Bachelor of Aviation

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.

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).

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: Further 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: Further 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: Further bridging program. Mathematics prerequisites older than ten years are not considered to have met course requirements.