Program Overview

Advanced Course in Aviation Medicine

Course Overview

The Advanced Course in Aviation Medicine (ACAM) builds on the foundations of the Basic Course in Aviation Medicine with successful completion of both required to apply for Class 1 medical certification privileges. The course will provide sound theoretical and practical training in physiology, psychology and clinical practice in relation to aerospace medicine.

Course Dates

• 09 March 2026 - 20 March 2026
• Places: Opening soon
• Delivery mode: In person
• Application deadline: 31 January 2026

Course Features

• Update as of 2025 for those wanting to apply to be UK CAA Aeromedical Examiners (AMEs)
• The UK CAA has stated that places for new aeromedical examiners (AMEs) are now very limited.
• There are currently about 120 UK CAA AMEs, and the UK CAA does not plan to increase these numbers.
• The UK CAA now estimates it only needs 4-5 new AMEs per year, they are currently only appointed based on "geographical areas of need" and to replace existing AMEs as they retire.
• The UK CAA are oversubscribed with applicants to become AMEs, and there is a backlog of applicants who have already done this course.

Key Benefits

• World class learning delivered at a location recognised by the UK Civil Aviation Authority for training of AMEs
• Teaching by internationally recognised experts in the field
• Conforms to the training requirements of EASA Part Med Subpart D (but is not currently an EASA accredited course)

Course Content

The Advanced Course in Aviation Medicine is a unique course in the UK which provides medical practitioners the opportunity to develop the skills required to become AMEs with Class 1 privileges. Currently it is the only course in the UK recognised by the UK CAA as suitable training for those wishing to apply for Class 1 medical certification privileges. This course is taught over 2 weeks full-time face to face.

Learning Outcomes

• Clinical aviation medicine in the UK is part of the Specialty of Aviation and Space Medicine but there are many different routes to be involved and most civilian practitioners work in aviation medicine as a bolt on special interest from general practice, occupational medicine or any hospital specialism.
• Regulatory aviation medicine is based within national or international regulatory authorities, whilst opportunities to work in aviation medicine research occur within national research establishments and industry, or within the armed forces.
• Completion of the KCL Advanced Course in Aviation Medicine and success in the examination prepares a medical practitioner for appointment as a Class 1 AME, allowing the medical assessment of student, private and professional pilots and air traffic controllers (with appropriate additional approval from the regulatory authority).

Entry Requirements

• Applicants are required to have successfully completed the Basic Course in Aviation Medicine course or equivalent.
• All teaching and the final exam is in English. There is no formal language requirement for this course but an IELTS score of 5 or higher is strongly recommended for applicants whose first language is not English.
• You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
  • Document with answers to 2 questions (these are limited to 250 words each):
    • Question 1: Why are you applying for this specific programme, and how does it fit in with your future plans?
    • Question 2: How does your experience and education make you a suitable candidate for this programme?
  • Previous academic study: If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents.

Assessment

• There is a short multiple-choice assessment that you will complete at the end of the course. You will need to pass this in order for us to provide evidence to the UK Civil Aviation Authority that you have successfully completed the course and to earn your course Certificate of success.

Further Information

• This 2 week full-time course consists of lectures, tutorials and seminars, case studies, in addition to visits to the UK Civil Aviation Authority and also British Airways aircraft simulators.
• The course is designed to meet the requirements of EASA Part Med (AMC2 and GM2 MED.D.020) and consists of 66 hours of theoretical and practical training, including specific examination techniques. The learning objectives to acquire the necessary competencies include theoretical knowledge, risk management, and decision-making in the following subjects. Demonstrations and practical skills are included where appropriate.
  • Pilot working environment
  • Aerospace Physiology
  • Clinical medicine
  • Cardiovascular medicine
  • Neurology
  • Psychiatry/psychology
  • Visual system and colour vision
  • Otorhinolaryngology
  • Dentistry
  • Human factors in aviation
  • Incidents and accidents, escape and survival
  • Tropical medicine

Other Aerospace Medicine courses at King's

• Aerospace Medicine PG Dip / MSc
• Introduction to Aerospace Medicine
• Basic Course in Aviation Medicine
• Aircraft Accident Investigation

Key Information

• Credit value: Not for credit
• Duration: 2 weeks
• Fees & Discounts: Full Price: £4,286.00

Offered by

• Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine
• School of Basic & Medical Biosciences