Course Overview

About This Course

Launch your drone operations career at a global top 20 university (QS World University Rankings, 2024–2026). The Bachelor of Aviation (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems) – often abbreviated to RPAS – gives you skills and experience to become a drone pilot in Australia. Learn to manage commercial drone operations at scale with systems spread across geographical locations. This degree builds your expertise in all areas related to drone operations, with an entrepreneurial approach that can prepare you to lead drone or field robotics operations for an existing business. With an aviation degree and remote pilot licence, you could even start your own company, backed by the #1 university in Australia for startups (Survey of Commercialisation Outcomes from Public Research Report, 2023). Advanced skills in this area are in high demand as the industry evolves to include commercial application of larger drones like uncrewed airplanes – expected within the next decade to join smaller platforms operating in airspace shared by crewed aircraft. Current applications include logistics, environmental monitoring, medical and disaster relief, health and safety management. This forward-thinking program ensures you are ready for both current and future job opportunities in this ever-changing field.

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

Requirements

Lowest Selection Rank (2026): 80.0 (ATAR + adjustment factors)
Lowest ATAR (2026): 81.6 (before adjustment factors)
A Levels (2026): 10.0 (based on four Advanced Level A2 subjects; entry scores calculated from best three or four A2 subjects using A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1)
IB Diploma (2026): 30.0
Assumed Knowledge: Mathematics Advanced
International ATAR: 75.0
UNSW Foundation Studies GPA: 6.9
Great Britain GCE A Levels (International): 10.0 (minimum two Advanced Level A2 subjects required; entry scores calculated from best two, three, or four A2 subjects using A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1)
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB): 28.0
SAT (after 2016): 1130.0 (total of evidence-based reading and writing and mathematical test scores; must be provided with evidence of successful completion of senior secondary studies)
Adjustment Factors: HSC Plus (up to 5 points), Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders – EAPL (up to 5 points), Educational Access Scheme – EAS (between 1 and 10 points)
Admission Pathways: Gateway Admission Pathway, Indigenous Preparatory Programs, Indigenous Admission Scheme (IAS), UNSW College pathway programs
English Language Requirements: Students from non-English speaking backgrounds must provide evidence of English proficiency via approved English language tests, prior study in the medium of English, or other approved qualifications

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Thousands of new jobs related to drone operations are predicted to be created in Australia alone between now and 2030, including for emergency services, defence, surveying, conservation, entertainment, logistics and safety management. Entrepreneurial graduates can start their own businesses, offering commercial operations to meet demand or creating new market opportunities with innovative technology or services.

Potential careers include:

Chief remote pilot
Drone operations manager
UAS flight coordinator
Drone services business owner
Drone startup founder
Aerial, ground, or underwater robotics operator
Drone logistics manager
First responder drone coordinator
Remote pilot in charge
Uncrewed aircraft flight test specialist
Drone mapping and LIDAR analyst
Program manager – drone and 3D data
UAS flight operations lead
Counter drone specialist
Multi-vehicle supervisor (MVS)
Uncrewed eVTOL or helicopter pilot/operator
Drone mission commander

Industries and applications include emergency services, defence, government/regulatory, humanitarian aid, photogrammetry and surveying, media and cinematography, medical and disaster relief, logistics, conservation and environmental monitoring, and health and safety management.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Accreditation Details

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

CASA

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units24 units

AVIA1111

Basic Aeronautical Knowledge

Core aeronautical knowledge course (12 UOC)

AVIA1301

Simulation in Aviation or Airworthiness Management

Simulation in aviation and airworthiness management

AVIA1401

Introduction to Human Factors: The Safety Science of Human Performance

Introduction to human factors in aviation

AVIA1901

Aviation Transport Economics

Economics of aviation transport

AVIA2111

Commercial Navigation

Navigation for commercial aviation operations

AVIA2112

Commercial Meteorology

Meteorology for commercial aviation

AVIA2113

Commercial Human Factors, Flight Rules and Air Law

Human factors, flight rules and air law for commercial operations

AVIA2117

Instrument Rating

Instrument rating course

AVIA2011

Advanced Human Factors

Advanced study of human factors in aviation

AVIA2125

Drone Operations Management

Management of commercial drone operations

AVIA2225

Drone Information Systems

Information systems for drone operations

AVIA2610

Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods in Aviation

Research methods applicable to aviation

AVIA3101

Airline Management

Management principles for airline operations

AVIA3025

Drone Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship and business development in the drone sector (listed as Drone Programming & Applications in PDF)

AVIA3025

Drone Programming and Applications

Drone programming and real-world applications

AVIA3401

Aviation Safety and Resource Management

Safety management and resource management in aviation

AVIA3601

Flight Data Analytics

Analytics applied to flight data

AVIA3710

Aviation Research Methods

Research methods for aviation studies

AVIA3011

Human Factors Tools and Methods

Prescribed elective: tools and methods in human factors

AVIA3199

Aviation Work Placement 1

Prescribed elective: WIL placement in aviation industry

AVIA3910

Environmental Performance Evaluation of Aviation: Theories and Techniques

Prescribed elective: environmental performance evaluation of aviation

MATH1031

Mathematics for Life Sciences

Mathematics course supporting aviation science studies

MATH1041

Statistics for Life and Social Sciences

Statistics course supporting aviation research

BEES2680

Introduction to Science Communication

General education course in science communication

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What practical flight training will I receive during this degree?

Throughout the Bachelor of Aviation (RPAS), you will complete up to 40 hours of uncrewed flight training. This includes 20 hours of certified drone pilot training covering day and night operations and beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) missions. You will learn to safely operate multirotor, fixed-wing and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) platforms, and gain experience in logistics, mapping and search and rescue using commercial-grade drone platforms. UNSW's flight training is delivered in partnership with certified providers and meets CASA certification standards.

What licences and certifications will I graduate with?

As part of your studies, you will earn your Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) and be prepared for roles requiring a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operator's Certificate (ReOC) or an Aeronautical Radio Operator's Certificate (AROC). You will also gain additional qualifications for operating heavy-lift drones (up to 150kg) across multiple aircraft types, including fixed-wing and multirotor systems. These certifications align with the regulatory standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

How is the program structured and how many units of credit are required to graduate?

Students must complete 144 units of credit (UOC) to graduate with a Bachelor of Aviation (RPAS). This three-year full-time course includes core courses (126 UOC), prescribed electives (6 UOC — students choose one from Human Factors Tools and Methods, Aviation Work Placement 1, or Environmental Performance Evaluation of Aviation), and general education courses (12 UOC) from outside the Faculty of Science.

What industries can I work in after completing this degree?

Graduates can pursue careers across a wide range of industries including emergency services, defence, government and regulatory bodies, humanitarian aid, photogrammetry and surveying, media and cinematography, medical and disaster relief, logistics, conservation and environmental monitoring, and health and safety management. Thousands of new jobs related to drone operations are predicted to be created in Australia alone between now and 2030.

Who teaches the Bachelor of Aviation (RPAS) and what industry connections does the program have?

The program is designed and taught by experts from organisations like the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), Qantas and Airservices Australia, as well as drone startup founders. Notable educators include Dr. Graham Doig, founder and former CEO of Seaflight Technologies. UNSW also has a partnership with the Australian Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles Service (AUAVS), giving students access to commercial drone operations in search and rescue and marine surveillance, and connections to alumni-led companies like Aerologix and Seaflight Technologies.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

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Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Processing time: Offer letter issued within approximately 1 business days.

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