Bachelor of Applied Science (Aviation)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

RMIT University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Applied Science (Aviation) at RMIT gives you a hands-on, industry-driven pathway into the world of airlines, airports, and aviation operations. It’s perfect for students who want to shape the future of aviation — whether that’s behind the controls, behind the strategy, or behind major operational decisions.

Across three years, you’ll build a strong understanding of how aviation systems work, develop analytical and leadership skills, and graduate ready for operational, planning, and management roles in one of the world’s most dynamic industries.

What You’ll Study

Year 1 — Build Your Foundation
Your first year introduces you to the fundamentals of aviation. You’ll explore topics like aircraft systems, the aviation industry environment, and human factors in safety and decision-making. It’s all about seeing aviation not as one machine, but as an interconnected world of people, technology, and regulation working together.

Year 2 — Step Into Real-World Complexity
In second year, the learning becomes more applied. Through courses such as Airport Design, Aircraft Airworthiness, and Airline/Airport Operations, you’ll unpack what it really takes to run airports, manage aircraft safety, and coordinate operations that keep passengers and cargo moving smoothly every day.

Year 3 — Prepare for Professional Practice
Your final year brings everything together. You’ll tackle advanced topics like global aviation strategy and aircraft maintenance management, and complete an industry aviation project that solves a real challenge faced by aviation organisations. By the end of the year, you’ll have hands-on experience applying your learning to real industry problems.

What You’ll Graduate With

A deep understanding of operational and managerial aspects of airlines, airports, and aviation services.
The ability to manage aviation safety and maintenance standards, plan operational strategies, and implement solutions to real aviation challenges.
Practical project experience that prepares you to step confidently into the workforce.

Why Choose RMIT?

The program is shaped by aviation experts and industry partners, giving you the skills employers are actively looking for. RMIT has a strong reputation for producing graduates who are job-ready, adaptable, and confident — something employers value in a rapidly evolving industry like aviation.

You won’t just learn the theory. You’ll learn how to apply it from day one.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

If you study Bachelor of Applied Science (Aviation) at RMIT University, you won’t just be reading about aviation — you’ll be learning to think, strategize and solve real aviation-industry problems. Over the three-year program you build a deep, practical understanding of how airports, airlines and the wider air-transport industry operate — and you get trained in the business, planning and management skills that employers actually want. It’s a degree designed to prepare you not only to understand aviation theory, but to step confidently into operational and managerial roles once you graduate.

Here are the main experiential learning opportunities you’ll get in this program:

Real-world industry focus: the curriculum is built around the real operational, managerial and planning needs of airlines, airports and associated sectors — so you learn industry-relevant practices and systems.
Applied problem solving: you’ll learn to analyse and solve problems faced by aviation workplaces, using business, analytical and management skills.
Industry-designed curriculum: the program has been developed in consultation with aviation industry stakeholders, giving you exposure to the kinds of challenges and decisions professionals deal with.
Broad skill development: you gain leadership, communication, business-planning and logistics skills that are directly transferable to aviation operations and management roles.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this program go on to build real, meaningful careers in aviation — not just as pilots, but in many of the roles that keep airlines and airports running smoothly. Many find themselves working as airport or airline operations managers, airline or airport planning professionals, aviation-safety or maintenance supervisors, or even in roles involving air traffic operations, airport logistics, and aviation business management.

Here’s what this means for you:

RMIT is well known for combining industry-relevant academic learning with practical, work-integrated training via the RMIT Aviation Academy. This means you’re not just learning theory — you’re also getting hands-on exposure to real aviation operations and industry practices.
As a result, you’ll graduate job-ready. RMIT’s overall graduate employment outcomes are strong — a high proportion of graduates across degrees secure employment or continue full-time work soon after finishing.
The degree gives you versatility: whether you aim for airline/airport operations, management, planning or safety/maintenance oversight – you’ll have the skills and knowledge to adapt across different areas of aviation.
Because RMIT has long-standing industry connections (both within Australia and internationally), you’ll be well-positioned to connect with employers — which can give you a real advantage when applying for roles after graduation.

Further Academic Progression:
If after finishing your bachelor you want to deepen your expertise, there are pathways at RMIT into more advanced or specialized studies (for example in aerospace, aviation management, transport logistics, or related fields). This could set you up for senior-level roles or for work in aviation policy, research, or consultancy — giving you flexibility to grow over time, not just in operational roles but also in strategic or leadership-oriented ones.