Bachelor of Aviation
Overview
CQU's Bachelor of Aviation will prepare you to launch a diverse career in one of the most important global economic industries, aviation. Our versatile degree features a choice of two majors to suit your interests and career goals. The flight operations major, when studied alongside the Graduate Diploma of Aviation (Flight Operations), allows students to satisfy the knowledge requirements to apply for an Air Transport Pilot Licence to prepare you for a career in the airlines. With a national network of flight partners, you will benefit from CQUniversity’s industry partnerships that broaden your career opportunities, and build your connections within the aviation industry.
The Bachelor of Aviation is a versatile degree with options to major in Flight Operations or Airport and Airline Management, preparing you for a career as a pilot or diverse roles in airport management.
In the first year of the course, you will learn the fundamentals of the aviation industry, including safety, human factors, relevant national and international laws, airline and airport operations, flight fundamentals and the basics of piloting an aircraft in a simulated environment. You will also lay the foundation to gain crucial lifelong learning and transferable skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication and teamwork.
Airline and Airport Operations major
The Airline and Airport Operations major will prepare you for a career as an airline and airport professional by providing the core theoretical foundations of aviation operational management, including aviation marketing, finance analysis, air freight transportation, resource management and planning and operation. You will benefit from practical learning experiences throughout your studies, including case studies, projects and assessments, and undertake an industry placement in your final unit. If you choose to study on campus in Cairns, you will also benefit from learning in-situ at the Cairns Domestic Airport and experience real-time case studies from your classroom window.
In this major, you will study a wide range of topics specifically tailored to the airline and airport operations environment and develop skills in critical thinking, decision-making, problem-solving and teamwork. You will also develop an understanding of the relationship between human physiology/psychology and the aviation environment by focusing on the function and limitations of the human body. You will be introduced to the application of safety processes and how they are applied within the aviation industry and to the laws relevant to airline and airport operations.
Flight Operations major
The Flight Operations major will prepare you for a career as a professional airline pilot capable of managing a multi-crew environment. In this major, you will study the academic and aeronautical knowledge requirements of the Air Transport Pilot License and Command Instrument Rating. You will build knowledge and skills relating to aerodynamics, navigation, meteorology and flight planning, as well as being introduced to the laws relevant to aviation, multi-crew environments and the development and maintenance of a safety management system.
The Graduate Diploma of Aviation (Flight Operations) will provide you with the aeronautical experience required for a career as a commercial pilot. During your study, you will gain the aeronautical experience required to apply for a Recreational Pilot Licence, Private Pilot Licence, Command Instrument Rating, and Commercial Pilot Licence.
You will benefit from our national network of flight partners and industry partnerships. CQU's partnership with Aviation Australia provides students with the opportunity to undertake a Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Multi-Crew Cooperation Course (MCC) in the third year of the Bachelor of Aviation (Flight Operations). A CASA-approved MCC course is a requirement to operate as a pilot in a multi-crew flight.
Pathway to become a commercial pilot
If you wish to become a commercial pilot, you will need to complete CQU's Graduate Diploma of Aviation (CM54) in addition to the CL09 Bachelor of Aviation (Flight Operations). After successful completion of the first term of study, in your second term, you will attend an interview to ascertain your preparedness for a career as a pilot. Once you have successfully completed the interview, you will be requested to apply for the Graduate Diploma of Aviation.
Study Experience
- Authentic Learning Experiences
- Online or On Campus
- Seamless Pathways
“The best thing about CQU is the staff. They have been really helpful.
Daniel Hicks
Bachelor of Aviation, Bachelor of Information Technology, Master of Research
Career Opportunities
The Bachelor of Aviation (Flight Operations) in conjunction with the Graduate Diploma of Aviation, prepares graduates for aviation careers in the air transportation industry as a professional airline pilot. Graduates will have all the aeronautical knowledge and flight training required to hold an Air Transport Pilot Licence, Commercial Pilot Licence with Command Instrument Rating. Graduates may be eligible to apply for cadetships or traineeships offered by some airlines. Graduates may also be eligible to apply for Australian Defence Force positions.
