Undergraduate Information

Graduation day for UNSW Aviation students

Graduate Diploma in Flying at UNSW

From 2012, the School of Aviation will be offering a new program called the Graduate Diploma in Flying (Program 5536).

The Graduate Diploma In Flying will operate concurrently with the Bachelor of Aviation Management (Program 3981), and students will undertake a total of 192 Units of Credit, equal to 4 years full-time enrolment. Fee-Help will be available for the Graduate Diploma courses, allowing deferment of some expenditure on flying training.

Students must have successfully completed the first year of the Bachelor of Aviation Management to be eligible for entry to the Graduate Diploma in Flying.

The Graduate Diploma in Flying is only available to local students, NOT to international students.

This program is recommended for Australian local students who need financial assistance for their flight training fees.

Click here for more information on the schedule, financial arrangements, and application procedure.

Bachelor of Aviation at UNSW

The School of Aviation is proud to offer two programs leading towards the award of a Bachelor of Aviation (BAv). The two streams offered at present are:

Bachelor of Aviation - Management Stream

Bachelor Aviation - Flying Stream

The Bachelors program has been designed for recent high school leavers to introduce them to different aspects that make up the Aviation Industry.

Our Management Graduates employed at Qantas
Our Management Graduates employed at Qantas

Bachelor of Aviation - Management Stream

The Management Stream (formerly known as Operations Management) of the Bachelor of Aviation has several student types in mind. Those with aviation industry experience or licenses and a desire for furthering their qualifications to a tertiary level, and those who seek a new career in aviation in the broad context of flight operations either on or off the flightdeck.

The Management and the Flying Stream share a common academic core consisting of Science, Engineering and Aviation subjects. The Management Stream also offers students a wide range of Aviation Management courses.

Graduates of the Management stream will have a broad and solid base of information upon which to function throughout their career. In the past such a career was sourced from within the industry itself. However, the industry is continuing to grow and is looking to new employees who have a good education in the aviation field.

The core courses offered include:

  • Introduction to Aircraft Engineering
  • Foundations of Aviation
  • Human Factors
  • Airline Economics
  • Aviation Law & Regulations
  • Airline Marketing Strategies
  • Aviation Technologies
  • Regional and General Aviation
  • Aviation Operations Research
  • Security and Airport Management
  • Airline Management
  • Simulation Applications and Air Traffic Management
  • Aviation Safety and Resource Management
  • Aviation Maintenance Technology and Operations
  • Aircraft Evaluation and Design Appraisal
  • Airline Resource Management
  • Aviation Research Methods
  • Airport Management

Bachelor Aviation - Flying Stream

Wings Insignia UNSW

The Flying Stream of the Bachelor of Aviation aims to educate and train pilots to the highest international standards.

The Management and the Flying Stream share a common academic core consisting of Science, Engineering and Aviation courses. In place of some academic modules, the Flying Stream offers students a comprehensive range of training at the highest possible standards. Students will attain a minimum of Commercial Pilots Licence (CPL) with a Multi Engine Command Instrument Rating and a Air Transport Pilots Licence (frozen) on completion of the degree with advanced options available including Instructor Rating, Multi Crew course or a research project.

Flight training takes place at UNSW Aviation's Flying Operations Unit which is situated at Bankstown Airport in Sydney's West. Students complete their training during block release from the academic program and will accrue up to 240 hours of actual and 60 hours of simulator-based flying.

All flight training is strictly monitored by the University's Director of Flying Operations, Brian Horton, and aims to exceed all regulatory standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The University operates Diamond DA40 and DA42 aircraft for training purposes and hires a number of other aircraft types based upon demand and individual student requirements. Training is carried out by our own dedicated staff of flying instructors to assure the highest possible standards.

If your queries are not addressed here, please do not hesitate to contact us.


Program Overview

The Undergraduate program consists of three academic years. In each year, there are two Sessions. In order to complete the BAv program, a student has to successfully complete 144 units of credit (UoC). Courses (subjects) offered at UNSW are worth either 3 UoC or 6 UoC.

A full-time load per Session at UNSW is worth 24 UoC. Of the total 144 UoC required for program completion, 12 UoC are compulsory *General Education courses. The remaining can be completed by undertaking the prescribed course structure which includes limitations and requirements for each year, and also;

  • 132 UoC UNSW Aviation courses + 12 UoC General Education courses or;
  • 120 UoC UNSW Aviation courses + 12 UoC UNSW courses (from any Dept/School in UNSW) + 12 UoC General Education courses

All single undergraduate degrees include an academic program in general education, complementary to their professional or major disciplinary program. See your school/faculty for more information or for a list of courses on offer see the Virtual Handbook.


Assumed Knowledge

The assumed knowledge for the Bachelor of Aviation is 2 Unit Mathematics (NSW). If students have undertaken General Mathematics they will not have achieved the recommended level of assumed knowledge. It may not prevent them from enrolling but students will be placed at a considerable disadvantage.

The recommended assumed knowledge for the Bachelor of Aviation (Flying) also includes HSC Physics. If BAv (Flying) students have not undertaken HSC physics, then they will have only the minimum background needed for First Year Physics.

It is strongly recommended that students who do not posses the assumed knowledge to do a UNSW Bridging Course for either Mathematics or Physics. For more information, click here.


Application

Australian Citizen/Permanent Resident and New Zealand Applicants

Students in this category have to apply with Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). If you are an Australian citizen/permanent resident with interstate or overseas qualifications, UAC has guidelines on your application procedures.

If you are applying from your high school in NSW/ACT, please list the UNSW BAv undergraduate program of your choice in your Preferences.

