Program Overview

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Graduate Diploma in Flying

The Graduate Diploma in Flying is a comprehensive 1.4-year program designed to fast-track students' journeys to becoming pilots. This degree is for domestic students only.

Overview

The program provides hands-on experience and technical, interdisciplinary knowledge to become a confident and proficient pilot. Students gain the necessary training and assessment for their Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL), Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), and Instrument Rating (IR).

Key Features

• Flying Operations Unit (FOU): UNSW's exclusive Flying Operations Unit is based at Bankstown Airport and operates a suite of aircraft, including Diamond DA40 and Piper PA44 training aeroplanes, along with state-of-the-art flight simulators and training equipment.
• Pilot Mentor Program: Students are assigned an airline pilot as their mentor in their final year, courtesy of the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA).
• Flight Training: Gain the necessary training and assessment for CPL and IR. Ground and flying instructors are all selected, trained, and employed by UNSW to ensure high-quality training.

Program Structure

The program contains a total of 48 units of credit (UOC) and can be completed in 1.4 years with full-time study. Students must complete four mandatory courses:

• Flying Operations 1
• Flying Operations 2
• Flying Operations 3
• Flying Operations 4

Entry Requirements

To gain entry to this program, students must have one of the following:

• A Bachelor of Aviation (Management) at UNSW or equivalent
• An AQF level 7 bachelor's degree in a cognate discipline
• Have satisfactorily completed the equivalent of 1 year FTE of the Bachelor of Aviation (Management) or Bachelor of Aviation (Flying) program at UNSW or equivalent

Students also need to meet all of the following requirements:

• Have satisfactorily completed flight screening conducted at the UNSW Flying Operations Unit
• Hold an Australian Class 1 Aviation Medical Certificate
• Hold an Australian Aviation Security Identification Card
• Be an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident

English Language Requirements

Students may be asked to provide evidence of their English proficiency to study at UNSW, depending on their educational background and citizenship.

What Will I Study?

The Graduate Diploma in Flying consists of four mandatory courses and a series of assessments, including flight tests and written examinations.

Future Careers

In Australia's advanced aviation landscape, aspiring pilots often start in general aviation to build experience before exploring diverse roles such as airline, charter, or corporate pilots, flight instructors, and more.

Fees & Scholarships

2026 Indicative First Year Full Fee: $134,000 2026 Indicative Full Fee to Complete Degree: $165,500

A Flight Screening fee of $30,000 is also required. The FEE-HELP loan scheme is available to eligible students to assist with payment of each AVIG course fee up to the FEE-HELP limit.

Scholarships

At UNSW, over $83 million in scholarships are awarded each year. Scholarships can support students' journeys and make university accessible to students from all walks of life.