Why Study/Key Benefits

The Master of Aviation is designed to develop advanced aviation knowledge and professional practice for leadership roles in the aviation sector. Swinburne says it is primarily intended for people already working in aviation who want to upgrade their tertiary-level knowledge in aviation management, operations, safety and human factors. The qualification can also be relevant to professionals in other resilient sectors such as transport, supply chains and health.

Key benefits include:

• Advanced study of aviation management and industry practice.
• Development of aviation safety and human-factors knowledge.
• Research and analytical skills relevant to contemporary aviation problems.
• Leadership and mentoring skills for operational teams.
• An aviation research dissertation in either Human Factors or Aviation Management.
• Industry engagement and Work Integrated Learning opportunities.
• Industry connections including Qantas and Jetstar Airways.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The Master's requires 11 units and 150 credit points.

The seven core units are:

1. Human Factors and Advanced Technology — AVA80004
2. Aviation Industry Fundamentals — AVA80012
3. Marketing in Aviation — AVA80032
4. Safety in Operational Teams — AVA80003
5. Airline Revenue Management and Pricing — AVA80034
6. Leading High Performance Organisations — AVA80039
7. Aviation Research Methods and Statistics — AVA80036.

Students then complete one 25-credit-point dissertation:

• Aviation Research Dissertation – Human Factors — AVA80037; or
• Aviation Research Dissertation – Aviation Management — AVA80038.

The nested programme structure is:

Graduate Certificate stage:

• 3 core units
• 1 elective

Graduate Diploma stage:

• Additional 3 core units
• 1 additional elective

Master's stage:

• Aviation Research Methods and Statistics
• 1 additional elective
• 1 dissertation.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The Master's has two dissertation/specialisation pathways:

• Human Factors
• Aviation Management

The Human Factors pathway focuses on issues involving people, technology, safety and performance in aviation systems.

The Aviation Management pathway focuses on management, strategy and professional aviation industry practice.

Programme Highlights

• 1.5-year master's degree.
• 150 credit points.
• Seven core units.
• Three electives.
• 25-credit-point research dissertation.
• Human Factors or Aviation Management dissertation pathway.
• Advanced aviation management knowledge.
• Aviation safety and human factors focus.
• Aviation research methods and statistics.
• Leadership and high-performance-team development.
• Airline revenue management and pricing.
• Industry-focused aviation studies.
• Connections with aviation organisations including Qantas and Jetstar Airways.

Career Outcomes

The course is intended to prepare graduates for leadership and advanced professional roles within aviation.

Swinburne identifies potential career areas including:

• Airline manager
• Airport manager
• Flight or ground operations
• Aviation safety authority
• Aviation management
• Transport
• Supply chain
• Other resilient organisations and industries such as health.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

The current published 2027 start dates are 1 March 2027 and 2 August 2027.

A particularly important point for international applicants is the delivery arrangement. Swinburne describes online delivery of learning materials, but international students in Australia holding a Student visa are required to study full-time and on campus. The course is not available as an entirely online Australian study option for international students holding an Australian Student visa.

Other special considerations include:

• Applicants are assessed individually.
• Credit transfer may be available based on previous study and/or experience.
• RPL may provide advanced standing based on formal training, work experience or other relevant learning.
• The maximum academic credit is 75 credit points.
• Internet access is required because course materials are delivered online.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student travelling to Australia to undertake the on-campus version of the course, the relevant visa is generally the Australian Student visa (subclass 500), subject to the individual's circumstances.

The Department of Home Affairs currently requires applicable Student visa applicants to satisfy requirements including:

• enrolment in an eligible course;
• a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE);
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies;
• English-language evidence where required;
• financial-capacity requirements where requested;
• the Genuine Student requirement;
• health requirements;
• character requirements; and
• any documents specified through the Department's Document Checklist Tool.