Associate Degree in Engineering Technology
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Entry score
ATAR 51.35
-
Duration
Full-time 2 years -
Location
Melbourne city -
Fees
Next intake
February, July Entry score
IELTS 6.0
Duration
Full-time 2 years Location
Melbourne city Fees
AU$30,720 (2019 annual)
Next intake
February, July
Overview
Launch your career in engineering at RMIT
Graduates may work in a range of fields including aerospace, civil and structures, computer and networks, electronics design, electrical systems and automation, mechatronics, mechanical design and product development.
What you will study
Be introduced to the fundamentals of engineering before choosing an area of specialisation.
Details
Accredited by Engineers Australia, tthis course provides a very flexible pathway to an engineering degree.
With a common first year you choose your major at second year from one of seven engineering disciplines. Upon graduating from this program you may be eligible for entry into the relevant bachelor degree program or you can work in a relevant field.
You'll choose subjects relevant to your engineering major and undertake a real-world project to design, develop, and present a product.
This associate degree has seven majors:
- Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics
- Aerospace Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer and Network Engineering
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Sustainable Systems Engineering
In the first year, you'll learn fundamental principles of engineering that apply across the different major areas. At the end of the first year you’ll select the major you'll specialise in.
If you have maintained a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher, you'll be eligible for guaranteed entry into a degree program relevant to your major, with credit for 192 credit points.
This course is accredited by Engineers Australia. It is also supported by an Industry Advisory Committee (IAC) composed of staff from local engineering organisations. The IAC provides regular feedback on the program and the changing needs of industry.
As an RMIT engineering student you'll have loads of opportunities to network with engineers and industry from the get-go.
Read more about engineering industry connections
The degree has an active learning approach. A key emphasis of the program is its linkages to current industry needs.
Teachers
The program is taught by professionals with current research and industry experience.
Format
Learning and teaching approaches include lectures, seminars, workshops, presentations, and group discussion work.
Inside the course experience
The Associate Degree in Engineering Technology provides the essential knowledge and skills to start your career.
Year 1
You’ll be introduced to fundamental engineering skills including:
- drafting
- use of hand and power tools
- machine processes and manufacturing
You’ll also cover materials engineering, which includes:
- metals
- composites
- plastics and adhesives
You’ll learn the processes used to construct objects from these materials and the external factors that can change the effectiveness of these materials. You’ll also develop skills in computer-aided drafting (CAD) using specialised software.
At the end of this year, you’ll choose your engineering major.
Year 2
You’ll choose subjects relevant to your engineering major. All majors emphasise professional and personal development, allowing you to build skills in:
- communication
- decision making
- team leading
You’ll undertake an engineering project to design, develop, and present a product. The engineering project is carried out in conjunction with industry or simulates a real engineering environment.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree in Engineering Technology | City Campus |
2 years Full time
|
2 years Full time
|
AD026 | 079303K |
Choose a program structure
Program code: AD026
Career
This degree is aimed at students starting out in a career in engineering. It allows you to specialise in one of seven major engineering disciplines.
Aerospace graduates may work in the aerospace industry as an aircraft maintenance engineer or aerospace design engineer at paraprofessional level.
A civil major will allow you to work in civil and structural fields that include laboratory technicians, research assistants, construction supervisors, or CAD draftspeople.
A major in computer and network engineering will allow you to pursue a career in networking, internetworking, IP telephony, network design, or network support.
With a major in electrical and electronics, you can work in electronic design, service engineering, or microprocessor programming.
Students who major in mechanical or advanced manufacturing and mechatronics can work in roles including product design and process, production planner, or automation specialist.
Sustainable systems major graduates will focus on the development of a sustainable system approach.
The following majors are fully accredited by Engineers Australia:
- Civil Engineering
- Computer and Network Engineering
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
The following major is provisionally accredited by Engineers Australia:
Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics
The Sustainable Systems Engineering major is not yet accredited by Engineers Australia.
Graduates are eligible for graduate membership of Engineers Australia as an Engineering Associate.
Australia is one of eight countries that are signatories to the International Engineering Alliance, also known as the Dublin Accord, for engineering technicians. Graduates with this qualification are recognised in all countries that are signatories to the Accord.
Admissions
*ATAR refers to the lowest selection rank to which an offer was made (including consideration of any adjustments).
RMIT is committed to providing transparency to the admissions process. In line with this commitment, we provide you with information that will help in making informed choices about your undergraduate study options.
RMIT admits students from a range of educational pathways, including Year 12 results, previous higher education or vocational education study, work experience, and for some programs - interviews, auditions or portfolios.
To get a better understanding of admissions at RMIT, view our ATAR information.
The highest level of education you have previously completed will determine which category applies to you.
Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement, e.g., ATAR or GPA (including any adjustments).
Applicants with recent secondary education (current or within the past two years)
Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 senior secondary certificate of education or equivalent in 2016, 2017 or 2018. If applicable, this includes equity access schemes and any other adjustment factors.
School Network Access Program (SNAP)
The SNAP access scheme is designed to increase tertiary access and participation of eligible students from SNAP partner schools.
Applicants with Vocational Education and Training study
Satisfactory completion of an Australian Certificate IV or above or equivalent.
Applicants with Higher Education study
Satisfactory completion of at least four courses (subjects) at an Australian undergraduate level or overseas equivalent.
Applicants with Work and Life Experience
Satisfactory completion of an Australian Year 12 senior secondary certificate of education or equivalent more then two years ago.
You must sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) Multiple Choice if:
- You have no prior Year 12, VET qualifications, HE results or relevant work experience that meet the minimum entry requirements for the program; and
- You are 19 years of age or over (as of 1 Jan 2019) and have not enrolled in secondary studies for at least two years.
The STAT Multiple Choice will satisfy Year 12 English and Year 11 Mathematics prerequisites. Applicants must meet all other prerequisites or equivalents. Learn more about RMIT STAT results.
Form: Non-Year 12 applicants may submit additional information if they would like it to be considered.
- For semester 1 intake, this can be completed through the VTAC Personal Statement online.
- For semester 2 intake, this can be completed through the personal statement in the Apply Direct application.
Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) /RMIT Access
This is a gender underrepresented program and awards bonus points to female applicants. To be eligible you must submit a SEAS/RMIT Access application and complete category 1.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
The Indigenous Access Program will support your application into RMIT programs through an informal interview process with support from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Your relevant life, work, educational and training experience as preparation for study, in addition to any formal qualifications, are all considered.
Elite Athlete Program
The RMIT Elite Athlete Program (REAP) supports elite athlete and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence.
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 or an equivalent senior secondary school qualification with a minimum average of 50% (see calculator below).
Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program or a recognised post secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.
Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.0 (with no individual band below 5.5)
- TOEFL (Paper Based Test): minimum score of 550 (TWE 4.0)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 19 in all sections)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 50 (with no communication band less than 42)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 169 with no less than 162 in any component
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
Graduates who achieve a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 out of 4.0 are guaranteed entry with two years of credit (equivalent to 192 credit points) into the following RMIT programs relevant to their study major:
- Bachelor of Engineering (Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics) (Honours)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace Engineering) (Honours)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Automotive Engineering) (Honours)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Civil and Infrastructure) (Honours)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Computer and Network Engineering) (Honours)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) (Honours)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical Engineering) (Honours)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) (Honours)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Sustainable Systems Engineering) (Honours)
When you successfully complete the Associate Degree in Engineering Technology and achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0, you are guaranteed entry into the following programs.
You may receive four semesters of advanced standing (equivalent to 192 credit points) and the major you complete determines the program you can enter:
Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics major
Aerospace major
Civil major
Computer and Network major
Electrical and Electronics major
- Bachelor of Engineering (Computer and Network Engineering) (Honours)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical Engineering) (Honours)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) (Honours)
Mechanical major
- Bachelor of Engineering (Automotive Engineering) (Honours)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) (Honours)
Sustainable Systems major
You will receive three semesters of advanced standing (equivalent to 180 credit points) in the Bachelor of Engineering (Telecommunications) (Honours) (BH071) when you complete the Electrical and Electronics major.
Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry into other RMIT undergraduate programs.
Fees
Entry for this program is through Commonwealth supported places (CSP).
2019 indicative fees
Commonwealth supported places (CSP) range from AU$6,566 to AU$10,958*.
* Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
Additional expenses
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$303 maximum fee for 2019.
Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
Learn more about fees for undergraduate study.
Defer your payment
You may be eligible to apply for a HECS-HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of up to the full amount of your student contribution fees. You may also be eligible to apply to defer payment of your SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme.
All undergraduate and honours degrees have Commonwealth supported places (CSP) available. In 2019, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$6,566 to AU$10,958.
In a CSP, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set each year by the Australian Government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of the courses in which you enrol, not the overall program.
How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?
Courses (subjects) fall into one of three bands. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.
Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.
You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Maximum student contribution amount for Commonwealth supported places in 2019
Student contribution band by course (subject) |
Maximum annual student contribution amount in 2019 |
Band 1: humanities, behavioural science, social studies, clinical psychology, foreign languages, visual and performing arts, education, nursing |
$6,566 per standard year |
Band 2: mathematics, statistics, computing, built environment, other health, allied health, science, engineering, surveying, agriculture |
$9,359 per standard year |
|
$10,958 per standard year
|
HECS-HELP
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the HECS-HELP loan scheme, which allows eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) to defer payment of up to 100% of their student contribution.
How does a HELP loan work?
If your HECS-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You will only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying).
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2019 is $303.
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA‑HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The annual tuition fee for 2019 is AU$30,720.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2019 commencement is AU$61,440.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.