Why Study/Key Benefits

The Graduate Certificate of Aviation is a postgraduate qualification designed to develop specialised aviation knowledge and professional practice relevant to management and leadership roles in the aviation sector. Swinburne says it is primarily intended for people already working in aviation who want to upgrade their skills to tertiary level, with particular emphasis on aviation safety behaviours, human factors and safety reporting.

Key benefits include:

• Development of advanced knowledge in aviation management and human factors.
• Focus on aviation safety behaviours and safety reporting.
• Understanding the relationship between human factors, aviation accidents and advanced technology.
• Skills that can also be applied in related sectors such as transport, supply chain and health.
• A pathway into the Graduate Diploma of Aviation and Master of Aviation.
• Industry connections involving organisations including Qantas and Jetstar Airways.
• Swinburne describes itself as having more than 30 years of aviation education experience.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The Graduate Certificate consists of 3 compulsory core units and 1 elective.

Core units:

1. Human Factors and Advanced Technology — AVA80004
2. Aviation Industry Fundamentals — AVA80012
3. Marketing in Aviation — AVA80032

Each core unit carries 12.5 credit points.

Students select 1 elective worth 12.5 credit points.

Current listed aviation electives include:

• Safety in Operational Teams — AVA80003
• Airline Revenue Management and Pricing — AVA80034
• Leading High Performance Organisations — AVA80039

Other listed electives include:

• Economics — ECO80001
• Business Information Systems — INF60007
• Strategic Project Management — INF70005
• Governing Technology for Business Environments — INF80042
• Leadership for Innovation — MGT80005.

The core curriculum therefore covers:

• Human factors and advanced aviation technology
• Aviation industry structures and operations
• Aviation marketing
• Safety and operational-team management
• Airline revenue and pricing
• Leadership and organisational performance
• Business/economic concepts relevant to aviation
• Strategic project management
• Technology governance
• Innovation leadership.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The Graduate Certificate does not currently list separate formal specialisations.

The academic focus is primarily within:

• Aviation management
• Aviation safety
• Human factors
• Aviation industry practice
• Leadership and organisational performance

Programme Highlights

• Postgraduate aviation qualification.
• 6-month standard volume of learning.
• 50 credit points.
• 3 core units plus 1 elective.
• Online delivery.
• Focus on aviation safety and human factors.
• Aviation management and leadership preparation.
• Marketing and aviation industry studies.
• Electives covering safety, airline revenue management and leadership.
• Can form the first stage of the Graduate Diploma of Aviation and Master of Aviation.
• Industry links including Qantas and Jetstar Airways.
• Swinburne identifies more than 30 years of aviation education experience.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies career opportunities including:

• Aviation management
• Airline manager
• Airport manager
• Flight or ground operator
• Aviation safety authority.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

The most significant current point for international applicants is the online delivery restriction.

Swinburne explicitly states:

• International students outside Australia can study online/distance courses.
• International students in Australia who hold an Australian Student visa cannot study courses taught entirely online.
• International students in Australia holding Student visas are required to study full-time and on campus.