Diploma in Engineering
Kickstart your career in engineering
Engineering is all about solving real-world problems through technical skill and innovation. Across diverse disciplines—whether chemical, mechanical, or electrical—engineers are the behind-the-scenes force that keeps our world running smoothly. From creating cutting-edge software to building sustainable energy solutions, they turn ideas into reality, shaping the future for the better.
What will you do?
Completed over one year, our Diploma of Engineering can serve as a valuable standalone qualification—or a supportive stepping stone into the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours). You will:
- gain exposure to a range of engineering subjects
- upskill in the mathematical, natural and physical sciences
- explore engineering methods, tools and processes
- build advanced problem-solving and teamwork skills
- fulfil prerequisites needed for the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours).
Diploma of Engineering students are eligible for Centrelink payments, including the Tertiary Assistance Payment (TAP) and Youth Allowance.
Where could it take you?
A diploma in engineering offers a versatile foundation for entering various technical roles, from technician positions to field service and design work. Completing this diploma with the required prerequisites will also secure your entry into the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree of your choice, where you will receive up to 24 units of credit.
Entry Requirements
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions
information for this program.
I am a:
Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.
Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.
Domestic applicants
| SATAC Code | 316331 |
|---|---|
| Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR | 65 |
| Guaranteed Entry Score - IB | 24 |
| Deferment | Yes - 2 year |
| Intake | February and July* *Students commencing in July may have a slightly limited selection of courses. |
| Prerequisites | SACE Stage 2: Mathematical Methods . IB: Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations (HL) or Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL). MathTrackX is an online bridging program available as a recognised alternative to Mathematical Methods. |
Selection Criteria
| Recent Secondary Education | Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling. You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You compete for a place with your Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors). Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
|---|---|
| Higher Education Study | You must have completed at least six months full time equivalent higher education study (the number of courses and units will vary depending on your prior institution however at the University of Adelaide, this equates to 4 courses / 12 units). A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
| Vocational Education and Training (VET) study | You must have completed an AQF Certificate IV or above from a Registered Training Organisation. Your application will be ranked according to the level of the award. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
| Work and life experience | To be eligible to sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as a pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2024. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2024 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2023 or 2022), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2022). If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
| Other Entry Pathways | |
2023 Admissions Data for school leavers
| ATAR (raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors) |
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer | N/A |
|---|---|---|
| Median ATAR to receive an offer | N/A | |
| Highest ATAR to receive an offer | N/A | |
| Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors) |
Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer | N/A |
| Median Selection Rank to receive an offer | N/A | |
| Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer | N/A | |
| Minimum eligibility score | 55 | |
| Additional criteria considered | Selection rank only | |
Fees and Scholarships
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.
I am a:
Domestic applicants
| Indicative annual tuition fees |
Commonwealth-supported place: $8,945
|
Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.
More information on Student Contribution Amounts.
Scholarships
Scholarships are not only for high achievers—they are also available to provide students with an equal opportunity to study at university, no matter where they live or what their financial situation might be.
Scholarships are available to both new and continuing students. We encourage students to apply for any scholarships for which they may be eligible.
To browse scholarships offered by the University, visit: University Scholarships
To explore scholarships offered by organisations external to the University, visit: External Scholarships
Careers
Potential careers
Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:
Laboratory Technician; Engineer; Field Technician; Water Quality Technician
Degree Structure
The Diploma of Engineering provides a flexible program of study in which students can gain exposure to a variety of discipline specific courses, meet SACE Stage 2 prerequisites in mathematics, physics and/or chemistry for admission to Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) awards through equivalent University courses, and gain direct entry into a named Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) single or double degree upon completion.
The Diploma of Engineering is an AQF Level 5 qualification with a standard full-time duration of 1 year.
Academic Program Rules
The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.
To qualify for the Diploma of Engineering, the student must complete satisfactorily a program of study consisting of the following requirements with a combined total of 24 units, comprising:
- Level I courses to the value of 24 units, which must include:
- Core Mathematics courses to the value of 6 units
- Core Engineering courses to the value of 3 units
- Stream Elective courses to a minimum value of 9 units and maximum value of 15 units
and may include:- Prerequisite Physics courses to the value of up to 6 units
- Students must choose one set of Stream Elective courses from the following:
- Architectural and Structural Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Environmental and Climate Solutions Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Flexible Entry
Prerequisite course requirements:
Mathematics:
Students who have not undertaken SACE Stage 2 Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent) will be required to enrol in MATHS 1013 Mathematics IM, followed by MATHS 1011 Mathematics IA.
Students who have undertaken SACE Stage 2 Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent) will enrol in MATHS 1011 Mathematics IA followed by MATHS 1012 Mathematics IB.
Physics:
For all Streams, except Chemical Engineering:
Students who have not undertaken SACE Stage 2 Physics (or equivalent), but have taken SACE Stage 1 Physics (or equivalent) will be required to enrol in PHYSICS 1101 Physics for the Life and Earth Sciences IA.
Students who have not undertaken SACE Stage 1 Physics (or equivalent) will be required to enrol in PHYSICS 1101 Physics for the Life and Earth Sciences IA and PHYSICS 1201 Physics for the Life and Earth Sciences IB.
Chemistry:
For Chemical Engineering Stream only:
Students who have not undertaken SACE Stage 2 Chemistry (or equivalent) will be required to enrol in CHEM 1101 Foundations of Chemistry IA and CHEM 1201 Foundations of Chemistry IB in lieu of CHEM 1100 Chemistry IA and CHEM 1200 Chemistry IB. Students following the Chemical Engineering stream are not required to enrol into Physics pre-requisite courses.
Areas of Specialisation
Upon meeting the program entry requirements, students may apply to transfer into a named Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree of their choice and receive up to 24 units of credit from their Diploma of Engineering.
Students who have completed the Diploma of Engineering, inclusive of the required pre-requisites (as applicable) are guaranteed entry into the named Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree of their choice.
The named degrees are accredited by Engineers Australia and graduates will qualify for professional membership of Engineers Australia. Single degrees include:
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Architectural and Structural)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical and Electronic)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Environmental and Climate Solutions)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mining)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Petroleum)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Software)
Example Study Plan
To satisfy the requirements for Core courses students must complete courses to the value of 9 units.
All courses are 3 units unless stated otherwise.
|
Core Courses Students must complete the following:
|
ENG 1001 Introduction to Engineering |
|
Core Mathematics courses Students must complete to the value of 6 units from the following: |
MATHS 1013 Mathematics IM MATHS 1011 Mathematics IA MATHS 1012 Mathematics IB |
Assessment
Assessment can include examinations, group work, project work, online assessment, peer assessment, attendance and participation.
Testimonial
Working onsite you get to see what you have planned and designed in the office and how it works in the field.
The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
Last updated: Thursday, 6 Jun 2024
