Masters (Coursework)
Want to become a leader in the aviation industry?
Want to become a leader in the aviation industry? If you're a professional with a university degree and relevant industry experience looking to advance your aviation career, this master's program is for you.
Connect with a wide range of aviation professionals, enhance your understanding of key aviation issues and accelerate your career growth. In this flexible, online program, you'll gain essential knowledge in science, engineering, interpersonal relations and the environment. To grow your specialised skill set, you'll also explore law and regulations, safety and security, airline and airport management, technical operations and aviation economics.
You can complete the Master of Aviation Management in 2 years or less with full-time study. Upon graduation, you'll be ready to take on roles in various sectors of the aviation and transport industry, including airlines, airports and government agencies.
Research project
Bring together everything you've learned in a final research project. This will allow you to demonstrate your ability to take initiative and apply your knowledge to solve problems in the aviation industry.
Career opportunities
Take advantage of the growing demand for aviation professionals and launch your career in aviation management or enhance your current role with industry knowledge. We welcome students from non-aviation backgrounds, such as law or finance, who want to gain entry into the industry or work with aviation organisations. Personnel with technical skills, such as engineers and pilots, can enhance their knowledge of management and commercial issues. If you have a business background, this degree will help you understand airline strategy and technical issues, which impact aviation operations.
Flexible, 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's 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.
For entry into this program, you must have a three-year undergraduate bachelor's degree. There are four different entry groups - the group you belong to will depend on the discipline of your undergraduate degree and years of industry experience (if applicable). If you have more than half a year of relevant professional experience you may be eligible for advanced standing into the program which will shorten the duration of your studies
Entry group one
This group may be eligible for 48 units of credit of advanced standing. This group includes any of the following:
Entry group two
This group may be eligible for 36 units of credit of advanced standing. This group includes any of the following:
Entry group three
This group may be eligible for 24 units of credit of advanced standing. This group includes any of the following:
Entry group four
This group is not eligible for any advanced standing. This group includes:
| Group | Degree | Industry Experience | Standing (UoC) | Required to complete at UNSW | Required to graduate MAvMgmt |
| 1 | Bachelor of Aviation (Honours) | N/A | 48 | 48 | 96 |
| Bachelor of Aviation | Minimum 2 years | ||||
| Bachelor's degree in cognate area | Minimum 2 years | ||||
| Bachelor's degree in non-cognate area | Minimum 5 years | ||||
| 2 | Bachelor of Aviation | Minimum 0.5 years | 36 | 60 | 96 |
| Bachelor's degree in cognate area | Minimum 0.5 years | ||||
| Bachelor's degree in non-cognate area | Minimum 2 years | ||||
| 3 | Bachelor's degree in non-cognate area | Minimum 0.5 years | |||
| Bachelor of Aviation | 0 | ||||
| Bachelor's degree in cognate area | 0 | 24 | 72 | 96 | |
| 4 | Bachelor's degree in non-cognate area | 0 | 0 | 96 | 96 |
Cognate degrees
Any degrees from any of the following disciplines:
Examples of industry experience
Your industry experience could be (but not limited to) any of the following:
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.
For entry into this program, you must have a three-year undergraduate bachelor's degree. There are four different entry groups - the group you belong to will depend on the discipline of your undergraduate degree and years of industry experience (if applicable). If you have more than half a year of relevant professional experience you may be eligible for advanced standing into the program which will shorten the duration of your studies
Entry group one
This group may be eligible for 48 units of credit of advanced standing. This group includes any of the following:
Entry group two
This group may be eligible for 36 units of credit of advanced standing. This group includes any of the following:
Entry group three
This group may be eligible for 24 units of credit of advanced standing. This group includes any of the following:
Entry group four
This group is not eligible for any advanced standing. This group includes:
| Group | Degree | Industry experience | Standing (UoC) | Required to complete at UNSW | Required to graduate MAvMgmt |
| 1 | Bachelor of Aviation (Honours) | N/A | 48 | 48 | 96 |
| Bachelor of Aviation | Minimum 2 years | ||||
| Bachelor's degree in cognate area | Minimum 2 years | ||||
| Bachelor's degree in non-cognate area | Minimum 5 years | ||||
| 2 | Bachelor of Aviation | Minimum 0.5 years | 36 | 60 | 96 |
| Bachelor's degree in cognate area | Minimum 0.5 years | ||||
| Bachelor's degree in non-cognate area | Minimum 2 years | ||||
| 3 | Bachelor's degree in non-cognate area | Minimum 0.5 years | |||
| Bachelor of Aviation | 0 | ||||
| Bachelor's degree in cognate area | 0 | 24 | 72 | 96 | |
| 4 | Bachelor's degree in non-cognate area | 0 | 0 | 96 | 96 |
Cognate degrees
Any degrees from any of the following disciplines:
Examples of industry experience
Your industry experience could be (but not limited to) any of the following:
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 one of the most highly developed aviation industries in the world. It's home to some of the best global airlines and has significant hubs for airlines based in Asia, the Americas and Europe.
Our aviation management graduates are hired by airlines and related organisations such as airports, government agencies, tourism authorities, freight forwarders and airport ground handling companies. If you look even more widely you can also join consulting firms, IT firms 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.
Jobs in aviation managementAviation professionals can explore roles in:
airline marketing
flight operations management
aviation economics
aviation law and regulations
aviation safety
aviation security
corporate planning
fleet planning
schedule planning
flight operations
air traffic management
aircraft engineering
airport management
"Being a pilot, there is so much more that I can offer than flying a plane. There are opportunities within my company to be a ground school or human factors instructor, or work on other meaningful projects. The master's degree really opens these doors for me to work in other areas of the industry or in other industries such as transport, especially in a scenario where if I couldn't fly. My master's degree has made me a more competitive candidate, knowing that I can also work in the administration side of aviation. It has also given me opportunities to be involved in pilot recruitment."
Rosina Helbig
First Officer, Jetstar
"The range of subjects available in the master's program gave me the opportunity to specialise in certain topics, while gaining more general knowledge in other aviation disciplines. Aviation is such a varied field; the master's was able to give me a good grounding in so many areas of the industry. My degree with UNSW Aviation has been invaluable to my career, in providing me with both credibility and knowledge. "
Graham Stevenson
Head of Midfield Terminal Program, Etihad Airways