, but you don’t have to make a final decision until around the end of November or December. You’ll be notified about the deadline once the course begins. You’ll also receive a PDF that explains each elective module in detail, which gives you plenty of time to understand what each one offers and to make an informed choice.

Next up: From classroom to cockpit: What’s next after Cranfield