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Changes to UniSA engineering programs

Frequently asked questions and answers for international students

  1. What changes have been made to the Bachelor of Engineering Programs at UniSA?
  2. Why have the changes been introduced?
  3. Have the entry requirements for the programs been affected by the changes?
  4. Can I still complete the degree over four years if I want to?
  5. Will there be additional intakes into UniSA engineering programs from now on?
  6. Does this affect the choices I have in what and how I can study engineering at UniSA?
  7. Is there any difference between the program requirements between the accelerated 3 year program and the standard 4 year options?
  8. Do I have to choose whether I complete the program in 3 or 4 years when I apply for admission into the program?
  9. Is there any difference in the courses and classes students attend between the 3 year and the 4 year duration options?
  10. How will this affect my Fees?
  11. Is there any difference in the award I receive from UniSA when I graduate with the Bachelor of Engineering as a result of these changes?
  12. Does this affect the recognition of the engineering program by Engineers Australia?
  13. I haven’t applied for admission into any University programs for 2008, but because of the changes I would now like to apply for a UniSA engineering program, what do I need to do?
  14. Can I change my mind about the discipline of engineering I applied for once I am in the program and how long do I have to make this decision?
  15. I have studied engineering at a previous institution, can I still get credit for the studies I have completed towards the Bachelor of Engineering programs at UniSA?

  16. I am applying for the mid-year intake for the current Bachelor of Engineering programs but I am really interested in the new programs to be introduced in 2009, can I transfer at the end of this year?
     

1. What changes have been made to the Bachelor of Engineering Programs at UniSA?

UniSA  made a number of key changes to their range of engineering programs that came into effect in 2008. These changes included:

New programs and double degrees: In 2007 UniSA commenced review of the Bachelor of Engineering programs following consultation with industry, Engineers Australia, recent graduates and current students. The aims of the changes are to develop engineering graduates with the knowledge and skills that industries are seeking from professional engineers whilst making them more attractive and flexible to prospective students. UniSA has introduced a wider choice of engineering specialisations which are strongly aligned with industry demand for professional engineers, particularly in the fields of mining and resources, defence, civil infrastructure construction, environmental engineering and niche market advanced manufacturing.

New programs: From 2009 UniSA will be offering the following 7 programs:

Double degrees: UniSA will continue to offer a range of engineering double degree options with IT, Management, Marketing and Law.  In addition, UniSA will be offering double degrees with the new programs listed below:

For the full program listing and further information about engineering at UniSA please visit: www.unisa.edu.au/itee

Common first year: We have introduced a first year program of eight new core courses which are common to all of our Bachelor of Engineering degrees, including the double degrees and the Bachelor of Technology (Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering). The eight core courses are also common with the new Associate Degree in Engineering also introduced in 2008. The first year program of study  provides a practice-centred foundation to engineering that exposes students to the breadth of engineering as well as how engineering is applied in servicing the community. By the end of the first year students have a solid understanding of the diversity of engineering and they are in a more knowledgeable position to choose the specialised field of engineering within which they want to work as a professional engineer. Although students will commence in their nominated specialisation at the beginning of the first year they will be able to transfer to a different specialisation of their choice by the end of the first year without additional time or cost if they wish to do so.

Three year completion option: UniSA now also gives students the opportunity to accelerate the completion of their Bachelor of Engineering program to 3 years. UniSA is the only University in South Australia and one of only a few Universities nationally, to offer this option to domestic and international students. We have changed the structure of the engineering programs by introducing an accelerated program of study using three study periods per year instead of two. At the end of the first year students with satisfactory performance will have the option to enrol in a summer study period instead of taking a break. Enrolling in additional study periods each year will continue in the following two years to enable the completion of the degree in three years. Students interested in this option should obtain further information from their program director.

Increased experiential learning through the introduction of new courses in 2009
All of the Bachelor of Engineering programs have new course schedules being introduced in 2009. Many of the new and changed courses have increased opportunities for student ‘experiential learning’ through exposure to research, practical projects, professional experience and projects with industry.

Programs no longer offered in 2009

UniSA offers the greatest flexibility & choice in SA: These changes now mean that UniSA offers you the widest range of flexible entry pathways to become an engineer in South Australia. UniSA also offers you more options to choose how long you want to take to complete your engineering program and commence your career as a professional engineer.

2. Why have the changes been introduced?

The University of South Australia works very closely with industry and the engineering profession to ensure that our graduates have the professional knowledge, skills, experience and qualities that industry internationally and nationally demand. UniSA has a rigorous annual program review process. Industry advisory committees are a very important part of the program review process. We constantly change our program content and the balance of theory, practice and experience to ensure our engineering programs are innovative, current and relevant to the needs of industry.

Industries are experiencing a global shortage of qualified engineers. The significant growth in the defence, mining, civil infrastructure construction, environmental engineering, advanced manufacturing and resources industries in South Australia will greatly increase the local demand for qualified engineers in a wide range of specialisations relevant to these industries such as civil, electrical, electronic, computer systems and mechanical engineering. There is an immediate need to increase the number of engineers to meet the demands of industry and to get engineering students into their professional careers much earlier than has been the case until now. These changes will mean that UniSA Engineering Graduates are in an excellent position to help meet this demand for engineers in a wide range of engineering disciplines and specialisations, internationally and within Australia.

