Air and Space: Operations and Tactics

For HM Forces

Award

MSc

Study option

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Start dates available

January 2026
May 2026

Apply now

Our MSc Air and Space Operations and Tactics course is designed specifically for MOD personnel completing the prestigious QWI/QSI training programme.

Students graduating from this course will demonstrate an advanced level of proficiency and meet the expectations of enterprise, entrepreneurship and employability as these are essential elements of being able to create, maintain and deliver a complex military mission of various aircraft types and capabilities. Eminently employable, many are destined for the higher echelons of the RAF.

To make an initial enquiry about this programme please contact the HM Forces team.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MSc Air and Space: Operations and Tactics

Course content

This is a programme that is unique to the MOD. It covers disciplines from aircraft engineering, planning, problem solving, communication, self-reflection, critical analysis.

The programme requires the extensive use of high value military assets and a large element of one to one instruction, assessment and review that could not be undertaken solely by an academic institution. However, the academic input from Staffordshire University staff will be present throughout the course and will be most evident during the dissertation module; this will enable students to enhance their analysis and contextualise their learning.

The programme is a close partnership between the University and the MOD where both entities work closely to deliver the best possible outcome for the student.

Fees

The course fee is £2500 and the course is listed on the ELCAS website

Professional body accreditation

Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.

Accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Thesis	60 credits
Thesis Research Proposal	20 credits

Entry requirements

QWI/QSI Students:
The entry to the course is by selection by the RAF. Commencement of the course is dependent on satisfactory completion of pre-course preparation.

QWI/QSI Legacy Students:
Personnel, who can demonstrate satisfactory completion of the course at a time where the content was predominantly the same as now, should be eligible for the course with discussion and possible interview with the Course Leader.

International entry requirements

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Get country-specific details on entry requirements, fees, scholarships and support services. Choose your country to see how University of Staffordshire can support you from application to arrival.

Teaching and assessment

Assessment

All modules are individually assessed via one or more methods dependent upon the requirement of that module. The method of assessment is chosen to ensure that we can verify that you have met the learning outcomes of the module. These methods may include individual coursework assignments, written reports, discussion contributions and practical exercises.

Typically, assignment submission and feedback will be via Blackboard Learning Portal. Module results will also be made available electronically.

Learning support

You will have access to Blackboard Learning Portal, our online learning environment, where the course information, handbook, tasks and discussion boards can be found. In addition to any textbooks that may be provided for you, all of the disciplinary Journals that the University subscribes to can be accessed online, and we have a substantial and growing collection of eBooks available to use.

A personal tutor will be appointed who is a subject matter expert. Support for any modules will be conducted via email, VLE or telephone.

Additional support

Our AccessAbility Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment or learning difficulties.

Feedback

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally (through formative feedback) before you complete the formal assessments. Each module normally includes practice or 'formative' assessments for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark but are essential for you to develop academically as a student. There is a formal or 'summative' assessment at the end of each module and the grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark. You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. The feedback you receive will help to focus you to achieve better grades on the next set of modules you study.

Staff

Course leader is Stuart Smith stuart.smith@staffs.ac.uk

Apply now to Air and Space: Operations and Tactics

Location	Award	Study option	Start date	Apply Link
Stoke-on-Trent campus	MSc	Part-time, blended learning	26 January 2026	Apply now
Stoke-on-Trent campus	MSc	Part-time, blended learning	25 May 2026	Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.