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Associate Degree of Engineering - CC02

Study the Associate Degree of Engineering and develop the skills and qualification needed to become an engineering associate. Engineering associates combine a sound engineering understanding with modern technology to apply and adapt sustainable engineering practices for communities, society and the environment in general. Engineering associates often work to support professional engineers or engineering technologists in a team environment.

DOMESTICINTERNATIONAL
STUDY MODES

Online

RANK THRESHOLD

SR:60 ATAR:60

UNITS/CREDITS

15/96

DURATION

4 years part-time

AVAILABILITY

Online

PREREQUISITES

No pre-requisites required

RECOMMENDED STUDY

English, Science subjects, Maths

The Associate Degree of Engineering allows you to develop the skills required to become an engineering associate and gain knowledge of engineering principles relevant to the testing, inspection, drawing, adaptation, commissioning, management or operation of on-site equipment, plant and systems. There is the opportunity to tailor your studies to your areas of interest by selecting from majors in civil, electrical, mechanical or mining engineering or engineering geology. The Associate Degree of Engineering course is based on the project-based learning philosophy which offers the opportunity to learn in context. This approach is designed to produce work-ready graduates with industry-relevant skills.

Core Units 6 Major Units 9
Electives None Minor Units None

Course structure

You are required to complete seven core units and a nine-unit major in civil engineering, electrical engineering, engineering geology, mechanical engineering or mining.

Unit information

For information on the units you could study as part of this course, visit the Handbook and select the "Course Structure" tab.

Credit transfer information

If you have already completed study relevant to the course you have enrolled in, you may be eligible for credit transfer.

Mathematics credit option

If you have completed Mathematical Methods in Year 12, you may receive credit for the Foundation Mathematics (MATH11247) unit, a core unit within this degree. Please email the College of Engineering and Aviation to learn how to apply for the mathematics credit pathway.

Industry aligned

The Associate Degree of Engineering has been developed in collaboration with industry to meet the training and development needs of the engineering sector. As a graduate, you will satisfy the academic requirements for membership as an Engineering Officer of Engineers Australia.

And if you study the Mining or Engineering Geology major, these majors are:

  • endorsed by the Minerals Council of Australia through its Minerals Industry National Associate Degree (MINAD) Program.
  • recognised by the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) as meeting the academic requirements for membership.

Flexible study options

The Associate Degree of Engineering is delivered part-time and available to study online, making it an ideal option if you seek the flexibility to combine study and work commitments.

Choice of Majors

There are many majors to choose from, each providing you with relevant, in-depth industry skills and knowledge. Choose from a major in:

  • civil engineering typically focuses on planning, designing, and maintaining physical infrastructure systems such as buildings and bridges, transport and water resource systems, sewage and industrial waste systems, harbours and railways.
  • electrical engineering typically focuses on systems design, development, and maintenance of electrical power and energy systems, including electricity generation and distribution, telecommunications, instrumentation and control, microprocessors, and electronics.
  • mechanical engineering generally involves the planning, design, installation, maintenance and operation of machines, thermodynamic and combustion systems, fluid systems, materials handling systems, manufacturing equipment, and process plants.
  • mining engineering involves the extraction and processing of minerals.
  • engineering geology typically investigates and focuses on geologic and geotechnical recommendations, analysis, and design, often working with other engineering disciplines on large infrastructure projects.

Study pathways

If you are interested in further study and progressing towards engineering roles such as Engineering Technologist or Professional Engineer, articulation opportunities exist between this course and our other engineering courses to help you achieve your goals. After completing this course, you may be interested in the following: 

Online Availability

Term 1 - 2024Available Online
Term 2 - 2023Available Online
Term 2 - 2024Available Online
MajorsUnitsDescription
Civil Engineering9
Electrical Engineering9
Engineering Geology9

The Engineering Geology major is recognised by the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM).

The Engineering Geology major is endorsed by The Minerals Industry National Associate Degree (MINAD) Program which was established through the Minerals Tertiary Education Council (MTEC), a sub-committee of the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA).

