Diploma of Engineering

Open doors to degree specialisations in Civil, Electrical & Electronics, Mechanical, Mechatronics or Environmental Engineering.

Key Information

Duration

8 or 12 months

Intake Dates

March, June, October

Campus Location

Geelong Waurn Ponds
Melbourne Burwood*
Onlineǂ

2023 Fees

A$27,192 ($3,399 per credit point)

Domestic International

2023 Fees

A$35,343 (A$4,417.88 per credit point)

CRICOS Course Code: 063385A

ǂ New international students cannot study this diploma online. New domestic students can study this diploma online but will need to attend on-campus practicals between one and five days per trimester, depending on the Deakin University degree pathway.

* New students can study this diploma at Melbourne Burwood in 2024 if they are on a pathway to the Bachelor of Engineering majoring in Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics Engineering only. New students on a pathway to the Bachelor of Engineering majoring in Civil Engineering or Electrical and Electronics Engineering cannot study this diploma at Melbourne Burwood in 2024.

Course overview

Deakin College’s Diploma of Engineering is a broad introductory course that will prepare you with the skills and knowledge for a full spectrum of opportunities in the field.

Choose to specialise in civil, electrical and electronics, environmental, mechanical or mechatronics engineering when you enter second year of your Deakin University bachelor degree.

Employment and career options upon completing your Bachelor degree:

  • Aerospace
  • Aircraft control and navigation
  • Automotive industry
  • Conservation and natural resource management
  • Construction
  • Design and manufacturing
  • Electronic control systems
  • Energy
  • Factory control
  • Government engineering
  • Mining
  • Oil and gas
  • Roads and railroads
  • Shipbuilding
  • Robotics
  • Waste and water management

Pathways to Deakin University

On completion of this Diploma you can pathway into the following degrees at Deakin University:

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (for students commencing a Diploma of Engineering in 2024 onwards)

Majors: Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering

 

The following pathways are available to students who started a Diploma of Engineering in 2023 or earlier:

Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours)

Bachelor of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (Honours)

Bachelor of Environmental Engineering (Honours)

Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours)

Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering (Honours)

 

Course and unit outline

For further details about Diploma of Engineering units, unit availability and trimester structures, please download the course and unit outline.

Course structure

Required units

Students are required to complete and pass units worth 8 credit points and 2-3 zero credit point modules.

Choice of units is based on the Deakin University degree you wish to enter.

The unit will commence with a calculus treatment of kinematics of motion in one, two and three dimensions, including parabolic motion. The application of Newton’s laws to a wide variety of phenomena will be investigated and the concepts of work, energy and the conservation laws discussed. Rotational kinematics and dynamics will be introduced, including the concepts of moment of inertia, torque, moment of a force. Also introduced are electrical concepts of charge, field, and voltage. Other topics to be covered are vectors, statics, centre of mass and centroids.

SEJ101 focuses on the principles and practice of design. Design is an essential characteristic of professional practice and requires unique knowledge, skills and attitudes common to a number of disciplines. In this unit, students will explore the process of design ideation, definition, prototyping and testing by working on authentic real world problems. The unit will allow students the opportunity to examine humanitarian problems in disadvantaged communities. Learning and assessment activities in this unit will require students to use creative processes to conceive, test and reflect on ideas. Students will be encouraged to view design problem from holistic and atomistic perspectives, paying attention to detail, and showing empathy for biases, values and needs of clients and users. Students will investigate design thinking and strategies, and modelling techniques to generate, evaluate and specify products in order to develop solutions to identified problems.

On successful completion of this unit, students will have the ability to use a standard approach to program development, as well as understand the structure theorem and be aware of its consequences for algorithm design. They will have the ability to use structured programming techniques to produce modular solutions exhibiting good coupling and cohesion. They will be able to correct syntactic and semantic errors and include error handling in their software design. Students will use pseudocode to define the solution and develop solutions using spreadsheets, the C Programming language and the Matlab development environment.

This unit includes: functions and limits; derivatives and integrals of combinations of polynomials, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions; sequences, series tests and power series; vectors, lines and planes; first order differential equations. Applications studied include graph sketching; approximations to solutions of equations and integrals; formulation of models to solve science and engineering problems.

This unit includes: the algebra of complex numbers, matrices and sets; probability, and the major discrete and continuous probability distributions. The relationship between exponential functions, trigonometric functions and complex numbers is emphasised and applied to electrical networks. Solutions to systems of linear equations using matrices and determinants, and applications of set theory and symbolic logic are considered. The statistics techniques and examples studied are relevant to the sciences in general while particular reference is made in the lectures to applications in engineering.

