Graduate Certificate in Aviation Management

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Aviation Management will have specialized knowledge within a systematic and coherent body of aviation management knowledge, its related fields and the contemporary aviation industry.

Become an aviation industry expert with a Graduate Certificate in Aviation Management. Designed for aspiring and working aviation professionals, this qualification strengthens your management capability, commercial insight and operational knowledge in one of the world's most highly regulated sectors.

Highlights of studying the Graduate Certificate in Aviation Management

• Develop foundational knowledge in aviation management, airport operations and industry governance.
• Learn practical skills in aviation marketing, planning and strategic decision-making.
• Understand how to use safety science to enhance the organisation's safety performance in safety-critical environments.
• Get first-hand insights from industry-informed academics and guest lecturers with aviation experience and learn how airports and aviation organisations are run.
• Graduate in just six months with full-time study.

A strong foundation in aviation management

Explore the complex commercial, operational and management environment of the aviation sector, from airline management to airport planning and regulation. Foundation courses introduce aviation management principles: leadership, technology, safety and risk management, cost structures and global competition. As a graduate, you'll be able to apply your knowledge, analyse markets, position services and use data to inform strategic business decisions.

Pathway to further study

Whether you're looking to advance your career, transition into the aviation industry or specialise further with the Master of Aviation Management (5776), this graduate certificate sets out a pathway into postgraduate aviation study, with completed courses often credited toward the full masters degree.

Recommended study pattern

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include: 

• Airline Management 
• Aviation Economics 
• Safety Management Systems 
• Project Management
• Airport Planning and Management 
• International Civil Aviation 
• Aviation Leadership and Communication 
• Human Factors for Aviation Managers 
• Strategic Airline and Airport Management. 

As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Award requirements

To be eligible for the award of Graduate Certificate in Aviation Management (GCertAvnMgt), you must successfully complete 40 credit points made up of:

• 40 credit points for the Foundation Module.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $13,000

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia.

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QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

18

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

20

To be eligible for this program you must meet one of the following criteria:

• A recognised Bachelor degree (or higher)
• three years relevant work experience
• a combination of alternative admission criteria such as formal, informal, and non-formal learning deemed to be equivalent to either of the above

Relevant work experience includes supervisors and managers in a business environment, project officer, policy officer, captain, first officer, cabin crew, maintenance supervisor, or air traffic controller supervisor in an operational environment

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
• OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
• OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

English test results must be no more than two years old.

International students who successfully complete the Direct Entry Program (DEP) will satisfy the English Language requirements for this Griffith degree.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) is not available for Domestic students.

Applicants should refer to the English language requirements section of the following University policy for exceptions to these overall requirements:

• Postgraduate Programs Admission Policy

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including: 

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE. 
• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training. 
• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies.