Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours) (Aviation)
Degree Level Undergraduate
Year 2025
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- Australian or New Zealand Citizen
- Australian Permanent Resident (including Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders)
Prerequisites
None
Assumed Knowledge
None
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Entry requirements
Entry into the Honours program will be available to students who have successfully completed a bachelor degree in aviation or a related discipline. Applicants should have displayed a high level of academic achievement throughout their degree program, normally achieving at least a credit level average.
Applicants are selected on the basis of academic merit and the availability of a supervisor in the proposed area of research.
Essential requirements for admission
Prerequisites
NoneAssumed Knowledge
None
Degree overview
- Prepare for a career in research or industry with a one-year honours program.
- Advance your research skills and specialist knowledge in operational aviation.
- Gain industry-relevant experience through the completion of a major industrial, scientific or commercial project.
- Benefit from a curriculum with close links to industry, including partnerships with Flight Training Australia, Qantas Group and other local aviation providers.
- Contribute to the development of knowledge in the growing field of aviation.
- Use this honours degree as a pathway to a Master of Research and/or doctoral studies.
Snapshot
This honours degree has been designed for students who have successfully completed a bachelor’s degree in aviation.
Through an intensive, one-year research program you will gain the knowledge and skills required to work in a wide range of areas including defence, aviation management or academia, giving you a competitive edge when you enter the job market.
You will gain highly specialised operational aviation expertise through the completion of a major industrial, scientific or commercial project, enhancing your project management, communication and problem-solving skills.
You’ll also have the opportunity to tailor your program to your interests, as guided by your academic supervisor, exploring topics such as human factors, safety management, and airline and airport operations.
On-campus teaching for this program is based at the Mawson Lakes campus. Only 20 minutes from the city centre with easy parking. The Mawson Lakes campus is also accessible by bus and train with the Mawson Lakes train station only a short walk.
What you'll learn
During your degree you will complete a year-long project in a major industrial, scientific or commercial project in aviation, guided by an academic supervisor.
You will develop skills in literature search and review, research methodologies, experimental design, data analysis and research ethics, and have the opportunity to tailor your learning to your interest areas with guidance from your academic supervisor.
Topics include:
- Human Factors
- Aviation Safety and Safety Management Systems
- Airline and airport operations
- Aviation Strategic Management
- Aviation regulation and law
You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.
Study hours
For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
Your studies at UniSA will incorporate practical, professionally-focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:
- reports and project documentation
- research projects, group projects
- essays and assignments
- examinations
Global opportunities
Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.
You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.
Take a look at the global opportunities available.
Why Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours) (Aviation)
The Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours) (Aviation) – the only degree of its type in South Australia – gives you the opportunity to advance the knowledge gained in your undergraduate degree and develop a highly specialised skill-set in aviation.
Based at Mawson Lakes campus, your home campus is close to Parafield Airport and Technology Park. You will have access to purpose-built aviation facilities including our state-of-the-art flight and airport simulators and learn on the latest industry software.
You will benefit from a curriculum with close links to the local aviation industry and learn from academics with local, national and international experience.
As part of your honours program, you will complete an industry-inspired project under the supervision of a specialist academic. This will allow you to contribute to the growing body of aviation research, preparing you to take your research career further, should that be the direction you wish to pursue. Upon graduation, you may be eligible for:
Real-world connections
Aviation students benefit from our close links to industry. UniSA works in partnership with local, national and global aviation organisations, including Flight Training Adelaide (FTA) and Qantas Group.
UniSA is also home to several research clusters that explore defence and aviation projects.
The Australian Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments has worked on projects to develop and implement human centred design processes to improve human factors particularly within hard to design spaces, like submarines.
The Future Industries Institute has a close relationship with the Defence Science and Technology Group.
All have state-of-the-art facilities including the Future Industries Institute, with world renowned links and associations that provide a dynamic teaching and research base for our students.
We also host regular University-wide career expos and employment forums through our Career Service, as well as alumni events in Australia and overseas.
Online study
Part, or all, of this degree can be studied online. With interactive online course materials and a 24/7 learning environment you can organise your study to suit your lifestyle. You can:
- study online, including accessing videos and course resources
- participate in an interactive online learning environment
- submit your assignments and get feedback online
- use discussion forums for team work and communication
Please note that for some degrees, some on-campus attendance (such as to attend seminars, workshops or examinations) and/or placements may apply. Any requirements like this are detailed on individual course pages.
Your career
This honours degree will qualify to proceed to postgraduate degrees by coursework or research. You may also be eligible to pursue a PhD.
Upon completion of this degree you may consider a career in;
- Defence work
- Human factors
- Safety management
- Airline and airport operations
- Academia
Industry facts
Scholarships
Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.
UniSA Excellence Scholarships
$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.
UniSA Outstanding Achievement Scholarship
Up to $10,000 per annum (full time) for South Australian students who obtain an ATAR of 99.95 or IB equivalent and enrol to study at UniSA.
Your study experience and support
Our campuses are home to fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.
Student services
Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. We want you to succeed, and if you need help, we're here to assist. You can access a full range of support services, including:
- academic counselling
- personal counselling
- social support services, including family support and nearby childcare
- common rooms
- prayer rooms
- security officers
- career services and mentoring
- Wirringka Student Services, offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students a supportive place to study
- as well as services offered through our student association, USASA.
When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.
24/7 digital environment
Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.
Your program director
I’m an academic leading the UniSA’s aviation program. I teach courses and conduct research into aviation, especially on airlines and airports. My colleagues and I work on projects across all aspects in aviation, thereby enabling relevance and connections with the industry. Our aviation team comprises of experts in specific aviation sub-sectors such as flight operations, human factors, airport management and accident investigation. Both our industry collaboration and technical knowledge enable our coursework and materials to be distinctive in satisfying the needs of the ever-changing industry and ensuring academic excellence.
Ask UniSA
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How do I apply?
The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.
The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.
There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through direct application processes. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.
If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.
You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.
If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying. -
Is there a closing date for applications?
Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Undergraduate
The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.
Postgraduate
Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.
As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry.
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What credit can I receive for previous studies?
You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central.
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Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?
Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.
