Associate Degree of Aviation
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
The course is designed to enhance students’ understanding of aircraft management, their multi-crew skills and knowledge of Jetstar operating procedures to prepare them to become a First or Second Officer.
Intakes for this course service the Jetstar Program – To be advised.
This program is available to Jetstar cadets only and candidates must apply through Jetstar. Please see below Course information in detail for more.
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Duration
1.5 years full time or equivalent part time
Study mode
- Full-time
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
Course structure
To qualify for the Associate Degree of Aviation, students must complete 200 credit points comprising of:
- 4 Aviation Core units (50 credit points)
- 5 Aviation Practical units (62.5 credit points)
- 6 Aviation Theory units (75 credit points)
- 1 Aviation elective (12.5 credit points)
Additional Practicum Units (valued at 12.5 credit points each) are available to students when additional flying hours are needed to fulfil licencing requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Students who enrol for additional practicum units will be required to pay additional tuition fees.
A unit of study can only be counted once, where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternate. Practicum (AVF) and associated licence theory (AVT) units that are either delivered by a University recognised flying provider or credited under a Credit Transfer Agreement will be done so under the requirements of the University’s Academic Partnerships Policy.
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Associate Degree of Aviation is 100 credit points (normally eight units)
Units of study
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives and professional recognition.
Career opportunities
Aims and objectives
- demonstrate both broad and specialised technical knowledge and skills within the field of professional pilot practice
- demonstrate broad knowledge of Aviation Human Factors and Aviation Management to analyse and contribute to the implementation of solutions in global professional airline and aviation practice
- critically apply theoretical and practical skills as a professional pilot and to be able to analyse, evaluate and review to provide solutions to non ambiguous, ambiguous and novel complex flight scenarios
- apply knowledge and skills beyond the minimum specified in the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Part 61 Manual of Standards to achieve the licencing qualification of Commercial Pilot (Aeroplane)
- apply knowledge and skills beyond the minimum specified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to achieve the rating qualification of Instrument Rating Command Multi Engine Aeroplane
- apply knowledge and skills to achieve successful completion of a Multi Crew Cooperation Course beyond the minimum as specified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority
- have the ability to make and initiate high level judgements within the professional pilot framework, and to successfully transmit knowledge, skills, ideas and to communicate with a variety of stakeholder audiences in a range of practical and technical and learning contexts
- demonstrate professional standards at all times that include responsibility and accountability with a pro-active professional pilot work ethic and recognise the need to engage in ongoing professional development.

Professional recognition
Pathways and scholarships
- Pathways and scholarships.
Course fees and requirements
- Fees, entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
2023 rate* | Estimated total cost of the course | Estimated cost of the course per year if studying full-time* | Amenities fee per year if studying full-time* |
---|---|---|---|
Full fee |
$36,300.00 (Theory units only) | $26,400.00 (Theory units only) | See how your SSAF is calculated |
How do I pay my fees?
FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.
Find out more about fees.
Entry requirements
- the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification
- completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees).
Applicants without a formal qualification may be considered for entry upon completion of the STAT test.
- VCE units 3 and 4 – VCE Units 3 and 4 – a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent
- VCE Units 3 and 4 - a minimum study score of 20 in Further Mathematics or equivalent.
Applicants must have been successfully selected and accepted into either:
- a pilot cadet training program with an organisation holding an internationally recognised Air Operators Certificate (AOC) of transport category aeroplanes or
- a flight instructor cadet training program with an organisation holding a recognised Air Operators Certificate (AOC) with approval to conduct flight training.