Master of Aviation Management (AVIMA)

Overview

Offered since 2007, this English-language Master’s in Aviation Management is designed to equip you with the mix of technical understanding and broad management skills needed for an international aviation career. The programme is available as a two-year part‑time track that lets you combine work, family and study. A full‑time option is also offered and is particularly popular with international students; the full‑time path includes a German language course as well as expanded coursework and excursions.

Teaching and learning

Courses are delivered by recognised academics and industry experts, and the curriculum uses contemporary management methods alongside aviation‑specific content. Intensive seminar weeks ensure close supervision, and students complete practical study projects to apply theory to real problems. The balance of operational, technical and managerial topics prepares you for roles across the aviation sector while maintaining flexibility for employed students.

Career outcomes

Graduates typically move into positions with airlines, airports, air traffic control organisations, aircraft and component manufacturers, maintenance and service providers, or regulatory authorities at local, national and international levels. Employers of alumni include well‑known industry names such as Lufthansa, Airbus, Siemens and DHL.

Core study areas (examples of modules)

• Business Administration and Management: Human Resource Management; Financial and Managerial Accounting; Corporate Finance; International Marketing; International Management; Supply Chain Management; International Law
• Aviation Management: Principles of Civil Aviation; Aviation Engineering and Technologies; Civil Legal Framework of International Aviation; Air Traffic Management and Control Systems; Safety and Security; Airline Management; Airport Management; Manufacturers and Maintenance; Aviation and Society (social impacts)
• Management and Social Skills: Project Management; Leadership and Motivation; Negotiation and Presentation; Cross‑Cultural Communication; Decision Making and Problem‑Solving Techniques

Admission requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or business (or a German “Diplom” degree)
• At least one year of professional work experience

Curriculum overview

This Master’s in Aviation Management is delivered in a block-format to combine concentrated on-campus teaching with periods of independent study. In the full-time track, students attend four intensive on-campus sessions per semester, each lasting two weeks (a total of eight weeks on campus per semester). The curriculum includes a German language course, a range of additional academic modules, and organised excursions that provide practical industry exposure.

The part-time option reduces the on-campus commitment to two two-week sessions per semester (four weeks on campus per semester) while maintaining the same academic content. Part-time study is reinforced by an e-learning platform that supports distance learning between on-campus blocks, making this pathway suitable for professionals balancing work and studies.

Key modules and learning outcomes

• Core components: intensive residential modules delivered during on-campus blocks, a German language course, supplementary academic courses, and field excursions.
• Learning outcomes: consolidation of theoretical knowledge through immersive classroom blocks; practical insights and industry contact via excursions; improved German language skills for campus life and local industry engagement; and the ability to manage study alongside professional commitments (especially in the part-time format).
• Study rhythm: full-time students engage in eight weeks of campus-based teaching each semester; part-time students attend four weeks on campus each semester and use the e-learning platform for ongoing coursework and collaboration.

Graduates are prepared for management and specialist roles across the aviation sector, including international airlines, airport authorities, air traffic control, aircraft and equipment manufacturers, maintenance and service companies, and regulatory authorities at local, national and international levels. The programme's mix of operational, technical and managerial training supports positions in airline and airport management, operations planning, safety and security management, maintenance management, and regulatory compliance.

Given the programme's practical project work, industry-oriented curriculum and employer connections, graduates may also pursue roles in consulting, supply chain and logistics companies, or progress to leadership positions within aviation-related organizations. The full-time option’s compulsory internship further enhances employability through hands-on industry experience.