RPL for Degrees
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: australia
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RPL for Degrees
Gday all,
Time has come to look at possibly getting a degree, maybe a Masters instead, and was wondering if anyone out there has the scoop on which uni's offer RPL or advanced standing due to previous flying/aviation experience. Im looking at completing one within 2 years. My experience as follows : CPL, MECIR, Gr. 3 FIR, bout 750 hrs, all the ATPL's and some diploma cetificate the flying school gave me at the end of the course.
I read about a Masters of Aviation Management at Newy Uni, just wondering what else is around.
Not looking at using it to get into the airlines, just something to do.
Thanks
Time has come to look at possibly getting a degree, maybe a Masters instead, and was wondering if anyone out there has the scoop on which uni's offer RPL or advanced standing due to previous flying/aviation experience. Im looking at completing one within 2 years. My experience as follows : CPL, MECIR, Gr. 3 FIR, bout 750 hrs, all the ATPL's and some diploma cetificate the flying school gave me at the end of the course.
I read about a Masters of Aviation Management at Newy Uni, just wondering what else is around.
Not looking at using it to get into the airlines, just something to do.
Thanks
UNSW offer the Masters in Aviation Management with RPL. You need your ATPLs and 2 years industry experience if you go in as a pilot. They also accept people already in a management roll or operating in the aviation industry. There are 3 stages, Grad Cert. Grad Dip. and Masters. You must achieve a Credit Average or above to move on from the Cert. to the Dip. and Dip. to Masters.
Each stage is worth 3 full subjects, all the subjects are electives. You can do as many or little number of subjects as you like per semester.
When you first start out I would recommend only attempting 1 subject so you can gauge how much work you would need to do.
Good Luck
Each stage is worth 3 full subjects, all the subjects are electives. You can do as many or little number of subjects as you like per semester.
When you first start out I would recommend only attempting 1 subject so you can gauge how much work you would need to do.
Good Luck
Join Date: May 2001
Location: YBBN
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Swinburne
Swinburne also have several aviation programs, which may be of assistance
http://www.swinburne.edu.au/aviation/
If you can go the masters degree, sure its a higher level, but imho less work overall.
I havent done this course-nor do I know anyone personally who has, therefore no opinion is offered as to quality or otherwise.
http://www.swinburne.edu.au/aviation/
If you can go the masters degree, sure its a higher level, but imho less work overall.
I havent done this course-nor do I know anyone personally who has, therefore no opinion is offered as to quality or otherwise.
takeonme.
So how far did you go in school? What sort of grades did you get? Most people who try for a Masters normally have a first degree.
Anybody who has passed year10 can pass the ATPL, thats not a basis for doing a masters. Anyway all the best.
Anybody who has passed year10 can pass the ATPL, thats not a basis for doing a masters. Anyway all the best.
Bottums Up
Originally Posted by orangepeel
WOW - 750hrs ... very experienced .....
I suppose orangeleel, you bypassed 750 hours experience and started with tens of thousands.
takeonme
Griffith Uni in BNE used to offer RPL and would consider ATPL + experience to allow 'mature age' entry into their Masters course (two years part time if I recall) even if one didn't have a degree. I suspect most unis would have some RPL for aviation experience.
Last edited by Capt Claret; 20th Apr 2007 at 21:11.
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Mydadsbag
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aside from the warm fuzzy feeling you get by doing some tertiary training, can anyone vouch for the "usefullness" of any of these aviation degrees, masters, MBAs and the like?
bbbbbbbbbbzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzbbbbbbbbbbbbbbzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
bbbbbbbbbbzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzbbbbbbbbbbbbbbzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Office
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As far as as I know, no RPL (in the true sense of giving you credits on the course you are about to do, not just an entry into the course) or advance standing is likely to be given at the Masters level unless you have done postgraduate studies already or have very extensive industry experience (judging from the contents of your post, it does not sound like you have).
All you *might* get is an entry into the graduate certificate - it's unlikely for you to be accepted directly onto the masters without a first degree (many aviation postgraduate degrees are 'nested' course where you progress from graduate certificate, graduate diploma, and then onto the masters). Even for the graduate certificate, you may not get in with less than an ATPL (not just the exam passes) and 2-3 years of industry experience, unless you have already successfully completed some tertiary studies.
For Bachelors level course, you may get some of the subjects credited to you, but it's unusual to have exemptions on more than one year's worth without having done the undergraduate-level studies (even then, most courses have a limit on how much exemptions can be granted - the highest I've seen has been around 50% of the course requirements and that's for graduates, so you are unlikely to get that much credited with a CPL). So you're still likely to have to do at least 2 years' worth of full-time study.
