Being a pilot is a sought-after job for a reason. If you love flying you could get paid for doing what you love! There’s obviously the potential for international travel as part of your job like the pilots for the global airlines flying huge planes thousands of miles. Or you could end up living in interesting, remote locations perhaps helping life-saving services like the flying doctors in Australia. Whatever path you choose, if flying is your passion becoming a pilot will never feel like a job.
Massey University is the only university in New Zealand that offers a degree that qualifies you as a professional pilot – the Bachelor of Aviation (Air Transport Pilot).
This degree enhances your opportunities with airlines which are increasingly looking for tertiary trained professional pilots. Adding a BAv degree to your CV becomes a definite advantage when you are considering moving to more senior aviation industry roles mid-career. It then serves as a springboard to postgraduate study in aviation.
The BAv is a three-year degree and is recognised internationally.
Careers in aviation are not all about flying. There are a wide range of careers with aviation or aviation-related organisations. These may include management, logistics like cargo and passenger handling, communications, air accident investigation, customer service, sales or marketing roles.
As well as airlines, in New Zealand employers like Airways New Zealand and the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority are looking for people with these sorts of skills.
You will enrol in the Bachelor of Aviation Management. This is a three-year degree.
You will gain an understanding of the human factors in aviation, airline strategic management, and airport operational management. You will also have the opportunity to undertake an internship course (aviation practicum). This means that as part of your study you will gain real-life experience with the industry, giving you a real advantage when you are job-seeking.
Massey University flight instructors are very approachable and are always willing to teach you or help you grow to become a better pilot and better person.
Arjun Jethmal
Captain for Susi Air in Indonesia
Bachelor of Aviation (Air Transport Pilot)
The MAv studies provided me a chance to enhance my foundation in operational decisions with project development and future planning in my employer's expansion. Massey staff and lecturers were always extremely helpful and keen for me to do well and to achieve my goal to increase my personal knowledge.
Captain Andrew Sturrock
Head of Operations, Tasman Cargo Airlines
Master of Aviation
Massey has been a big contributing factor in the opportunities that I have come across. The wide variety of papers that are on offer really give you a broad understanding of the aviation industry as a whole and I would not have wanted to study anywhere else!
Charlotte Fuller
Pilot - Air Chathams
Bachelor of Aviation (Air Transport Pilot)
The Bachelor of Aviation Management was truly my calling. Papers like Air Crash Investigation and Airport Planning, made me excited knowing that now I was going to be formally educated by professionals (most of whom have a wealth of industry experience).
Hadri Hashim
Cadet Pilot, Singapore International Airlines
Bachelor of Aviation Management
The MAv provided theoretical knowledge plus opportunity to apply skills, knowledge and strategies learnt in projects at my previous job at Auckland International Airport, by researching and solving organisational issues.
Izaaz Dean
Aviation Consultant, Dubai
Master of Aviation
My study helped me realise the critical role pilots play in strategic management, including in incident prevention, flight training and managing human factors.
Jeffrey Ang
Pilot, Singapore Airlines
Bachelor of Aviation Management
Where most university students would do a bachelor's degree alone in the standard three years, I combined my bachelor’s with actual flying!
Luc Valleteau De Moulliac
First Officer for Etihad Airlines
The solid base of industry knowledge I gained through my aviation studies at Massey University has been invaluable throughout every stage of my career.
Nick Ashley
Master of Aviation
It is very gratifying to work in an area of technological development which not only helps young pilots learn how to fly but also contributes to safety within the flight-training environment in New Zealand.
Savern Reweti
Massey School of Aviation lecturer
Doctor of Philosophy
The support network and resources for postgrads is really very good. I was one of those frustrating candidates who had to stretch my research out for a little longer than anticipated as I had a full-time job. I also had two children along the way and the support I got during those times was excellent.
Tahlia Fisher
Senior Safety Specialist, Air New Zealand
PhD (Aviation)
With ever-increasing education inflation, a master’s degree would help me stand out from the crowd and give me a longer-term investment in myself.
Tim Graham
Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Research and Analysis Officer – Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Canberra
Master of Aviation
I chose aviation because it was a very practical degree and everything you learnt in the classroom can be applied to flying practically the next day.
Vanessa Brill-Holland
First Officer, Jetstar NZ
Bachelor of Aviation
Massey is the only provider of the Bachelor of Aviation Management in New Zealand. It has a more approachable vibe than other unis and as the classes I took were smaller, I was able to get a great deal of interaction with the lecturers.
Woody Andrew
Aviation Consultant - Airbiz
Bachelor of Aviation Management