Why Study / Key Benefits

The Associate Degree of Engineering majoring in Electrical is a two-year undergraduate engineering qualification designed to provide practical electrical engineering knowledge and a pathway into Swinburne’s Bachelor of Engineering (Honours).

Key benefits include:

• Develops technical knowledge in electrical engineering, power systems, electronics, control-related applications and embedded systems.
• Provides a pathway into the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours).
• Includes practical and industry-linked engineering projects.
• Includes a six-week engineering work experience placement.
• Provides access to Swinburne engineering laboratories and facilities.
• Students are taught by academics and teachers with industry experience.
• Develops problem-solving, analytical, programming and engineering skills.
• Provides two electrical study options: Renewable Energy Electrical Engineering and Electrical Microcontroller Systems Design.
• Graduates are eligible to apply for graduate membership of Engineers Australia, subject to Engineers Australia’s membership requirements.
• The qualification is professionally accredited by Engineers Australia at associate level.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

Students must 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 subjects develop foundations in:

• Engineering mathematics
• Mechanics
• Materials
• Energy and motion
• Programming
• Computer-aided design
• Project management
• Engineering design
• Professional engineering practice
• Engineering problem-solving

Electrical major:

Students complete 50 credit points through one of two options.

Option 1 – Renewable Energy Electrical Engineering:

Mandatory units:

• Engineering Technology Inquiry Project – ENG20009
• Engineering Technology Design Project – ENG20010

Students then select two of:

• Electrical Machines – EEE20005
• Circuits and Electronics 1 – EEE20006
• Power Protection – EEE20013
• Electrical Power Systems – EEE30002

This option provides exposure to electrical power, electrical machines, circuits, protection and renewable-energy-related engineering applications.

Option 2 – Electrical Microcontroller Systems Design:

Mandatory units:

• Engineering Technology Inquiry Project – ENG20009
• Internet and Cybersecurity for Engineering Applications – TNE20003

Students then select two of:

• Electrical Machines – EEE20005
• Circuits and Electronics 1 – EEE20006
• Power Protection – EEE20013
• Engineering Technology Design Project – ENG20010

Disciplines / Specialisations

The qualification is specifically offered with an Electrical Engineering major.

Within the Electrical major, students choose one of two options:

1. Renewable Energy Electrical Engineering

Key areas include:

• Renewable energy
• Electrical machines
• Electrical circuits and electronics
• Power protection
• Electrical power systems
• Engineering technology design

2. Electrical Microcontroller Systems Design

Key areas include:

• Electrical machines
• Circuits and electronics
• Power protection
• Microcontroller-related engineering applications
• Engineering technology design
• Internet and cybersecurity applications

Programme Highlights

• Two-year Associate Degree.
• 200 credit points.
• Hawthorn campus.
• CRICOS registered.
• Electrical engineering specialisation.
• Two Electrical study options.
• Renewable-energy-focused pathway available.
• Electrical power systems and protection content.
• Circuits and electronics content.
• Programming included in the core curriculum.
• Engineering mathematics included.
• Computer-aided design included.
• Engineering technology inquiry and design projects.
• Engineering capstone project.
• Four professionally focused, industry-linked projects.
• Six-week engineering work experience placement.
• Pathway to Bachelor of Engineering (Honours).
• Engineers Australia professional accreditation at associate level.
• Graduates can apply for graduate membership of Engineers Australia, subject to its requirements.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies the following career opportunities for graduates of the Associate Degree of Engineering:

• Engineering officer
• Associate engineer
• Junior engineer

For the Electrical major, graduates may seek entry-level or associate-level opportunities related to:

• Electrical engineering
• Electrical power systems
• Renewable energy
• Electrical machines
• Circuits and electronics
• Power protection
• Embedded and microcontroller systems
• Engineering technology
• Electrical project support

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• Current CRICOS code: 108893E.
• Current course code: AB-ENG.
• Current 2027 intakes: 1 March 2027 and 2 August 2027.
• Current application deadlines: 24 February 2027 and 28 July 2027 respectively.
• Campus: Hawthorn.
• International Student visa holders in Australia must study full-time and on campus.
• The Electrical major currently has two published options: Renewable Energy Electrical Engineering and Electrical Microcontroller Systems Design.
• The course includes a six-week engineering work experience placement and four professionally focused, industry-linked projects.
• The course is accredited by Engineers Australia at associate level.
• Graduates are eligible to apply for graduate membership of Engineers Australia.
• Previous qualifications and experience may be considered for credit/RPL on a case-by-case basis.
• Course structure and individual unit availability may change, so students should check the current course handbook when planning enrolment.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students intending to study the Associate Degree of Engineering 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.
• Meeting the Genuine Student requirement.
• Meeting health requirements.
• Meeting character requirements.
• Providing financial-capacity evidence where required.
• Meeting applicable Student visa English-language evidence requirements or qualifying for an exemption.
• Applicants aged 18 or over must sign the Australian Values Statement.
• Applicants under 18 must have appropriate welfare arrangements.

Genuine Student requirement:

Applicants are required to demonstrate that studying in Australia is the primary reason for the Student visa. The Department of Home Affairs asks applicants to answer questions about:

• Their current circumstances.
• Their reasons for choosing the course and provider.
• Their understanding of studying and living in Australia.
• The benefits of completing the course.
• Other relevant information.