Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Mechanical)
Craft the next generation of machines
Mechanical engineers work with ‘things that move’, from prosthetic limbs and robots to motor vehicles, aircrafts and space stations.
When it comes to new technologies, mechanical engineers are key. They design and develop materials, processes and products to improve our lives and the world.
What will you do?
Our Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical) has strong links to industry and a focus on design and creativity. You will:
- explore core mechanical engineering disciplines
- complete design-build projects
- gain hands-on experience in state-of-the-art facilities
- benefit from internships, placements and projects with experts in the field
- complete an eight-week practical experience.
In your final year you’ll apply your advanced capabilities in an industry-focused research project.
Majors are available in:
- Aerospace engineering
- Defence systems
- Mechanical engineering
- Mechatronics and robotics
- Medical technologies
- Renewable energy
- Smart technologies
- Sports engineering.
Minors are available in:
Where could it take you?
Our mechanical engineering graduates are in high demand. As an accredited engineer, you could develop life-saving technology, or innovate in the sustainable energy field. You might be an aerospace or sports engineer. Perhaps you’ll plan, build and test robots and robotic systems with artificial intelligence.
This program is accredited by Engineers Australia.
Entry Requirements
Please note: For programs including placements and/or study-related activities in settings where COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory, it is an inherent requirement that all students be fully vaccinated prior to undertaking the placement and/or study-related activity.
For our students who are studying offshore in 2022, the University will continue to offer high-quality access to the learning resources remotely for most programs. This includes all lectures, tutorials and other support material. Students will be advised in advance if there are course components that cannot be provided in remote mode and, wherever possible, offered alternative courses.
Please refer to the COVID-19 FAQ page for further information and a list of programs where in-person attendance is required.
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions
information for this program.
I am a:
Domestic applicants
| SATAC Code | 334831 |
|---|---|
| 2020 CSP ATAR | 81.45 |
| 2020 CSP IB | 30 |
| Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR | 80 |
| Guaranteed Entry Score - IB | 29 |
| Deferment | Yes - 2 year |
| Intake | February and July. Students commencing in July may have a slightly limited selection of courses. |
| Prerequisites | SACE Stage 2: Mathematical Methods (if studied from 2017 onwards. If studied year 12 prior to 2017, the equivalent subject was called Mathematical Studies), Specialist Mathematics and Physics. IB: Mathematics (HL grade 3, Physics (SL grade 4/ HL grade 3) Unsure if you will meet prerequisites or ATAR? Check out our Engineering Pathway. MathTrackX is an online bridging program available as a recognised alternative to Mathematical Methods. |
Selection Criteria
| Recent Secondary Education | Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling. You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You compete for a place with your Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors). Applicants who have not achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors) required for selection may be selected based on the grades in selected year 12 subjects. Applicants do not need to apply to be considered for subject-based entry, as this will automatically be done by SATAC on behalf of the University. For more information, please see: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/study/undergraduate/entry-pathways/recent-secondary-education/ Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
|---|---|
| Higher Education Study | You must have completed at least six months full time equivalent higher education study (the number of courses and units will vary depending on your prior institution however at the University of Adelaide, this equates to 4 courses / 12 units). A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
| Vocational Education and Training (VET) study | You must have completed an AQF Certificate IV or above from a Registered Training Organisation. Your application will be ranked according to the level of the award. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
| Work and life experience | To be eligible to sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as as pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2021. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2021 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2020 or 2019), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2019). If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
| Other Entry Pathways | |
How to Apply
2020 Admissions Data for school leavers
| ATAR (raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors) |
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer | 68.8 |
|---|---|---|
| Median ATAR to receive an offer | 89.85 | |
| Highest ATAR to receive an offer | 99.55 | |
| Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors) |
Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer | 81.45 |
| Median Selection Rank to receive an offer | 94.98 | |
| Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer | 99.95 | |
| Minimum eligibility score | 80 | |
| Additional criteria considered | Selection rank only | |
Student Profile
| Applicant background | Semester one/Full year intake 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of students | Percentage of all students | |
| (A) Higher Education study (includes a bridging or enabling course) |
32 | 22.1% |
| (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study | N/A | N/A |
| (C) Work and life experience (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories) |
<5 | N/A |
| (D) Recent secondary education: | ||
|
82 | 56.6% |
|
N/A | N/A |
|
N/A | N/A |
| International students | 30 | 20.7% |
| All students | 145 | 100.0% |
Fees and Scholarships
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.
I am a:
Domestic applicants
| Indicative annual tuition fees |
Commonwealth-supported place: $6,964
|
Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.
More information on Student Contribution Amounts.
Scholarships
These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.
