Bachelor of Aviation (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems)
- Commencing Terms
- Term 1
- Duration
- 3 Year(s)
- Delivery Mode
- Face-to-face (includes blended)
- Campus
-
Other
- Codes
- UAC code 429510
- Program code 3928
-
2025 Indicative first year full fee
- $9,000*
-
2025 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $27,500*
-
2025 Indicative first year full fee
- $58,500*
-
2025 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $187,500*
Fees
Fees
-
Emerging field
-
Industry leading experts
-
Accredited degree
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- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Future careers
- How to apply
- Fees & Scholarships
Overview
Launch your drone operations career at a global top 20 university (QS World University Rankings, 2025). The Bachelor of Aviation (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems) will equip you with skills and experience to manage commercial drone operations at scale (from 1 to hundreds), with systems spread across geographical locations. This isn’t a degree about flying drones, though you will do a lot of flying. This degree builds your expertise in all areas related to drone operations, with an entrepreneurial approach that can prepare you to lead drone or field robotics operations for an existing business. Start your own company at the #1 university in Australia for startups (Survey of Commercialisation Outcomes from Public Research Report, 2023).
Advanced skills in this area will become increasingly important as the industry develops to include commercial application of larger drones like uncrewed airplanes, which are expected within the next decade to join smaller platforms operating in airspace shared by crewed aircraft. Current applications include logistics, environmental monitoring, medical and disaster relief, health and safety management. This forward-thinking program ensures you are ready for both current and future job opportunities in this ever-changing field.
You’ll join our School of Aviation and learn from industry leaders through a combination of classroom and hands-on experiential learning. Industry-leading experts like Dr. Graham Doig, founder and former CEO of Seaflight Technologies, designed this new program. Dr. Doig leads our Drone program and teaches Drone Operations Management, Drone Information Systems, and Drone Entrepreneurship. Our academics and industry partners will help you develop the knowledge and problem-solving skills to thrive in your drone career in any sector.
Key features
Maximise your potential for the future of an evolving sector
The Bachelor of Aviation (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems) prepares you for an exciting career in a dynamically evolving sector with exponential growth in drone usage in multiple industries. Alongside drone-specific coursework and projects, you will take courses in safety, aviation law, human factors, aeronautical knowledge, airspace management and aviation operations. You’ll graduate prepared to be the ultimate fully rounded aviation professional for a future where crewed and uncrewed aircraft share the same airspace, and drones become ever larger and more capable.
Hands-on learning with drone industry experts
You’ll take hands-on classes in drone operations management, drone imagery and data, and drone programming and applications. These classes will have you tackle real-world challenges set by industry. You’ll learn about all aspects of managing drone operations including training for specific applications like logistics and mapping. You’ll master a range of multi-rotor and fixed-wing equipment with 20 hours of certified drone training including night flying and long range (beyond visual line of sight) operations, building on your Remote Pilot Licence (RePL).
The Australian Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Service is a leading service provider in the Emergency Service sector and has partnered with UNSW to deliver 20 commercial experience hours where you’ll undertake search and rescue missions and shark-surveillance operations. You’ll also join Bachelor of Aviation (Flying) students for 40 crewed flight hours leading to a Recreational Pilot License (RPL).
Entrepreneurial experience prepares you for the business of drones
Maybe your idea will become the next big thing with funding and support from UNSW. Recent drone startups from UNSW alumni include Aerologix, Sphere Drones, and Seaflight Technologies – you can follow in their footsteps. New technologies, evolving regulations, and exponential growth in operations all mean that the opportunity to create new economic value to society with drones is at an all-time high. In your courses you’ll explore the business and financial models that can make or break companies using drones. You’ll work in teams from across the university on projects that put you in the entrepreneur’s chair. Learn how to start your own startup, or work with exciting young companies partnered with the university to develop new drone technologies and applications.
Why study this degree at UNSW?
Learn from expert educators
Our drone operations courses have been developed with input from multiple drone industry professionals to ensure the most up-to-date, relevant content. Our courses are taught by experts with substantial industry backgrounds who are also working with government to develop the future of large drones operating in shared airspace. Our other Aviation educators have come directly from leadership roles within organisations such as Qantas, Airservices Australia, CASA, ATSB and the Federal Airports Corporation.
Gain real-world experience
No other university in Australia offers this much hands-on learning alongside comprehensive coursework when it comes to drones. As part of our university-wide Work Integrated Learning (WIL) program, students can take part in a professional placement to experience what it’s like to work on commercial drone operations. Leveraging our network of industry partners, like Surf Life Saving NSW, you’ll have the chance to gain work experience and build your CV while you study for a smooth transition into a job after graduation.
