General Information

Overview

The Bachelor of Aviation will equip you for a professional career as a commercial pilot.

You'll undertake commercial flying training at CAE Melbourne Flight Training, located at Moorabbin Airport, to obtain your Commercial Pilot Licence and operate a multi-crew jet aircraft. Additional elective flying qualifications are available.

You'll study the theory units required by Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) up to and including Air Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) standard, as well as studies in aviation human factors, aviation management and aviation technology.

This course is undertaken concurrently with the Graduate Certificate of Aviation (Piloting)

Double degree options

You can also study Aviation in a double degree with Business.

Study structure

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Aviation requires students to complete units of study to the value of 300 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure.

Units of study Unit code
Core units
The Global Aviation System
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
AVA10001
Aviation Legal and Regulatory Framework
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
AVA10010
Essential Aviation Analytical Skills
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
AVA10011
Airline Business Strategy
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
AVA10012
Aviation Project: Blue Sky Ideas
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
AVA10014
Airline Operations Management
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
AVA20022
Aviation Safety and Risk Management
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
AVA20023
Aviation Project: Managing Implementation
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
AVA20024
Aviation Capstone 1: Project Planning
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
AVA30008
Aviation Capstone 2: Project Implementation
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
AVA30009
Major units
Private Pilot Licence Theory
Major unit , 12.5 credit points
AVT10005
Commercial Pilot Licence Theory 1
Major unit , 12.5 credit points
AVT10006
Commercial Pilot Licence Theory 2
Major unit , 12.5 credit points
AVT20003
Air Transport Pilot Licence Theory 1
Major unit , 12.5 credit points
AVT30003
Air Transport Pilot Licence Theory 2
Major unit , 12.5 credit points
AVT30004
Advanced Aviation Analytics and Research Skills
Major unit , 12.5 credit points
AVA30005
Air Transport Pilot Licence Theory 3
Major unit , 12.5 credit points
AVT30002
Current and Future Aviation Technologies and Operational Concepts
Major unit , 12.5 credit points
AVA30006

Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 75 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).

Advanced minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points in a field of study which builds upon your first major. Advanced minors can only be taken in conjunction with specific majors - more information will be available soon.

Aviation Technology Advanced

Minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points and may be chosen from any field of study.

  • Accounting
  • Advertising
  • Animation
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Applied psychology
  • Aviation
  • Biotechnology
  • Biomedical Science
  • Business Law
  • Chemistry
  • Climate and Social Justice
  • Cinema & Screen Studies
  • Criminology
  • Computer Science
  • Creative Writing
  • Data Analytics
  • Data Science
  • Digital Advertising Technology
  • Design History & Theory
  • Design Principles & Processes
  • Digital Marketing
  • Diversity & Multiculturism
  • Editing
  • Engineering
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Ethics and Technology
  • Finance
  • FTV Production
  • Film and television Theory
  • Games and Interactivity
  • Global History
  • Global Studies
  • Gender & Sexualities
  • Healthy Socities
  • Health Statistics
  • History
  • Health Planning and Evaluation
  • Human Resource Management
  • Information and Communication Technology
  • Indigenous Studies
  • Innovation
  • International Relations & Security
  • Journalism
  • Literature
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management
  • Management
  • Management for Health
  • Media Industries
  • Managing Information Systems
  • Marketing
  • Neuroscience
  • Nutrition
  • Professional and Creative Writing
  • Perspectives on Globalisation
  • Philosophy
  • Photomedia
  • Physics
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Politics, Power and Technology
  • Public Relations
  • Sociology
  • Social Impact
  • Social Media
  • Sports Management
  • Space Technology
  • Screen Studies and Popular Culture
  • UX Interaction Design
  • Web Development

Outcomes and course rules

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to: 

  • demonstrate coherent understanding and application of the body of knowledge contained within the aviation industry including appropriate international and domestic regulations and organisations in a professional piloting context
  • employ an entrepreneurial approach in contributing to innovation, development and management of risk, data, technology and change within professional aviation practice
  • demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge of Aviation human factors, safety, management and technology to critically analyse and solve aviation business problems, implementing effective solutions in a global aviation context
  • work reflexively in teams and independently with a focus on safety, integrity, ethics, professionalism, accountability and collaborative leadership to function effectively within the highly dynamic and hazard rich aviation environment
  • employ an adaptable approach, applying risk-based decision making to solving real-world aviation problems in commercial, operational and strategic areas
  • demonstrate effective oral, written and visual communication skills to work effectively with internal and external aviation business stakeholders across diverse professional settings
  • demonstrate a thorough and detailed understanding of the theory required to operate an aircraft as a professional pilot

Career opportunities

This course prepares students for aviation careers in the air transportation industry as professional pilots, flying instructor if complete in conjunction with the Graduate Certificate of Aviation (Piloting), airline or airport operations professional.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Aviation is structured to meet the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) requirements for Private Pilot Licence, Commercial Pilot Licence and Air Transport Pilot Licence theory examination for aeroplanes.

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Aviation students must complete 300 credit points comprising of:

  • ten [10] aviation core units of study (125 credit points)
  • eight [8] units of study from the piloting major (100 credit points)
  • six [6] units of other studies comprising a minor and/ or electives (75 credit points)


Students may not complete more than 150 credit points (normally 12 units) at introductory level. A unit of study can only be counted once, where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternate.

