Aviation
Get your career off to a flying start at a globally renowned aviation school.
Join an exciting and dynamic growth industry
Be on the right path for outstanding career success with an aviation degree from UNSW in Sydney, Australia. You’ll learn from expert educators while studying with a global top 20 university (QS World University Rankings, 2025) and the only Go8 institution to offer aviation degree courses, training and research.
As air travel returns, the industry needs increasing numbers of airline pilots and aviation professionals to meet demand. From the technically challenging cockpit with awe-inspiring views, to the operational, logistical, safety and financial challenges of managing airports and airlines, UNSW Aviation is a leader in preparing graduates like you to take on the diverse and exciting opportunities across this vital industry.
The aviation industry is fast becoming more complex and sophisticated. Employers seek graduates with broad industry knowledge, tertiary qualifications, critical thinking skills and all-round capabilities. Whether you’re interested in flying planes, drones or calling the shots from the ground, UNSW is the go-to place to get your wings.
What is aviation?
Aviation refers to all industries surrounding mechanical air transportation. This includes the technology and activities related to aircraft design, development, production, operation and maintenance. Aviation includes various aspects of flight, from the science of aerodynamics, aircraft engineering, and navigation and control systems, to regulations and procedures surrounding our travel.
There are two major sectors in aviation: civil and military. Civil aviation refers to all non-military applications, including commercial and private air travel for cargo or passengers. In contrast, military aviation refers to using aircraft in a military setting for surveillance or aerial warfare purposes.
Careers in the aviation industry
When it comes to careers, the sky’s the limit for UNSW graduates. You’ll be confident knowing you have all the skills for an exciting career in technical or management roles.
With over 25 years of experience in industry collaboration, our programs are designed in partnership with industry-leading experts. You’ll benefit from a wealth of aviation experience our facilitators provide and learn cutting-edge information from academic staff who frequently engage with regulatory authorities, industry bodies and research collaborators.
Why study aviation at UNSW?
As the only Go8 university to offer aviation, and three flagship aviation degrees: flying, management and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, UNSW Aviation will have your career flying high.
Our facilities
You’ll gain hands-on aviation experience at our Flying Operations Unit (FOU) at Bankstown Airport. Housing our own aircraft, the FOU delivers all flying training, aeronautical knowledge and ground theory courses and conducts airborne sensing research.
Our aircraft fleet comprises Diamond DA40 Diamond Star and Piper PA44 Seminole aeroplanes fitted with Garmin G1000 flight navigation and display systems. A FRASCA DA40/ DA42L360 Flight Simulation Training Device, also fitted with the G1000 systems, is used for procedural and instrument training. As well as a Pacific Simulators 4.5 multi-crew trainer and an Aerosim Q400 virtual procedures trainer.