Associate Degree in Engineering
Undergraduate
2024
You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
Undergraduate
2024
Year 12 (ATAR-based): 63.00
Year 12 (Grades-based): B,B,C
TAFE/RTO: CIV
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TAFE/RTO: Cert IV
View full entry requirements
The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.
Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.
Prerequisite: Students should have achieved SACE Stage 1 passes, or an equivalent TAFE or other approved qualification in Mathematics.
Applicants are also required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:
Recent secondary education
Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent
AND
Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.
OR
Higher education study
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
OR
Work and life experience
This program will not be offered in 2024. Please view our full suite of engineering programs here.
1 UniSA's Engineering research rated well above world-class - 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)
This two-year qualification is an introduction to university-level study and is a pathway towards UniSA’s Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degrees, with specialisations in civil, mechanical, mechatronics, electrical engineering and/or surveying.
You will graduate with the knowledge and skills required in higher-level technical and management roles, supporting your transition from tradesperson to engineering professional. This qualification is also a great starting point if you’re looking to change careers and enter the engineering industry for the first time.
Depending on the combination of courses you choose, you may be eligible for up to 1.5 years of credit towards an Engineering (Honours) Bachelor degree with UniSA. Alternatively, you could go directly into employment as an engineering associate, designer drafter, developer or engineering technical officer across a range of industries.
You will be introduced to core concepts across civil, electrical and mechanical engineering disciplines, developing your understanding of each field.
Engineers apply science and maths concepts to solve practical problems. The maths skills you gain will be essential to further your understanding of more complex engineering concepts. You’ll learn the basics of algebra, trigonometry and calculus.
You will also cover basic concepts in chemistry and physics and their practical engineering applications. Explore fluid mechanics, circuits and signals, and the structures and properties of materials. Develop the skills to produce 2D engineering drawings and 3D engineering models, which is an essential skill to communicate visual designs.
The Associate Degree in Engineering covers a broad range of subjects, including essential maths, physics and chemistry topics, as well as first-year courses from UniSA’s engineering bachelor degrees.
Our practical approach to learning means you’ll gain the skills to hit the ground running. You’ll learn to use industry-standard software such as SolidWorks to produce 3D CAD models that bring your designs alive, Enovia (Dassault Systems) to develop detailed project plans, MATLAB to process data and Mulitsim to instantly visualise and analyse electronic circuit behaviour. You’ll discover how engineering intersects with essential business management practices across diverse environments, and study systems and design thinking techniques.
Careers you could consider:
This associate degree is a pathway into UniSA Engineering (Honours) degrees, so you may choose to continue your studies and become a fully-qualified engineer.
Explore a range of engineering and construction careers here.
Applying to study with us:
This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.
Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.
$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.
Up to $10,000 per annum (full time) for South Australian students who obtain an ATAR of 99.95 or IB equivalent and enrol to study at UniSA.
Our campuses are home to fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.
I have been educating the next generation of students for the past 25 years, dedicating my time and effort to improving the learning experience and empowering them to become competent engineers. I have served as the head of the department and the faculty’s deputy dean at Bu-Ali Sina University and University of Isfahan, Iran, and recently as the program director of Associate and Flexible Degree in Engineering at UniSA.
My career began at a pioneer ICT manufacturing firm as an Electronic Designer, before becoming Production Line Supervisor in 1991, and moved to a newly established petrochemical complex in 1994 where my role involved the maintenance of electronic and electromechanical instruments. In 1997, I discovered my passion for teaching and ensuring young Electrical and Computer Engineering students get the best possible training and education for their future careers.
There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.
Applications for admission into the University of South Australia’s undergraduate and most postgraduate degrees are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Visit satac.edu.au and follow the links.
For the MBA degrees please apply through the UniSA MBA Application Portal. Applications for a small number of degrees are submitted direct to UniSA through our Apply Online portal. It will be noted on the degree page if you need to apply via Apply Online.
Postgraduate study by research
For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Master of Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit unisa.edu.au/resdegrees.
Undergraduate
Yes. The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be given equal consideration is in early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers (mid January). Some degrees will not make any offers after the main offer round. Please click here find all of the key dates for applications here.
Postgraduate
Most postgraduate degrees do not have a closing date for applications. However, there are exceptions, so it is best to check – either on the SATAC website, Apply Online or the degree homepage. Postgraduate offers are normally ‘rolling’, meaning they may be sent out at any time up until the program starts. This also means that applications may close at any time without warning, if the quota is filled earlier. For this reason, postgraduate applications should be submitted without delay. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquiries team on (08) 8302 2376 or via the online enquiry form.
Credit transfer or advanced standing
You may be eligible to receive a credit transfer or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving a credit transfer will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.
Recognised prior learning
If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning for this experience. Receiving recognised prior learning will normally reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and can reduce the duration of the degree.
How do I get credit?
Credit transfer and recognition of prior learning is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director who will discuss your prior learning and experience with you to ascertain what credit you may be eligible for.
Many of our credit transfer arrangements are listed on our online Credit Assessor.
UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.
Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.
If you are interested in studying an MBA please contact admissions@unisa.edu.au and our Future Student Enquiries team will contact you regarding your enquiry.
Alternatively, you can complete a MyCareerMatch career profile. MyCareerMatch is an online career profiling tool that you can use free-of-charge through UniSA. MyCareerMatch specialises in career profiles and provides you with a personalised career report outlining information about your personality style and a list of career options, which are complementary to your natural strengths and talents.
We have many events throughout the year where you can speak with a lecturer or tutor about your degrees of interest. You can find out what is happening at UniSA by visiting our events page or by signing up to our mailing list, so you're the first to know about careers events, information sessions, degree requirements, scholarships and more!
There are also many career counsellors external to the University that you can discuss your career options with. If you are unsure where to start your search, you can contact the Government's Work Ready team (formally Skills for All). Visit skills.sa.gov.au or call 1800 506 266.
You may also find Job Outlook a helpful resource in your decision-making.
It can be difficult to decide what degree you would like to do and where. You might find information from government organisations will help to weigh up your degree and provider options.
Find a course or a provider
TEQSA is a regulatory body for higher education providers. Use the TEQSA national register of higher education providers to search for a course or a provider. Compare courses and providers for undergraduates and postgraduates using the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) online comparison tool.
More information on university admission
Visit the SATAC website to find out important news, events and information on applying to university in South Australia. Visit Study with Us to find out everything you need to know about studying at UniSA, admissions and the application process.
Questions about your application
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your application you should contact the Future Students Enquiries team in the first instance.