Diverse and multicultural
Be welcomed into a global community of over 5,000 international students, who come to Massey from more than 100 countries.
Top-rated
Massey's Business School is ranked in the top 5% of business colleges worldwide by AACSB International.
Preferred flight trainer
Air New Zealand lists Massey as a preferred training organisation.
Fly above the rest
Train to be a pilot at our $5m aviation centre. From our fleet of aircraft to cutting-edge flight simulators, Massey's got it all.
Overview
Learn to fly at New Zealand's only university with an aviation school. We're an Air New Zealand preferred flight training organisation — the only one to include a degree.
Fly single-engine and twin-engine aircraft at our dedicated airfield. Virtually fly bigger aircraft in our state-of-the-art flight simulator. Master problem solving with scenario-based flight training. Gain industry experience with internship options.
Business internships via Massey
Aviation is a good fit if you:
- enjoy school subjects such as maths and physics
- want a degree as well as a flying licence
- like setting up robust plans and following procedures.
Aviation courses may cover:
- aircraft maintenance
- airport and airline performance
- aviation management
- legal and security issues
- pilot training, in the air and in simulators
- UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles).
How to study aviation
Discover what we offer if you’re interested in aviation – whether you’re coming to university for the first time, changing direction or returning to advance your study or career.
Undergraduate study
Bachelor's degrees
Bachelor of Aviation – BAv
Become a pilot with a difference. Gain a professional qualification that integrates flight training with university study.
Air Transport Pilot – Bachelor of Aviation
Gain a professional qualification that integrates a research-led flight training programme into university courses at an internationally recognised training facility.
Bachelor of Aviation Management – BAvMan
If you are passionate about aviation and are interested in the broader picture of the aviation industry, this is the degree for you.
Graduate diplomas
Graduate Diploma in Aviation – GDipAv
Build on your previous degree or aviation industry experience with Massey's Graduate Diploma in Aviation. Gain a university qualification while following your passion for aviation.
Aviation Studies – Graduate Diploma in Aviation
Take your aviation career to the next level with Massey's Graduate Diploma in Aviation. Gain a university qualification while following your passion for aviation.
Flight Instruction – Graduate Diploma in Aviation
Add a new dimension to your commercial pilot’s licence. Gain a university qualification while following your passion for aviation.
Relevant undergraduate subjects to major or specialise in
When you apply to study at Massey, for some undergraduate qualifications you can choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. You can usually change your mind after you get to university, depending on the courses you enrol in.
Postgraduate study
Master's degrees
Master of Aviation – MAv
Enhance your career prospects in the internationally competitive aviation sector with the Master of Aviation. Massey is the only place in New Zealand where you can turn your passion for aviation into a tertiary qualification.
Postgraduate diplomas
Postgraduate Diploma in Business – PGDipBus
Gain practical business skills that employers are searching for with Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Business. You’ll be able to design this qualification to suit your interests and your lifestyle.
PhD and other doctoral degrees
Doctor of Philosophy – PhD
A prestigious research qualification that demonstrates your ability to carry out independent and original research in your chosen field.
Relevant research areas at Massey
Discover research expertise, projects and initiatives relating to aviation at Massey.
What our students say
“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.”
Our facilities
You'll have access to a wide range of first-class facilities when you study with us.
Aviation Centre
One of a kind in New Zealand. It includes:
- Diamond DA40 and DA42 aircraft
- flight simulators
- maintenance hangers
- operations area
- classrooms and briefing rooms overlooking runways.
Location: Palmerston North Airport
Diamond DA40 Single-Engine Trainer
Massey owns 12 single-engine trainer aircraft. They have a cruising speed of 110 knots and a range of 720 nautical miles. The trainers are fitted with Garmin 1000 cockpit displays incorporating digital moving map displays, terrain awareness warning and traffic avoidance systems.
Diamond DA42 Twin-Engine Trainer
Massey owns two Diamond DA42 twin-engine trainer aircraft for the air transport pilot qualification. These aircraft have a cruising speed of 140 knots and feature Garmin 1000 cockpit displays incorporating digital moving map displays and terrain awareness warning systems.
Diamond DA-42 flight simulator
Massey's state-of-the-art flight simulator has a 220-degree wraparound screen and can be set to any airport in the world. Massey University's School of Aviation was the first pilot training facility in New Zealand to install this new-generation simulator.
Flight systems and airstrip
Bachelor of Aviation students work alongside the busy Palmerston North airfield with full Air Traffic Control services. Aviation Management students’ classes are also mostly taught at the Aviation Centre so they experience flight operations and airport operations at close hand.
Jobs in aviation
In the air and on the ground, aviation takes you places. It's a career that can involve international travel from the cockpit of a jet, or working in remote locations.
Pilots work for airlines large and small. For emergency services. In tourism and agriculture. For every aircraft in the air, many people work hard on the ground to keep everything running smoothly.
Aviation careers include:
- pilots
- air traffic controllers, who direct aircraft during take-off, landing, and flying
- air accident investigators
- airline or airport managers
- cargo or passenger planners, who make sure people, luggage and goods get from A to B
- flying instructors
- sales or marketing roles.
Annual salary ranges for jobs
- Air traffic controller - $110,000 to $245,000
- Flying instructor - $47,000 to $100,000
- Pilot - $48,000 to $148,000
Pilot training
Airlines increasingly look for tertiary-trained pilots. So Massey is a smart choice, whether you're keen to become a commercial pilot or already work in aviation. We're an Air New Zealand preferred flight training organisation.
Our Bachelor of Aviation (Air Transport Pilot) qualifies you as a professional pilot. If you already work in aviation, our degrees pave the way for more senior roles in the industry.
Salary ranges disclaimer
Indicative pay rates are:
- in New Zealand dollars
- based on careers.govt.nz data.
Which aviation qualification?
Examples of where our qualifications may take you.
| Jobs | Examples of what you could study |
|---|---|
| Air traffic controller | Bachelor of Aviation Management, then apply to enrol in Airways NZ's Diploma in Air Traffic Control (selection process applies) |
| Airport or airline logistics / operations | Bachelor of Aviation Management |
| Commercial pilot | Bachelor of Aviation (Air Transport Pilot) |
| Flight instructor | Graduate Diploma in Aviation (Flight Instruction) |
| Strategic or leadership roles | Bachelor of Aviation Management |
Accreditations and rankings
New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
The Bachelor of Aviation has equivalence approval from the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority.
Preferred Flight Training Organisation
The School of Aviation is an Air NZ Preferred Flight Training Organisation, and the only PFTO provider offering an integrated aviation degree.
Royal Aeronautical Society accreditation
The Royal Aeronautical Society accredits all aviation qualifications at Massey University, certifying that they meet the RAeS's international professional standards.
Singapore Aviation Academy
Massey's School of Aviation offers the Bachelor of Aviation Management and Master of Aviation via distance learning to international students through a partnership with Singapore Aviation Academy. The academy is an ICAO TRAINAIR PLUS Full Member, ICAO endorsed Government Safety Inspector Training Centre and ICAO Aviation Security Training Centre.
Get an information guide
Download our guide to find out more about studying aviation at Massey.
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