Australia University Aviation Course

[harropster]

Well from somebody who has almost completed the Bachelor of Aviation degree @ Griffith University (I just need to do 1 assignment and im done) here is my 2 cents....

The first year is very boring... maths, biology, physics etc.... *yawn*

However the second and third year subjects are really great. The lectures are mainly run by pilots, but there are a few ATC, weather, CASA, and ICAO people who also teach. The subjects provide a great insight into the industry, which is something you simply wouldnt find out until you got a job with an airline. Just things like how ATC works, who makes the rules, why the rules are in place, why airports are designed the way they are, technology currently being used, B737/B747 perofrmance, management, aircraft system operation etc etc, limitations, air law..... and the list goes on.

The lecturers are really easy going to the point where they dont really mind when you hand in the assignments etc... as the majority of the students who do the degree are working and flying full time.

One of the main reasons I decided to do the degree was just for that little bit of an 'edge' over someone else who didn't have a degree, and we were both going for the same job. That and also the fact that a degree will probably be required to get a job in an Australian airline soon. (I think thats already the case in the USA/UK)

Feel free to send me any questions you might have!

[TimmyB]

harropster,

I was wondering if you could tell me the total cost for the HECS fees for the Griffith Uni degree. The Uni SA one here is I think is over $15000 for the three years.

Also a general question for my curiosity - the UniSA aviation course has assumed knowledge down for Specialist Mathematics - how much do you reckon it would impact not having done Spec Maths in Yr 12 and then doing an aviation degree. I'm doing Spec Maths - i'm just curious!

Cheers

Tim

[Chadzat]

TimmyB. The lecturers at UniSA usually assume there are at least 1 or 2 that didn't do spec Maths in yr12 so they gear the early weeks towards those people. Just means you may have to do a bit more study than someone who has done spec maths. Maths is only done in the first year of the course anyway, and its pretty hard to fail it!

also check your PM's

[TimmyB]

Chadzat. Thanks for the reply.

Also thanks for putting together the PM re- the Uni SA degree. Some very helpful advice there, much appreciated Its good to take under consideration the thoughts of people that have already done the degree before I make my decision towards the end of the year.


Cheers

Tim

[mr.tos]

I find it very odd that you got rejected by UNSW. Usually if you cough up with the money they will accept you no matter what grades.

[kookabat]

Holy ancient threads, Batman!!

[dream747]

It does seem like the aviation degree is gaining recognition and credibility. Didn't Qantas just announced that they will collaborate with Griffith, Swinburne to expand their cadet program? Successful candidates can join QF as S/Os.

[sunny_liverpool]

but only restrict to Australian Permanant Resident!!!

[dream747]

Yes only by right so. Was just trying to see if the aviation degree is indeed gaining better status.

[pilotdude09]

Hey guys,
Im in a bit of a delema as well, do i do an Aviation Degree or a Business degree. My ultimate goal after being a pilot is to be a Fleet Ops Manager or similar or Cheif Pilot for an airline like Qantas etc.

[sunny_liverpool]

I dont think they will open for non AUS PR

take Cathay Pacific as an example, she has cadet programme in Hong Kong since 1988. And she has been recruiting only Hong Kong PR at all times, as Hong Kong does not have any flying schools.

[dream747]

Why don't you try the CX cadet program? Or get a degree in some other disciplines then do the flight training?

[sunny_liverpool]

because i am studying in high school

and i want to study aboard to get my degree so that my english can become better...as in HK, we speak chinese

so i am still thinking what course i should study after my high school, a flying diploma with commerce degree or a non-flying degree

after i got enough education qualification, i will go to CX cadet

[notorque]

There seems to be a lot of people here who are underestimating just how hard it is to a degree in something you're not 100% interested in. A degree is hard enough as it is and requires a lot of dedication and sacrifice, add to that the fact that you just don't care about the content and you have a recipe for someone who will drop out. The reality is a lot of people will start one degree and end up graduating from another, I was one of these persons.
So when you are thinking about what degree to do, consider the fact that if you are not interested in the subject you shouldn't be wasting your time starting it.

[dream747]

Hi notorque, I know what you mean but many degrees at least in my part of the world can't earn one a job with a reasonable pay to justify the hard work one would have put in for the degree and the qualifications to your name. I mean I would really love to do something that I'm 100% interested in but some degrees don't get that due recognition so sometimes it could be more worthwhile to get a degree is that recognised but I know it's going to be hard!

[disco_air]

He said that the airlines want a degree but not in aviation.

This just proves his ignorance as to what actually goes into an aviation degree.

[carbon]

He also said that the quality of pilots produced by the uni does not impress him.

Seems to be impressing QF enough to send their future cadets through one.

Doing a computer science degree for a job as a professional pilot is akin to doing a physics phd in the hope of becoming a journalist. There is a lot more to this industry than you may believe, I doubt a computer science degree is going to enlighten you of that.

Yes I have a degree, and while it is not rocket science, it has given me a grounding to realize how LITTLE I really know about the industry. The first step to learning is recognising your own limitations and deficiencies.