University of Bedfordshire Business School
School of Aviation, Marketing and Tourism
Student Information Desk (SiD) beds.ac.uk/sid sid@beds.ac.uk
Student Support beds.ac.uk/studentsupport
Welcome to the School of Aviation, Marketing and Tourism at the University of Bedfordshire.
The University of Bedfordshire Business School (UBBS) is a supportive and close-knit community where we place great emphasis on supporting your academic development, building your confidence and preparing you for the world of work.
I encourage you to make good use of all the opportunities we offer and become an active member of our supportive School culture. For example, you could become an ambassador for our vibrant student society which provides an extra value-added experience to your course.
This booklet provides you with important information that you will find useful as you prepare for your course and for your first few weeks and months at University.
I look forward to welcoming you to UBBS in September.
Dr Annie Danbury Head of School
Portfolio Lead
• Dr Caroline Tie, carol.tie@beds.ac.uk
Course Coordinators
• BSc (Hons) Aviation and Airport Management Sam Guest, sam.guest@beds.ac.uk
• BSc (Hons) Travel, Aviation and Tourism Management David Sutcliffe, david.sutcliffe@beds.ac.uk
BedsSU (Students’ Union) bedssu.co.uk
help@bedssu.co.uk
Welcome from the Portfolio Lead
Hello, my name is Dr Caroline Tie and I am the Portfolio Lead. Along with the teaching team, I am looking forward to meeting you and supporting you throughout your course.
We are a vibrant and diverse academic community and you will be taught by knowledgeable and experienced staff who are respected in their research and industry fields.
Alongside your lectures and seminars, we organise field trips, site visits and networking opportunities with industry professionals, all of which will help keep you up to date with the latest industry trends.
When you are on campus, you will be at the heart of University life which is the perfect place to meet friends and develop meaningful relationships.
We want to ensure you have the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in student life and make the most of your time and the brilliant facilities on campus. We know that some students have commitments outside of university, such as a part time job or caring for loved ones. If you are struggling to find a balance between home, work and academic life, please do talk to us and we can connect you to our students support services.
Dr Caroline Tie Portfolio LeadOur academic induction follows four key sessions which happen at the same time for all Business School students.
We start the week with an online session to say hello, (this will be at lunchtime on Tuesday 19 September for an hour). This is also an opportunity to hear from Faculty Executive Group members. On Thursday and Friday, we host four sessions designed to help you get ready for your studies. You will meet and work with your course team and meet other members of the faculty. You should attend the following sessions which will run for the full day:
Session 1
Meet your course team – get to know members of the teaching team and understand how your course operates
Thursday
Session 2
Take part in the Big Business Challenge – meet faculty executive members and some of the employers we work with, who will host a fun team challenge
Friday
Session 1
Meet your personal academic tutor (PAT) – get to know them and find out how they can support you throughout your studies
Session 2
Prepare for your first week of study – learn how to access our systems and resources so you can have the best possible start
All the details about the different activities and where they will be held are included on our Faculty Academic Welcome pages. Check this page closer to the time for any changes to the sessions. But be assured that the sessions will take place on Thursday and Friday so you can start planning your week now.
Our colleagues in the student support and learning resources teams will also host sessions for all new starters. These are designed to help you become familiar with all the essential services you will use throughout your time with us.
Of course, Welcome Week wouldn’t be Welcome Week without the Freshers’ Fayre, which is run by the University of Bedfordshire Students’ Union. They will host plenty of events and activities, so keep an eye on their website and follow them on social media to find out more (see page 5).
We use an online noticeboard called Padlet to help our students keep up to date with everything that’s happening. This is linked from BREO, our virtual learning environment, and each subject cluster has its own individual space.
You can only access BREO once you are registered with us as a student. However, the Padlet noticeboard for Aviation and Airport Management students can be accessed now via this link
Feel free to take a look and become more familiar with the exciting events, trips and discussions happening in your subject area.
The course assessment strategy is closely aligned to the University’s teaching and learning strategy which is designed to:
• Have an immediate relevance to practice
• Draw on expertise by experience
• Foster active learning and be learner-centred in approach
A distinct feature of the course is the range of assessment tasks including workplace assessments that can have an immediate impact in practice. This helps put into practice what you are learning in university and can help increase your confidence.
These can vary depending on the course you are studying, but here’s an example of what your assessments might include:
Essays
Leaflets and posters
Reflective case studies
Audits
Presentations
In-class tests
Skills documents – practice based learning
Assessments are purposefully diverse and created to relate to industry practices.