Mechanical Engineering9
Resources Engineering9

The Resources major is recognised by the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM).

The Resources major is endorsed by The Minerals Industry National Associate Degree (MINAD) Program which was established through the Minerals Tertiary Education Council (MTEC), a sub-committee of the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA).


Depending on your chosen major, you may work in the following engineering fields supporting professional engineers or engineering technologists in a team environment:

  • civil engineering typically focuses on planning, designing, and maintaining physical infrastructure systems such as buildings and bridges, transport and water resource systems, sewage and industrial waste systems, harbours and railways.
  • electrical engineering typically focuses on systems design, development, and maintenance of electrical power and energy systems, including electricity generation and distribution, telecommunications, instrumentation and control, microprocessors, and electronics.
  • mechanical engineering generally involves the planning, design, installation, maintenance and operation of machines, thermodynamic and combustion systems, fluid systems, materials handling systems, manufacturing equipment, and process plants.
  • mining engineering involves the extraction and processing of minerals.
  • engineering geology typically investigates and focuses on geologic and geotechnical recommendations, analysis, and design, often working with other engineering disciplines on large infrastructure projects.
Unit NameCodeDescription
Engineering Practice ExperienceENEP14004Students are required to complete 240 hours of Engineering Professional Practice prior to graduation. Once the students have completed the professional practice requirements, they must enrol in this unit and provide evidence of how they have attained the professional engineering practice exposure required by Engineers Australia.
Students of this course will be required to attend a CQUniversity location or other designated location for compulsory residential schools in some units. Students are advised to check unit details to determine whether a unit has a residential component prior to enrolling.

Rank Threshold

The rank threshold is the minimum competitive rank required for your application to be considered for entry to this course.

The rank threshold for this course is: SR 60 | ATAR 60.0


Student profile

If you would like to know more about entry scores for applicants with recent secondary education and the student profile for this course view our Course and Entry Score Profile for Term 1, 2022.

Institute profile

To find out about CQUniversity's Undergraduate Profile for Term 1, 2022 view our Institute Profile.

English Language Proficiency Requirements:

If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa, or the United States of America, you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.

Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion of:

  • A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or
  • An Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) diploma level qualification, or
  • Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years fulltime with a minimum overall GPA 4.0

completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland or United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.

If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:

  • An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each subset; or
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Requires 550 or better overall and minimum TWE score of 4.5 (Paper Based Test), or 75 or better overall and no score less than 17 (Internet Based Test); or
  • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Requires an overall score of 54 with no sub-score less than 46; or
  • An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.

English test results remain valid for no more than two years between the final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.

If you are an international student, visit our International student webpage for more information

Each student will be assessed individually.

Security Requirements

N/A

Health Requirements

N/A

Assumed Knowledge

Recommended study: English, science subjects, and maths

As an Associate Degree of Engineering graduate, you will enjoy various challenging career options across multiple industries and government sectors. As an engineering associate, you will apply your knowledge of engineering principles to the testing, inspection, adaptation, commissioning, management or operation of on-site equipment, plant and systems. You may prepare drawings or specifications for others to use in manufacturing or construction. Engineering associates, having specialised in civil, mechanical or electrical disciplines, find employment in national and international public and private industry sectors, including the energy, transportation, manufacturing, process, construction, mining and education industries.

Professional Practice: Mining Major
Engineers Australia

The CC02 Associate Degree of Engineering Civil, Electrical, Mechanical and Mining majors are fully accredited by Engineers Australia https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au

Graduates are recognised as engineering associates and are eligible for Graduate membership with EA.

The Engineering Geology major is accredited by the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) https://www.ausimm.com

Professional Practice: Mechanical Engineering Major
Engineers Australia

The CC02 Associate Degree of Engineering Civil, Electrical, Mechanical and Mining majors are fully accredited by Engineers Australia https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au

Graduates are recognised as engineering associates and are eligible for Graduate membership with EA.

