Get ready to join our strong aviation community at Surrey

Whether your dream is to manage an airport, work on sustainable transport solutions, or take to the skies yourself – if you’re passionate about aviation, you’ll find your crew at the University of Surrey.

You’ll learn from the professionals

At Surrey, you’re learning from the people shaping its future. Our aviation community spans across postgraduate and undergraduate degrees meaning you’ll join a group of students who share your ambition. Here’s what makes Surrey special:

Dr Nadine Itani

With a doctorate in Air Transport Management and recently named ‘Most Recognised Woman in Aviation’, Nadine has worked with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) – that’s the United Nations’ global aviation agency. Her hands-on experience spans airport development projects, airline start-ups, and even flight training in the sleek Aquila AT01. She’s also a proud member of the Royal Aeronautical Society and Women in Aviation, so you're learning from someone who truly understands the challenges and opportunities in the industry today.

Dr Nikolas Thomopoulos

Nikolas is Associate Professor in Transport at Surrey Business School and an elected member of the University Transport Study Group (UTSG) Executive Committee (the UK's oldest transport studies group), Nikolas offers valuable insights into the infrastructure and logistics that keep aviation running. Passionate about sustainability, he co-leads our Institute for Sustainability programme with Nadine, focusing on future-ready solutions for transport and mobility.

Dr Frankie O’Connell

Frankie is a licensed pilot and a certified IATA instructor, who has collaborated with over 60 airlines worldwide and has provided advisory and training services to leading aerospace companies like Airbus and Rolls-Royce. Frankie combines hands-on industry knowledge with academic excellence, having authored over 55 journal articles and currently preparing a landmark 1,000-page book on airline management. His experience, from Boeing to NASA, makes him a leading figure in shaping the future of aviation strategy and education.

You’ll hear direct from industry

University of Surrey postgraduate Aviation student Toria

The Aviation community at Surrey brings together students from a range of interests, disciplines and study levels.

Whether it’s attending guest lectures from airline executives, exploring airports behind the scenes, or preparing for a career in aviation or aerospace, you’ll be part of a network that supports, inspires, and challenges you to reach new heights.

Recent guest speakers have included former the Managing Director of Marketing at American Airlines; former Chairman and CEO of British Airways; and Chief Commercial Officer at easyJet, so you’ll be able to network with real influencers in the space.

Surrounded by likeminded students

Ahead of joining Surrey, postgraduate aviation student Toria, wasn’t sure how her career would begin but it soon became clear:

“Having met the incredible lecturers with huge amounts of industry experience still showing the pure joy and excitement they do talking about aviation immensely boosted my confidence to fulfil every goal I have. Being surrounded by likeminded fellow students all sharing the same passion, I became 110 per cent-sure I had made the right decision.”

University of Surrey's The Hospitality and Events Society

Surrey’s Tourism, Hospitality and Events Society is a great way to meet people from outside your course, but with interests close to your own. It's set up careers evenings and fairs with industry and alumni panels, social events, and end of year celebrations to make sure there’s something for everyone.

Take a look here to see what they’ve been up to.

Your experience will go beyond the classroom

The practical component of the Airline Operations module includes safety and emergency training, which will be delivered at Farnborough Airport in collaboration with TAG Aviation Training!

The programme sits within Surrey Hospitality and Tourism Management (SHTM) – which organises a lot of trips for their students. Recently, there have been been trips to Latitude Festival, Winter Wonderland, and every SHTM student is eligible for at least one international trip! This allows you to apply your classroom learning to real world situations.