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  • Postgraduate
  • Degree

Graduate Certificate of Aviation

How to apply
Entry requirements
Duration
  • 0.5 year (or part-time equivalent)
Location
  • Online
Start
Fees
  • AUD 15,880
  • (Indicative annual fee)

Overview

  • Explore new heights and advance your career in the aviation industry with UniSQ’s Graduate Certificate of Aviation. This graduate certificate is ideal for those wanting to extend their career in aviation, or those in positions such as airport managers, air traffic controllers, first line managers, mid-level defence officers, professional pilots, and licensed aircraft maintenance engineers.   
  • Be prepared for complex leadership challenges in aviation. With a focus on management and business principles, this qualification will empower you to critically analyse, assess, and oversee aviation systems, fostering innovative problem-solving skills grounded in real-world scenarios.     
  • Explore topics such as enhancing aviation safety management and culture, optimizing air transport economics and leveraging your leadership identity.  
  • Gain high-level written and interpersonal communication skills suitable for supervisory roles and develop professional research skills relevant to aviation.   
  • Benefit from flexible learning – this degree is delivered in 6-week teaching blocks, enabling you to complete your study in less than 4 months.  
  • Learn from lecturers who are experts in their field and among the most qualified in Australia for the development and delivery of aviation education programs.  

Study what I love

UniSQ is one of only a couple of unis that teach aviation in Queensland, so I’m very fortunate I don’t have to move far from home to study what I love.

Ethan - Aviation

Career outcomes

As a graduate, you could find work in airports, airlines, aviation operations, aviation safety regulation, and aviation accident and incident investigation, with the potential for leadership and managerial roles. 

Why study Aviation at UniSQ?

Superior industry experience

Benefit from superior industry experience, with highly trained staff including current and recent Airline, Australian Defence Force and Instructor Pilots and managers.

Be ready for the future of aviation

UniSQ is future-focused, we teach skills that are directly transferrable to today’s workplace and jobs of the future.

Experience flexible learning

Study on your own terms, in your own time and balance life and learning with online study.

What you'll study

To graduate from the Graduate Certificate of Aviation, you must successfully complete 4 units of study.

Degree structure

A postgraduate university degree typically comprises of advanced coursework and research opportunities, allowing you to deepen your expertise in a specific field while building upon foundational knowledge.

Students may choose one postgraduate level course

Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for detailed recommended enrolment patterns and course availability.

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previous studies or relevant work experience. This could reduce the number of courses you need to study to complete your degree.

Other study options

If you’re interested in further study, after completion of this degree you can go on to study the Graduate Diploma of Aviation or Master of Business Administration Aviation (if you meet all the entry requirements).

Entry requirements

There are many ways to be considered for entry into a UniSQ degree based on your education, work experience and relevant personal attributes. You need to satisfy the following requirements to be considered for entry into this postgraduate degree.

  • Completion of an Australian university Bachelor or Graduate Certificate degree, or equivalent,  in any discipline
    or
  • A minimum of three years’ of supervisory (or higher level) experience in the aviation industry.

Applicants without a recognised bachelor degree but a minimum three years of supervisory aviation experience will be considered on a professional entry basis. Detailed documentation must be submitted explaining why they believe they are suitable to study the degree and their qualifications, including industry history and records of any completed training courses. Positions recognised as supervisory within the industry encompass roles such as air traffic controllers, first line managers, mid-level defence officers, professional pilots, and licensed aircraft maintenance engineers. Given the wide range of potential experiences, each application will be evaluated based on its own strengths.

You'll need to meet the applicable English language requirements and this degree requires:

  • IELTS (Academic) - Minimum overall score of 6.5 and a minimum score of 6.0 in each of the four components - listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

Alternative English language proficiency tests may also be accepted.

Entry pathways

There is more than one way to get into university, and if you're not sure about your entry options get in touch to discuss.

Fees and scholarships

Domestic full fee paying AUD 15,880
You are responsible for the full cost of your degree and are charged a tuition fee.
  • This estimated 2025 annual fee is based on the current average rate for your first year of study (4 units per year) and does not include cost of materials such as textbooks, additional costs or the Student Services and Amenities fee
  • This is an indicative guide only and your fees will vary depending on the courses you select, with the actual rates calculated at enrolment.
  • We review our fees annually and they may increase each year.
  • Further details are available on the Fees website.

Additional costs

You may be required to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee as part of your degree cost.

Payment options

You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. FEE-HELP is a government loan scheme that allows you to defer payment until your income reaches a certain threshold. Find out if you are eligible for FEE-HELP.

You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Services Australia.

UniSQ Scholarships

We offer scholarships for academic excellence, community leadership, and financial need - you can apply for more than one!