The Airline and Airport Operations major will prepare you for a career in aviation management. Aviation management is a broad and dynamic field and there are unlimited amounts of aviation business administration jobs that are necessary to keep air travel moving safely. This major provides a broad range of skills, both technical and managerial, that will prepare you to become an aviation professional who understands the theory behind airline and airport operations and can apply these principles to a practical work environment for long-term careers in airline and airport management. Graduates may find employment with airlines and related organisations such as airports, government agencies, tourism authorities, freight forwarders, airport ground handling companies, consulting firms, IT firms and air safety authorities.
Structure & Availability
The course structure and available locations can change depending on when you want to study. You can choose the intake that best suits you in the drop-down menu below.
Available Locations
Your Course
Depending on your chosen major, you must complete either 21 or 23 units (144 credits):
- 1The core structure (8 units)
- 2One major (13 or 15 units, depending on chosen major)
Unit Details
The units you'll study are listed below. Click on a unit to learn more.
Airline and Airport Operations
This 15-unit major will prepare you for a dynamic management career in aviation. It will equip you with a specialist skillset specific to the complex operations environment of the aviation sector. You will study the core theoretical foundations of aviation operational management including aviation marketing, finance analysis, air freight transportation, resource management and planning and operation. You'll be prepared to manage with influence in airlines and airports, tourism authorities, freight forwarders, and air safety authorities.
Course Planner
To help you plan your studies and see which unit comes first, if one unit should be completed before another and when you will study each unit, check out our course planners.
Additional Information
Aviation Placement - AVAT13025
Aviation Placement is a 12 credit unit for third-year students in the Airline and Airport Operations major who will gain important work experience (up to 240 hrs) directly from industry partners.
If you have completed prior study relevant to units within this course, you may be eligible for credit for your past studies. Learn more about credit and recognition of prior learning.
Requirements
To Be Eligible
For your application to be considered, you must meet the following entry requirements.
Student and Course Profiles
View the student and course profiles for this course and learn about CQU's Undergraduate Profile for Term 1, 2024 via our Institute Profile.
During Your Study
While not needed to apply, you'll need to meet the following requirements throughout your studies.
Fees & Scholarships
Indicative First-Year Fee
The Indicative First-Year Fee is the approximate cost of enrolling in this course for one full-time academic year (eight units over two terms) for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and should be used as a guide only. Your actual fees may vary, depending on the units you select to study and your study load. Check the cost-per-unit spreadsheet available on our fees webpage for the approved unit fees. Fees are reviewed each year and are subject to change. Understanding your fees.
Commonwealth Supported Places
This course has Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) available, and as a domestic student, you'll be offered a CSP, provided you meet CSP eligibility requirements. CSPs are subsidised by the Australian Government, meaning you are only required to pay the student contribution rather than full tuition fees.
HECS-HELP Loan
You may be eligible for a HECS-HELP government loan if you are offered a CSP. HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme that assists you in paying your student contributions. Provided you meet the HECS-HELP eligibility criteria, you may use HECS-HELP to defer part or all of your student contribution fees.
Part of your course costs will include Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF). SSAF is charged in addition to your student contribution or tuition fees and is used to help enhance your study experience. There may also be other costs as part of your studies, such as textbooks, technology expenses, travel expenses, professional certifications, uniforms, or vaccinations. Explore other study costs.
We believe a quality education can be for everyone – regardless of background, location, or life circumstances. That's why we offer a variety of scholarships and bursaries that can give you a helping hand with a range of expenses and enhance your employability.
How to Apply
How to Apply
Check what you need to do to apply to study this course.
Your Application Options
Follow These Steps
Extra Admission Information
Prior to applying, take a look at important application dates and learn about our admission considerations, such as information for domestic students with overseas qualifications, indigenous support, and elite athlete, coach and performer support. You should also check out the adjustment schemes that might be available to you and how to access them. You can also explore our offer information to learn more about what happens after you've submitted an application and how to respond to an offer to study with CQU.
Applying for 2026
Applications for 2026 via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) open in April 2025.
More information will be available soon.
