Shape the way we live and improve our impact on the environment.
Mechanical engineers work with machines and mechanical systems to develop better manufacturing methods. This four year embedded honours program focuses on engineering design, machine design, energy systems, fluid mechanics and production engineering.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
- The first intake for international students on a Student visa is Semester 1 2017
- The first intake for international students on a Student visa is Semester 1 2017
Mechanical engineers work with machines and mechanical systems to develop better manufacturing methods. This four year embedded honours program focuses on engineering design, machine design, energy systems, fluid mechanics and production engineering.
Our program is designed to qualify you as a mechanical engineer for registration with the accrediting body, Engineers Australia, and is provisionally recognised to allow you to work in Australia and overseas. You’ll learn how things operate, and work out better ways to do them to benefit all people.
You’ll get plenty of hands-on experience including 12 weeks work experience with professional engineers and engineering associates. You’ll also get to recreate real life interactive scenarios in our state-of-the art visualisation lab and dedicated engineering laboratories. Learn from industry professionals with guest lectures that expose you to current engineering professional practice.
Special selection criteria
Students who enter the program having achieved a 'Very High Achievement' in Maths B and Maths C in secondary school will be eligible for an exemption for the course MTH102 . On application to the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering they may substitute another mathematically based and engineering relevant course for MTH102 as a Variation to Program in order to fulfil the requirements of the degree.
Post-admission requirements
Students must complete 60 days of suitable field experience.
Career opportunities
Mining, chemical processing, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, oil and gas, automotive, aviation, electrical power, transport, defence, agriculture.
Membership
Engineers Australia have assessed the program and provisional accreditation at the level of professional engineer was granted in late 2014.
Program structure
Introductory courses (6)
COR109
ENG101
ENG102
MTH102
SCI107
SET111
Advanced courses (22)
ENG202
ENG203
ENG204
ENG205
ENG221
ENG225
ENG226
ENG227
ENG228
ENG300
ENG301
ENG302
ENG303
ENG335
ENG336
ENG400
ENG401
ENG402
ENG403
ENG405
MTH202
MTH312
Minor courses (4)
Students must select one minor (4 courses) from the following:
- Entrepreneurship
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Studies for Engineers
- Management for Engineers
- Supply Chain Management
- Wider Engineering Studies
Compulsory work experience
Students must obtain an aggregate of at least 60 days of suitable engineering work experience during their program. This experience may be in an engineering office or laboratory where the student would be working principally with professional engineers and engineering associates. It may, however, be preferable for students to spend some time in field or factory activities to gain insight into the industrial practice and to see what is involved in converting designs into finished products. Students are required to keep record of such experience. This record of experience is to be endorsed by an appropriate person in the organisation providing the experience and by the student's Program Coordinator.
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 384
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 384 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete a minimum of 60 days of suitable work experience. Students must meet all costs associated with the acquisition of practical experience to satisfy this requirement
- The acceptability or otherwise of employment experience, and the period of that type of experience that may be credited towards the 60 days, will be determined by the Program Coordinator.
- In nearly all cases students find and obtain the required experience as part of paid vacation employment during the summer break.
- Students complete their work experience programs in an area of their choice, and in the majority of cases they do so within commuting distance of their residential addresses.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses)
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Not available to international students on a Student Visa
- When enrolling please refer to the relevant Recommended Study Sequence
- Refer to the 'Planning your study' page to manage your progression.