Overview

Study the Master of Aviation to gain advanced knowledge and practice, which is critical to undertaking a leadership role within the aviation sector. The course is primarily designed for personnel currently involved in the industry who wish to upgrade their skills at a tertiary level in aviation management and human factors.

View Master of Aviation course handbook
Looking to start in Semester 1, 2025?

Whatever stage you're at – from browsing courses to starting an application – our Study Expo is your one-stop-shop for info and advice.

Upgrade your skills

  • Aviation management
  • Review aviation safety reporting
  • Apply theoretical knowledge
  • Reflect critically on professional aviation industry practices surrounding human factors in aviation accidents

Stretch your career further

  • Airline or airport manager
  • Flight or ground operator
  • Aviation safety authority
  • Transport, supply chain and health

Strong industry connections and co-creation

  • Qantas
  • Jetstar Airways
International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Why Swinburne?

Graduate employers include Qantas and Jetstar Airways

$30,000 aviation scholarship awarded annually

Aviation education leader for more than more than 30 years

Only Victorian Uni offering a BA to train commercial pilots

Qualifications

  • A recognised Bachelor degree (minimum 3 years of full-time study) in a cognate discipline; or
  • A recognised Bachelor (Honours) degree in any of the following disciplines: Aviation, Engineering, Business, Economics, Management, Law, Marketing, Science, Technology, Psychology or Social Science or Completion of the Graduate Certificate of Aviation or Graduate Diploma of Aviation.
  • A recognised Bachelor degree (minimum 3 years of full-time study) in a cognate discipline; or
  • A recognised Bachelor (Honours) degree in any of the following disciplines: Aviation, Engineering, Business, Economics, Management, Law, Marketing, Science, Technology, Psychology or Social Science or Completion of the Graduate Certificate of Aviation or Graduate Diploma of Aviation.
Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Finding your fit

At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.

How credit points work

To qualify for the Master of Aviation, students must complete 11 units (150 credit points) comprising:

  • 7 Core units (87.5 credit points)
  • 1 dissertation unit (Human Factors Specialisation or Aviation Management) (25 credit points)
  • 3 x Elective units (37.5 credit points)

Your units

Graduate Certificate

Completing 3 core units and 1 elective unit entitles you to a graduate certificate.

3
Core units
+
1
Elective unit
=
Graduate certificate
Units of study Unit code
Core units
Human Factors and Advanced Technology
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
AVA80004
Aviation Industry Fundamentals
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
AVA80012
Marketing in Aviation
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
AVA80032
Learn more about the Graduate Certificate of Aviation

Graduate Diploma

Completing an additional 3 core units and 1 elective unit entitles you to the graduate diploma.

3
Core units
+
1
Elective unit
+
3
Core units
+
1
Elective unit
=
Graduate diploma
Units of study Unit code
Core units
Safety in Operational Teams
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
AVA80003
Airline Revenue Management and Pricing
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
AVA80034
Leading High Performance Organisations
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
AVA80039
Learn more about the Graduate Diploma of Aviation

Masters degree

Completing an additional 1 core unit, 1 elective unit and a dissertation unit entitles you to the masters.

6
Core units
+
2
Elective units
+
1
Core unit
+
1
Elective unit
+
1
Dissertation unit
=
Masters degree
Units of study Unit code
Core units
Aviation Research Methods and Statistics
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
AVA80036
Aviation Research Dissertation - Human Factors
Core unit, 25.0 credit points, Dissertation unit choice
AVA80037
Aviation Research Dissertation - Aviation Management
Core unit, 25.0 credit points, Dissertation unit choice
AVA80038
Want to see the full range of electives?

Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$30,720

Total fee* ($AUD)

$46,080

Commonwealth Supported Yearly Fee* ($AUD)

$8,948

Commonwealth Supported Total Fee* ($AUD)

$13,422

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$36,040.00

Fees are estimates only

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2024 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. International tuition fees are generally inclusive of Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

How do I pay my fees?

Two types of loans are available to assist with student study fees. Depending on eligibility, you’re able to apply for one of the loans outlined below.

  • FEE-HELP is a loan that’s available for full-fee paying higher education students. Depending on your eligibility, the Commonwealth Government can help pay all or part of your loan directly to Swinburne.
  • HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme that’s available if you’re enrolled in a Commonwealth-supported place. Depending on eligibility, a HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount.

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

  • log in to My Finances
  • check your Australian bank account details are correct 
  • check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe 
  • pay using your preferred payment method.

Eligibility for FEE-HELP

You’re eligible for a FEE-HELP loan if you are studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or UniLink or OUA course at Swinburne, and you:

  • are an Australian citizen doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
  • hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
  • hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens
  • are undertaking bridging study for overseas trained professionals and will be living in Australia for the duration of this study
  • have not exceeded the new combined Help Loan limit.
     

The HELP limit is the maximum amount you can borrow from the government in your lifetime towards your education costs. It is fixed and cannot be topped up.

Eligibility for HECS-HELP

You are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan if you have been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for an undergraduate degree at Swinburne or a UniLink course, and you:

  • are an Australian citizen and doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
  • hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
  • hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens.

Student services and amenities fee

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

The fee shown in the capped amount for 2024.

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown in the capped amount for 2024.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2024 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals. 

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents
MA-AV
Search for agents

Apply directly

Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! 

Please note: This external course is not available to on-shore international students holding a student visa.

Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
26-February-2025
Start dates
03-March-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
30-July-2025
Start dates
04-August-2025
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
03-March-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
04-August-2025
Upcoming events
2025 Study Expo
12-November-2024