Transport Leadership

Postgraduate students confidently staring into the camera at night time

GUARANTEED INTERNSHIPS WITH EVERY MASTER'S DEGREE

Course overview

The MSc Transport Leadership at Aston University is designed for professionals looking to advance their career and lead the transition to more sustainable, efficient and inclusive transport systems. Whether you're already working in the sector or aiming to break into it, this course will equip you with the tools to navigate the complex challenges shaping future mobility.

You’ll explore topics including transport leadership, future mobility, safety and performance, and project management. You’ll also develop advanced analytical, strategic and managerial skills through real-world case studies and collaborative projects.

Taught by academic experts and industry practitioners, the course draws on Aston’s strong industry links and cross-disciplinary research strengths.

"Through history, transport leaders have navigated complex situations, new challenges and sought to overcome them to do the critical work of ensuring the functioning of our society and economy. Our new and unique Transport Leadership MSc allows you to join that tradition, at an institution with over half a century of experience of teaching transport professionals, preparing you for leading transport organisations in an ever-changing world. At Aston we draw on tradition and the latest thinking, to prepare you for what the present and future of transport holds."

Dr David Turner

MSc Transport Leadership

Programme Director

Why Transport Leadership at Aston University?

Decades of expertise

Benefit from over 50 years of experience educating transport professionals across industry and government

Birmingham advantage

Study in the UK’s transport hub with access to key networks, innovations and infrastructure

Future-ready skills

Build leadership, analytical and sustainability skills to drive change in a rapidly evolving sector

We're serious about employability

As a postgraduate student, you will have access to dedicated careers guidance with specialist support from our experienced team of careers consultants.

Gain a competitive edge

As well as opening doors, an Aston University postgraduate degree builds on your experience, develops your skills and gives you a competitive edge in a crowded job market.

Course description

MSc Transport Leadership

Our MSc Transport Leadership programme is designed to equip current and aspiring transport professionals with the strategic, technical and leadership skills needed to shape the future of mobility. With a focus on sustainability, innovation and system-wide thinking, the course prepares you to lead change in complex transport environments and deliver more resilient, inclusive and efficient networks.

What we will provide
First-class teaching in the UK’s second-largest city, delivered by experts with deep industry and academic experience. You’ll benefit from applied learning, research-led teaching and authentic assessment based on real-world transport challenges. As an Adobe Creative Campus, you’ll also gain access to industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Cloud and Solidworks. Aston’s Postgraduate Guaranteed Internship Scheme ensures you graduate with practical experience through an optional tailored industry internship alongside your studies.

What you will provide
We are looking for motivated individuals who are ready to step up and lead. You should bring an openness to new ideas, a willingness to challenge assumptions and a commitment to driving improvement across transport systems.

What skills we teach
You will develop advanced leadership, communication and decision-making skills, underpinned by technical knowledge in strategic management, future mobility, sustainability, engineering project management and stakeholder engagement. These skills will prepare you to influence policy, manage major projects and drive innovation across the sector.

Career prospects
As an Aston University Transport Leadership graduate, you’ll be prepared for high-impact roles in planning, policy, operations and consultancy. Career pathways include senior positions with local authorities, government agencies, transport operators, infrastructure providers and international mobility organisations.

How you will learn

You’ll learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, industry case studies and problem-based learning, all designed to reflect the real-world challenges faced by transport professionals today. Teaching is delivered by expert staff with extensive academic, consultancy and industry experience.

You will explore themes such as leadership, sustainability, strategic planning and future mobility through collaborative group projects and multidisciplinary discussions. Modules are informed by cutting-edge research and connected to ongoing developments in policy and infrastructure at local, national and international levels.

You’ll also benefit from guest lectures, field visits and live projects with industry partners, giving you direct insight into the realities of working in the transport sector. As part of your learning journey, you’ll have the option to complete a part-time internship through Aston’s Postgraduate Guaranteed Internship Scheme, gaining practical experience and valuable industry connections.

At the start of the course, you will be allocated a personal tutor to support your academic and personal development. You’ll also have access to Aston’s Learning Development Centre for help with academic writing, maths support and study strategies, alongside our extensive library and virtual learning tools.

