From August 2025 you can apply as a domestic student for entry to Adelaide University in 2026.
Applications for 2026 will be via SATAC for most undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs. A direct application process will be available for 100% online degrees at a later date. In the meantime, you could start your degree at UniSA or the University of Adelaide and continue at Adelaide University.
Why Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Honours)?
Mechanical engineers are experts in all things that move with the help of machines. They design, build, and maintain the systems that power cars, aircraft, robots and wind turbines.
But they don’t stop there. They come up with solutions to address global challenges – like designing low-cost medical devices to expand healthcare access or building smart irrigation systems for farmers in drought-prone areas.
Do you have a curious mind? Enjoy tinkering with technology and wrestling with complex design problems? Then our Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Honours) is the perfect fit for you.
With a strong practical focus, our degree ensures you’ll graduate with the expertise and experience to thrive in your engineering career.
Overview
Our Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Honours) provides solid grounding in the core knowledge, principles, technical and professional skills essential to mechanical engineering.
You’ll study core courses covering the building blocks of mechanical design: solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, dynamics, vibration, control and thermodynamics.
Our wide range of electives give you the freedom to explore a little bit of everything. Or you can focus on the areas of mechanical engineering that most interest you – whether that’s advanced materials and mechanics, humanitarian engineering, or net-zero transitions.
But it’s not all theory.
You’ll also have multiple opportunities throughout your studies to jump on the tools and put your learning into practice. Design-and-build projects, practical workshops and up to 450 hours of industry placement provide plenty of chances to hone your technical and professional skillset.
All of these experiences come together to ensure you’ll graduate with the knowledge, technical and professional skills needed to thrive in your career as a qualified mechanical engineer.
Key features
Get hands-on with countless design-and-build projects.- Common first year engineering courses provide flexibility to switch specialisations.
- Explore electives in biomechanical engineering, advanced composite materials, renewable energy systems and more.
- Complete a major honours research project and industry-focused design project.
- Apply your skills to real industry projects in up to 12 weeks of professional work experience.
What you'll learn
Your first year has been designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to general engineering principles and skills. Ensuring that, whatever your prior educational experiences, you’ll have every opportunity to excel in your engineering studies at Adelaide University.
From second year, you’ll start to take core courses covering the fundamentals of mechanical engineering. These include:
- Solid mechanics
- Dynamics
- Mechanical engineering practice
- Thermodynamics
- Fluid mechanics
- Acoustics and vibrations
- Control systems
- Manufacturing processes
- Computer-aided design.
In fourth year, you can choose from a wide range of elective courses. You may wish to keep your options quite broad – or you might prefer to choose courses that align to your interests and future career ambitions.
The degree is strongly hands-on and practical. To ensure you graduate career-ready, you’ll complete:
- Professional practice topics that include design-and-build group projects, where you’ll work with your peers to engineer a solution to a complex problem.
- Up to 450 hours of work experience in industry under the supervision of a qualified engineer.
- A major industry research project.
Your assessments will include a combination of reports, case studies, presentations, essays and assignments, online quizzes, examinations, industry-relevant research projects, lab/practical team-based projects, e-portfolios and reflective practice.
Majors
The Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Honours) is also available with majors in the following:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Mechatronics and Robotics
- Mining Engineering
- Energy Resources.
What courses you'll study
You're required to complete 192 units to complete your degree, across a mix of core courses, elective and work integrated learning. A list of indicative courses is provided below.
