Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical and Mechatronic)
Degree Level Undergraduate
Year 2025
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You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
- Australian or New Zealand Citizen
- Australian Permanent Resident (including Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders)
Prerequisites
SACE Stage 2 Math Methods
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Assumed Knowledge
SACE Stage 2 Physics
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Admissions
Student Profile
Entry Scores
2025 Guaranteed Entry
Year 12 (ATAR-based): 72.00
Year 12 (Grades-based): B,B,B
TAFE/RTO: DIP
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2024 Cut-Offs
Year 12 (ATAR-based):
- Internal: 72.00
TAFE/RTO: Cert IV
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Entry requirements
Admission criteria
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.
Applicants are 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- Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
- Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
- Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points
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- Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
- Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above, or
- Complete the Associate Degree in Engineering at the University of South Australia
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)- Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV or above
OR
Work and life experience- Qualify for Special Entry, or
- Complete a 12-month UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
- Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past
Essential requirements for admission
Prerequisites
SACE Stage 2 Math MethodsAssumed Knowledge
SACE Stage 2 Physics
This program allows progression to fast-track Masters. Visit Fast-track to Masters in STEM for more information.
Degree overview
- Study at SA's number one university for graduate careers 16 years running1.
- Professionally accredited by Engineers Australia (EA), graduates are eligible for membership with EA and comparable international institutions.
- Endorsed by the Naval Shipbuilding College (NSC) as part of the College Endorsement Process.
- Integrate mechanical engineering with computing, control and automation.
- Learn specialist skills in robotics and machine vision systems.
- Gain real work experience through the UniSA STEM Professional Practice Program.
- Learn in specialist, purpose-built facilities including the Mechatronics Lab, Experience One Studio and Experiential Learning Suite.
- Go on an overseas study exchange and choose from over 25 countries and more than 60 universities worldwide.
- Start now, decide later. Flexible entry pathways and common first-year across all Engineering Honours programs so you can change your specialisation based on your interests.
- Access a new pathway option for students to complete the required mathematical prerequisite.
1Graduate Destinations Survey 2007-2015 and Graduate Outcomes Survey 2016-2022 (Domestic Undergraduate Full-time Employment Indicator for SA public universities).
Snapshot
Mechanical and mechatronic engineering is a diverse field that can be applied right across industry – from robotics and automation to manufacturing, automotive and energy. This degree captures that diversity, integrating mechanical engineering with computing, control, automation and actuation.
Professionally accredited by Engineers Australia, this degree is strongly hands-on, with significant opportunities to apply engineering theory to real-world challenges. In your final year, you’ll complete a major honours research project as well as an industry-focused design project.
Through the UniSA STEM Professional Practice Program you’ll gain at least 450 hours of skills and competencies to ensure you are graduate career ready. You will have access to a range of engagement activities such as placements, internships, guest lectures, industry panels, site visits, events and networking opportunities. Hear more about the benefits of the UniSA Industry experience from graduates William, Franke and Teresa here.
Enjoy a common first-year across most Engineering degrees enabling you to switch between specialisations and receive credit for completed courses. This means if you change your mind about your Engineering specialisation after first-year, you can change programs and still complete your degree in 4 years full-time. Start now, decide later.
On-campus teaching for this program is based at the Mawson Lakes campus. Only 20 minutes from the city centre with easy parking. The Mawson Lakes campus is also accessible by bus and train with the Mawson Lakes train station only a short walk.
New Pathway options for Engineering
If you haven’t completed SACE Stage 2 Mathematical Methods and want to study engineering, consider our Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Flexible Entry). You’ll study first year courses, and catch up on the required prerequisite, before transferring into your preferred engineering specialisation with up to one year of credit.
What you'll learn
In your first year you will develop a strong general foundation in engineering including computer programming, applied mathematics and physics. As your studies progress you will discover innovative mechanical and mechatronic areas such as robotics, industrial actuation and automation and machine vision.
Our UniSA STEM Professional Practice Program allows you to apply the skills and knowledge you've acquired throughout your degree in real-world settings.
At least half of the honours year involves a major project. You will take the lead as an engineer in a project environment, working with industry, a government organisation, or an academic research area.
You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.
Study hours
For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
Your studies at UniSA will incorporate both practical, professionally-focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:
- reports, project documentation, case studies and presentations
- essays and assignments
- examinations
- industry-relevant, research-based projects
- practical, team-based projects
Global opportunities
Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.
You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.
Take a look at the global opportunities available.
Honours
This is a four-year, professional degree with honours. The honours component includes a minimum of one year of advanced studies in research and professional practice. You will receive First Class, Second Class or Third Class Honours, depending on your performance.
You will graduate with industry experience and connections, and a higher-level qualification than a bachelor degree. Your honours year is designed to prepare you for future leadership roles in mechanical design, advanced manufacturing and applied mechatronics.
Why Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical and Mechatronic)
With the focus of this degree on solutions engineering problems, you will develop advanced theoretical understanding and practical skills in:
- dynamics and mechanics of machines
- thermodynamics and energy engineering
- mechanical system design and digital prototyping
- control systems and industrial actuation
- machine vision and learning
- robotics and autonomous systems
You will graduate prepared for Industry 4.0 developing skills in industry software platforms and collaborative digital environments.
Our students also work on the UniSA entry in the Warman Design and Build Competition, applying hands-on skills and knowledge to a complex design project. This is an Asia Pacific-wide competition, open to students in mechanical engineering who are in their first or second year of study.
An internship in your final year will see you tackle engineering challenges for industry clients, where you will complete a research and development project.
