Graduate Diploma in Aviation

The Graduate Diploma in Aviation at Adelaide University is a one-year qualification for people who already hold a bachelor's degree and want to move into aviation, or for aviation professionals who want to formalise and extend their knowledge. It sits at graduate diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, one step below a master's degree and above a bachelor's. Study is full time over two semesters, or part time if you arrange it, and you complete units of study worth credit points. The exact unit list and credit point values are published in the official course handbook, so check the current handbook before you enrol.

What you study

The coursework covers the operational and management side of aviation rather than pilot training. Typical areas include aviation safety management, human factors, aviation law and regulation, airport and airline operations, and the commercial environment airlines work in. Some units are shared with the master's programme, which means you can often move across with credit if you decide to keep going. A capstone project or research component usually sits at the end of the diploma, letting you apply what you have learned to a real problem in the industry. Teaching is in Adelaide, and the university has links with Australian airlines, airports and aviation regulators, which shape the case studies and guest input you get.

How it's structured

Australian graduate diplomas are shorter than master's degrees and are often used as a stepping stone. This one runs over two semesters of full-time study, with each unit worth a set number of credit points and a total credit load you must complete to graduate. Assessment is a mix of exams, assignments, group work and the final project. If your undergraduate degree is in an unrelated field, this is a common route into aviation management without starting another bachelor's degree. If you already work in the industry, the diploma gives you a recognised postgraduate qualification that can support promotion or a move into a specialist role.

Who it suits

This course suits graduates from business, engineering, science or other fields who want an aviation career, and aviation staff who want to move into management, safety or regulatory roles. It also works as preparation for further study, including a master's degree. International students should note that English proficiency must be evidenced at the level published by the university; check the official page for the exact IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or Cambridge requirement, as the Student visa has its own separate English threshold set by the Department of Home Affairs. While studying, student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight. After graduating, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available, depending on your circumstances. Tuition is listed on the CRICOS register under course code 115839H, and you should confirm fees, intakes and unit details on the official Adelaide University page.

• Aviation safety and compliance officer
• Airline operations coordinator or duty manager
• Airport operations and terminal services roles
• Aviation project officer
• Regulatory affairs and policy support roles
• Ground handling and airline customer operations management
• Aviation logistics and charter coordination
• Further study toward a master's degree in aviation or management

Employers include Australian airlines, regional and capital city airports, air traffic and safety regulators, aviation consultancies, defence aviation support organisations, and freight and logistics companies. Roles are concentrated in Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, with regional airports also hiring operations and safety staff.