Graduate Diploma in Aviation Management

The UNSW Graduate Diploma in Aviation Management is a program of study designed to provide aviation managers and professionals with the skills and knowledge to be effective in a contemporary aviation environment. This program is a pathway for people without an undergraduate qualification to study for the Master of Aviation Management. You will learn entirely through distance education. The online courses are delivered through a secure learning and teaching website, meaning you do not need to attend any on-campus activities.

To complete this program, you must study eight elective courses of your own choice. These could include courses covering operations and corporate management, law and regulation, security, accident prevention and more. The program is 48 units of credit (or one-year full-time equivalent) and can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis. Students with appropriate education and/or professional experience may be eligible to complete the degree in less time. Students with full-time employment are recommended to undertake a part-time study load.

This program is ideal for students intending to bolster their professional qualifications and/or progress to the Master of Aviation Management. 

• Wide range of career opportunities
  Launch your career in aviation management or enhance your current role with industry knowledge. We have students from non-aviation backgrounds, such as law or finance, who chose this degree to either 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 and interactive online environment
  Choose courses in any order that suits your interests and study part-time or full-time in any term depending on your other commitments. This program is delivered via distance using the university’s eLearning system. Each course has its own facilitator who is responsible for interacting with students and enabling students to interact with one another. The course facilitator leads discussion groups, ensures participation in web-supported activities, advises students on where to source research materials and responds to questions relating to the course and assignments.

Join a top 20 global university
UNSW is ranked 19th in the world.* UNSW Aviation operates as a school within the Faculty of Science. It’s the only stand-alone university aviation school in Australia. We’re focused on combining leading research, world-class facilities and practical teaching to create graduates that are ready to take on global opportunities within the aviation sector.

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 and coordinated by experts with substantial industry experience, have rigorous academic standards and are designed to guide student learning. UNSW Aviation educators come directly from leadership roles in industry, having held senior management positions with airlines, airports, government and regulatory authorities and air services providers. 

Gain industry-relevant knowledge and experience
This program was developed in consultation with the Australian aviation industry to produce graduates who will advance to positions of management and influence. Our courses are regularly reviewed to ensure quality and relevance. Our teaching staff refer to academic readings, case studies and relate examples from their own professional experiences. Where possible, assignments relate to workplace situations – as such, many of the tasks undertaken in courses may be later used in the workplace, reinforcing the theory and benefiting both yourself and your employer. Throughout the degree, you’ll also be encouraged to undertake industry-based scholarships and internships. These programs provide valuable opportunities to consolidate knowledge, determine career interests and significantly enhance employment prospects upon graduation. 

^{*QS World University Rankings, 2024}