Complete 132 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
UG Common Core 1 | AUXX1000 | 6 |
|
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UG Common Core 2 | AUXX2000 | 6 |
|
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UG Common Core 3 | AUXX3000 | 6 |
|
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UG Common Core 4 | AUXX4000 | 6 |
|
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Engineering Mathematics | MATH1016 | 6 |
|
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Engineering Programming | COMP1006 | 6 |
|
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Engineering Design and Prototyping | ENGI1001 | 6 |
|
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Engineering Materials | ENGI1002 | 6 |
|
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Engineering Science | ENGI1003 | 6 |
|
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Engineering modelling 1 | ENGI1004 | 6 |
|
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Engineering modelling 2 | ENGI2001 | 6 |
|
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Final year research project B | BLDG4006 | 6 |
|
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Introduction to Engineering Mechanics | ENGM1000 | 6 |
|
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Mechanical Engineering Practice and Design Project | ENGM2002 | 6 |
|
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Solid Mechanics | ENGM2003 | 6 |
|
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Dynamics | ENGM2004 | 6 |
|
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Fluid Mechanics | ENGM2005 | 6 |
|
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Mechanical Systems and Design Project | ENGM3002 | 6 |
|
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Thermodynamics | ENGM3003 | 6 |
|
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Control Systems | ENGI3000 | 6 |
|
|
Acoustics and Vibrations | ENGI3001 | 6 |
|
|
Computer-Aided Engineering and Design Project | ENGM4015 | 6 |
Complete 12 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Engineering Work Experience – Part 1 | ENGI3900 | 6 |
|
|
Engineering Work Experience – Part 2 | ENGI3901 | 6 |
Complete 0 to 24 units from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Engineering Acoustics | ENGM4005 | 6 |
|
|
Advanced Vibrations | ENGM4006 | 6 |
|
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Advanced Composite Materials | ENGM4007 | 6 |
|
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Finite Element Analysis | ENGM4008 | 6 |
|
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Computational Fluid Dynamics | ENGM4009 | 6 |
|
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Advanced Control | ENGE4005 | 6 |
|
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Advanced Fluid Mechanics | ENGM4010 | 6 |
|
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Model-Based Systems Engineering | ENGM4011 | 6 |
|
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Heat Pumps, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning | ENGM4012 | 6 |
|
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Combustion and High Temperature Processes | ENGP4004 | 6 |
|
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Brewery Engineering | ENGP4003 | 6 |
|
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Biomechanical Engineering | ENGI4005 | 6 |
|
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Renewable Energy Systems | ENGE4007 | 6 |
|
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Sustainable Engineering Design and Net-Zero Transitions | ENGM4013 | 6 |
|
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Essentials of Humanitarian Engineering | ENGM4014 | 6 |
Complete 24 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Manufacturing Technologies and Processes | ENGM2007 | 6 |
|
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Instrumentation and Digital Systems | ENGM2006 | 6 |
|
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Heat Transfer | ENGI3002 | 6 |
|
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Advanced Mechanics and Materials | ENGM4004 | 6 |
Complete one Major from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Mechatronics and Robotics | MECRHENME | 48 |
|
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Mining Engineering | MINGHENME | 48 |
|
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Aerospace Engineering | AEROHENME | 48 |
|
|
Energy Resources Engineering | ENERHENME | 48 |
Career outcomes
Mechanical engineering is a very broad field with many different areas and sub-fields. Experts in mechanically powered systems, mechanical engineers can work at any stage of the system lifecycle. From conception to design and development, production, operation, maintenance, right through to phase-out – mechanical engineers are there at every step.
You could develop water treatment and desalination plants, ensuring a steady supply of clean water to regions facing water scarcity. Maybe you’ll help design affordable orthopaedic implants that can be customised for each patient. Perhaps you’ll test consumer products to ensure they are well-made, safe, and fit for purpose.
Whatever your area of interest, there’s a career path for you. You could work in a wide range of sectors including:
- Aerospace and defence
- Automotive
- Biomedical technology
- Construction and infrastructure
- Consulting and engineering services
- Consumer products and electronics
- Manufacturing
- Medical device manufacturing
- Renewable energy and smart grid technologies
- Thermal and energy control in buildings
- Robotics and automation
- Transportation and logistics.
Industry trends
A global shortage of engineers, combined with record levels of government spend in infrastructure, advanced manufacturing and critical technologies, means that qualified mechanical engineers are in high demand (Engineers Australia, 2023).
Accreditation
Adelaide University is working through relevant approvals for program accreditation ahead of students commencing in 2026.
How to apply
FAQs
Explore answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