Once you have met the conditions of your offer, you will receive an email to complete your online registration. Keep an eye on your emails and junk box to ensure you don’t miss it!
• Meet our student Frantisek and find out more about their academic experience
• Enjoy an amazing virtual tour of our campus
Read the latest tourism and travel news as these online news hubs will be an important source for your studies.
• World Travel Market Global Hub
• Travel Trade Gazette
Take time to familiarise yourself with the layout of our campus and the names of buildings. This will help you get around with ease when you arrive.
• Luton campus
• Eating and drinking on-campus
To find out how to access your timetable go to beds.ac.uk/timetable
Academic information
Guide to referencing Study Hub
You will study these units in your first year:
Structure and Development of the Air Transport Industry
Managing People in Tourism and Aviation
Beginning Your Professional Business Journey
Numeracy for Business
During your course, you will also study the following units:
Global Airline and Cargo Operations Management
Airline Revenue Management
Marketing for the Air Transport Industry
Critical issues for Airlines and Airports
Strategic Airport Planning and Development
You will be expected to attend lectures, and seminars between two and three days per week. This will be supplemented with guided online learning.
Teaching runs over the academic year which has two semesters, from September to December (semester one) and from January to May (semester two). There are holiday periods for Christmas, Easter and over the summer months.
Assessments are usually due in the middle and towards the end of the semester. These are set from the very first week so careful planning is required. Unlike school, there's often an element of freedom to define the precise focus of your assignments. This gives you the chance to focus on things that appeal to you personally, but also the responsibility for making good choices, and that's something your tutors can help with. We are here to support you, so don't be afraid to ask for help.
What happens if I miss class due to illness or have difficulties with childcare or travel?
We understand that everyone will face some difficulties now and again and we aim to be flexible. You are encouraged to discuss ongoing issues with your personal academic tutor or unit lead. For independent advice or for ongoing attendance issues you can contact studentengagement@beds.ac.uk
Who can help me with my assessments?
The academic team is always available to guide you with the theory based content and you can book a one-to-one tutorial with your unit lead. If you need more time to complete an assignment, please contact the Student Engagement and Mitigation team (SEAM) who deal with assessment extensions. Their email is: mitigation@beds.ac.uk. You can find our Mitigation Policy and form on our website
What support is available for students with a learning difference or disability?
Our Disabilities team supports students with a range of disabilities including sensory and physical impairments, mental health difficulties, specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, and medical conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes, sickle cell anaemia and arthritis. You may be eligible for a Learning and Teaching Agreement, where you can discuss any reasonable adjustments needed for classroom learning and examinations. You can email disability@beds.ac.uk for further information and advice.
Are there clubs and activities I can get involved with?
Yes, the Students’ Union can tell you everything you need to know about sports clubs, activities and events for all our students. You can even set up your own society! Contact Beds SU by emailing beds.su@beds.ac.uk
What if I’m struggling with my mental health at university?
The University has a range of services offering specialist help. You can email mentalhealth@beds.ac.uk for new or ongoing mental health support needs. To access our counselling services, email counselling@beds.ac.uk
Is there any support to help me manage my finances?
Our dedicated Student Money Advice team offers confidential financial advice, information and support. They can advise you on a range of funding options such as grants, loans, bursaries and scholarships, as well as guiding you on the best way to manage your finances. You can contact them by emailing studentmoney@beds.ac.uk
You will hear from – and be inspired by – a variety of guest speakers directly involved in the industry.
Always remember, our team is here for you!
We know there’s a lot to take in when you start university. We’ll support you throughout, especially at the beginning. Some students adjust to university life more readily than others, and it can take time to feel at home, but this is normal and you’ll soon make friends. Remember, many of your fellow students will be feeling the same.
We are confident that you’ll love our friendly campus and everything the University of Bedfordshire has to offer.
You will learn so much by going on field trips to companies such as Airbus, Emirates Airlines and BAE Systems.
You will hear about other students’ achievements and connect with alumni thanks to our ever-supportive academics.
You can engage with the local community and make your mark through our Tourism and Aviation Society.
You have the opportunity to meet future employers.
You have the potential to build a meaningful network with potential experts in the tourism and hospitality sector.
You get the opportunity to learn new skills in your placement year.
You can become a student representative and be trained by the Students’ Union to be a conduit for other students.
You will get hands on experience by using a strategy simulation tool called Airline. This allows students to learn how to manage all aspects of managing a regional airline, how to apply business strategy in real-life situations and to understand the impact of their decisions.
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