Associate Degree of Engineering

Apply TodayRegister Your Interest
Duration
4 years part-time
Location
Online
Next start term
Term 1, 2027
Study mode
Online
Course code
CC02
First-year fee
A$40,920 (2026 Indicative)
Overview
Apply Today
OverviewStructure & AvailabilityRequirementsFees & ScholarshipsHow to Apply
Apply Today
Engineering worker in hi vis and a hard hat stands in front of a worksite and machinery.

Overview

Study the Associate Degree of Engineering and develop the skills and qualifications 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.

The Associate Degree serves as an entry point into higher education for engineering. This course will deliver the fundamentals of engineering practice, with specialised units developing technical knowledge in your chosen major:

  • Civil Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Engineering Geology
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Resources Engineering.

Learn more about each major in the Structure & Availability section below.

This course incorporates project-based learning, featuring practical and authentic assessments to prepare you for the industry. You must apply mathematical and scientific knowledge, promote sustainable and ethical practice and disseminate outcomes through presentations, reports and technical drawings. The capstone project provides an opportunity to showcase your skills in delivering tangible engineering outcomes. 

Other Engineering Study Options

If you are interested in furthering your studies and progressing your career in engineering, pathway opportunities are available to numerous undergraduate engineering courses to help you achieve your goals depending on your chosen major. 

Bachelor of Engineering Technology

Study Experience

Discover more about your online, industry-accredited engineering course that combines theory with practical learning experiences, including six weeks of industry placement. Click 'Explore Study Experience' for more information.

  • Accredited Qualification
  • Seamless Pathways
  • Residential Schools
  • Internships
  • Flexible Online Study
  • Student Support
  • Selfie of Yogesh Goyal at a lake
    “
    I undertook a 12-week internship during my course, which gave me a lot of confidence to improve my performance and professional skills. I had an opportunity to work on various civil engineering projects. It has helped me to utilise my knowledge in real-world applications.

    Yogesh Goyal

    Master of Engineering (Civil) | India

Career Opportunities

As a graduate of the Associate Degree of Engineering, you will be prepared for professional practice as an Engineering Associate, playing a vital role in the delivery, operation, and maintenance of engineering projects and systems. 

Engineering Associates apply practical engineering knowledge and technical skills to support the design, development, testing, construction, and maintenance of equipment, infrastructure, and engineering facilities. You will work closely with Professional Engineers, Engineering Technologists, contractors, and tradespeople to implement engineering solutions and ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and in accordance with industry standards. Your practical expertise and problem-solving capabilities will enable you to contribute valuable insights throughout project planning, construction, commissioning, and operational phases. Engineering Associates are often responsible for supervising technical teams, coordinating construction activities, managing site operations, and ensuring quality, safety, and compliance requirements are met. Depending on your role, you may act as a foreperson, site supervisor, technical officer, project coordinator, or maintenance specialist, providing the essential link between engineering design and practical implementation. 

Upon completion, you can pursue rewarding careers across industries such as construction, civil infrastructure, mining and resources, manufacturing, energy, utilities, transportation, water, and government. Career opportunities may include roles in engineering support, drafting and design, construction supervision, asset management, operations, maintenance, testing and commissioning, and technical project delivery.

Structure & Availability

The course structure and available locations can change depending on when you want to study. 

You can choose the intake that best suits you in the drop-down menu below. Visit the Academic Calendars webpage for key dates relevant to your chosen intake.

Available Locations

Your Course

You must complete 15 units (96 credits):

  1. 1
    The core structure (5 units)
  2. 2
    One major (10 units)

Unit Details

The units you'll study are listed below. Click on a unit to learn more.

Core Units

You will study the five units listed below.

Civil Engineering Major

The Civil Engineering Major consists of nine or ten units, depending on your chosen pathway. 

You will study the first eight units listed below. You'll then choose one of the following elective combinations:

Option 1:
  • Fundamentals of Sustainable Energy (ENEG11009)
  • Building Systems and Services 1 (BLAR11043).
Option 2: Engineering Trade Practice

Engineering Trade Practice offers those who have already completed a TAFE qualification (eligible courses only) to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

  • Trade Practice 1 (ENAG11010).

In this major, you'll learn about planning design, and maintenance of physical infrastructure systems such as buildings and bridges, harbours and railways. You'll also gain knowledge and skills of hydraulics and materials science.

Showing 8 of 11

Additional Information

Engineering Practice Experience - ENEP14004

Students 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.

Learned Society - Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy

Engineering Geology Major

The CC02 Associate Degree of Engineering Civil, Electrical, Mechanical and Mining majors are fully accredited by Engineers Australia.

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).

You will be required to attend a CQUniversity campus or other location for compulsory residential schools for some units. Residential schools provide you with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate practical skills. You are encouraged to check unit details to determine whether a unit has a residential component prior to enrolling. Refer to the Engineering Undergraduate Course Moodle for a schedule of residentials each year.

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

Requirements

To Be Eligible

For your application to be considered, you must meet the following entry requirements.

English and Alternative Entry Pathways

CQU offers a range of English and alternative entry pathways to help you get started. If you don’t meet the entry requirements, there are options available, depending on your background and previous experience.

View Alternative Entry Pathways

During Your Study

While not needed to apply, you'll need to meet the following requirements throughout your studies. 

Fees & Scholarships

Course Fees

This is an approximate cost of enrolling in this course, shown in Australian dollars (A$), for one academic year and is based on a full-time study load (8 units over 2 terms). 

Your actual fees may vary, depending on the units that you select to study and your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and are subject to change.

International Course Fees

Study online from outside Australia and access reduced fees for the duration of your course. Graduate certificates are A$8760 in total, and bachelor and master courses are A$17 520 for the first year in 2027. 

Fees are indicative and based on a full-time study load of 24 credit points per term. Graduate certificate fees are based on one term (six months) of study, while bachelor and master fees are based on two terms (one year) of study.

Please note there may be other costs involved apart from your tuition fee.

You may be eligible for a scholarship depending on your citizenship, your study mode or whether you're pursuing a research degree. Together with our affordable tuition fees, this can help make achieving your study goals more affordable.

Browse our scholarships

How to Apply

You can apply through an agent for expert guidance, or directly via iStart, our online application system for international students if you’re in Australia.

Apply

Related Courses

All Courses
All Courses

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

On Campus, Online

Term 1, 2027

Bundaberg, Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay, Online, Rockhampton

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Diploma of Professional Practice (Co-op Engineering)

Online, On Campus

Term 1, 2027

Bundaberg, Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay, Online, Rockhampton

Bachelor of Engineering Technology

On Campus, Online

Term 1, 2027

Bundaberg, Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay, Online, Rockhampton