Why study Aviation?
The Aviation Industry is an incredibly exciting industry. During most of the past few years the growth of this industry has been exceptional at around 12% pa. While the global economic crisis is currently affecting all industries, the aviation industry is expected to emerge strongly.
Aviation industry forecasts indicate that the demand for pilots will continue for the foreseeable future since air traffic growth is expected to continue to increase by 5% per annum. This also provides great opportunities for those involved in the industry and those wishing to be involved.
Many opportunities have arisen to make changes that would not otherwise have occurred. Griffith University’s Aviation programs endeavour to meet these challenges and to teach others about meeting new challenges and managing this industry in good times and bad.
A degree in aviation may help commercial pilots who already hold a CPL get ahead in their careers.
Great graduate outcomes and careers
Recent graduates have been employed as flying instructors, first officers with regional airlines, and in the Australian Defence force, as well as in organisations such as Qantas, United Airlines, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, Royal Brunei, Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific and Emirates. Other graduates and students work in the defence forces of several countries including Australia and Singapore.
You will also be able to apply your skills to many areas of the aviation industry such as management, research and human resource management, and government organisations such as the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Many students gain employment as instructors or with regional airlines to begin with.
You will graduate with approximately 200 flying hours, and you should check with potential employers individually whether this meets their requirements.
Defer your flying costs
In a first for Australian aviation, students can now access the FEE-HELP government loan scheme to defer the up front costs of flight training and other program costs. External flight training, which makes up 25 per cent of an aviation degree, can cost more than $80,000.
Through Griffith's combined Bachelor of Aviation/Graduate Diploma in Flight Management, students will no longer have to pay up-front. By reducing the burden of up-front flight training cost, the new program also helps to address an expected global shortage of commercial pilots in the near future by encouraging more students to consider studying aviation.
The Commonwealth Government offers a number of loans called HELP. HELP loans are very different from loans available from commercial lenders. You do not require a deposit, an employment history, assets, income or guarantor.
There are three types of HELP loans:
- HECS-HELP which assists eligible Commonwealth supported students to defer their student contribution charge.
- FEE-HELP which is available to students in fee paying places who are Australian citizens or the holder of a permanent humanitarian visa (transitional arrangements are in place for pre-2005 students).
- OS-HELP which is available to undergraduate Commonwealth supported students wishing to study overseas who need help with general costs.
All HELP loans are repaid via the taxation system once your income reaches a certain level.
HECS-HELP
HECS-HELP provides eligible Commonwealth supported students with assistance in paying their student contribution charge. It provides a loan to cover their student contribution or a discount if they choose to make an up-front payment of at least $500 of their student contribution before the census date of the semester.
Not all Commonwealth supported students are eligible for HECS-HELP.
More information on HECS-HELP.
FEE-HELP
FEE-HELP provides a loan to eligible fee-paying undergraduate or postgraduate students. Eligible students may borrow up to the FEE-HELP limit to pay their tuition fees only.
More information on FEE-HELP.
OS-HELP
OS-HELP provides financial assistance to eligible undergraduate Commonwealth supported students who undertake part of their study overseas.
For further information on OS-HELP, please contact Griffith International.