Careers
Career Readiness
Mechanical engineers work in the fields of materials engineering, combustion, noise and vibration control, energy technology, control systems, robotics, quality management, bioengineering, aeronautics, space, fluid mechanics, water supply, mining, manufacturing, production planning, maintenance planning, consumer product design, pollution control, and failure analysis.
Our graduates have gone on to work with a range of organisations including the European Space Station, the Australian Institute of Sport, Boeing, BAE Systems, Santos, SAAB, and AGL.
The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.
Industry Placement
Professional Accreditation
Potential careers
Mechanical Engineer, Mechatronic Engineer, Production Engineer, Machinist, Manufacturing Engineer, Marine Engineer, Maritime Engineer, Medical Device Developer, Medical Technician, Biotechnologist, Biotechnology, Biotechnology Engineer, Nanotechnologist, Naval Ship Engineer, Noise Control Engineer, Power Generation Engineer, Process Engineer, Product Engineer, Quality Control Engineer, Railway Engineer, Energy Engineer, Energy Managers, ...
Degree Structure
The first two years of the program include mathematics, physics and an introduction to the basic principles of design, structural analysis, thermodynamics, materials, fluid mechanics, control and computer programming. This is complemented by laboratory and project work. In the third year, courses are extended to develop students' understanding in these fields. This is coupled with a design project, to prepare students for the final year. The fourth year of the degree allows for some technical specialisation. This is enabled through the completion of elective courses, in addition to project work and a management course.
A major is a great way to specialise and pursue topics of interest without narrowing future options. Majors are available in Aerospace Engineering, Defence Systems, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics and Robotics, Medical Technologies, Renewable Energy, Smart Technologies, and Sports Engineering. Minors are available in Entrepreneurship and Humanitarian engineering.
Students are required to complete eight weeks of approved practical experience.
Academic Program Rules
The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.
Areas of Specialisation
Majors
Majors are available in:
- Aerospace Engineering
Aerospace Engineers design and launch equipment to help explore our solar system and beyond, and their future prospects are equally vast. This major prepares graduates for opportunities in the field through courses in aeronautical engineering, space vehicle design and aerospace structures.
- Defence Systems
This major focuses on complex systems engineering and equips graduates for careers working with a range of advanced defence technologies.
- Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineers design and build mechanical systems and machines. This major focuses on the materials and numerical methods used to solve engineering challenges in the field, and includes topics in advanced manufacturing.
- Mechatronics and Robotics
Dreams of the future become today's innovations when engineers take ideas from science fiction and turn them into science fact. This major prepares students to take these quantum leaps, by studying the components that make up complex mechatronic and robotic systems.
- Medical Technologies
This major prepares students for cutting-edge design work in the rehabilitation and assistive medical devices feilds. Courses involve working with artificial joints, heart valves and bone fixation devices.
- Sports Engineering
This major prepares graduates to enter and excel inn the rapidly-growing international sports engineering field. It focuses on appying mechanical engineering skills to the design and manufacture of sports equipment and apparel, rehabilitation and exercise equipment, and sports facilities.
In addition to topics related to design and engineering science fundamentals, students undertake studies in physiology, anatomy, biomechanics and sports materials.
- Smart Technologies
The Smart Technologies major prepares students for engineering careers of the future. It covers technologies that will enable 'smart cities', including computer networks, algorithms, and wireless connectivity.
- Renewable Energy
This major focuses on the design of systems that generate and consume energy efficiently and sustainably including tidal, wind, and solar thermal generation.
Minors are available in the following:
- Entrepreneurship
Take the technical knowledge from the degree and create ventures in areas from large corporations, to small businesses, the not-for-profit sector, and community organisations through an Entrepreneurship minor. All technology advances in the past decade were once an idea that is now a reality through entrepreneurs. Students learn the processes, risks, rewards, motivations and societal impacts of innovation and entrepreneurship within regional, national and global perspectives.
- Humanitarian
Learn how to work in emergency and humanitarian fields while having a positive global impact on developing populations through the Humanitarian Engineering minor. Students conduct design work with a focus on culture, economic background, and political climate, while developing a strong awareness of communities and the people who reside in them. Graduates are equipped to solve problems in complex environments, allowing them to make real-world change.
Example Study Plan
| Core Courses Students must complete all of the following: |
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| Core Courses, choice of Students must choose one of the following: |
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| Research Projects Students must complete all of the following: |
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| Major AND/OR Minor Students must choose one major and/or minor from the following: |
Majors:
Minors: |
Study plans are available on the Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences website.
Assessment
Related Degrees
Testimonial
The mechanical and aerospace engineering degree provides a great understanding of base mechanical engineering and then dives into the aerospace field.
The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
Last updated: Friday, 13 Aug 2021
