03 Engineering and Related Technologies
Engineering is a field that provides a solid foundation for a variety of careers. Whether you want to be a geologist, an aerospace engineer or a furniture designer, an engineering degree is the place to begin.
The list grows each year, but engineering specialisations fall into roughly three categories, focusing on:
- a particular type of technology, like aerospace, biomedical, marine and mining engineering
- adapting certain base elements for different purposes, like electrical and chemical engineering
- harvesting, developing and sustaining natural resources, like environmental and agricultural engineering.
In all, there are over 100 specialisations to choose from. You could consider studying the conventional areas of civil, mechanical, electrical and chemical engineering. Or, if you want something a little less traditional, join the growing number of students studying aeronautics, informatics and marine engineering. You could even combine your degree with arts, law or science, which will give you even more career choices.
Engineering courses are fairly tough to get into and can require a background in mathematics or science (particularly physics). But even if your course is tough to enter and demanding to complete, you will be rewarded with good job prospects and starting salaries.
What about your prospects overseas? Engineers Australia accredits engineering qualifications and administers applications for ‘chartered status’ into the profession nationally. As a signatory to the Washington Accord - a multinational agreement between a number of international engineering associations - Engineers Australia ensures that degrees accredited in Australian universities are equivalent to degrees in countries such as the US, Japan, Ireland and the UK.
If you are not sure that you want to be a professional engineer, there are other options.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) institutions offer courses for para-professional careers, such as engineering associate, or trade level careers in fields such as automotive technology
Postgraduate options are also available if you are already in the industry and want to upgrade your qualifications.
Whichever course you choose to take, an Australian engineering degree will provide you with the skills to reach your goals.
Use our Search function to find a list of Australian institutions offering qualifications in this field.
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