While working full time, it’s difficult to set hours, days or months aside to upgrade your career. Even finding a few minutes to give your future serious consideration can be a daunting challenge.
People already working in aviation may want to think about a Master’s degree, as well as those who dream about redirecting their career path to the aviation industry. This kind of study programme can be fitted in around the day job and can boost your C.V. In fact, it can provide a variety of career opportunities as well as a number of professional advantages such as knowledge and networking. In some cases, employers regard further education qualifications as non-negotiable must-haves.
As a general rule of thumb, people who have a Master’s degree out-earn those who have a Bachelor’s degree. According to Indeed, a global jobs website, the earnings increase from the Bachelor’s level to the Master’s level is around 20%. When compared to those who do not hold a high school diploma, Master’s graduates earn over 100% more.
At the Transport and Telecommunication Institute in Latvia – TSI – there is a unique programme of a double degree in Aviation Management which has been designed in collaboration with the University of the West of England UWE. After a year-and-a-half or two years of study, there is a unique opportunity to obtain degrees from both universities. Co-created according to UK education standards – acknowledged worldwide as one of the highest education qualities – this Master’s programme enables working individuals to broaden their professional networks, enjoy hands-on experience via internships at airports and with various aviation companies, and allows access to the valuable resources of both educational institutions with the added benefit of completing the programme of UK education quality, while being in Latvia.
TSI has a long history dating back to 1919. It was established as TSI university in 1999 and is the only private technical university in Latvia, celebrating its 25-year anniversary in 2024. As one of the key adjectives of TSI is to combine academic knowledge with practical real-life experience, its Master’s programmes are designed for working professionals.
Assistant Professor and director of the programme, Ph. D. Berdymyrat Ovezmyradov, says: “This double degree programme offers a unique combination of innovative educational approaches and a highly flexible learning environment tailored to the needs of professionals in the rapidly developing aviation industry.”
Flexibility is key
Meanwhile, for many people looking to further their education and their job prospects by undertaking a Master’s, flexibility is paramount. Someone who knows that only too well is Stefan Bonhardt, Double Degree in Aviation Management & Sustainability, MSc, at TSI.
“From childhood, I was amazed by airplanes, aviation and everything related,” he says. “I wanted to be a part of it, so I chose this programme because I think it’s a unique programme, worldwide.
“I am also working full time in aviation so it’s the perfect studies because it’s only on weekends and you can easily put it together with your working schedule. You have direct contact to the directors, to the professors, and it’s really nice studying and working with the TSI.”
Reaping the benefits
A recent survey by FindAMasters, an online directory, found that postgraduates’ main motivations for doing a Master’s is career progression and career entry. Among those questioned, more than two fifths said they were very confident that a Master’s would help with their employability.
FindAMasters scrutinized various facts and figures using information from the Higher Education Statistics Agency and the UK Government. It discovered that the chances of being in a ‘professional occupation’ rather than a less senior role are more than 20% higher if the person holds a postgraduate qualification. It also revealed that those with Master’s degrees are nearly 20% more likely to be doing a high-skilled job.
So, when it comes to boosting or redirecting your career, anyone seeking to deepen their knowledge of the aviation industry, its businesses and processes, as well as furthering their career, is welcome to consider the qualifications offered by TSI in Latvia.
The Double Degree in Aviation Management Master’s programme is beneficial for graduates from the perspective of in-demand skillsets and networking. For those interested in Data Analytics & Artificial Intelligence, within aviation and beyond, as well as in Management of Information Systems, Transport and Logistics, or other study opportunities (including distance learning), you are welcome to learn more about what’s on offer at TSI or book an online appointment with the admissions team by following this link: https://tsi.lv/