Frequently Asked Questions about the Programme
Here we try to answer some frequently asked questions about the programme and the flight school (UiT and UTSA).
Please note: This website is maintained by students on a voluntary basis. Although we try to keep the information up to date, we cannot guarantee that everything is current. If you are unsure about anything, feel free to contact UiT, UTSA or us by email.
1. Is it difficult to get accepted?
Yes and no! Only 24 students are admitted each year, so competition for the limited places can be strong. UiT therefore carries out a thorough selection process to identify applicants with the potential to become good pilots.
It is certainly possible to get accepted. With preparation, hard work and motivation, you can make a strong impression during selection.
2. I want to become a pilot. Which subjects should I take at upper secondary school?
To apply for the Bachelor's Programme in Aviation, you must meet certain admission requirements. For the most up-to-date information, please visit UiT's website.
3. What does the admission process involve?
For the latest and most accurate information about admissions and selection, we recommend reading the relevant pages on the UiT website: admissions and selection.
Further information on entry requirements is available here.
4. What are the job prospects after graduation?
This is difficult to answer because it depends on the job market when you graduate. The aviation industry is cyclical, and demand for pilots rises and falls. At the time of writing, many in the industry would agree that demand for pilots is relatively high.
There are many possible career paths after graduation. Some graduates go directly into airlines such as SAS, Norwegian, Widerøe, Ryanair or Norse. Others obtain an instructor rating and work at flight schools or local flying clubs. A bachelor’s degree also demonstrates qualifications beyond practical flying experience. It can provide a route to further study, including a master’s degree in aviation. The master’s programme is offered part-time and can be completed alongside work.
5. How many flight hours will I have by the end of the programme?
The number varies somewhat depending on how the training programme is organised when you attend. What is certain is that the required flight hours for all the licences and ratings you obtain will be met.
As of 2024, the programme comprises approximately 220 flight hours, including around 70 hours in a simulator and 20 hours in multi-engine aircraft.
6. I was not accepted last time. Can I apply again?
Absolutely! The aptitude test results are valid for 15 months, so you cannot retake the tests during that period. If you fail any of the tests, you must wait until the validity period has expired before attempting them again. If you pass the tests but are placed on a waiting list, you only need to repeat the interview if you apply again while your test results are still valid. Your previous results from phases I and II will then be used.
7. What licences and ratings will I have after graduation?
You graduate with a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), with single-engine and multi-engine privileges, as well as an Instrument Rating (IR). You also complete the ATPL theoretical examinations, giving you a “frozen ATPL”. This means you have passed the theoretical exams needed to obtain an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) later in your career. On graduation, you have completed your initial pilot training.
Depending on the aircraft you intend to fly, you may also need a type rating for that specific aircraft type. Some airlines organise type-rating courses for new pilots, while others expect pilots to arrange this themselves. The cost of a type rating varies depending on the aircraft type and training provider.
Once you have gained the required experience as a commercial pilot, you can meet the requirements for a full ATPL and qualify to serve as captain on commercial air transport flights.
8. What is the purpose of a bachelor’s degree, and what can you write your thesis about?
A Norwegian bachelor’s degree requires 180 ECTS credits, normally corresponding to three years of study. This applies to all bachelor’s degree programmes in Norway.
A bachelor’s degree in aviation gives you a broader range of opportunities than pilot licences alone. The degree provides theoretical knowledge that is relevant both in the cockpit and in administrative roles within aviation. Norwegian airlines, including Norwegian, SAS and Widerøe, have helped shape the academic subjects included in the programme.
There is considerable freedom to choose a thesis topic within aviation. Some students have written about how cockpit ergonomics affect stress, while others have studied airport and runway design. There are plenty of possibilities!
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This website is run by Sideslip, the aviation students’ association. We therefore cannot answer enquiries intended for UiT or UTSA. Please contact the university or flight school directly about those matters.