What you will learn

The MSc Transport Leadership programme equips you with the knowledge and skills to lead transformational change in the transport sector. You will develop a critical understanding of transport systems, infrastructure and policy, while exploring sustainable solutions and emerging technologies.

In the taught stage, you will study core modules such as Engineering Project Management, Strategic Management and Finance, Transport Leadership and Future Mobility. You will build expertise in systems thinking, project delivery, decision-making and leadership, with an emphasis on real-world application through case studies and group work.

The programme also includes training in research methods to prepare you for your final project. In the dissertation phase, you will complete an independent research project on a transport-related topic of your choice, guided by expert staff. This is your opportunity to investigate a real-world challenge in depth, drawing on the knowledge, tools and methods you’ve developed throughout the course.

Facilities

Aston University provides modern facilities to support your learning, including dedicated engineering and computing labs, project workspaces and specialist software tools. You’ll have access to collaborative learning environments designed for group projects, presentations and applied work, which are essential to developing your leadership and management skills in a transport context.

You’ll also benefit from our extensive digital learning resources and the University Library’s collection of books, journals and databases. Whether you're analysing transport systems, planning infrastructure projects or preparing your dissertation, you’ll have the tools you need to succeed.

Course objectives

Develops your management and leadership capabilities so you can confidently transition from technical specialist to strategic leader in a transport setting.
Builds a holistic understanding of transport system operation, strategy and management, enabling you to collaborate with and lead diverse stakeholders.
Enables you to innovate and deliver sustainable transport solutions that meet user needs while safeguarding well-being and natural resources.
Equips you with the analytical tools and techniques required to address complex local and global transport challenges.
Develops your transferable skills in critical thinking, communication, teamwork, leadership and problem solving, preparing you to meet the evolving demands of the transport sector.

Modules

Modules and learning outcomes

Taught stage modules

In the taught stage you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Environmental Regulations and Impact Assessment	15
Engineering Project Management	15
Strategic Management and Finance	15
Human Resource and Change Management	15
Transport Leadership	15
Aston Global Advantage	15
Future Mobility	15
Transport System Safety and Performance	15
Total	120

Dissertation stage modules

In the dissertation stage you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Dissertation	60
Total	60

Programme outcomes

On successful completion of both the taught and dissertation stages, you will be able to:

Evidence comprehensive understanding and critical awareness of current issues, future developments, key principles and social impacts relevant to transport management
Collect and evaluate data, investigate new and emerging technologies along with associated policies and regulations, and propose appropriate solutions for safe, inclusive and sustainable future mobility
Select and apply business and management methods to effectively manage time and resources in business environments within the context of transport and transport engineering projects
Describe and explain the management principles and techniques underpinning solutions to management problems and processes within transport management, including an evaluation of their limitations
Showcase critical awareness of the regulatory frameworks and ethical standards that govern sustainable engineering and transport, and apply appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques to assess and evaluate risks to health and safety, environmental preservation and commercial operations
Evidence comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing transport system safety, security, resilience, sustainability and performance, including the key indicators for monitoring and the tools used to make transport systems safe and reliable
Exhibit holistic understanding of the different roles within a multi-disciplinary engineering team, and demonstrate the initiative, personal responsibility and leadership to contribute to effective teamwork
Conduct an independent piece of scholarly research into transport management, drawing on a range of theoretical skills, knowledge and understanding

We may update our courses to reflect best practices and academic developments. If we do, we’ll let you know of any changes at the earliest opportunity by updating our course webpages. If you have already received an offer, we’ll write to you directly to let you know of the changes.

Entry requirements

One of the following:

2:2 (lower second-class honours) degree or equivalent in transport or a related subject
Equivalent overseas degree recognised by Aston University (see international students tab below for more information)

You will also need to provide:

A professional reference
- If you are a current student or recent graduate (within the last 2-3 years), we will ask for an academic reference
- If you are currently employed and not a recent graduate, we will ask for a professional reference
An official academic transcript of your university grades to date
A completed application form.

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our postgraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year. Based in the centre of Birmingham, Aston is not only a great place to study but also a great place to live.

Qualifications in your country

For details of equivalent qualifications in your country, use our area pages below:

English language requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.

