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Postgraduate

Graduate Certificate of Aviation

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Graduate Certificate of Aviation (GCAV)
Entry requirements
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Study mode
  • Online
Campus
  • -
Duration
  • 0.5 year(s) (or part-time equivalent)
Start
  • Jan, Jul
Intakes

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Overview

  • Ready to take your career to new heights? With UniSQ’s Graduate Certificate of Aviation you will develop the skills needed to advance your career in the aviation industry. 
  • Explore topics such as enhancing aviation safety management and culture, optimizing air transport economics and leveraging your leadership identity. 
  • Hone high-level written and interpersonal communication skills suitable for supervisory roles and develop professional research skills relevant to aviation.  
  • Delivered in 6-week teaching blocks, this flexible format enables you to complete your study in less than 4 months, preparing you for complex leadership challenges in aviation.  
  • This Graduate Certificate of Aviation appeals to anyone who wishes 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.  
  • 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.    
  • Learn from lecturers who are experts in their field and are among the most qualified in Australia for the development and delivery of aviation education programs. 

Further study

After completing the Graduate Certificate of Aviation, you can apply (with credit) to study the Graduate Diploma of Aviation or Master of Business Administration Aviation.  

Career outcomes

  • Add to your existing qualifications and professional portfolio with potential leadership and managerial opportunities in airports, airlines, aviation operations, aviation safety regulation, and aviation accident and incident investigation.

Entry requirements

Find the entry requirements most relevant to you.

  • 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.

English language requirements

You are required to meet the applicable English language requirements and this degree requires a minimum of IELTS 6.5 with a minimum 6.0 in each subscore. UniSQ also accepts other English language proficiency tests.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can apply to study the English for Academic Purposes EAP3 pathway program through the Union Institute of Language (UIL).

Recognition of prior learning or work experience

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of courses that you need to study to finish your program.

Pathways

If you don't meet the entry requirements, we have pathway options available to you.

UniSQ offers a number of other bachelor and graduate certificate degrees for you to study to help you meet the entry requirements. 

Degree structure

To complete this degree students must complete 4 units.

Courses to be studied Units
Core courses 3
Elective course 1
Total 4

Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for an example of courses to be studied and recommended enrolment patterns.

Fees and scholarships

Your actual fees may vary depending on the courses you select. We review our fees annually so these may be subject to change.

Approximate annual costs1 for your study (4 units) in this degree are:

Study Mode Cost
Domestic full fee paying

You are responsible for the full cost of your course and are charged a tuition fee.

AUD 15880

1 These are indicative annual fees for 2025. 

Student services and amenities fees

You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.

Loan to help you pay your fees

You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. FEE-HELP allows you to defer your fees until your income reaches a certain level. Find out if you are eligible for FEE-HELP. 

You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Centrelink.

Scholarships

At UniSQ, we offer a range of scholarships to support your success at university. Find a scholarship that works for you.

How to apply

Complete your online application directly to UniSQ.

Apply direct to UniSQ

Intakes

From 2025, this degree will be offered in Block study periods. You can choose to start in Block 1 or 4.

Study period  Application closing date Orientation  Study period start date Finish date
Block 1, 2025 Monday 13 January Monday 13 January Monday 20 January Friday 7 March
Block 4, 2025 Monday 30 June  Monday 30 June  Monday 7 July Friday 22 August

Further information

Discover further information on applying to study at UniSQ that is relevant to you.

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Begin your study journey today with the university rated 5/5 stars for graduates starting salaries* and start the degree that’s right for you.

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What is Graduate Certificate of Aviation?

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.

Why study a Graduate Certificate of Aviation at UniSQ?
  • 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. 
What is the difference between a certificate and a bachelor's degree?

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.  

What are my career prospects after completing a Graduate Certificate of Aviation?

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.
What are the entry requirements for a Graduate Certificate of Aviation?

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. 

Is there an entry pathway if I don’t meet the entry requirements?

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. 

Can I study the course part-time or online?

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. 

How long does a Graduate Certificate of Aviation typically take to complete?

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. 

Are there any scholarships or financial aid options available for this program?
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.