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:

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.


Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
This degree gives you the opportunity to be part of our new The Academy by Deloitte You’ll be part of a supportive student cohort that learns from one another and industry leaders. Formal and informal experiences will allow you to build relationships within the Deloitte network.


  • Take part in design-build challenges throughout your studies
  • Graduates qualify for professional membership with Engineers Australia
  • Showcase your work and network with future employers at Ingenuity

Entry Requirements

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Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.

Domestic applicants

Admissions information

SATAC Code 334831
2023 CSP ATAR 80.2
2023 CSP IB 29.75
Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR 80
Guaranteed Entry Score - IB 29.5
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 , Specialist Mathematics and Physics. IB: Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (HL) and Physics (SL grade 4/ HL grade 3) MathTrackX is an online bridging program available as a recognised alternative to Mathematical Methods. Unsure if you will meet prerequisites or ATAR? Check out our Engineering Pathway.
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. 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 2024. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2024 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2023 or 2022), 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 2022). 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

2023 Admissions Data for school leavers
ATAR
(raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors)		 Lowest ATAR to receive an offer 75.25
Median ATAR to receive an offer 87.8
Highest ATAR to receive an offer 99.95
Selection Rank
(ATAR plus any adjustment factors)		 Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer 80.6
Median Selection Rank to receive an offer 94.28
Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer 99.95
Minimum eligibility score 80
Additional criteria considered Selection rank only
  • Admissions Transparency Data
    Student Profile
    Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2023
    Number of students Percentage of all students
    (A) Higher Education study
    (includes a bridging or enabling course)    		 43 35.2%
    (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)    		 N/A N/A
    (D) Recent secondary education:
    • Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
      (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors)
    		 63 51.6%
    • Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
      (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
    		 N/A N/A
    • Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
      (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
    		 <5 N/A
    International students 14 11.5%
    All students 122 100.0%

Ready to Apply?

Find out more about the application process and start your studies at the University of Adelaide.

Be sure to check the critical dates to avoid missing application deadlines.

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Fees and Scholarships

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Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Commonwealth-supported place: $8,415

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.

Find a Scholarship.

Careers

Career Readiness

Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
Students who as part of their studies take part in The Academy by Deloitte experience will have the benefit of undertaking a paid internship with Deloitte. This internship is designed to shape their business readiness through significant real-world client exposure, access to multiple networking opportunities and relevant professional training.


Our graduates are leaders with sought-after skills and attributes. Industry demand for our graduates is high, and will continue to grow.

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

Students are required to complete eight weeks of approved practical experience.

Professional Accreditation

Graduates qualify for professional membership of Engineers Australia.

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Mechanical Engineer;  Mechatronic Engineer;  Production Engineer;  Machinist;  Manufacturing Engineer;  Marine Engineer;  Maritime Engineer;  Medical Device Developer;  Medical Technician;  Biotechnologist ...

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.

Program Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes for this program were informed by the University of Adelaide Graduate Attributes, Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies and the characteristics of the Adelaide Engineering graduate.

Graduates of a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical) will be able to:

  1. Contribute to the design of creative, sustainable, economic and safe solutions, which satisfy the objectives of clients and stakeholders.
  2. Demonstrate a broad, theory-based understanding of the mathematical, natural and physical sciences underpinning engineering practice, and evaluate the differences between theoretical and applied system behaviour.
  3. Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of the computer and information sciences that underpin engineering practice.
  4. Demonstrate a substantial and contemporary body-of-knowledge of engineering methods, tools and processes for a specific discipline, complemented by relevant knowledge from related disciplines.
  5. Professionally and ethically conduct themselves and their work, respecting the communities and cultural norms within which that work is carried out.
  6. Communicate objectively and effectively, in written and oral forms, to lay and expert audiences.
  7. Apply critical and independent thinking to make sound judgements, based on evidence, theory and logical reasoning.
  8. Maintain and develop knowledge of advancements in engineering practice and research in the specific discipline, and apply this knowledge innovatively when devising solutions
  9. Be an effective, emotionally and culturally intelligent team member, with leadership potential.
  10. Apply a systems approach to managing and developing solutions to complex problems.

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. 
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • 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. 
  • 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
Minors are available in the following:

  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning 
  • Defence Systems
    This major focuses on complex systems engineering and equips graduates for careers working with a range of advanced defence technologies. 
  • 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 Engineering
    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

To satisfy the requirements for Core Courses students must complete courses to the value of 57 units.

All courses are 3 units unless stated otherwise.

Core Courses
Students must complete all of the following:

CHEM ENG 1009 Materials I

CIVILENG 1004 Engineering Mechanics -Statics

ELEC ENG 1101 Electronic Systems

ENG 1001 Introduction to Engineering

ENG 1002 Programming (Matlab and C)

MATHS 1011 Mathematics IA

MATHS 1012 Mathematics IB

MECH ENG 1007 Engineering Mechanics - Dynamics

MATHS 2106 Differential Equations for Engineers II

MATHS 2107 Statistics & Numerical Methods II

MECH ENG 2019 Dynamics & Control I

MECH ENG 2021 Thermo-Fluids I

MECH ENG 2100 Design Practice

MECH ENG 2101 Mechatronics IM

ENG 3004 Systems Engineering and Industry Practice

ENG 3005 Research Methods and Project Management

MECH ENG 3102 Heat Transfer & Thermodynamics

MECH ENG 3111 Acoustics and Vibrations

ENG 4002A Honours Engineering Research Project - Part A (0 unit)

ENG 4002B Honours Engineering Research Project - Part B (6 units)
Core Course, choice of
Students must complete one of the following:

CIVILENG 2001 Strength of Materials or

MECH ENG 2002 Stress Analysis & Design
Engineering Internship

A total of 8 weeks of approved engineering work placement is required. Students will need to enrol into the ENG 3100 Engineering Internship UG (0 units) course to complete this requirement.

Assessment

Assessment can vary from course to course and can include a combination of class work, tutorials, assignments, laboratory work, quizzes, project work and exams.

Related Degrees

Testimonial

Working onsite you get to see what you have planned and designed in the office and how it works in the field.
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Ethan Ellis

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Petroleum)

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

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Last updated: Thursday, 8 Feb 2024