Why Study / Key Benefits

The Associate Degree of Engineering majoring in Mechanical is a two-year undergraduate engineering qualification that provides practical and foundational mechanical engineering knowledge and a pathway into Swinburne’s Bachelor of Engineering (Honours).

Key benefits include:

• Provides a university-level engineering qualification in two years of full-time study.
• Provides a pathway into the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours).
• Develops knowledge of engineering mechanics, manufacturing, CAD/CAM, Industry 4.0, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and energy.
• Combines engineering theory with practical workshops and industry-based projects.
• Includes four professionally focused, industry-linked projects.
• Includes a six-week engineering work experience placement.
• Provides access to Swinburne’s engineering laboratories and facilities.
• Students are taught by teachers working in industry.
• Develops problem-solving, analytical problem-solving, engineering principles and programming skills.
• Provides two Mechanical study options, allowing students to focus on computer-aided drafting and product visualisation or mechanical machine dynamics systems design.
• Provides a further-study pathway to the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours).
• The course is professionally accredited by Engineers Australia at the Associate Degree level.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

Students complete 200 credit points.

Core engineering subjects include:

• Technology in an Indigenous Context Project – COS10027
• Introduction to Programming – COS10028
• Engineering Mechanics – EAT10002
• Engineering Materials – EAT10003
• Energy and Motion – EAT10005
• Humanitarian Engineering Design Project – EAT10027
• Computer Aided Drafting and Design – EAT20001
• Project Management Practice and 3D Design Applications – EAT20005
• Professional Practice in Engineering – EAT20024, compulsory no-credit unit
• Engineering Capstone Project – EAT20035
• Applied Engineering Mathematics – MTH00005
• Calculus and Applications – MTH10015
• Linear Algebra and Applications – MTH10016

These units develop foundations in:

• Engineering mathematics
• Engineering mechanics
• Materials
• Energy and motion
• Programming
• Computer-aided drafting and design
• 3D design applications
• Project management
• Engineering design
• Professional engineering practice
• Engineering problem-solving

Mechanical major:

Students choose one of two options.

Option 1 – Computer Aided Drafting and Design:

Mandatory units:

• Materials Processing and Machining – MEE20005
• Design and Product Visualisation Project – MEE20007

Students then select two of:

• Thermodynamics – MEE20001
• Fluid Mechanics 1: Forces and Energy – MEE20003
• Structural Mechanics – MEE20004
• Engineering Dynamics – MEE20006

This option focuses on manufacturing, materials processing, CAD-related design, product visualisation and mechanical engineering fundamentals.

Option 2 – Mechanical Machine Dynamics Systems Design:

Mandatory units:

• Structural Mechanics – MEE20004
• Engineering Dynamics – MEE20006

Students then select two of:

• Thermodynamics – MEE20001
• Fluid Mechanics 1: Forces and Energy – MEE20003
• Materials Processing and Machining – MEE20005
• Design and Product Visualisation Project – MEE20007

Disciplines / Specialisations

The qualification is specifically offered with a Mechanical Engineering major.

The Mechanical major has two study options:

1. Computer Aided Drafting and Design

Key areas include:

• CAD/CAM
• Materials processing
• Machining
• Product visualisation
• Thermodynamics
• Fluid mechanics
• Structural mechanics
• Engineering dynamics
• Manufacturing

2. Mechanical Machine Dynamics Systems Design

Key areas include:

• Structural mechanics
• Engineering dynamics
• Machine dynamics
• Thermodynamics
• Fluid mechanics
• Materials processing
• Product visualisation
• Mechanical systems design

Programme Highlights

• Two-year Associate Degree.
• 200 credit points.
• Hawthorn campus.
• CRICOS code 108893E.
• Mechanical Engineering major.
• Two Mechanical study options.
• CAD/CAM and Industry 4.0-related learning.
• Manufacturing and materials-processing content.
• Thermodynamics and fluid mechanics.
• Structural mechanics and engineering dynamics.
• Programming included in the core curriculum.
• Engineering mathematics included.
• Computer-aided drafting and design included.
• Project management and 3D design applications.
• Engineering capstone project.
• Four professionally focused, industry-linked projects.
• Six-week engineering work experience placement.
• Access to Swinburne engineering laboratories and facilities.
• Pathway to the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours).
• Engineers Australia professional accreditation at Associate Degree level.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies the following career opportunities for graduates:

• Engineering officer
• Associate engineer
• Junior engineer

For the Mechanical major, graduates may seek entry-level or associate-level opportunities in areas such as:

• Mechanical engineering
• Manufacturing
• CAD/CAM
• Product development
• Mechanical design
• Materials processing
• Machining
• Mechanical systems
• Engineering project support
• Industrial engineering environments

Career opportunities depend on the selected Mechanical option, practical experience, additional technical skills and employer requirements.

Further education:

• Bachelor of Engineering (Honours).

The Associate Degree provides a pathway into the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), but students should confirm the applicable admission and credit arrangements for their intended Bachelor of Engineering specialisation before enrolment.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• Current course code: AB-ENG.
• Current CRICOS code: 108893E.
• Current 2027 intakes: 1 March 2027 and 2 August 2027.
• Current application deadlines: 24 February 2027 and 28 July 2027.
• Campus: Hawthorn.
• International Student visa holders studying in Australia must study full-time and on campus.
• The Mechanical major currently offers two options: Computer Aided Drafting and Design and Mechanical Machine Dynamics Systems Design.
• The course includes four professionally focused, industry-linked projects and a six-week engineering work experience placement.
• The qualification provides a pathway to the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours).
• Previous study and relevant experience may be considered for credit/RPL on a case-by-case basis.
• Course structures and unit availability may change, so students should confirm the current handbook and course planner before enrolment.
• The course is professionally accredited by Engineers Australia.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students intending to study the Associate Degree of Engineering (Mechanical) in Australia generally require an Australian Student visa (subclass 500).

Key requirements include:

• Enrolment in a full-time CRICOS-registered course.
• A valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an applicable exemption applies.
• Satisfaction of the Genuine Student requirement.
• Meeting applicable health requirements.
• Meeting applicable character requirements.
• Providing evidence of financial capacity where required.
• Meeting applicable Student visa English-language evidence requirements or an exemption.
• Meeting any applicable Australian Values Statement requirement.
• Students under 18 must have appropriate welfare arrangements.