• Access Duration:  1 Year
• Awarded by: NCFE 
• Qualification Level:  Level 3
• Qualification Number: 601/7935/1/AVI
• Guided Learning Hours (GLH): 720
• Total Qualification Time (TQT): 960

• Summarise the range of UK travel and tourism groups and their collaboration in the aviation and travel industry.
• Evaluate customer service provision and recommend improvements for travel and tourism organisations.
• Demonstrate good customer service skills in real life travel and aviation scenarios.
• Analyse current employment trends and produce a professional application portfolio for an aviation role.
• Describe the job duties and working conditions of airline cabin crew.
• Explain how UK airports function, from ground handling to managing passenger flow through the terminals.
• Apply correct aviation terminology, the phonetic alphabet, and time zone calculations.
• Explain the importance of health, safety and security legislation in aviation and the procedures required to comply with i

The NCFE Level 3 Diploma in Travel and Tourism: Aviation Pathway is for people who want to achieve a specialist qualification in the aviation side of the travel industry. If you are leaving school and want to work in travel and tourism, want to change careers and work for an airline or airport, or are a professional looking for a regulated, nationally recognised qualification to boost your CV, then this diploma gives you all the information you need.

This course is ideal for:

• Aspiring airline cabin crew
• Future airport ground operations agents
• Students targeting airport terminal or passenger service roles
• Career changers into travel and tourism
• Learners planning to progress to university aviation or travel degrees
• Employees seeking CPD in travel and tourism industry
• Returning learners refreshing qualifications
• Individuals pursuing airline flight operations or dispatch careers

• Learners aged 16 years and older.
• A level 2 qualification in travel and tourism or the same amount of experience and knowledge within the field.
• Basic level of English literacy and numeracy.

• This course can be completed through two flexible study options to suit your lifestyle:
  • Standard Course Plan (9 months) – ideal for learners balancing other commitments.
  • Fast Track Option (4 months) – perfect for those who can dedicate intensive study time.
• Most learners complete within their chosen timeframe, though some may finish earlier depending on personal circumstances and available study time. We accommodate your pace with unlimited support for 12 months. This Level 3 Certificate requires approximately 720 guided learning hours.

T&C apply

Portfolio of Evidence: Students are required to develop a portfolio of evidence demonstrating achievement of all learning outcomes in each unit.

Skills-based assessments: Competency-based learning outcomes are assessed in a real work environment or through simulations. They use direct observation, professional discussion, reflective accounts, and witness testimony.

No formal Examinations: No formal exams at the end of the course. Instead, students are evaluated on their work and on their ability to do practical tasks.

Students can use the skills they have learned in this Level 3 Diploma to advance their careers in the travel, tourism, or aviation industry. Follow this step-by-step plan to develop more advanced qualifications.

Next Steps for a Possible Academic Progression Pathway

• Step 1: Foundation Degree (Level 4/5) in Air Transport and Operations
• Step 2: Bachelor’s Degree (Level 6) in Aviation Management
• Step 3: Master’s in Aviation Management

Alternative Pathways 

• Specialised CPD courses in aviation safety, airport planning or airline marketing
• Leadership and management qualifications for aviation and travel settings

The NCFE Level 3 Diploma in Travel and Tourism: Aviation pathway can help you get ready for a number of careers in the transport and aviation industries. It supports progression to higher-level qualifications and specialist roles by providing you with the knowledge and practical skills employers want.

Below are career opportunities with approximate UK salaries sourced from the latest Glassdoor UK records.

• Airport Operations Manager – £42,000
• Flight Dispatcher – £32,000
• Airline Cabin Crew – £28,000
• Passenger Service Agent – £24,000
• Airport Ground Operations Agent – £23,000
• Travel Agency Consultant – £22,000

This qualification is regulated by Ofqual, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation. Ofqual is the qualifications regulator for England and ensures that regulated qualifications meet national standards for quality, consistency and fairness. Ofqual regulation means that the course content, assessment methods and learning outcomes are monitored, giving learners confidence that the qualification is credible, recognised and supports progression to further study or employment.

RQF

In England and Northern Ireland, regulated qualifications are classified by level and size using the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). It helps learners, employers, and education providers understand and compare qualifications. Entry Level is divided into Entry Levels 1, 2 and 3. The framework consists of nine levels from Entry Level to Level 8. Size indicates the amount of learning required to achieve the qualification, and level indicates the complexity and demand of the learning. To be regulated, a qualification must meet the relevant regulatory requirements and be awarded by a recognised awarding organisation.