Students looking to achieve CASA professional pilot qualifications must be co-enrolled in the Graduate Certificate of Piloting in order to undertake the requisite flying practicum units (delivered by business partner CAE Melbourne Flight Training)

Students also have an opportunity to undertake a WIL Professional Placement.

Professional placements

Professional placements are subject to a competitive selection process.

Students who undertake a 12-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 375 credit points comprising:

  • ten [10] aviation core units of study (125 credit points)
  • eight [8] units of study from the piloting major (100 credit points)
  • four [4] units of study of the professional placement co-major (100 credit points); and
  • four [4] units of other studies comprising a minor or electives (50 credit points)


Students who elect to undertake a six-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 337.5 credit points comprising:

  • ten [10] aviation core units of study (125 credit points)
  • eight [8] units of study from the piloting major (100 credit points)
  • two [2] units of study of the professional placement minor (50 credit points); and
  • five [5] units of study comprising a minor and/ or electives (62.5 credit points). 

Volume of learning

The Bachelor of Aviation consists of a total of 300 credit points. Units normally carry 12.5 credit points (cps). A standard annual full-time load comprises eight units (100cp), and a standard annual part-time load comprises four units (50cp). The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Aviation is typically three years.

For students who complete a professional placement, the Bachelor of Aviation consists of 325-375 credit points. The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Aviation with a six-month placement is typically 3.5 years. The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Aviation with a 12-month placement is typically four years.

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Aviation is 150 credit points (normally 12 units).

Admission criteria

Information about Swinburne's general admission criteria can be found at Admissions at Swinburne - Higher Education webpage.

Extra requirements for this course

Applicants will be invited (via email) to attend a Skills Assessment Test run by CAE Melbourne Flight Training at Moorabbin Airport. It is a computer-based aptitude test consisting of psychometric testing, hand-eye coordination, ability to manage a dynamic environment and personality type. Please note that applicants are still required to meet the academic criteria listed.

Entry requirements

A. Applicants with recent secondary education (within past three years)

ATAR 

This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations. 

Educational history  

An applicant's entire academic history, including ATAR results, will be considered for entry into this course.  

Selection rank adjustments  

Selection ranks for this course will be calculated based on your ATAR with adjustments to overall study scores based on subjects studied, location of your home address, SEAS application, and participation In Swinburne's Early Leaders program. For further details about selection rank adjustments, see Admissions at Swinburne.  

Subject adjustments  

A study score of 25 in any Mathematics, Physics or Psychology equals 2 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 15 points.  

Meeting course prerequisites  

VCE units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in any English (except EAL) or at least 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent.

VCE units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in any Mathematics or equivalent.  

Bridging courses  

Applicants who do not meet the mathematics prerequisites for this course will be required to successfully complete Swinburne's MathsLink: General bridging program.

ATAR profile for those offered places wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR in Semester 1 2024

ATAR-Based offers only, across all offer rounds ATAR
Excluding adjustment factors
Selection Rank
ATAR + any adjustment factors
Highest rank to receive an offer 91.7 95.15
Median rank to receive an offer 80.15 85.17
Lowest rank to receive an offer 61.75 63.15

B. Applicants with higher education study

Educational history  

An applicant's entire academic history, including results from previous higher education study will be considered for entry into this course. If previous higher education qualifications are incomplete, results must have been obtained in the last seven years.  

Meeting course prerequisites  

As for Year 12 or equivalent.  

STAT/Bridging courses  

Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.  

Applicants who do not meet the mathematics prerequisites for this course will be required to successfully complete Swinburne's MathsLink: General bridging program. Mathematics prerequisites older than ten years are not considered to have met course requirements.

C. Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

Educational history  

An applicant's entire academic history from the past seven years, including complete and/or incomplete post-secondary VET studies, will be considered for entry into this course. Only graded results will be considered.  

Meeting course prerequisites  

As for Year 12 or equivalent.  

STAT/Bridging courses  

Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years. 

Applicants who do not meet the mathematics prerequisites for this course will be required to successfully complete Swinburne's MathsLink: General bridging program. Mathematics prerequisites older than ten years are not considered to have met course requirements.

D. Applicants with work and life experience

Educational history  

This course uses an applicant's entire academic record as part of its selection considerations, including an applicant's ATAR results from the last seven years can be considered for entry into this course.

Meeting course prerequisites  

As for Year 12 or equivalent.  

STAT/Bridging courses  

Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years. 

Applicants who do not meet the mathematics prerequisites for this course will be required to successfully complete Swinburne's MathsLink: General bridging program. Mathematics prerequisites older than ten years are not considered to have met course requirements.

Student profile

The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It provides data on students who commenced in this course in the most relevant recent intake period, including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia.

  Semester 1, 2024
Applicant background Number of students Percentage of all students
(A) Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course) N/P N/P
(B) Vocational education and training (VET) study <5 <5
(C) Work and life experience (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories) 0 0%
(D) Recent secondary education:    
Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points) N/A N/A
Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were N/A considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR) 21 65%
Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was N/A not a factor (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement) N/A N/A
International students N/A N/A
All students 32 100%
Notes:
“<5” – the number of students is less than 5.
N/A – Students not accepted in this category.
N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students. 

Interested in the Bachelor of Aviation?

From state-of-the-art facilities to opportunities to engage with industry – this course is designed with your future in mind. Let's get started.

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