Curious about studying Safety and Human Factors in Aviation MScat Cranfield University? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
MSc - Master of Science
Cranfield Campus
Full Time
Sep 2028
1 Year
Demand for human factors and safety expertise continues to grow within aviation as well as other safety critical industries, requiring professionals who can make real and lasting improvements to performance and safety through the application of skills and knowledge. Safety critical systems require high human performance in addition to engineering excellence to meet the safety and business requirements of the aviation industry. The Safety and Human Factors in Aviation MSc, accredited by the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF), equips students with industry-relevant skills, delivered through a mix of lectures and practical exercises by Cranfield University's well-established Safety and Accident Investigation Centre, which has supported global safety and investigation for over 30 years. This course attracts a wide variety of students, from aviation professionals in civil and military domains to high-quality graduates in engineering and social science disciplines. In the past we have welcomed students with backgrounds in civil and military aviation, avionics engineers, psychological practitioners, medical care and air traffic controllers. This wide range of skills and knowledge represented by students on the course provides a unique learning environment.
The aims of this module are to enable students to investigate human factors in flight operations, to identify the issues of system integration, and to develop a safety management system by a scientific approach.
This module aims at providing you with the necessary knowledge and skills to appraise human error and factors affecting human performance, and to apply tools and methods for system safety.
Human-Computer Interaction focus on system approach to address the flight deck design, human factors certification, incident and accident investigation, workload and performance, and human-information processing.
This module aims to provide an introduction to key areas of human psychology that underpin principles, theories and models applied in aviation human factors. Topics in cognitive psychology are introduced and related to key concepts in aviation human factors such as mental workload, situation awareness and decision making. The challenges in measuring human cognitive work and performance are introduced together with a range of assessment methods. The module assumes no previous academic background in psychology or human factors.
Industrial roles which draw on skill sets in safety and human factors demand the skill sets developed in this module in support of the course level learning outcomes.
To provide you with the fundamental skills required to manage operational safety within the aviation industry.
The aims of this module are to enable you to identify training needs, develop training programmes and to explore methods for the training and simulation in aviation.
This module will provide an understanding of Flight Data Monitoring within a commercial organisation and to detail the uses, processes and responsibilities of a successful FDM programme.
This course is based around a case study approach to aircraft accident investigation. Students will have the opportunity to experience important elements of aircraft accident investigation from initial notification of an event through to generating and communicating investigative findings.
Students will be presented with a simulated accident scenario during which they will be exposed to all elements of the investigation such as evidence collection, interviewing, analysis and the generation of safety recommendations.
This module will provide a simulated industrial environment where knowledge and skills gained from the taught components of the course can be applied to solving a safety and human factors problem.
The module aims to provide a broad overview of the nature and management of human error in the aviation maintenance domain. Key theories and frameworks for investigating maintenance human error, contributing factors and effects on operations are introduced. The challenges associated with practical application of currently available safety tools are examined together with the latest strategies to enhance understanding and management of maintenance error. This module does not require previous background in aviation maintenance and engineering.
To familiarise you with the Cranfield University environment and procedures, meet fellow students and staff. To develop personal skills in team working. To provide an introduction to the course structure and the tempo of the year. To introduce you to members of departmental staff.
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