Associate Degree of Engineering

Apply TodayRegister Your Interest
Rank threshold
ATAR: 60 SR: 60
Duration
4 years part-time
Location
Online
Next start term
Term 2, 2025
Study mode
Online
Course code
CC02
First-year fee
$8,140 (Indicative) (CSP)
OverviewStructure & AvailabilityRequirementsFees & ScholarshipsHow to Apply
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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 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.

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 engineering, electrical engineering, engineering geology, mechanical engineering or resources engineering. 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.

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
  • Flexible Online Study
  • Part-time Study
  • Professional Development
  • Residential Schools
  • Seamless Pathways

Career Opportunities

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.

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.

Available Locations

Your Course

You must complete 15 units (96 credits):

  1. 1
    The core structure (6 units)
  2. 2
    One nine-unit-major

Unit Details

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

Civil Engineering Major

The Civil Engineering major consists of nine units. 

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 9

Course Planner

To help you plan your studies and see which unit comes first, if one unit should be completed before another and when you will study each unit, check out our course planners.

Browse course planners

Additional Information

Professional Practice - Engineers Australia

Mining Major, Mechanical Engineering Major, Civil Engineering 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).

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).

Professional Practice - Engineers Australia

Electrical Engineering 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).

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.

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.

If you have completed prior study relevant to units within this course, you may be eligible for credit for your past studies. Learn more about credit and recognition of prior learning.

Requirements

To Be Eligible

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

Student and Course Profiles

View the student and course profiles for this course and learn about CQU's Undergraduate Profile for Term 1, 2025 via our Institute Profile. 

Institute Profile

During Your Study

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

Fees & Scholarships

Indicative First-Year Fee

The Indicative First-Year Fee is the approximate cost of enrolling in this course for one full-time academic year (eight units over two terms) for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and should be used as a guide only. Your actual fees may vary depending on the units you select to study and your study load. Check the Cost per Unit spreadsheet available on our Understanding Course Fees webpage. 

Fees are reviewed each year and are subject to change. Fee estimates for the following year are expected to be available in November each year.

Commonwealth Supported Places

This course has Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) available, and as a domestic student, you'll be offered a CSP, provided you meet CSP eligibility requirements. CSPs are subsidised by the Australian Government, meaning you are only required to pay the student contribution rather than full tuition fees.

HECS-HELP Loan

You may be eligible for a HECS-HELP government loan if you are offered a CSP. 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.

Part of your course costs will include Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF). SSAF is charged in addition to your student contribution or tuition fees and is used to help enhance your study experience. There may also be other costs as part of your studies, such as textbooks, technology expenses, travel expenses, professional certifications, uniforms, or vaccinations. 

Explore other study costs.

We believe a quality education can be for everyone – regardless of background, location, or life circumstances. That's why we offer a variety of scholarships and bursaries that can give you a helping hand with a range of expenses and enhance your employability.

Explore scholarships.

How to Apply

How to Apply

Check what you need to do to apply to study this course. 

Your Application Options

Extra Admission Information

Prior to applying, take a look at important application dates and learn about our admission considerations, such as information for domestic students with overseas qualifications, indigenous support, and elite athlete, coach and performer support. You should also check out the adjustment schemes that might be available to you and how to access them. You can also explore our offer information to learn more about what happens after you've submitted an application and how to respond to an offer to study with CQU. 

Applying for 2026

Applications for 2026 via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) open in April 2025.

More information will be available soon.

TAC codes

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