Graduate Diploma
Elevate or recalibrate your career with the Graduate Diploma in Aviation Management at UNSW. Gain critical knowledge in aviation operations, corporate management, law and regulation, security and accident prevention.
Elevate or recalibrate your career with the Graduate Diploma in Aviation Management at UNSW. Gain critical knowledge in aviation operations, corporate management, law and regulation, security and accident prevention. Unlock a broad range of career opportunities within airlines, airports, air safety organisations and more.
This flexible, online program allows you to explore eight electives of your choosing, providing a robust and tailored overview of aviation management. Study full-time or part-time in a 100% online capacity, so you can fit study around other commitments.
The Graduate Diploma in Aviation Management welcomes students from aviation and non-aviation backgrounds. This program is the perfect stepping stone for professionals seeking to enhance their qualifications or aspiring towards the Master of Aviation Management.
While this graduate diploma is an excellent standalone program, it's commonly used as a stepping stone towards gaining more advanced credentials. This program provides an articulation pathway into the Master of Aviation Management, where you'll only need to complete 48 more credits and a research project to obtain your Master's.
Career opportunities
This postgraduate program opens doors to endless opportunities within the aviation sector. We welcome students from non-aviation backgrounds who want to work with aviation organisations, as well as personnel with technical skills, such as engineers and pilots, who are looking to enhance their knowledge of management and commercial issues.
Flexible and interactive online learning
Make your studies work for you. Customise your courses and study load to suit your schedule, with full-time and part-time options available. This program is delivered via distance using the university's eLearning system. Each course has its own facilitator who will lead discussion groups and activities, and advise students on coursework and assignments.
Join a top 20 global university*
UNSW is the highest-ranked global university with a stand-alone aviation school that offers aviation degrees, operates flight training under its own Air Operator's Certificate and undertakes research. The School of Aviation has been a leading educator in the industry for over 25 years.
*QS World University Rankings, 2024
Learn from expert educators
Our industry facilitators bring a wealth of aviation experience, while our academic staff regularly engage with regulatory authorities, industry bodies and research collaborators. Our courses are written by experts with substantial industry experience. UNSW Aviation educators include past and current leaders at organisations like Qantas, Sydney Airport, Airservices Australia and CASA.
Industry-relevant knowledge and experience
This postgraduate program was designed alongside industry experts to prepare graduates for future leadership positions in the aviation sector. You'll learn critical thinking and decision-making skills in topics including airline marketing, aviation safety and security and flight operations, and have the chance to gain first-hand work experience through industry-based scholarships and internships on offer.
The minimum entry requirement to the Graduate Diploma in Aviation Management is at least 1 year of relevant industry experience.
There are three entry groups to the GradDip AvMgmt. The entry groups are determined by the applicant's years of industry experience. Each entry group offers different amounts of advanced standing and therefore the total UoC to complete at UNSW is different for each group.
A minimum of 1 year of relevant industry experience is required to enter the program. If you have at least 2 years of relevant industry experience or advanced flying experience to ATPL then you may be credited with up to 12 UoC advanced standing. 5 or more years of industry experience may give you up to 24 UoC advanced standing. Remaining units must be completed at UNSW.
Examples of industry experience:
| Group | Degree Required? | Industry Experience Required? | Max Advanced Standing (UoC) | Total UoC required to complete at UNSW | Total UoC Accumulated to Graduate |
| 1 | No | Minimum 5 years |
24 | 24 | 48 |
| 2 | No | Minimum 2 years or completed advanced flying experience to ATPL# |
12 | 36 | 48 |
| 3 | No | Minimum 1 year |
0 | 48 | 48 |
Applicants are to submit the following documents for assessment of entry:
Applicants with other relevant qualifications and experience not listed may apply for admission to this program as follows. This is in accordance with UNSW Policy and Procedure on Recognition Of Prior Learning. Applicants will need to demonstrate that they have achieved the same knowledge and skills (learning outcomes) through their formal or informal learning as the qualifications listed for entry for this program. Any relevant documentation should be attached to the application and will be considered by the Academic Coordinator for the Program.
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you're completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
The minimum entry requirement to the Graduate Diploma in Aviation Management is at least 1 year of relevant industry experience.
There are three entry groups to the GradDip AvMgmt. The entry groups are determined by the applicant's years of industry experience. Each entry group offers different amounts of advanced standing and therefore the total UoC to complete at UNSW is different for each group.
A minimum of 1 year of relevant industry experience is required to enter the program. If you have at least 2 years of relevant industry experience or advanced flying experience to ATPL then you may be credited with up to 12 UoC advanced standing. 5 or more years of industry experience may give you up to 24 UoC advanced standing. Remaining units must be completed at UNSW.
Examples of industry experience:
| Group | Degree Required? | Industry Experience Required? | Max Advanced Standing (UoC) | Total UoC required to complete at UNSW | Total UoC Accumulated to Graduate |
| 1 | No | Minimum 5 years |
24 | 24 | 48 |
| 2 | No | Minimum 2 years or completed advanced flying experience to ATPL# |
12 | 36 | 48 |
| 3 | No | Minimum 1 year |
0 | 48 | 48 |
Applicants are to submit the following documents for assessment of entry:
Applicants with other relevant qualifications and experience not listed may apply for admission to this program as follows. This is in accordance with UNSW Policy and Procedure on Recognition Of Prior Learning. Applicants will need to demonstrate that they have achieved the same knowledge and skills (learning outcomes) through their formal or informal learning as the qualifications listed for entry for this program. Any relevant documentation should be attached to the application and will be considered by the Academic Coordinator for the Program.
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you'll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Australia has grown to become a global leader in aviation. It's home to some of the best global airlines, including Qantas and Virgin Australia, and has significant hubs for airlines based in Asia, the Americas and Europe.
A career in aviation management can take many forms and provides the opportunity to work and travel overseas. Aviation management graduates are hired by airlines and related organisations such as airports, government agencies, tourism authorities, freight forwarders and airport ground handling companies. There are also roles in complementary fields, such as consulting, IT and air safety authorities.
UNSW School of Aviation produces the highest calibre graduates who go on to take up roles at leading organisations, such as Qantas, Airservices Australia, the Defence Forces, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Cathay Pacific and Emirates, to name a few.
Aviation professionals can explore roles in: