Bachelor of Engineering (Automotive Engineering) (Honours)

In the final year of your studies you'll undertake a major project that is either industry-based or simulates an industrial situation.

Before graduating from this program, you are strongly encouraged to complete up to 12 weeks of engineering industry experience. This allows you to gain first-hand experience in an engineering practice environment under the supervision of a practising professional engineer. The nature and timing of this engineering experience can take a range of forms.

You may choose to undertake a six-month or one-year industry placement position, commencing in the middle or at the end of your third year in either Australia or overseas with associated academic credit. You'll gain valuable industrial experience that may lead to a full-time job upon completion of the program. This optional industry placement may lengthen the time needed to graduate by six or 12 months.

The School of Engineering has an Industry Advisory Committee which is an important link to industry.

Membership includes senior engineers from a number of major national companies and government and non-government organisations.

The Committee provides comments and advice on the contents of these programs.

RMIT encourages you to aspire to a global career, not just a local one, and as an engineering student you’ll have a range of global opportunities.

Globalisation is a strong trend in automotive engineering, with car companies linking up around the world, mergers and takeovers becoming common, and manufacturers producing vehicles for the world market. Engineers are increasingly expected to move around the world, and some manufacturers use Australia as the base for launching models into South-East Asia.

Reflecting this international theme, RMIT has strong links with universities and automotive companies worldwide.

As part of this program you can elect to take courses in European universities, and student exchanges and industrial placements have taken place with Germany, Switzerland, France, the UK and the USA.

What you will study

In the first two years of your automotive engineering degree, you will learn the fundamentals of engineering sciences, mathematics, engineering design, and engineering professional practice.

As you progress, you'll customise your program by focusing your studies in automotive engineering or other areas such as manufacturing, mechanical, business, mathematics or computing.

Years 1 and 2

In the first two years, you'll study basic mechanical and automotive engineering and science courses at the City campus. These are aimed at developing competence in essential analytical problem-solving skills and design capabilities.

All engineering students also study an Introduction to Engineering course, incorporating a humanitarian-focused Engineers Without Borders Challenge. You’ll have the opportunity to extend this aspect of your studies by completing an Engineers Without Borders elective, enabling you to experience humanitarian engineering first-hand later in your studies.

In these two years, you will be exposed to the fundamentals of engineering sciences, mathematics, engineering design, and engineering professional practice.

Years 3 and 4

In the final years of the program, specialist automotive courses are offered in our Bundoora East Campus. You will do in depth study of vehicle design, mechanical vibrations and vehicle handing and control and vehicle noise and vibration. You will also continue your in depth technical skill development in complementary mechanical engineering fields.

Your final-year (capstone) project will develop and reinforce the skills and knowledge you need - as defined by Engineers Australia - to commence your professional engineering career. You may have the opportunity to present your project at EnGenius, an end of year student showcase event. 

You’ll also have the opportunity to complete a work-integrated learning (industry experience) elective in Year 2, 3 or 4 of your program.

Project-based subjects in your final year provide a capstone experience in which you’ll conduct an independent research project. The nature of this project may be analytical, experimental, design, computational or any combination of these.

The Bachelor of Engineering (Automotive Engineering) (Honours) is fully accredited by Engineers Australia.

Engineers Australia is the professional body responsible for the accreditation of higher education programs that prepare students to practise as professional engineers.

Engineers Australia is a signatory to the Washington Accord. This means that the program is internationally recognised, and graduates are able to practise as professional engineers in many countries around the world.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Engineering (Automotive Engineering) (Honours) are eligible for graduate and/or professional membership of Engineers Australia. 

This information is for applicants who are currently undertaking an Australian Year 12 or equivalent or whose highest qualification is a completed secondary education within the last two years (2017, 2018).

Selection criteria

You are required to meet the following minimum academic requirements:

• successful completion of an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent) including units 3 and 4 with a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL and units 3 and 4 with a study score of at least 20 in one of Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics

You may be eligible for adjustment factors which will be applied to your selection rank. You can find more information under the heading 'Adjustment factors'.

ATAR profile

View the ATAR profile and selection rank from students offered a place into this program wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR in 2020.

This information is for applicants who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.

