General Information

Overview

Launch your aviation career in Australia or beyond – without being a pilot. Develop all the organisational, regulatory, safety, technical and business management skills you need – from how planes operate, to socially responsible practices, to how logistical partnerships work.

Double degree options

You can also study Aviation Management in a double degree with Applied Innovation and Business.

Study structure

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Aviation Management 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
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
Aviation Legal and Regulatory Framework
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
AVA10010
Essential Aviation Analytical Skills
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
AVA10011
Aircraft Flight Operations for Managers
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
AVA10013
Continuing Airworthiness Management
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
AVA20008
Human Factors in Aviation Management
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
AVA20025
Airport Planning, Operations and Management
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
AVA30004
Advanced Aviation Analytics and Research Skills
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
AVA30005
Future Aviation Technologies and Operational Concepts
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
AVA30006

Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 100 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 Management
Aviation Technology

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

  • Engineering

  • Innovation

View minor units

You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for either 6 or 12 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.

Units of study Unit code
Professional placement - Major (12 months)
Work Experience In Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points
WEI20001
Integrated Professional Placement A - Aviation
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points
AVA20016
Work Experience in Industry B
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points
WEI20002
Integrated Professional Placement B - Aviation
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points
AVA20017
or
Professional placement - Minor (6 months)
Work Experience In Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points
WEI20001
Integrated Professional Placement A - Aviation
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points
AVA20016

These recommended elective units can deepen your understanding of your chosen major or an area of interest. A full list of available elective units can be found upon enrolment.

  • AVA10004 Aviation Marketing
  • AVA10007 Aircraft Aerodynamics and Performance
  • AVA10013 Aircraft Flight Operations for Managers
  • AVA20004 Internal Combustion and Gas Turbine Engines
  • AVA20005 Aircraft Structures
  • AVA20006 Aircraft Design and Operations
  • AVA20008 Continuing Airworthiness Management
  • AVA20009 Airspace Management and Air Traffic Services
  • AVA20010 Aviation Legal Framework
  • AVA20012 Aviation Study Tour
  • AVA20023 Aviation Safety and Risk Management
  • AVA30010 Leading High Performance Organisations
  • AVF10001 Remote Pilot Licence Theory and Practicum (Multi-rotor drones up to 25kg)
Find more detail about elective units

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course students will be able to: 

  • as an aviation practitioner, demonstrate coherent understanding and application of the body of knowledge contained within the aviation industry including appropriate international and domestic regulations and organisations
  • 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.

Career opportunities

This course prepares students for aviation careers in the air transportation industry as professional pilots.

Course rules

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

  • 8 Aviation Core Units of Study (100 credit points)
  • 8 units of study from the Aviation Management major (100 credit points)
  • 8 units of other studies (up to 100 credit points) comprising a co-major, advanced minors, minors or electives.

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. Domestic students also have an opportunity to undertake a WIL Professional Placement.

Please note: due to government regulations international students holding a student visa are not able to undertake Professional Placements in this course.

Volume of learning 

The Bachelor of Aviation Management consists of a total of 300 credit points. Units normally carry 12.5 credit points. A standard annual full-time load comprises eight (8) units (100 credit points), and a standard annual part-time load comprises four (4) units (50 credit points). The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Aviation Management is typically 3 years. For students who complete a Professional Placement, the Bachelor of Aviation Management consists of 337.5 - 375 credit points. The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Aviation Management with a 6 month placement is typically 3.5 years. The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Aviation Management with a 12 month placement is typically 4 years.

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:

  • 8 Aviation Core Units of Study (100 credit points)
  • 8 units of study from the Aviation Management major (100 credit points);
  • 4 units of study of the Professional Placement Co-Major (100 credit points); and
  • 6 units of other studies comprising a minor and/ or electives (75 credit points)

Students who elect to undertake a 6-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 337.5 credit points comprising

  • 8 Aviation Core Units of Study (100 credit points)
  • 8 units of study from the Aviation Management major (100 credit points);
  • 2 units of study of the Professional Placement Minor (50 credit points); and
  • 7 units of other studies comprising electives (87.5 credit points).

 

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Aviation Management 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.

Entry requirements

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

ATAR

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

Guaranteed ATAR: if you receive an ATAR of 70 or higher and meet all the essential requirements for this course, you will be guaranteed an offer.

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 Maths: Mathematical Methods, Maths: Specialist Mathematics or any Science 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.

ATAR profile for those offered places wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR in Semester 1 2023

ATAR-Based offers only, across all offer rounds ATAR
Excluding adjustment factors
Selection Rank
ATAR + any adjustment factors
Highest rank to receive an offer 89.9 79.95
Median rank to receive an offer 68.3 69.75
Lowest rank to receive an offer 63.8 65.4

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 

Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.

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 

Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.

D. Applicants with work and life experience

Entire academic record 

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 

Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.

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, 2023
Applicant background Number of students Percentage of all students
(A) Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course) 9 34%
(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) 7 26%
Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR) N/A N/A
Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement) <5 <5
International students 6 23%
All students 26 100%

Notes: 
“<5” – the number of students is less than 5.
N/A – Students not accepted in this category.

Interested in the Bachelor of Aviation Management?

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.

View course page