Don't expect to complete your degree in 2 years (Bachelors or Masters) unless you are prepared to do it full-time. Most Masters are 18 months full-time, and if you have done no tertiary level studies before, don't try and take on a full-time postgraduate load until you are doing reasonably well with a part-time load (75%+ average), or you will be putting yourself under a lot of pressure or 'failing due to insufficient time'. Masters is hardly difficult but if you haven't done tertiary studies at university level before, you will not find the transition completely trouble-free. I can categorically say that ATPL subjects and writing postgraduate-level assignments are VERY different.
In fact, if you have not studied at 2nd or 3rd year undergraduate level before, I recommend you try some undergraduate studies beforehand and see how you go. They're easier, and much cheaper (about 50% of the cost) per subject. If you're consistently getting 80%+ in a subject or two of 2nd or 3rd year undergraduate level, then try the postgraduate (it will probably improve the chance of getting into a postgraduate course anyway).
You will also need to bear in mind the costs involved in doing a degree. Masters will set you back $20,000+. While you can get FEE-HELP, it will still need to be paid back. Undergraduate courses will not be much cheaper either (as you'll probably need to do most subjects for an undergraduate degree).
You also need to decide what you expect to get out of the course. If you are thinking it will improve your employability as a pilot, think again. You will be better off concentrating on getting more hours - no-one will give you a flying job if you don't meet their minimum hours requirements, regardless of what degree you have.
If I were you, I'd get something like Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Engineering or something like that for the first degree, not Aviation Management etc, unless you already have stacks of industry experience (it does not have to necessarily be in aviation but in some form of a reasonably professional capacity) or you intend to put up with applying for a non-aviation graduate position when you've finished. Don't put all your eggs in one basket - it's much better to have a skill-set in a different industry like finance or engineering rather than limiting yourself to aviation.
Aviation degrees don't really count much in the aviation industry, to be honest, without the appropriate experience. With appropriate experience, you don't need an aviation degree either! So you have to assess the merit of doing one carefully. Plus there's not much kudos attached to having a degree - anyone can complete one with reasonably OK marks nowadays.
Postgraduate aviation degrees are far more suited to people who are in the aviation industry already and/or retired bods with lots of industry experience (or those who have a bachelor's degree in some cases) and you might struggle with the 'practical application' type of assignments if you do not have much industry experience - you can't always apply things to a real-life situation very well without much experience. On the other hand, if you do not have much theoretical-based knowledge, you might fall down on theoretical components.
To summarise, think carefully about what you want from a degree, read people's comments, and think some more about cost/benefits and make a decision.
All you *might* get is an entry into the graduate certificate - it's unlikely for you to be accepted directly onto the masters without a first degree (many aviation postgraduate degrees are 'nested' course where you progress from graduate certificate, graduate diploma, and then onto the masters). Even for the graduate certificate, you may not get in with less than an ATPL (not just the exam passes) and 2-3 years of industry experience, unless you have already successfully completed some tertiary studies.
For Bachelors level course, you may get some of the subjects credited to you, but it's unusual to have exemptions on more than one year's worth without having done the undergraduate-level studies (even then, most courses have a limit on how much exemptions can be granted - the highest I've seen has been around 50% of the course requirements and that's for graduates, so you are unlikely to get that much credited with a CPL). So you're still likely to have to do at least 2 years' worth of full-time study.
Don't expect to complete your degree in 2 years (Bachelors or Masters) unless you are prepared to do it full-time. Most Masters are 18 months full-time, and if you have done no tertiary level studies before, don't try and take on a full-time postgraduate load until you are doing reasonably well with a part-time load (75%+ average), or you will be putting yourself under a lot of pressure or 'failing due to insufficient time'. Masters is hardly difficult but if you haven't done tertiary studies at university level before, you will not find the transition completely trouble-free. I can categorically say that ATPL subjects and writing postgraduate-level assignments are VERY different.
In fact, if you have not studied at 2nd or 3rd year undergraduate level before, I recommend you try some undergraduate studies beforehand and see how you go. They're easier, and much cheaper (about 50% of the cost) per subject. If you're consistently getting 80%+ in a subject or two of 2nd or 3rd year undergraduate level, then try the postgraduate (it will probably improve the chance of getting into a postgraduate course anyway).
You will also need to bear in mind the costs involved in doing a degree. Masters will set you back $20,000+. While you can get FEE-HELP, it will still need to be paid back. Undergraduate courses will not be much cheaper either (as you'll probably need to do most subjects for an undergraduate degree).
You also need to decide what you expect to get out of the course. If you are thinking it will improve your employability as a pilot, think again. You will be better off concentrating on getting more hours - no-one will give you a flying job if you don't meet their minimum hours requirements, regardless of what degree you have.
