Bachelor’s degree programme in Aviation

 With a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, you can:

• actively shape the fascinating and complex world of aviation;
• contribute to the development of alternative fuels, new propulsion technologies, aircraft systems and operating concepts;
• work for airlines, air navigation service providers, airports, authorities, aircraft maintenance organisations or aircraft manufacturers.

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Aviation UAS Zurich
Workload: 180 ECTS credits
Duration: 6 semesters
Study model: Full time degree programme, Work-study Bachelor’s degree programme, International profile
Modules in English: Fall semester (PDF 532 kB), Spring semester (PDF 454 kB) (for more information please visit International Office)
Start of programme: Autumn
Application deadline: 30. April
Location: Winterthur
Language of instruction: German
uition fee: CHF 720 per semester plus additional study costs
Accreditation: BAZL (PDF 30 kB)
Consecutive degree programmes: Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)
Admission: Admission requirements

Sustainable alternative propulsion systems and fuels, new aircraft systems, the use of drones and air taxis, and the harmonisation and further development of global regulations – the future of aviation presents exciting challenges. Air traffic has been growing steadily for years, placing increasing demands on infrastructure and operations. At the same time, the entire aviation sector aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. To address these challenges, you will acquire technical and operational knowledge alongside an understanding of how environmental, economic, technical, operational, legal and social aspects interact. The industry needs well-qualified generalists who can go on to specialise in one of its many professional fields and actively contribute to the development of aviation.

The Bachelor's degree programme can be completed on either a full-time basis, with a study duration of three years, or on a part-time basis, with a minimum study duration of four years. A maximum employment level of 60% during the lecture period is recommended to students wishing to work while studying part-time.

Graduates of Swiss baccalaureate schools can choose the work-study Bachelor's degree programme, which combines internships and study in a four-year model.

Aviation can also be studied in the international profile, which features specialist modules in English and an extended stay abroad. In addition, students have the opportunity to spend an exchange semester at one of our partner universities during their Bachelor's degree programme.

With the Entrepreneurial Profile, you complement your degree programme with entrepreneurial skills and develop your own ideas through practical projects.

Students holding a Swiss baccalaureate must provide proof of professional experience lasting at least 12 months (full-time employment) prior to starting the study programme. Work-study Bachelor's degree programme. This experience can be gained with several different employers, ideally in a field linked to the aviation sector, for instance, management and support divisions of airlines with tasks in operations engineering, route support, operations control or network planning. Other options include work as a flight attendant or in dispatch at an airport as well as internships at service and maintenance firms, the operating departments of airports and air traffic control bodies, training organisations such as flying schools or authorities. Military service is not recognised as work experience.

The Bachelor’s degree programme in Aviation has a strong practical focus. From the first semester, you apply what you learn directly in practical projects. During the summer break, you have the opportunity to gain valuable professional experience, build contacts and prepare your project work. In your final Bachelor’s thesis, you independently investigate current topics and questions, often in close collaboration with companies.

The lecturers in the Aviation study programme are also active in research and development, and the findings from their projects – generally completed together with business partners – are directly incorporated into their teaching. Students especially benefit from the connection the Bachelor's degree programme in Aviation has to the Centre for Aviation (ZAV).

Aviation students at the ZHAW School of Engineering have the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the working methods of flight-test engineers and test pilots during an aeronautics internship in Nordholz or to take a look behind the scenes of the air traffic control profession and observe the field of activity of air traffic controllers in Luxembourg.

Would you like to get a feel for student life and learn more about the Bachelor's degree programme in Aviation? Have you already given your future study path a lot of thought but would still like more first-hand information to make your final decision? The “Student for a Day” programme offers you the opportunity to join a ZHAW student for half a day and attend lectures or observe an internship, get to know the campus and ask questions about the study programme. 

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