The global aviation sector is fast-moving and expanding, creating a strong demand for well-qualified professionals who combine technical understanding with managerial know-how. This Master’s programme delivers interdisciplinary perspectives on core aviation systems—airlines, maintenance organisations and regulatory bodies—so you can understand how the industry operates as a whole. Taught in English, the course mixes broad management fundamentals with aviation-focused content and applied management techniques.
Throughout the programme you will build both generic leadership and specialised aviation skills that prepare you for supervisory and strategic positions across the aviation ecosystem. Graduates leave ready to take on management roles within airlines, maintenance organisations, governmental authorities or other aviation-related organisations, equipped to navigate operational, regulatory and business challenges.
Requirements / typical applicant profile
This two-semester Master’s-level curriculum combines core business administration principles with aviation-specific management, regulation and operational analysis. The coursework balances legal and commercial perspectives with technical tools such as modelling and simulation, and adds leadership and human-factors insight to prepare students for decision-making in complex airline and aviation contexts. The programme concludes with an independent master’s thesis where students apply learned methods to a substantive problem.
In the first semester you build a foundation in the regulatory and commercial environment of aviation (air law and air transport business administration), while gaining skills in organisational and technical support systems (management systems, modelling and simulation). A dedicated module on human factors in leadership addresses the behavioural and organisational aspects that affect safety and performance in aviation operations.
The second semester focuses on operational and safety-critical competencies: simulation of logistic aviation systems develops capabilities in using simulation tools to optimise flows and resources, while risk management in airline operation teaches methods for identifying, assessing and mitigating operational risks. The master’s thesis gives you the opportunity to integrate legal, managerial, simulation and risk-management approaches in an applied research project or industry-focused study, demonstrating readiness for roles in airline management, operations planning, safety and consultancy.
This programme equips graduates with regulatory awareness, commercial and operational decision-making skills, simulation and analytical techniques, plus leadership and human-factors understanding relevant to careers across airlines, airports, aviation regulators and consulting.
This master's program is designed for graduates who already hold an engineering degree with a focus on aviation and who want to advance into management roles within the global aviation sector. Applicants should have practical, post-graduate experience in aviation-related roles—examples include work as a pilot, in aircraft maintenance, or in other parts of the aviation industry. These professional experiences help ensure students can relate coursework to real-world operational and managerial challenges.
Strong English skills are required because instruction and course materials assume a high level of English proficiency. The program is aimed at candidates who are motivated to build an international aviation career, so a clear professional ambition in that direction is expected. All application paperwork must be provided in either English or German.
Admission requirements
Winter Semester (International)
Please check the website of the university.
Graduates are prepared for leadership and management roles within the aviation industry, including positions in airlines, maintenance organisations (MRO), airports, regulatory authorities and aviation consultancies. The programme's mix of aviation-specific knowledge and management skills supports roles such as operations manager, maintenance manager, safety and risk manager, logistics/planning lead, and policy or regulatory officer.
Given the sector focus on safety, regulation and operational efficiency, alumni can also find opportunities in specialised areas like simulation and systems modelling, human factors leadership, and strategic airline or airport management. The degree is particularly suited for professionals aiming to advance into supervisory or executive positions in the international aviation market.
HWR Berlin (Berlin School of Economics and Law) — Berlin
Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts — Dortmund
Furtwangen University — Villingen-Schwenningen
Harz University of Applied Sciences — Wernigerode