If I were you, I'd get something like Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Engineering or something like that for the first degree, not Aviation Management etc, unless you already have stacks of industry experience (it does not have to necessarily be in aviation but in some form of a reasonably professional capacity) or you intend to put up with applying for a non-aviation graduate position when you've finished. Don't put all your eggs in one basket - it's much better to have a skill-set in a different industry like finance or engineering rather than limiting yourself to aviation.
Aviation degrees don't really count much in the aviation industry, to be honest, without the appropriate experience. With appropriate experience, you don't need an aviation degree either! So you have to assess the merit of doing one carefully. Plus there's not much kudos attached to having a degree - anyone can complete one with reasonably OK marks nowadays.
Postgraduate aviation degrees are far more suited to people who are in the aviation industry already and/or retired bods with lots of industry experience (or those who have a bachelor's degree in some cases) and you might struggle with the 'practical application' type of assignments if you do not have much industry experience - you can't always apply things to a real-life situation very well without much experience. On the other hand, if you do not have much theoretical-based knowledge, you might fall down on theoretical components.
To summarise, think carefully about what you want from a degree, read people's comments, and think some more about cost/benefits and make a decision.
Last edited by Oh that's super!; 21st Apr 2007 at 11:43.
Mr buzzy-
I just finished doing one and the resounding answer from me is "nup"!
Its not worth the paper its written on at my experience level. (GA) I'll get back to you in 5-10 years to see if its worth anything at airline level!
having been there done that, I can highly recommend not doing justa basic "civil aviation" degree, as you will find at your experience level it will be rehashing a lot of atpl stuff anyway. Try looking at aviation management and/or engineering courses to broaden your knowledge base which can only be a good thing if aviation goes pear shaped.
Aside from the warm fuzzy feeling you get by doing some tertiary training, can anyone vouch for the "usefullness" of any of these aviation degrees, masters, MBAs and the like?
Its not worth the paper its written on at my experience level. (GA) I'll get back to you in 5-10 years to see if its worth anything at airline level!
having been there done that, I can highly recommend not doing justa basic "civil aviation" degree, as you will find at your experience level it will be rehashing a lot of atpl stuff anyway. Try looking at aviation management and/or engineering courses to broaden your knowledge base which can only be a good thing if aviation goes pear shaped.
There are many out there with degrees and no common sense.
If you do the work you can do anything.
I'm doing the UNSW postgrad stuff, 2000HRs ATP(L) and some turbine PIC. Seems pretty well run, so far.
If you do the work you can do anything.
I'm doing the UNSW postgrad stuff, 2000HRs ATP(L) and some turbine PIC. Seems pretty well run, so far.
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Here and there.
Posts: 447
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh That's Super,
An outstanding post.
Flying aircraft is a good pre-occupation. Nothing more.
Take On Me. Good luck to you. I sincerley mean that. My greatest fear is that my kids will want to fly. It's not worth it. Angle your young ones to a career that will make them some coin. Wealthy pilots are a thing of the past.
D
An outstanding post.
Flying aircraft is a good pre-occupation. Nothing more.
Take On Me. Good luck to you. I sincerley mean that. My greatest fear is that my kids will want to fly. It's not worth it. Angle your young ones to a career that will make them some coin. Wealthy pilots are a thing of the past.
D
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Australia
Posts: 751
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aside from the warm fuzzy feeling you get by doing some tertiary training, can anyone vouch for the "usefullness" of any of these aviation degrees, masters, MBAs and the like?
I did a Bachelor of Aviation through Griffith University. You will receive 12 months credit if you have completed all ATPL subjects, hold a Command instrument rating OR Instructor rating, and a total of 2500 hours on completion of your studies. This will leave you 2 years Full-time study, which equates to 12 subjects (3 subjects per semester).
I hope this helps, and good luck with your studies.
BW
Nunc est bibendum
....can anyone vouch for the "usefullness" of any of these aviation degrees, masters, MBAs and the like?
bbbbbbbbbbzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzbbbbbbbbbbbbbbzzzzzzzzzzz zzz....splat!
To be honest you're not going to get a great deal of Credit Transfer into the degree. You'd be lucky to even get half a year of a three year degree. What I suggest (having done an Aviation degree myself) is if you aren't going to get heaps of CT then consider doing something completely unrelated to flying. An economics or business degree would be great. Stay away from an MBA (even an aviation one) because they're mostly too generic to be really useful- IE you'll only get a management gig in whatever field you may already be in and you've got no other options. A business or commerce or other type of degree gets you an 'in' in about 101 other industries and occupations if the flying doesn't work out in the long term- I'm talking medically here too.
So go for it but don't back yourself into a corner.