All of our Engineering Honours programs share a common first-year, so choosing this degree offers ultimate flexibility. Should you wish to pursue a different specialty after completing your first-year, you can switch to an alternative Engineering program and receive credit for the courses completed. Start now, decide later.
4+1 Pathway to Masters
Are you interested in gaining a postgraduate degree with just one extra year of study? You can package the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical) with the Master of Engineering (Engineering Management) with our Fast-track to Masters programs. This unique offering allows you to develop advanced expertise and broaden your career opportunities. You will graduate in just five years, instead of the typical six.
Hear from Niyo Samwel, Mechanical Engineering student
Niyo Samwel talks about his experience studying UniSA's Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical) where he was able to apply the skills he learned in the classroom during real-world placements.
Your career
Overall, engineering vacancies have increased by 22 per cent in 2022 and shows engineering as one the strongest professions in demand in Australia1.
Careers to consider:
- Mechanical Engineer: develop products from small parts to large plant, machinery or vehicles; can work on all stages of a product such as research, development, design, manufacture and installation
- Systems engineer: install, configure, test and maintain operating systems, application software and system management tools; manage and monitor all installed systems and organisational infrastructure; and, ensure high levels of system and infrastructure availability
- Mechanical Engineering Supervisor: oversee the design of mechanical equipment, industrial processes and robotics; supervise the production, operation, repair and maintenance of equipment; manage staff, resources and work processes
- Mechatronic Device Designer And Development Engineer: design machinery with electronic and computer control systems such as power generators, mining and chemical plant machinery, aircraft, robots, motor vehicles or cameras; develop high-technology engineering systems that automate industrial tasks
- Automation Engineer: develop automated machinery and processes to complete exact tasks; develop technologies for production and delivery such as robots for packaging, food processing or car manufacturing
Explore a range of engineering and construction careers here.
1Engineers Australia: Australian Engineering Employment Vacancies, February 2023
Professional accreditation and recognition
This program is professionally accredited by Engineers Australia and is designed to meet the requirements for graduate membership of Engineers Australia and comparable international institutions.
Industry facts
Applying to study with us:
- go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
- you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application
Alternative Pathways
Australian
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
- UniSA College Diploma in STEM (Engineering)
- SAIBT Diploma of Engineering
- Eynesbury Diploma of Engineering
International
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
- SAIBT Diploma of Engineering
- Eynesbury Diploma of Engineering
Deferment
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.
Scholarships
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.
UniSA Excellence Scholarships
$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.
UniSA Outstanding Achievement Scholarship
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.
Your study experience and support
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.
Student services
Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. We want you to succeed, and if you need help, we're here to assist. You can access a full range of support services, including:
- academic counselling
- personal counselling
- social support services, including family support and nearby childcare
- common rooms
- prayer rooms
- security officers
- career services and mentoring
- Wirringka Student Services, offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students a supportive place to study
- as well as services offered through our student association, USASA.
When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.
24/7 digital environment
Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.
Your study spaces
You will have access to the latest industry technology and tools in our engineering spaces:
- Engineering Design Studio: a practical learning space with the state-of-art industry-standard digital modelling and design software platforms and tools.
- Experience One Studio: a unique first year engineering space with open studio, small group and learning spaces. There are also chill out areas.
- Engineering Experience Studio: the studio for second and third year students.
- Experiential Learning Space: a collaborative, innovation space. Final year students, postgraduate and research students, leading researchers and industry partners work side-by-side, in a flexible, open and creative environment.
- Industry-standard facilities: the largest strong floor in the southern hemisphere and a 1,200 metre long hydraulic testing facility.
- Mechatronics Laboratory: explore active suspension systems, mobile robotics, industrial control stations comprising programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) software.
- Industry 4.0 Test Lab: a world-class Industry 4.0 practical laboratory space and facilities for CAD, additive manufacturing, pilot scale manufacturing demonstration, and smart coating, targeted for various sectors including defence, space, mining, electronics, agri-tech/food, medical/healthcare and automotive.
Your program director
I work on a number of consultancy and research projects in resource-efficient product and service innovation, sustainable industry and community transformation, and low-carbon urban precincts. I am particularly dedicated to incorporating social, economic, and environmental perspectives into tertiary engineering education to achieve sustainability in engineering practice.
Ask UniSA
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How do I apply?
The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.
The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.
There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through direct application processes. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.
If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.
You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.
If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying. -
Is there a closing date for applications?
Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Undergraduate
The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or 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. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.
Postgraduate
Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.
As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry.
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What credit can I receive for previous studies?
You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central.
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Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?
Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.
What others are saying
Mechanical engineering is a global degree that gave me the opportunity to travel to Lancaster in the United Kingdom for a semester exchange. This meant that I got to learn about mechanical engineering in another country and gain credit for the subjects I studied. I also undertook a one year internship with an international ship building company that I now work full-time with.
Tyron Bettison
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical and Mechatronic)
I studied mechatronic engineering so I could design and build robots and other autonomous technology. So I decided to study at UniSA because it has a large practical element, which was really important to me because engineering is a very practical based discipline.
Jack Baker
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical and Mechatronic)
I wanted to study engineering at UniSA because of the problem solving nature of the industry. The ever adapting technologies and approaches within the mechatronic engineering industries present many unique challenges that I find interesting.
I was fortunate to be a part of SA Health Infrastructure’s pilot practical experience program. Building relationships with professionals in this industry has since helped me to gain an internship with international Engineering Consultants, Mott MacDonald.
Initially I was drawn to the engineering defence sector but after completing industry experience with SA Health via Aurecon, my career aspirations have swayed towards Consulting Engineering.
Daniel Cluse
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical and Mechatronic)
