Human Factors and Safety Assessment in Aeronautics

Starts: October

Duration: 1 year full-time, 2-4 years part-time

Course overview:

Demand for human factors expertise continues to be a growing area within aviation as well as other safety critical industries. An increasing recognition that errors causing costly accidents and incidents stem from normal and routine human behaviour means there is an escalating need for trained professionals to advise on and implement safe methods and systems of operation.

The MSc in Human Factors and Safety Assessment in Aeronautics is designed to provide industry with successful and well equipped graduates who can make a real and lasting improvement to safety.

As a Cranfield student you will have access to our range of outstanding research facilities for research work. These includes two flight simulators; two aircraft cabin simulators; a driving simulator, various eye tracking and physiological monitoring equipment and a library of psychometric test and assessment materials.

Structure:

The course comprises taught module and a research thesis. Teaching includes lectures, tutorials and seminars, case studies, group work, individual projects, business games, visits and guest lectures. Successful completion of the taught modules is required before students can progress to the research thesis.

There are 12 compulsory modules, covering the areas of human factors and safety assessment in aeronautics in comprehensive detail. The aim is to give an understanding of the human factors and safety issues in design, manufacturing operations and maintenance throughout the aeronautical industry.

• Introduction to Human Factors
• Research Methods and Statistics
• Safety, Risk and Reliability Engineering
• Human Factors in Aviation Maintenance
• Fundamentals of Aeronautics and Air Transport
• Management for Technology
• Flight Deck Design
• Human Performance and Error
• Training and Simulation
• Accident Investigation
• Aviation Medicine
• Aviation Safety Management

Research thesis:

The research thesis allows students to select an area of particular interest in aviation and aerospace human factors and examine this issue in more detail. This promotes co-operation with industry and forms links useful for a future career path. Recent thesis work has seen students working with organisations including Airbus, British Airways, Easyjet, Virgin Atlantic and the military.

Entry requirements:

Typically a 1st or 2nd class UK honours degree (or equivalent) in engineering, aeronautical engineering, mathematics, ergonomics, psychology or other science. Other qualifications (eg HND or alternative) may be acceptable, provided that there is evidence of sufficient relevant work experience.

English Language Requirements - Our normal minimum requirement is a TOEFL score of 580 (paper test) or 237 (computer test), essay rating 4.5 or 92 (Internet test), all skills 19 or an IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 for writing, a TOEIC overall score of 830, or a Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English grade C or Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English grade C, although a number of our programmes require higher scores.

Funding:

For details of any bursaries that may be available please contact the Enquiries Office on the details shown below.

Want to know more?

Contact our Enquiries Office for further details, E: enquiries@cranfield.ac.uk, T: +44 (0)1234 758008

Additional content

• Specialist Energy MSc opportunities