3. Have the entry requirements for the programs been affected by the changes?

Stage 2 Chemistry is no longer an assumed knowledge entry requirement with all other entry requirements remaining the same. At the end of the first year and completion of the eight common core courses students demonstrating good academic performance will have the option to undertake the accelerated program option and students interested in this option should obtain further information from their program director.

4. Can I still complete the degree over four years if I want to?

Yes. The four-year option will remain available for students who wish, for academic or personal reasons, to complete in the standard program duration.

5. Will there be additional intakes into UniSA engineering programs from now on?

For the time being UniSA will continue to have 2 major intakes a year into our Bachelor and double degrees in engineering. The Study Period 2 intake is for commencement at the end of February each year and Study Period 5 intake is for commencement at the end of July each year.

6. Does this affect the choices I have in what and how I can study engineering at UniSA?

Yes, prospective students apply for admission into the Engineering program that they want to study. All students will study the common first year of eight courses and as mentioned in question 1 (above) students at the end of the 1st year will be able to easily transfer from one specialisation to another.

Students with satisfactory academic performance will also have the opportunity after first year to take the accelerated program and complete the degree in three years or they can choose to complete it in the standard 4 years.

Note: International students are required to study full time in study period 2 and study period 5 as a condition of the student visa and are not permitted to study part time.

7. Is there any difference between the program requirements between the accelerated 3 year program and the standard 4 year options?

No. The courses in program schedule and the content of each course are exactly the same irrespective of whether or not a student elects to complete the program in 3 years or 4 years, including the requirement to complete a minimum of 12 weeks industry experience. The order in which the courses are taken may vary and the elective courses offered in each study period may also vary. The accelerated program will be achieved by intensive delivery options for some courses in the summer study periods.

8. Do I have to choose whether I complete the program in 3 or 4 years when I apply for admission into the program?

No. All students will apply for and be admitted into the standard 4 year program and complete the 8 core courses in the first year. The students wishing to complete the program in the standard 4 years do not enrol in the summer study period courses. Students interested in the accelerated program option and demonstrating good academic performance in the first year should obtain further information from their program director and enrol in the courses offered over the summer study period each year.

9. Is there any difference in the courses and classes students attend between the 3 year and the 4 year duration options?

No. There is no difference in the curriculum and course assessment methods of each course if a student chooses to complete the program in 3 years and enrol in courses offered in the holiday periods compared to those completing the program in 4 years. However, the holiday periods may be shorter than the standard semester so courses will be taught in intensive study mode.

10. How will this affect my Fees?

The total program fee for the Bachelor of Engineering program for international students remains exactly the same regardless of completing the program in 3 or 4 years. However, international students are required to pay the study period tuition fee in advance of each study period. Therefore, students choosing to complete the program in 3 years will pay tuition fees for 3 study periods per year instead of the standard 2 per year for the 4 year duration. So although the total program fee is identical, the annual fee will be more because of the additional study period.

However, by completing the program in 3 years international students will save on the living expenses for up to a year, which is approximately $13,000 per year and they also can commence work a year earlier, so there are significant advantages for international students in particular to choose to complete the program in 3 years.

11. Is there any difference in the award I receive from UniSA when I graduate with the Bachelor of Engineering as a result of these changes?

No. The name of the degree and the graduation parchment you receive are exactly the same irrespective the 3 year or 4 year option. The only difference is that the Official Transcript issued by UniSA will indicate the Study Period in which the student attempted each course.

12. Does this affect the recognition of the engineering program by Engineers Australia?

Provided all requirements of the program are satisfactorily completed and you are eligible to receive the award and Graduate, then you will be eligible to apply to Engineers Australia for membership as a professional engineer. 

Australia is also a founding member country of the Washington Accord which is an agreement between the member countries to mutually recognise each others engineering qualifications as satisfying the academic requirements for the practice of engineering at the professional level in each of the member countries. So a Bachelor of Engineering degree from UniSA is internationally recognised by the Washington Accord member countries as well as many other overseas countries.
More information about the Washington Accord.

13. I haven’t applied for admission into any University programs for 2008, but because of the changes I would now like to apply for a UniSA engineering program, what do I need to do?

International students apply direct to the University of South Australia, either through one of our in-country representatives or through Apply Online. You’ll find a list of UniSA Representatives in your country and information about the application processes at the UniSA website for International Students. International students should aim to be in Adelaide before their programs Orientation week.

14. Can I change my mind about the discipline of engineering I applied for once I am in the program and how long do I have to make this decision?

Yes. See information about the common first year in question 1 above.

15. I have studied engineering at a previous institution, can I still get credit for the studies I have completed towards the Bachelor of Engineering programs at UniSA?

Yes you can, but the introduction of these changes and the courses offered in the summer study period will be introduced progressively over the next few years. So you may not be able to accelerate the completion of the program, this will depend on the combination of the courses for which you have received credit, the remaining courses you need to study and the courses offered by UniSA in the summer study periods.

Further information about credit.

16. I am applying for the mid-year intake for the current Bachelor of Engineering programs but I am really interested in the new programs to be introduced in 2009, can I transfer at the end of this year?

Yes. You will have to apply to SATAC for admission into one of our current Bachelor of Engineering programs. Then at the end of 2008 you can apply direct to UniSA to transfer into the new program of your choice. Provided you are studying the courses in the common first year structure, you can transfer and receive full credit for the courses completed in study period 5, 2008.

If you have any specific questions or you need the program information and codes for the new engineering double degrees with Law please contact our International Students Service Centre.

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