International student completing Year 12 in an Australian High School

Student in this category have to apply with Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

Overseas Applicants (Non-Australian citizens/permanent residents)

Please contact the UNSW International Office for an Undergraduate Science Prospectus. The prospectus contains all the relevant information and instructions about applying, as well as an application form.


Flying Applicants

All flying applicants are to submit an internal application form, which are available from the School of Aviation on request. Please return the completed form to the School of Aviation, before the end of September. Late applications may be considered.

Please observe all the deadlines indicated by the different centres (UAC) and departments. Applicants will either miss out on the opportunities offered or incur a fine if the deadlines are missed


Fees

Academics Fees for Flying & Management Streams

Click here for an estimate of how much your first year of study will be.

For more information regarding student contribution charges or tuition fees, please visit the UNSW Fees website.

Flight Training Fees for the Flying Stream

Approximately AUD$120,000 for 3 years (non-deferrable). This figure is for 2012 commencement students. This fee is the same for both local and international students.


FAQs about Aviation at UNSW - Bachelor Aviation

There are plenty of questions you may wish to ask about the School of Aviation and the programs we offer here. To help you in your search, we have included the answers to a variety of frequently asked questions.

Why Maths and Physics are important in Aviation studies?
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce was interviewed at a business lunch in Sydney on April 21, 2010. Alan gave an incisive and honest explanation of issues impacting on Qantas today. In response to questions about his academic background in Mathematics and Physics, Alan said his "background in terms of scientific approach has always been very good, it certainly structures your way of thinking" and that his "scientific background and education .... was absolutely fantastic" in terms of preparation for a career in airline management. His early projects at Aer Lingus included statistics of engine failures, over booking and revenue management.

[The UNSW aviation management degree includes compulsory courses in Mathematics and Physics, and a solid background in safety and economic management].

Will I need an interview?
Yes and No. Only Flying Stream applicants need to attend an interview. Please send in a UNSW BAv internal application form to register your interest in the Flying Stream of the Bachelor program. If you cannot get to the UNSW Campus, then a telephone interview can be arranged.

Will I get advanced standing if I already have flying qualifications?
This is assessed on a case-by case basis. As our Flight training is based on exceeding the regulatory requirement and delivered in an integrated syllabus, we do not automatically recognise flying that has been done elsewhere. Our Director of Flight Training will assess your level of competency and make a decision about how much extra flying you will need to do to meet the UNSW requirements

Do I need to have flown before?
No. Although it is probably a good idea to have a trial flight before deciding you want to train to be a pilot! Small aircraft are quite a different experience to flying on large jet aircraft. A trial instructional flight can be arranged with most flying schools at minimal cost. This will let you get a feel for the controls and the exciting opportunity that awaits.

What are the enrolment requirements?
For Local students/Australian residents the 2010 minimum ATAR requirement was ~81 (dependent upon demand).

For International students - Students with international high school qualifications will have to put in an application with UNSW Admissions to be assessed for eligibility. More information can be found at the UNSW International website.

Do I need a medical certificate to be a pilot?
A Class One aviation medical certificate is required to be a commercial pilot. This can only be undertaken with a Designated Aviation Medical Examiner and a Designated Aviation Ophthalmologist. To have a aviation medical examination, you will first need to obtain an Aviation Reference Number (ARN). This is easily done for future students resident in Australia. For students resident overseas the ARN and medical certificates may have to wait until the student is in Australia.

International students should check with their local aviation medical examiners to determine their likely eligibility for an Australia Class One medical certificate.

Will an airline offer me a job immediately on graduation?
For Flying Students - unlikely. This is because pilots are expected to 'get their hours up' which has traditionally meant instructing or charter work. In Australia, young pilots will often 'go bush' i.e. fly in the outback for several months or years to get experience. Whilst this is generally not highly paid, it can be a lot of fun. Major airlines may start to takes pilots on with a minim of 500 command hours.

For Management Students - distinctly possible. The major airlines around the world are looking more and more at graduates. However, the aviation industry is made up of much more than just airlines. Students from UNSW Aviation have gone to work with International and Regional airlines, Airports, Consultancies and in other disciplines as well.

How do I know this program is relevant?
The content of the program has been developed by skilled academics and an Industry Advisory Committee. The panel is made up of representative from airlines, airports, the regulator, ATC provider and general aviation. Teaching is done by a mixture of academics and industry experts to maintain a balance between the high standards of a University education and the needs of industry.

What makes UNSW Aviation different?
A number of other Universities in Australia offer studies in Aviation. We believe we are the best, for a number of reasons. Above all, we pride ourselves on strict and exacting standards. As a consequence a degree from UNSW is highly valued by potential employers. We own our own aircraft and flying operations unit; our flying training is controlled by our own staff to ensure the highest standards. Our teaching is based on experience and qualification and is in keeping with UNSW's International reputation for excellence. We are the only "Australian Great Eight' University to offer Aviation.

Why bother doing a degree to be a pilot?
It is true that you don't need a degree to be a pilot. Indeed, you don't need a degree to set up an airline and make million as individuals like Sir Richard Branson have proved! However, for most of us, the choice to do a degree is about doing something that separates us from the competition. Around the world, more pilots are getting a degree as well as their flying licences and airlines look favourably upon such well-rounded individuals. It makes a lot of sense to have a wider understanding of the industry you intend to be part of, and in later life it will particularly help when going for Command or Management positions.

How do I find the official syllabus for each stream?
Go to Aviation Flying Program Summary and Aviation Management Program Summary

If you need any more information about the Bachelor of Aviation, please feel free to contact:

School of Aviation
University of New South Wales
Sydney. NSW 2052. Australia

Tel. +61 2 9385 6767 (internationally) or 02 9385 6767 (within Australia)
Fax. +61 2 9385 6637 (internationally) or 02 9385 6637 (within Australia)
E-mail: aviab@unsw.edu.au