English language requirements

How to apply

Aston University provides a range of opportunities for international students to join our community and study on our campus. A key part of our strategy is our relationships with teaching partners, providing multiple pathways to Aston.

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and, as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability. Our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Find out more about applying

Post-study work visa

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new Graduate Immigration Route which enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after you complete your studies to find work. This new post-study work visa applies to international students completing full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Graduate Immigration Route

Pathway programmes

If you don’t meet our entry requirements, we have a range of pathway programmes offered by our partner, ONCAMPUS Aston, which you can complete to progress onto one of our degrees.

We recognise the value of extensive professional experience. If you do not have the academic qualifications but have extensive and relevant professional experience and a proven ability to succeed, we would welcome your application.

The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this course for the most commonly offered qualifications.

Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire with the relevant admissions teams prior to application whether or not their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor.

Speak to our Admissions Team

If you have any questions about the application process please get in touch with our postgraduate admissions team:

Email: pgadmissions@aston.ac.uk

Call: 0121 204 3200 (Please note this line is open Monday-Friday between 09.30am-4.30pm)

Read our guide to applying

Fees and scholarships

Course fees

UK students
(2025/26)

Annual tuition fees:

£11,200

International students
(2025/26)

Annual tuition fees:

£24,000

More information on fees

The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be charged the same tuition rates as UK students.

Tuition fees for students are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. Any such increase shall always be in accordance with the law. When undertaking a placement year, a placement year fee applies.

More information on fees

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs.

Explore scholarships for UK students

Explore scholarships for international students

Assessment

You will be assessed through a combination of written and oral examinations, individual and group coursework, presentations, practical assessments and project work. These varied assessment methods are designed to reflect real-world professional tasks and ensure you can demonstrate both technical knowledge and leadership capability.

Career prospects

The MSc Transport Leadership programme prepares graduates for a diverse range of career opportunities across the transport and mobility sectors. With expertise in management, leadership, strategy and sustainable transport solutions, you will be well-equipped for roles such as:

Transport manager
Sustainable mobility consultant
Transport planner
Policy advisor
Operations manager
Infrastructure project leader
Transport safety and compliance officer

Graduates of this programme will be positioned to work in public and private sector organisations including transport authorities, consultancy firms, logistics companies, and government agencies. This programme also provides a strong foundation for those wishing to pursue further academic research or PhD opportunities focused on transport management and sustainable mobility.

Be part of our community

Once you have joined us at Aston University, you’ll always be part of our community, even beyond graduation.

Alumni services

Frequently asked questions

Why study Transport Leadership at Aston University?

Aston University has been a leader in transport education since 1973. For over 50 years, our graduates have made a significant impact across the UK transport sector – from rail and road to consultancy and government – helping to shape how people and goods move.

Our location in Birmingham, the UK’s transport hub, places you at the centre of national infrastructure networks and major transport innovations. You’ll study in a city with excellent connections, growing investment in sustainable mobility and strong links with industry.

Transport is an enabler of modern life – essential to business, leisure and everyday activity. As the sector transitions towards decarbonisation and net-zero goals, the demand for skilled professionals is only increasing. This course builds on Aston’s heritage and expertise, preparing you to lead the future of transport with confidence and purpose.

Is Birmingham a good place to study?

Our campus is based in the centre of Birmingham, the youngest major city in Europe and a great place to live, work and study.

Great music and entertainment with a vibrant nightlife. Bars, clubs, pubs, live music, festivals, concerts. Whatever your tastes, there's something here for everyone.
Fantastic food. Birmingham's diverse community means you can try anything from the famous Balti triangle, the Chinese Quarter, high street chains, halal and vegan food, and Michelin-star dining.
World-class shopping. The Bullring and Grand Central is a shopper's paradise. From the world's biggest Primark to luxury brands at the Mailbox.
Arts and culture. Museums, galleries, theatres, concerts and Birmingham's art collection is as wide as it is impressive - not to be missed.
Green, open spaces. One of the greenest cities in Europe, Birmingham has hundreds of publicly accessible parks and green spaces across the city.
Sporting action. Birmingham has some of the most exciting venues for watching or participating in sport in the UK.

Discover Birmingham