This is a project and design-based unit which introduces students to the fundamentals of electrical systems, covering three main topics; electricity basics including capacitance, resistance, inductance and EMF; electric circuits; and semi-conductor devices. The unit will also introduce students to elements of professional practice including OHS, professional ethics and sustainability in the context of Engineering projects. Students will work in groups, using their knowledge gained through classes, studios and practical experiences, the concepts covered in the seminar sessions, as well as knowledge gained from self-directed learning to complete their design of an electrical systems project meeting specified requirements. Students will communicate the considerations taken in their design in a variety of forms including written assessments tasks and a group presentation.

This unit introduces students to the main classes of materials, their basic structure and the way in which the structure determines their mechanical and functional properties. Case-studies and practicals will be used to highlight the basis for selecting a material in a specific application and to introduce student’s to material testing methodologies. The unit will also introduce students to current research into materials to show how the structure can be manipulated to improve performance in specific applications.During the start of trimester students will undertake various learning activities including classes, tutorials and practical sessions to cover key principles related to materials. Later in trimester students will be predominantly working in groups during tutorial sessions and incorporating both directed and self-directed online learning activities to develop their project and to discuss progress with facilitators. All students will be required on campus during the intensive week for activities related to the project. The unit will also introduce students to elements of professional practice including OHS, professional ethics and sustainability in the context of Engineering projects.

SLE103 introduces students to the science of ecology, investigating relationships between organisms and the environment. In this unit, students will also explore climate change and energy issues. They will learn about the nature of science and the scientific method and how to use a systems framework to investigate environmental issues. This will equip students with the capacity to study key environmental issues such as climate systems and ecological systems and make a difference.

SLE133 is a foundation unit designed to develop and consolidate student understandings and skills in basic chemistry. The learning and assessment activities provide students with the opportunity to study atoms, molecules, and ions, how they change during a chemical reaction and how bonding affects properties such as intermolecular interactions, boiling points, ease of evaporation and the ability of substances to dissolve in water. Students will engage in laboratory work in order to develop their hands on skills in chemical safety and measurement and their ability to perform calculations related to substance measurement. Students will then apply these concepts of bonding, chemical change and measurement to determine the acidity and basicity of substances and the formation of buffers.

You must have completed SLE010 in the current or a previous trimester, before you can attend any laboratory sessions.

SLE155 Chemistry for the Professional Sciences

SLE155 builds on the student’s previous chemistry knowledge about atoms, molecules, properties, reactions, measurement and acidity. Students will extend their knowledge to more advanced chemical naming, structures, and hypervalent bonding. They will be introduced to additional topics such as, chemical equilibria, solution chemistry, simple organic compounds, chirality and thermochemistry.

This unit will lead to further studies in biochemistry, chemistry, and related areas such as food and nutrition, molecular biology and science education. This unit can also be taken as an elective unit for students who want a broader knowledge of chemistry to enhance their degree.

This zero credit point module will provide students entering into an undergraduate Engineering program with an introduction to the premise of the project oriented design based learning (PODBL) pedagogy and how it is incorporated within the undergraduate Engineering programs. It will introduce students to the 7 step design process. It will also give an introduction to information literacy as used in PODBL.

This unit also includes safety information for students involved in mechanical and electronics laboratory work. The program encompasses mechanical and electronic hazards, building evacuation procedures, laboratory accident management and first aid procedures, and safety work procedures particular to laboratory and fieldwork.

STP050 is a compulsory zero credit point unit in all courses in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment. The unit learning and assessment activities provides students with guidance on what constitutes academic integrity.It will allow students to develop knowledge, skills and good practice principles to avoid plagiarism and collusion and thereby maintain academic integrity.

Students completing SLE133 and SLE155 must complete this SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program.

In this module, students will develop an awareness of safety measures and protocols to be followed in scientific laboratory work and fieldwork. The module encompasses information about biological and chemical hazards, building evacuation procedures, laboratory accident management, first aid procedures and safe work procedures. 

Your course timetable

On-campus

On-campus classes run between 9am and 7pm on weekdays. Most units run as 2 x 2-hour classes each week. You can also expect between 4-6 hours of private study per unit, per week.

View a mock timetable

Online

Online study is only available to domestic students​. Recorded content, classroom notes, readings, activities and assessments are available online​, to be accessed at any time. An optional one hour live online session is held each week for every unit, and you are strongly encouraged to attend.

You will need to attend on-campus practicals between one and five days per trimester, depending on the Deakin University degree pathway.