Elevate your drone career opportunities
UNSW is the only Go8 university offering aviation, making it the go-to place to study drone operations alongside traditional aviation subjects. This provides a well-rounded education in areas that will define the drone industry for decades. At the #1 university in Australia for launching startups (Survey of Commercialisation Outcomes from Public Research Report, 2023), you’ll gain an entrepreneurial mindset and startup connections. You’ll be ready to lead in a field full of new companies, technologies, and business models.
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Entry requirements
Additional Selection Criteria
In addition to your UAC or direct application (via Apply Online), there is a three part selection criteria. This consists of:
Academic entry
An interview – You will need to fill in a form and return an internal application form. You can also request one from the Undergraduate Coordinator at aviation@unsw.edu.au or by calling +61 2 9385 5756. We will arrange interviews with applicants after receiving the internal application form.
CASA Class 2 medical certificate – You must obtain a CASA Class 2 medical certificate before beginning flying training.
Assumed knowledge
Mathematics Advanced
Adjustment Factors
We offer a range of adjustment factor schemes that reward students for academic performance and extra-curricular achievements. These schemes also take into account a range of personal and educational disadvantages that may have affected your studies.
HSC Plus
This scheme rewards students who perform well in Year 12 subjects that are relevant to their preferred UNSW degree. You may be awarded up to five points.
Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders (EAPL)
This program recognises achievements in the areas of sport, academia, leadership and music at an elite level. You may be eligible for up to five points.
Educational Access Scheme (EAS), opens in a new window
Factors such as illness, financial hardship, language difficulties or attending a particular school can mean you don't always get the best possible marks in Years 11 and 12. If one of these situations applies to you, submit an application for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) via UAC. Eligible students can receive between 1 and 10 points towards their chosen UNSW degree.
Admission pathways
Your ATAR is not the only measure of your potential to succeed, which is why we offer a range of pathways into university. Explore your options below and get in touch with our Future Student Advisers to discuss your path to UNSW.
Gateway Admission Pathway
This scheme is open to students who attend Gateway schools, live in a low-socioeconomic area based on IRSAD and IEO indexes of SEIFA criteria, or are an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person. It adjusts the ATAR requirements for your preferred UNSW degree and provides early offers and early conditional offers to UNSW.
Entry programs for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
We offer entry programs for Indigenous Australians, including the Indigenous Preparatory Programs and the Indigenous Admission Scheme (IAS). The entry pathway program you apply for will depend on the degree you want to study.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
For more details, visit the English Language Requirements page.
International direct entry
| Qualifications | Direct entry requirement |
|---|---|
|
International ATAR
|
75.0
|
| UNSW Foundation Studies GPA |
6.9
|
|
Great Britain General Certificate of Education (GCE A levels)
|
10.0
|
|
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
|
27.0
|
|
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) (after 2016)
|
1130.0
|
We do not accept secondary qualifications from this country. We may accept tertiary study results, please contact us for more information.
Please contact us for direct entry requirements.
Additional Selection Criteria
In addition to your UAC or direct application (via Apply Online), there is a three part selection criteria. This consists of:
Academic entry
An interview – You will need to fill in a form and return an internal application form. You can also request one from the Undergraduate Coordinator at aviation@unsw.edu.au or by calling +61 2 9385 5756. We will arrange interviews with applicants after receiving the internal application form.
CASA Class 2 medical certificate – You must obtain a CASA Class 2 medical certificate before beginning flying training.
Admission pathways
If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry into your chosen degree, you may be eligible for a pathway program with UNSW College. UNSW College provides alternative entry options using university-approved content so that you can start your UNSW journey with confidence.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
For more details, visit the English Language Requirements page.
Check the specific English language requirements for this program
Program structure
In this three-year full-time program, you’ll complete a total of 144 units of credit (UOC). This includes core courses (126 UOC), prescribed electives (6 UOC) and general education courses (12 UOC).
The academic program includes courses in aeronautical knowledge, aviation transport, drone data and imagery systems, and entrepreneurial drone operations management. In addition to theoretical studies, you’ll complete a practical training component of up to 40 crewed flight hours (aeroplane) and up to 40 uncrewed flight hours (drone), with a range of multi-rotor and fixed-wing equipment up to 50kg. The drone-specific flight hours include 20 hours of formal flight training with certifications and type-ratings, as well as experience with night flying and operations beyond visual line of sight. You will also gain up to 20 hours of real-world commercial drone operations experience with our leading industry partners. You will acquire a respective Recreational Pilot's Licence (RPL) and Remote Pilot Licence (RePL).
You’ll also have the opportunity to utilise 6–12 UOC of electives in work placements through the UNSW Work Integrated Learning (WIL) program. The WIL program allows students to gain real-world aviation industry experience and foster networks and connections with industry partners.
