Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) (Honours)
Student type:
Quick facts
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Entry score
ATAR 80.30
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Duration
Full-time 4 years, Part-time 8 years -
Location
Melbourne city, Bundoora -
Fees
Next intake
February, July Entry score
IELTS 6.5
Duration
Full-time 4 years Location
Melbourne city, Bundoora Fees
AU$36,480 (2019 annual)
Next intake
February, July
Overview
Your career as a mechanical engineer
As a mechanical engineer your creativity and technical skills will be in high demand across many industries managing and maintaining existing technologies and developing new ones.
Friends recommended RMIT as being the best place to offer the subjects that I was interested in but I’ve gotten a lot more out of it than just that. There is a lot of hard work involved but there are a lot of rewards, not only at the academic level, but at the level of personal development. Excellent teachers add to the learning experience.
- Karim Eldib, Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) (Honours)
An education linked to industry needs
RMIT is renowned for its focus on industry-based, practical learning. This approach is exemplified in our engineering programs. Strong relationships with local and international industry leaders ensure that our programs and teaching facilities are relevant to contemporary and future workplaces.
These industry links also enable us to provide students with experiences that make them highly sought after by employers including work placements, industry projects, mentoring and opportunities to work with partner organisations overseas.
Details
Mechanical engineering involves the planning, design and development of machinery, solving problems and improving the machines used in everyday life.
In the first two years of your mechanical 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 the general field of mechanical engineering or other areas such as manufacturing, automotive, business, mathematics or computing.
You’ll have the opportunity to design creative solutions through inspiring and sustainable design-and-build projects, as well as taking part in the Engineers Without Borders Challenge – a humanitarian-focused course offered in all RMIT engineering degrees.
Your final-year project will combine and develop the skills and knowledge defined by Engineers Australia - the experience you need to commence your professional engineering career.
Program specialisations:
- Computer-aided engineering and design
- Industrial aerodynamics and computational fluid dynamics
- Energy conservation and renewable energy
- Mechatronics, dynamics and control
How you will learn
You'll apply detailed design and analysis to industry-based problems using specialised facilities and equipment from wind tunnels to machine shops, and fabrication and testing facilities.
You will also take your studies beyong the classroom with the opportunity to undertake a minimum of 12 weeks' industry work placement and projects that replicate real-world problems.
In the final year of your studies you'll undertake a major project that is either industry-based or simulates an industrial situation. Combining and further developing the key theoretical and practical knowledge necessary for your field - as defined by Engineers Australia - you’ll work with industry leaders to solve a project challenge.
Before graduating from this program, you are strongly encouraged to complete a minimum 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.
Opportunities exist for an overseas work placement of between six and 12 months (this satisfies the work experience requirement). These placements are normally taken during a one-year break in the middle or at the end of the third year of the degree.
At RMIT there is a range of global opportunities for engineering students.
Overseas work placements with industry partners are available.
Additionally, there is the option to link with a multinational organisation for final year projects.
The RMIT International Industry Experience and Research Program (RIIERP) enables almost 200 RMIT students a year to carry out vocational training and research projects at world-class businesses and institutions in Europe, Asia and the USA.
There are also opportunities for global work, exchange and study experiences.
Years 1 and 2
In the first two years, you'll study basic mechanical 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 will 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.
In these 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 mechanical elective courses are offered in various streams of expertise in our Bundoora East Campus.
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’ll also complete a work-integrated learning (industry experience) elective in Year 2, 3 or 4.
Examples of electives include:
- Mechanical Design
- Applied Heat and Mass Transfer
- Remote Area Power Supply
- Computer Integrated Manufacturing
- Vehicle Power Systems
- Industrial and Vehicle Aerodynamics
- Mechatronic Design
- Advanced Robotics
- Automatic Control
- Advanced Engineering Computer Aided Design
- Computational Fluid Dynamics.
Three project-based subjects in your final year will 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.
Professional practice courses will introduce you to:
- report writing and other communication skills
- work modules on organisations
- ethics
- design and build activities
- project management
- occupational health and safety
- sustainability.
Program plans
Plans are variations offered for a program such as specialisations, modes of delivery or location. Browse a plan to see the courses our students are currently studying.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) (Honours) | City Campus |
4 years full time; 8 years part-time
|
4 years full time
|
BH070 | 079773B |
Choose a program structure
Program code: BH070
Career
As a mechanical engineer your creativity and technical skills will be in high demand across many industries managing and maintaining existing technologies and developing new ones.
There are many job opportunities for mechanical engineers. Examples include:
- the design, manufacture and testing of motor vehicles
- the design, specification and installation of large air conditioning systems
- the design of materials handling systems in the packaging and mining industries
- power generation and renewable power sources
- construction and maintenance in the petrochemical industry
- the design of trains and trams
- computerised control in the pharmaceutical industry
- the aeronautical industry
- the implementation of new manufacturing methods in the electronics industry
- the development of engineering computer software
- research and development in industry and other technical institutions
- technical sales in the marketing divisions of engineering companies
- engineering management in large and small organisations, both in Australia and overseas.
Mechanical engineers are problem solvers with abilities that also make them suitable for many jobs outside the engineering discipline requiring skills in numeracy, creativity and analytical thinking.
This program is fully accredited by Engineers Australia. Graduates of the program are eligible for graduate membership of Engineers Australia. Full membership as a professional engineer may be obtained after an appropriate period of professional practice.
Australia is one of 18 countries that are signatories to the International Engineering Alliance, also known as the Washington Accord, for professional engineers. The qualification of graduates from this degree is recognised in all countries that are signatories to the Accord.
As a graduate of this program, you may also be eligible to join professional bodies relevant to your area of specialisation.
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 equivalent senior secondary school qualification) with a minimum 65% average (check 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.
Higher Mathematics; or
VCE Units 3 and 4 in Mathematical Methods (CAS), with a study score of at least 25.
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
- TOEFL (Paper Based Test): minimum score of 580 (TWE 4.5)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 92 (with minimum of 20 in all sections)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 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 may pursue further study in an area of specialisation:
When you successfully complete this program, you may be eligible for entry into an RMIT postgraduate program or RMIT Masters by Research or Doctoral (PhD) program.
Graduates may pursue further study in an area of specialisation:
Fees
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*.
* 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.
There is a range of scholarships available for students studying engineering and related technologies, including the SEH Women in Engineering Scholarships.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds. Learn more about RMIT Scholarships.
The annual tuition fee for 2019 is AU$36,480.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2019 commencement is AU$151,680.
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.