Transferring to Deakin University

Australian and international students

Weighted average mark (WAM) required for transfer, by campus:

 Trimester IntakeMelbourne BurwoodGeelong Waurn PondsOnlineMaximum Credits
S460 Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours)
(WP, O)
T1
T2
 50508
S461 Bachelor of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (Honours)
(WP, O)

T1
T2

 50508
S465 Bachelor of Environmental Engineering (Honours)
(WP, O)

T1
T2

 50508
S462 Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours)
(WP, O)

T1
T2

 50508
S463 Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering (Honours)
(WP, O)
T1
T2
 50508

S467 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (for students commencing a Diploma of Engineering in 2024 onwards)≠
(B, WP, O)

Major sequences:

Civil Engineering (WP, O)
Electrical and Electronics Engineering (WP, O)
Environmental Engineering (B, WP, O)
Mechanical Engineering (B, WP, O)
Mechatronics Engineering (B, WP, O)

T1
T2
5050508

The undergraduate Engineering courses are four-year degrees. On completion of the Deakin College Diploma, you will be required to study an additional 3 years of full-time study.

Online (O) option is not available to international students.

T1 = Trimester 1 entry; T2 = Trimester 2 entry

* See Diploma to Degree transfer criteria (Domestic students / International students)

≠ New course from Trimester 1, 2024:

  • The Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics Engineering majors will be offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) and Online from 2024.
  • The Civil Engineering and the Electrical and Electronics Engineering majors will only be available at Waurn Ponds (Geelong) and Online in 2024.
  • From Trimester 1, 2025, all majors (Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics Engineering) will be available at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) and Online.

Learn more about this Diploma

Find out more about what you can expect from the Diploma of Engineering course, directly from our staff and students.

Entry Requirements

Australian Entry Requirements

The following is required for Australian students:

  • Successful completion of Year 12 (VCE or equivalent)
  • VCE VM completion
  • Completion of Cert IV and above
  • IB Diploma score of 22 or above
  • Work experience - Mature Age only

Bahrain Entry Requirements

The following is required for Bahrain students:

  • General Secondary Education Certificate plus 1 year UG study  with overall 60%

Bangladesh Entry Requirements

The following is required for Bangladesh students:

  • Completion of Higher Secondary Certificate with GPA of 3.5
  • IB Diploma score of 22 or above

Bhutan Entry Requirements

The following is required for Bhutan students:

  • BHSE Year 12 - 60%

Brazil Entry Requirements

The following is required for Brazil students:

  • Satisfactory pass in Certificado de Ensino Medio with an average of 7.0 in 4 subjects

Brunei Entry Requirements

The following is required for Brunei students:

  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels

Canada Entry Requirements

The following is required for Canada students:

  • Completion of Ontario Secondary School Diploma (CPU) or any of the Regional (Provincial) High School Diploma with an overall score of 50%.

Cambodia Entry Requirements

The following is required for Cambodian students:

  • Diploma of Upper Secondary Education with a C grade average
  • IB Diploma score of 22 or above
  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels

China Entry Requirements

The following is required for Chinese students:

  • Successful completion of Senior Middle 3 (Gao San) with 60%
  • Vocational Academic Program - 60%;
  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels
  • Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 (VCE or the equivalent from any Australian state or territory)

Fiji Entry Requirements

The following is required for Fijian students:

  • Successful completion of Form 7 with a B in English and Maths and a pass in all other units, with an overall score of 240

France Entry Requirements

The following is required for French students:

  • Baccalaureate with an average of 10

Ghana Entry Requirements

The following is required for Ghana students:

  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels

Hong Kong Entry Requirements

The following is required for Hong Kong students:

  • Completion of HKDSE with a minimum total score of 8 points over the best 4 subjects from Category A and C (Excluding Physical Education)

India Entry Requirements

The following is required for Indian students:

  • Completion of Year 12 with a minimum 55% (from CBSE, ICSE and all other State Boards);or Completion of Year 12 with a minimum 60% (from PSEB & HSEB Boards)

Indonesia Entry Requirements

The following is required for Indonesien students:

  • SMA III with an average grade of 6.5 in 4 academic units
  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels
  • IB Diploma score of 22 or above
  • Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 (VCE or the equivalent from any Australian state or territory)

Japan Entry Requirements

The following is required for Japanese students:

  • Successful completion of Upper Secondary School Certificate of Graduation (Kotogakko) Year 3 with GPA 2.5

Kenya Entry Requirements

The following is required for Kenya students:

  • Completion of KCSE with a C grade average
  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels
  • IB Diploma score of 22 or above

Korea Entry Requirements

The following is required for Korean students:

  • High school Diploma average D grade

Kuwait Entry Requirements

The following is required for Kuwait students:

  • Completion of Shahadat Al-Thanawaya Al-Aama (General Secondary Education Certificate) with a 70% average in final results.