Find out more

How to apply

Complete your online application directly to UniSQ.

Apply
Degree code
GCAV

Select to start your degree in one of the following intakes:

Study period Application closing date Orientation Start date
Block 1, 2025 Monday 13 January Monday 13 January Monday 20 January
Block 4, 2025 Monday 30 June  Monday 30 June  Monday 7 July
Block 1, 2026 Monday 12 January Monday 12 January Monday 19 January

More information on application key dates is available.

Preparing to apply

You've made the decision to study at UniSQ - congratulations! Take the next steps:

Each degree has unique entry requirements so it’s essential to know the specifics for your chosen degree.

The entry requirements for your degree will provide you with details regarding the documentation to provide. These may include:

  • interviews and selection criteria
  • CV/resume or LinkedIn profile
  • referee reports.

Application dates can vary so be sure to check our key dates to get all the details.

Apply online directly to UniSQ for your chosen degree.

After you’ve submitted your application, you will be emailed a reference number. You will be notified via email the outcome of your application within 10 business days.

Follow the link in your email from UniSQ or log in to the application portal to accept your offer.

Find out more

Connect with us - start a conversation, whenever suits you.

Live Chat

Available 5 days a week
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Phone

Freecall
1800 269 500

Email

Email us at study@unisq.edu.au

Appointment

Book an appointment

Frequently asked questions

A Graduate Certificate of Aviation is a UniSQ postgraduate aviation qualification ideal for those who already hold an aviation bachelor degree and are wanting to explore topics such as safety management and culture, optimising air transport economics and leveraging your leadership identity. 

Aviation graduate certificates are an ideal professional development opportunity for professionals working in the aviation field who wish to build upon their existing knowledge to enhance career opportunities both within Australia and globally.

  • Learn in state-of-the-art flight simulators - UniSQ is Australia's only university with both the Boeing 737 and A320 flight simulators.
  • Benefit from superior industry experience with highly trained staff including current and recent Airline, Australian Defence Force and Instructor Pilots and managers.
  • UniSQ’s aviation graduate certificates are industry-relevant courses that draw on current research and industry best practice. 

A graduate certificate is often the first step into postgraduate study. It’s a perfect way to get started in further study, add to your resume to gain a competitive edge in your workplace, or enjoy stretching your brain into something new. Most aviation graduate certificates will take approximately half a year to complete. Because the amount of courses you’re required to study are less than a bachelor’s degree, the duration is significantly less.

A bachelor degree is an undergraduate qualification which is the most chosen option for first-time uni goers. To get an undergraduate degree, you typically need to complete around 120 credit hours of coursework which can take up three to four years to complete, depending on what you choose to study.  

All of our degrees focus on developing your ability to apply the skills and knowledge you’ve gained into a career of your choice. Graduating with an aviation graduate certificate from UniSQ opens up many career prospects, including:

  • aviation operations
  • scheduling
  • airports
  • airline operations
  • aviation safety regulation
  • accident and incident investigation.

The entry requirements to study aviation graduate certificates will vary depending on the education provider you choose.

To study a Graduate Certificate of Aviation at UniSQ, there are several ways you can meet the entry requirements:

  • Completion of an Australian university Bachelor degree in the area of aviation, management and/or psychology, or equivalent. 
    or 
  • A minimum of three years’ professional work experience equivalent to a bachelor degree.

For further information on the entry requirements of aviation graduate certificates at UniSQ, please view the entry requirements section of this page.

Still have questions? Get in touch with one of our iconnect support staff to talk through your options. 

Yes! At UniSQ we understand everyone’s journey to studying a university degree is different, which is why we offer a range of pathway programs.

University pathway programs provide students with an entry point to their chosen uni degree without an ATAR score. At UniSQ, our pathway programs will help you reach your individual study goals. Whether you haven’t studied for some time, have completed a TAFE or VET qualification, have not completed high school, or your goals have changed, we have a program to suit your needs.

We offer the following pathway programs to help you gain entry into our aviation graduate certificates.

Would you like to talk through your study options? Get in touch and we can provide you with the personalised support and advice you need. 

This will vary from uni to uni but at UniSQ, yes, you can generally study aviation graduate certificates part-time, full-time or online, allowing you to balance study with your work and life commitments.

Work towards your aviation degree at your own pace with our flexible learning options. Discover the different ways you can study at UniSQ. 

The duration of aviation graduate certificates will vary depending on where you choose to go to uni, but at UniSQ it will take you approximately half a year to complete.

Some students choose to study part-time which will increase the time it takes to finish the required courses. 

We know that cost can play a big part in your decision to study. Learn about the fees related to university and the financial support options we have available during your aviation graduate certificate studies on our fees and scholarships website