Full program structure
Students must complete 144 units of credit (UOC) to graduate with a Bachelor of Aviation (RPAS). This three-year full-time course includes core courses (126 UOC), prescribed electives (6 UOC) and general education courses (12 UOC).
Flight Selection
In addition to the academic elements of the program, students will undertake practical testing and assessment to determine their suitability for a career as a remote pilot.
Future careers
Australia was one of the earliest adopters of drone technology. As industries move towards large-scale operations with various drones, demand for qualified professionals is growing. These professionals need to understand all aspects of managing drone operations and be prepared for uncrewed systems operating alongside crewed aircraft. Thousands of new jobs related to drone operations are predicted to be created in Australian alone between now and 2030, including for emergency services, defence, surveying, conservation, entertainment, logistics, and safety management.
Entrepreneurial graduates can start their own businesses, offering commercial operations to meet demand or creating new market opportunities with innovative technology or services. UNSW Founders, opens in a new window, Australia's top startup accelerator, can help. Drones are the fastest-growing sector in aviation, making it the perfect time to launch your company, and by the end of your degree, you'll be ready.
Potential careers
Chief remote pilot
Drone operations manager
UAS flight coordinator
Drone services business owner
Drone startup founder
Aerial, ground, or underwater robotics operator
Drone logistics manager
First responder drone coordinator
Remote pilot in charge
Uncrewed aircraft flight test specialist
Drone mapping and LIDAR analyst
Program manager – drone and 3d data
UAS flight operations lead
Counter drone specialist
Multi-vehicle supervisor (MVS)
- Uncrewed eVTOL or helicopter pilot/operator
Drone mission commander
Potential industries and applications
Emergency services
Defence
Government/regulatory
Humanitarian aid
Photogrammetry and surveying
Media and cinematography
Medical and disaster relief
Logistics
Conservation and environmental monitoring
Health and safety management
How to apply
Applications for undergraduate study from domestic students (Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders and New Zealand citizens) are processed by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
Visit the Apply section of the UAC website, opens in a new window and you can nominate up to five degrees in order of preference, with the first being your most desired degree and university.
On-time applications for admission usually close at the end of September each year for Term 1 admission. Late applications can be submitted, but a late fee will apply. For study starting in Term 1, the majority of offers are made in December and January. Visit the UAC website, opens in a new window for key dates for admission outside of Term 1.
In addition to submitting an application via UAC, you must complete the internal application form, opens in a new window for Bachelor of Aviation (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems). Interviews are scheduled on a case-by-case basis, commencing from early November. As we receive a high volume of applications, we encourage applicants to submit their internal application form as early as possible.
Ready to apply?
For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.
Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For more information visit our international applicant information page.
*If you are an international student studying an Australian qualification, go to the Universities Admission Centre (UAC), opens in a new window for application and UAC key dates. Note: If you are under 18 years of age, you need to make special arrangements. Read more.
In addition to submitting an application via UAC, you must complete the internal application form, opens in a new window for the Bachelor of Aviation (Flying). Interviews are scheduled on a case-by-case basis, typically with a 1-2 week turnaround.
Ready to apply?
Fees & Scholarships
Commonwealth Supported Place: Student Contribution Band 2
*The student contribution for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 based on a standard full-time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The actual student contribution you will be liable for depends on your individual program of study and the calendar year in which you enrol. Actual fees are calculated upon enrolment. Student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the university and may increase each year during your studies (subject to caps determined by the Australian Government), effective at the start of each calendar year.
The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only - other fees and charges are not included.
You’ll need to pay for the flight training costs portion of this degree. In 2025, the anticipated standard cost of flight training in an aeroplane to achieve your Recreational Pilot Licence, as well as 40 hours of flight training for the Remote Pilot Licence and Commercial Experience component is $49,815. Students will be notified of their flight training costs in October of the year before they undertake the training.
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only, other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.
Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.
You’ll need to pay for the flight training costs portion of this degree. In 2025, the anticipated standard cost of flight training in an aeroplane to achieve your Recreational Pilot Licence, as well as 40 hours of flight training for the Remote Pilot Licence and Commercial Experience component is $49,815. Students will be notified of their flight training costs in October of the year before they undertake the training.
Scholarships
At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.
Featured scholarship
- SYD100 Scholarship
The Sydney Airport SYD100 Scholarship has been established to support educationally disadvantaged students undertaking study with UNSW Aviation. This scholarship covers full tuition fees for four years and $25,000 towards residential fees (where relevant).
Featured scholarship
- SYD100 Scholarship
The Sydney Airport SYD100 Scholarship has been established to support educationally disadvantaged students undertaking study with UNSW Aviation. This scholarship covers full tuition fees for four years and $25,000 towards residential fees (where relevant).
QS World University Rankings, 2025
AFR Top100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020-2025
#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders
It gives weight to my qualification when I tell people I completed my flight training at UNSW.