Laos Entry Requirements

The following is required for Laos students:

  • IB Diploma score of 22 or above

Macau Entry Requirements

The following is required for Macau students:

  • Successful completion of Senior Middle 3 with a B or 75% average in 4 academic units

Malawi Entry Requirements

The following is required for Malawi students:

  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels

Mexico Entry Requirements

The following is required for Mexico students:

  • Completion of Mexican Upper Secondary School Program (Bachillerato or Preparatria program) with a minimum 7.0 GPA

Malaysia Entry Requirements

The following is required for Malaysian students:

  • 2 passes (minimum E grade) in STPM
  • Malaysia Independent Chinese Secondary Schools Unified Examination Certificate with a pass in 4 academic subjects
  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels
  • IB Diploma score of 22 or above

Myanmar Entry Requirements

The following is required for Myanmar students:

  • Completion of Basic Education High School Exam with grade of 50% in final year results
  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels
  • IB Diploma score of 22 or above

Nepal Entry Requirements

The following is required for Nepalese students:

  • Completion of Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Year 12) with a GPA of 2.4

New Zealand Entry Requirements

The following is required for New Zealand students:

  • Completion of National Certificates of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3 with a minimum of 42 credits in 3 approved subjects at Level 3

Nigerian Entry Requirements

The following is required for Nigerian students:

  • IB Diploma score of 22 or above

Oman Entry Requirements

The following is required for Oman students:

  • Additional year of study following General Secondary Education Certificate or Year 12 American program

Pakistan Entry Requirements

The following is required for Pakistan students:

  • Completion of Higher Secondary School Certificate with a grade average of 55%
  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels

Papua New Guinea

The following is required for Papua New Guinea students:

  • Higher School Certificate with a grade average of 70%

Philippines Entry Requirements

The following is required for Philippines students:

  • Successful completion of Year 12 with an 80% average
  • IB Diploma score of 22 or above
  • Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 (VCE or the equivalent from any Australian state or territory)

Saudi Arabia Entry Requirements

The following is required for Saudi Arabia students:

  • Additional year of study following General Secondary Education Certificate or Year 12 American program

Singapore Entry Requirements

The following is required for Singapore students:

  • 2 H2 passes in GCE A-levels
  • IB Diploma score of 22 or above

South Africa Entry Requirements

The following is required for South African students:

  • Successful completion of Year 12

Sri Lanka Entry Requirements

The following is required for Sri Lankan students:

  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels or equivalent

Sweden Entry Requirements

The following is required for Sweden students:

  • Avgangsbetyg / Slutbetyg (Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate) with a score of 10 points.

Taiwan Entry Requirements

The following is required for Taiwan students:

  • Successful completion of Senior Middle 3 with a B or 60% average in 4 academic units

Tanzania Entry Requirements

The following is required for Tanzania students:

  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels

Thailand Entry Requirements

The following is required for Thailand students:

  • Successful completion of Matayom 6 with a GPA of 2.0
  • IB Diploma score of 22 or above
  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels

Turkey Entry Requirements

The following is required for Turkey students:

  • Successful completion of Lise Diplomasi with GPA of 3.0

Uganda Entry Requirements

The following is required for Uganda students:

  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels

UK Entry Requirements

The following is required for UK students:

  • GCE A Levels with a pass in 2 subjects
  • GCE AS levels with a pass in 4 subjects

USA Entry Requirements

The following is required for USA students:

  • Successful completion of Grade 12 or equivalent with a SAT score of 1000
  • Successful completion of GED (High School Equivalency) with a minimum overall score of 580, and no content area module below 145.

Vietnam Entry Requirements

The following is required for Vietnam students:

  • Successful completion of Year 12 with a 6.0 GPA
  • IB Diploma score of 22 or above
  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels
  • Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 (VCE or the equivalent from any Australian state or territory)

Zambia Entry Requirements

The following is required for Zambia students:

  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels

Zimbabwe Entry Requirements

The following is required for Zimbabwe students:

  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels

Maths Entry Requirement

Units 3 and 4 in one of VCE Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics with a study score of at least 20; or international equivalent.

Domestic Engineering students who have not achieved this are required to enrol and pass the two mathematics units listed below during their Diploma of Engineering studies. Students studying these additional units in conjunction with their Diploma of Engineering may still complete their Diploma in three trimesters (12 months).

  • FNDE021 Mathematics I
  • FNDE023 Mathematics II

FNDE021 and FNDE023 are offered free of charge once only. Any repeat attempts at any of these units will be charged at the current Foundation Program rate.

English Language Entry Requirements

International students must be able to demonstrate English language proficiency before being admitted to this course.

Transfer guidelines

View the transfer requirements for the Diploma of Engineering below. 

Domestic Students

International Students