Why Study/Key Benefits

• The programme combines three major engineering disciplines: mechanical engineering, electronics and software, giving students an interdisciplinary foundation for robotics and mechatronics.
• Students develop knowledge in computer-aided engineering, control systems, electronics, machine dynamics and design, mechatronics systems design and development, programming, project work and structural mechanics.
• The Professional degree includes a 12-month paid professional work placement opportunity and industry-based projects beginning from Year 1.
• Work Integrated Learning is guaranteed for Swinburne bachelor-degree students, subject to the course requirements.
• Students gain credit for their professional placement, providing an opportunity to combine academic study with practical engineering experience.
• The course is professionally accredited by Engineers Australia, and graduates are eligible to apply for graduate membership of Engineers Australia.
• Swinburne highlights advanced engineering laboratories and facilities supporting practical engineering learning and experimentation

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The published 2026 indicative sequence is as follows. Swinburne notes that unit offerings and sequencing may change and that students should use the applicable study plan/course planner.

Year 1 – 100 credit points

Semester 1:

• Humanitarian Engineering Design Project – ENG10001
• Engineering Materials – ENG10002
• Preliminary Mathematics – MTH00007
• Energy and Motion – PHY10001

Semester 2:

• Introduction to Programming – COS10009
• Technology in an Indigenous Context Project – COS10025
• Engineering Mechanics – ENG10003
• Linear Algebra and Applications – MTH10013

Year 2 – 100 credit points

Semester 1:

• Calculus and Applications – MTH10012
• Circuits and Electronics 1 – EEE20006
• Engineering Technology Inquiry Project – ENG20009
• Design and Product Visualisation Project – MEE20007

Semester 2:

• Engineering Technology Design Project – ENG20010
• Structural Mechanics – MEE20004
• Engineering Dynamics – MEE20006
• Internet and Cybersecurity for Engineering Applications – TNE20003

Professional work placement – 100 credit points

• Work Experience in Industry A – WEI20001
• Integrated Professional Placement A – Engineering – ENG20003
• Work Experience in Industry B – WEI20002
• Integrated Professional Placement B – Engineering – ENG20004

The placement represents a 12-month professional placement component.

Year 4 – 100 credit points

Semester 1:

• Professional Experience in Engineering – EAT20008
• Object Oriented Programming – COS20007
• Engineering Technology Sustainability Project – ENG30002
• Mathematical Methods and Statistics for Engineering – MTH20017
• Control and Automation – RME30002

Semester 2:

• Machine Vision – EEE40017
• Engineering Technology Innovation Project – ENG40011
• Robotic Control – RME30003
• Mechatronics Systems Design – RME40002

Year 5 – 75 credit points

Semester 1:

• Deploying Secure Engineering Applications Online – TNE30024
• Elective

Semester 2:

• Robot Systems Design – RME40003
• Elective

Disciplines/Specialisations

The selected major is:

• Robotics and Mechatronics

The wider Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Professional) offers the following engineering majors:

• Architectural
• Biomedical
• Civil
• Electrical and Electronic
• Mechanical
• Product Design
• Robotics and Mechatronics
• Software

Programme Highlights

• 5-year Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Professional)
• 475 credit points
• Hawthorn campus
• Robotics and Mechatronics major
• 12-month paid professional work-placement opportunity
• 1,672–1,976 mandatory placement hours
• Industry-linked projects from Year 1
• Practical exposure to robotics, automation, electronics, programming and mechanical engineering
• Machine vision and robotic control components
• Mechatronics systems design
• Robot systems design
• Engineers Australia professional accreditation
• Eligibility to apply for graduate membership of Engineers Australia
• CRICOS 107338G
• 2027 Semester 1 and Semester 2 intakes available. 

Career Outcomes

Swinburne specifically lists the following career opportunities for the Robotics and Mechatronics major:

• Robotics and mechatronics engineer
• Control systems engineer
• Factory automation adviser
• Robotics developer

The broader course handbook states that graduates may work across engineering fields depending on their major and specialisation.

The curriculum can support work involving:

• Robotics and automation
• Robotic control systems
• Mechatronics system development
• Industrial/factory automation
• Machine vision
• Mechanical and electronic systems
• Engineering software and programming
• Product and machine design
• Engineering project work

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The latest published 2027 start dates are 1 March 2027 and 2 August 2027.
• The published 2026 study sequence is indicative only and may change.
• The course has a compulsory professional placement requirement of 1,672–1,976 hours.
• Students must successfully secure the professional placement. Swinburne's special academic-progress rules state that failure to secure a placement two months before the relevant final-year/final-semester point can result in an at-risk or unsatisfactory-progress classification.
• Failing a placement/work-experience unit or having a professional placement terminated early by an industry partner can also trigger the course's special academic-progress provisions.
• Students undertaking laboratory and workshop activities need to meet the course's stated professional, safety, communication and practical participation requirements. Reasonable adjustments may be available for adaptable components.
• Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning are assessed case-by-case.
• International students in Australia on a Student visa must study full-time and on campus. 

International Student Visa Requirements

The relevant visa is the Australian Student visa, subclass 500.

For this CRICOS-registered full-time degree, international students normally need to:

• Obtain a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Enrol in a full-time CRICOS-registered course.
• Maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies.
• Meet the Genuine Student requirement.
• Meet applicable English-language requirements or an exemption.
• Meet health and character requirements.
• Hold a valid passport.
• Provide financial-capacity evidence if required by the Department's document checklist or during processing.
• Provide any other documents requested by the Department of Home Affairs.