Geography and Aviation

Launch a high-flying career in the aviation industry

Do you dream of being a pilot? Take to the skies with the largest university-level aviation program in Canada.

You’ll earn a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from one of the country’s top-ranked geography departments — and graduate with your Commercial Pilot Licence. There’s no better way to appreciate geography than from several thousand feet above the ground. And your knowledge of geography will be an asset when you’re navigating across continents.

Between the classroom and the cockpit, you’ll gain a deep understanding of landforms, weather patterns, and the computer technology behind tools such as geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing.

What courses will you take in Geography and Aviation?

First-year courses

During your first year, you'll take a mix of foundational aviation, geography, and environmental courses.

In your upper years, about half of the classes you'll take will be in aviation, and the other half will be related to geography.

September to December

AVIA 100 – Introduction to Aviation
GEOG 101 – Human Geographies: People, Space and Change
GEOG 181 – Designing Effective Maps
CS 100 – Introduction to Computing Through Applications
One course from
- ENGL 109 – Introduction to Academic Writing
- ENGL 129R – Written Academic English

January to April

GEOG 102 – Global Environmental Systems: Process and Change
ENVS 178 – Environmental Applications of Data Management and Statistics
AVIA 101 – Professional Pilot Program Course 1*
One elective

This is a sample schedule. Courses may be subject to change depending on availability. *Some students will take Professional Pilot Program Course I (AVIA 101) during the spring term (May to August) following first year.

After first year

About half of the classes you’ll take will be Geography courses, while the other half will be Aviation courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.

View a list of all the courses required for your degree.

Sample upper-year courses

AVIA 270 – Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) Knowledge Requirements
AVIA 310 – Human Factors in Aviation
AVIA 417 – Aviation Safety
GEOG 271 – Earth from Space Using Remote Sensing

Customize your degree

You can add additional areas of expertise by including one or more of the areas of focus within the program.

Climate Change and Environment
Earth Systems Science
Economy and Society
Geomatics

View on YouTube

Faculty:
Faculty of Environment

Degree:
Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Geography and Aviation and your Commercial Pilot Licence

Available as a co-op program?
No

Available as a regular program?
Yes

Available as a minor?
No

Log 200+ flight hours. Through a partnership with the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre, you'll receive at least 200 hours of in-the-air experience at one of Canada's largest flight training centres.

Build crucial skills. As well as learning to fly, you’ll obtain your multi-engine and multi-instrument ratings, giving you the skills you need to handle twin-engine aircraft in all sorts of weather.

What can you do with a degree in aviation?

Graduates often work at airlines and flights centres as either pilots or flight instructors.

Recent graduates

Pilot — WestJet Airlines
Pilot, First Officer — Sunwing Airlines
Flight Instructor — Waterloo-Wellington Flight Centre
First Officer — Sunwing Airlines
Flight Instructor — Brampton Flight Centre
Pilot — Air Canada

Learn about the future of careers in environment, sustainability, and geography.

Tuition fees for aviation programs

First-year tuition

Type of fees	Tuition (8 months of school)
Domestic (Ontario residents)	$9,000
Domestic (Out of province students)	$9,000
International (visa students)	$50,000 (Geography and Aviation), $52,000 (Science and Aviation)

Estimated amounts listed include incidental fees. Fees based on 2024-25 tuition rates.
Visit our financing page to learn about scholarships, estimate your total expenses, and see how co-op can help pay for your education.

Flight training costs

Approximate total cost over four-year degree: $93,000. Further details about total costs can be found on the Aviation website.

Admission requirements

Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including

English (ENG4U) (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
One Grade 12 U Mathematics course (minimum final grade of 70% is required)

Admission average: Mid-80s

Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements.

Screening process

Qualified applicants will be asked to complete a screening process by the Waterloo-Wellington Flight Centre that includes

a program briefing session,
Transport Canada Category 1 Medical Certification, and
an Aviation Language Proficiency Test (for Permanent Residents and visa students only.)
The medical certification must be completed prior to writing the test.

Admitted students

If you receive an offer of admission, you should book a medical fitness appointment with an approved Civil Aviation Medical Examiner as soon as possible. You should not accept your Offer of Admission until you have the results of your medical exam since results could be disqualify you from flight training.

How to apply?

Apply directly to this program on your application.

Related programs

Science and Aviation

Geography and Environmental Management

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Questions about courses, programs, requirements, or careers?

Please contact Shannon Cary, our Faculty of Environment recruitment co-ordinator who can answer any questions you have.