Degree Transfer Extended Engineering is designed for international students who do not quite meet the academic and/or English-language requirements for the standard Degree Transfer Engineering programme. It adds an extra bridging semester before the two-semester Degree Transfer Engineering programme.

Key benefits include:

• Provides additional preparation in English, mathematics, computing and physics before university-level engineering study.
• Offers a pathway into 11 University of Newcastle engineering bachelor's degrees.
• The Degree Transfer component follows the same Year 1 curriculum as the corresponding bachelor's degree pathway.
• Students can choose directed engineering subjects according to their intended engineering discipline.
• The pathway is delivered at the University of Newcastle's Newcastle Callaghan Campus.
• The University of Newcastle describes Engineering as having a strong industry focus, with career opportunities across areas such as automation, robotics, systems management, telecommunications and environmental management.
• CIE currently highlights the University of Newcastle's engineering strengths, including a world ranking of 41 for Automation and Control Engineering in ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2024 and a top-200 position globally for Civil and Structural Engineering in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025. These are University subject rankings, not rankings of the CIE pathway itself.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme contains 15 courses in total.

Semester 1: five bridging courses

These are non-credit bearing:

1. Academic English
2. Core Mathematics
3. Engineering Mathematics
4. Computing
5. Physics.

The purpose of these courses is to strengthen the academic foundation required for the subsequent engineering curriculum.

Semesters 2 and 3: six core courses

1. ENGG1003 Introduction to Procedural Programming
2. ENGG1500 Introduction to Professional Engineering
3. MATH1110 Maths for Engineering, Science and Tech 1
4. MATH1120 Maths for Engineering, Science and Tech 2
5. Academic English A
6. Academic English B.

Students also complete four directed courses from the following list:

• CIVL1100 Fundamentals of Engineering Mechanics
• CIVL1200 Earth Systems
• ELEC1310 Introduction to Electrical Engineering
• ENGG2500 Sustainable Engineering Practice
• HUBS1105 Musculoskeletal Anatomy
• HUBS1109 Anatomy for Biomedical Science
• HUBS1420 Professional & Communication Skills in Biomedicine
• MECH1110 Mechanical Drawing/CAD and Workshop Practice
• MECH1750 Engineering Materials 1
• PHYS1205 Fundamentals of Engineering Physics
• PHYS1210 Advanced Physics 1
• SENG1110 Object Oriented Programming
• SURV1200 Introduction to Surveying.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The Extended Engineering pathway itself does not list separate named specialisations at CIE. Instead, it provides a common engineering pathway with directed courses that can support different engineering destinations.

CIE currently lists 11 progression options:

1. Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Honours), CRICOS 111298J
2. Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours), CRICOS 111301H
3. Bachelor of Computer Systems Engineering (Honours), CRICOS 111305D
4. Bachelor of Electrical & Electronic Engineering (Honours), CRICOS 111310G
5. Bachelor of Environmental Engineering (Honours), CRICOS 111338F
6. Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours), CRICOS 111339E
7. Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering (Honours), CRICOS 111375A
8. Bachelor of Medical Engineering (Honours), CRICOS 111378J
9. Bachelor of Renewable Energy Engineering (Honours), CRICOS 111379H
10. Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours), CRICOS 111380D
11. Bachelor of Surveying Engineering (Honours), CRICOS 111381C.

These progression options cover areas including:

• Chemical engineering
• Civil and structural engineering
• Computer systems engineering
• Electrical and electronic engineering
• Environmental engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Mechatronics
• Medical/biomedical engineering
• Renewable energy engineering
• Software engineering
• Surveying engineering.

Programme Highlights

• Programme: Degree Transfer Extended Engineering
• Level: Undergraduate pathway
• Duration: 3 semesters / 16 months
• Intakes: April and September
• 2026 actual intake starts: 30 March 2026 and 14 September 2026
• Location: Newcastle Callaghan Campus
• CRICOS code: 104609B
• Total courses: 15
• Bridging courses: 5 non-credit-bearing courses
• Degree Transfer courses: 10
• Progression options: 11 engineering bachelor's degrees
• 2026 programme fee: AUD 46,800. 

Career Outcomes

The CIE pathway is primarily an academic pathway and is not itself a final professional engineering qualification.

The intended outcome is progression to Year 2 of one of the eligible University of Newcastle engineering bachelor's degrees.

Depending on the subsequent engineering degree, graduates may pursue careers in areas such as:

• Civil and infrastructure engineering
• Chemical and process engineering
• Computer systems engineering
• Electrical and electronic engineering
• Environmental engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Mechatronics and automation
• Medical engineering
• Renewable energy engineering
• Software engineering
• Surveying
• Robotics and systems management
• Telecommunications
• Environmental management.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current CIE programme page identifies Degree Transfer Extended Engineering as an active pathway with CRICOS code 104609B and a current programme fee of AUD 46,800 for 2026.

Important points for applicants:

• The first five bridging subjects are non-credit bearing.
• The bridging stage is followed by the 12-month Degree Transfer Engineering component.
• Students need to successfully complete the pathway before progressing to the University degree.
• The directed course selection should be aligned with the student's intended engineering discipline.
• Some University engineering courses can have mathematics prerequisites or placement requirements. The University handbook notes that some mathematics enrolments can involve a maths placement test, depending on the degree/course.
• The University bachelor's degrees generally require IELTS 6.0 overall with 6.0 in each section, which is higher than the CIE Extended pathway's admission requirement of IELTS 5.5 overall with all bands at least 5.0.
• Students should therefore distinguish between CIE entry requirements and the English requirements applicable to the subsequent University degree.
• Future changes to degree structures, prerequisites, accreditation or progression conditions should be checked before the student begins the pathway.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students normally require an Australian Student visa, subclass 500, for this full-time pathway, subject to their individual circumstances.

The Department of Home Affairs states that Student visa holders can:

• Study an eligible course in Australia.
• Travel in and out of Australia.
• Work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session.

Key requirements include:

• Enrolment in an eligible Australian course.
• A valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) when the visa is decided.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless exempt.
• Meeting the Genuine Student requirement.
• Meeting health requirements.
• Meeting character requirements.
• Meeting financial-capacity requirements where the Department's document checklist requires evidence.
• Appropriate welfare arrangements if the student is under 18.
• A valid passport.