The Engineering Geology major is accredited by the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) https://www.ausimm.com

Learned Society: Engineering Geology Major
Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy

The CC02 Associate Degree of Engineering Civil, Electrical, Mechanical and Mining majors are fully accredited by Engineers Australia https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au

Graduates are recognised as engineering associates and are eligible for Graduate membership with EA.

The Engineering Geology major is accredited by the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) https://www.ausimm.com

Professional Practice: Electrical Engineering Major
Engineers Australia

The CC02 Associate Degree of Engineering Civil, Electrical, Mechanical and Mining majors are fully accredited by Engineers Australia https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au 

Graduates are recognised as engineering associates and are eligible for Graduate membership with EA.

The Engineering Geology major is accredited by the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) https://www.ausimm.com 

Professional Practice: Civil Engineering Major
Engineers Australia

The CC02 Associate Degree of Engineering Civil, Electrical, Mechanical and Mining majors are fully accredited by Engineers Australia https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au

Graduates are recognised as engineering associates and are eligible for Graduate membership with EA.

The Engineering Geology major is accredited by the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) https://www.ausimm.com

2023 Indicative Fees
Fee TypeFees
Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee$7,252.00

Indicative first-year fee

The fees listed are indicative only and based on enrolling in a full-time study load for one academic year (generally, this is eight units over two terms). Your fees may vary depending on the units you select and the number you study per term. Fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change. Understanding your fees.

Commonwealth support and government assistance loans

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) are subsidised by the Australian Government, meaning you are only required to pay the student contribution rather than full tuition fees if you meet eligibility requirements. If offered a CSP, you may be eligible for a HECS-HELP government loan. HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme that assists you in paying your student contributions. Provided you meet the HECS-HELP eligibility criteria, you may use HECS-HELP to defer part or all of your student contribution fees. Learn more about paying for university.

Other study costs

Part of your course costs includes Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF). There may also be additional costs as part of your studies, such as textbooks, technology expenses, travel expenses, professional certifications, uniforms, or vaccinations. Explore other study costs.

At CQUniversity, we believe higher education should be for everyone. No matter your situation, we know that everyone needs a helping hand from time to time, and we are proud to offer a wide range of scholarships, bursaries and stipends.
Our scholarships could help you pay for things like relocation, living on campus, laptops and technology, childcare, study and living expenses, travel and more. 

TasmaniaONL: 150301
Northern TerritoryONL: 150301
New South WalesONL: 160301
VictoriaONL: 150301
South AustraliaONL: 150301
Western AustraliaONL: 150301
QueenslandONL: 850385


If you apply via a Tertiary Admissions Centre (TAC) listed under 'How to Apply', please use the relevant TAC code listed above to complete your application.

If you have decided what you would like to study and are ready to apply, we’re here to help you along the way. Before you apply, you will need to have a Unique Student Identifier (USI). If you do not have a USI, creating one is quick and easy. Simply visit usi.gov.au to create one.

Want to know more about application dates and other admission information?
View our important dates information and read about other admission considerations such as information for domestic students with overseas qualifications, indigenous support, and elite athlete, coach and performer support.

What’s the best way to apply?

  • Option 1: Ideal for most situations, whether you have completed high school recently or some time ago.
  • Option 2: Ideal if you have previously studied with CQUni.

Option 1: Ideal for most situations, apply via a tertiary admission centre

View the table below for the best application option based on where you live.

If you live in Tertiary Admissions Centre (TAC)*
Queensland Apply via QTAC
New South Wales; Australian Capital Territory Apply via UAC
All other states Apply via ApplyCQUNI

*Please note that you may be required to pay a fee when applying via a TAC.


Option 2: If you have previously studied with CQUni, apply direct.

As a past CQUni student, you may be eligible to apply directly to CQUniversity for this course. To apply direct, your prior study with CQUni must be a completed or partially completed CQUni course or unit including:
  • CQUni’s Skills for Tertiary Entrance Preparatory Studies (STEPS), Tertiary Entrance Program (TEP), or Start Uni Now (SUN) units.
  • A CQUni certificate, diploma, advanced diploma, associate degree, bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, master or research higher degree, or a unit within these courses.
Apply direct