Selection criteria

You are required to meet the following minimum academic requirements:

• successful completion of an Australian certificate IV or above (or equivalent)
• demonstrated proficiency equivalent to Year 12 subject prerequisites of units 3 and 4 with a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL and units 3 and 4 with a study score of at least 20 in one of Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics

You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice. You can find more information under the heading 'Additional information'.

You may be eligible for adjustment factors which will be applied to your selection rank. You can find more information under the heading 'Adjustment factors'.

This information is for applicants whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education program.

Selection criteria

You are required to meet the following minimum academic requirements:

• successful completion of at least four courses (subjects) at an Australian undergraduate level (or equivalent)
• demonstrated proficiency equivalent to Year 12 subject prerequisites of units 3 and 4 with a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL and units 3 and 4 with a study score of at least 20 in one of Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics

You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice. You can find more information under the heading 'Additional information'.

You may be eligible for adjustment factors which will be applied to your selection rank. You can find more information under the heading 'Adjustment factors'.

This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.

Selection criteria

You are required to meet the following minimum academic requirements:

• successful completion of an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent) more than two years ago, including units 3 and 4 with a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL and units 3 and 4 with a study score of at least 25 in one of Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics

You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice. You can find more information under the heading 'Additional information'.

Work and life experience does not provide any additional consideration for entry to this program.

You may be eligible for adjustment factors which will be applied to your selection rank. You can find more information under the heading 'Adjustment factors'.

Available only to applicants currently studying Year 12

School Network Access Program (SNAP)

The SNAP access scheme is designed to increase tertiary access and participation of eligible applicants by giving them priority access to RMIT diploma and degree programs to applicants currently studying Year 12 at a SNAP partner school.

Available only to applicants currently studying Year 12 or whose highest qualification is a completed Year 12 

Subject adjustments

A study score of 25 in Maths: Specialist Mathematics equals 1 aggregate point. A study score of 25 in one but no more than one of Chemistry or Physics equals 1 aggregate point per study. A study score of 25 in Systems Engineering equals 1 aggregate point.

Regional adjustments

RMIT automatically allocates adjustment factors to Year 12 applicants from a low socio-economic status area for all certificate IV, diploma, advanced diploma, associate degree and degree level programs that select primarily on ATAR. Low socio-economic status areas are determined by applying the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) Index of Education and Occupation.

Available to all applicants

Equity access schemes

Equity access schemes take into account personal information and location, difficult circumstances, disadvantaged financial background and disability or medical condition that may have impacted on an applicant’s most recent academic performance. 

This program has been recognised as being under-represented by female applicants. Additional adjustment factors may apply to those applying to category 1 of the Special Entry Access Scheme or RMIT access application.

Find out more about the eligibility requirements for each Special Entry Access Scheme and RMIT access categories.

If you are applying through VTAC you should apply for the Special Entry Access Scheme.

If you are applying directly to RMIT you should apply for RMIT Access. The system will prompt you to do this during your application.

Elite Athlete Program

The RMIT Elite Athlete Program supports eligible elite and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence, allowing students to balance the demands of both their studies and their athletic responsibilities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

The Indigenous Access Program supports your application to RMIT through an informal interview process where you will receive help from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Additional consideration will be given if you have relevant life, work, education or training experience.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with vocational education training, higher education study or work or life experience, you may sit the STAT multiple choice if you:

• are 19 years of age or over as of 1 January in the year in which you will start your studies and
• have not been enrolled in secondary studies for at least two years and
  
• have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or these do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the program

The STAT overall score will be competitively ranked for selection.

STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of study and can be used to meet Year 12 English and Year 11 Mathematics prerequisites. You must meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.

Learn more about RMIT STAT results including minimum STAT scores required to meet prerequisites.

Personal statement

If you have been excluded from a program due to academic progress you are encouraged to submit a personal statement outlining the strategies you will adopt to ensure academic success.

If you are applying to RMIT through VTAC you can complete and submit the VTAC personal statement via your online VTAC account.

If you are applying direct to RMIT you can upload your completed personal statement via your online direct application.

By understanding the types of activities you’ll participate in, you can:

• understand more about the program
• determine if you may need support during your studies
• make an informed decision about whether the program is suitable for you

If you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we can support you by making adjustments to activities in your program so that you can participate fully in your studies.

To receive learning adjustments, you need to register with Equitable Learning Service

The University considers the wellbeing and safety of all students, staff and the community to be a priority in academic and professional experience placement settings.