Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical and Electronic)

Electrical engineers are needed wherever electrically powered tools, devices or systems need to be designed, manufactured or maintained, and these systems include systems that generate, transmit or distribute electrical energy;

systems that acquire, process or deliver information;

systems that automate processes and deliver services.

Position yourself at the forefront of technology, with a popular degree that gives you a broad range of career options.

You will apply engineering theory to real-world challenges, becoming skilled in power systems, renewable energy, electronics, embedded systems, telecommunications, signal processing, automation and control, project management and systems engineering.

Graduate career-ready by completing the UniSA STEM Professional Practice Program and gain at least 450 hours of skills and competencies through a range of engagement activities such as placements, internships, guest lectures, industry panels, site visits, networking and events.

We’re one of Australia’s leading universities for Engineering research.1 Our leading researchers will be your teachers and everything you learn will be supported by the expertise and experience gained through our research excellence.

1 UniSA’s Engineering research rated well above world-class – 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent AND

• Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
• Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
• Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points

Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.

Recent secondary education ATAR profile

OR Higher education study

• Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
• Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above, or
• Complete the Associate Degree in Engineering at the University of South Australia

OR Vocational Education and Training (VET)

• Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV or above

OR Work and life experience

• Qualify for Special Entry, or
• Complete a UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
• Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past

Essential requirements for admission

Prerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

Deferment

This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.

In your first year you will develop a strong, general foundation in engineering, including computer programming, applied mathematics and physics. As your studies progress, you will learn about analog electronics, digital electronics, software development, embedded systems, computer networking, electrical machines, signal processing, control systems. Depending on your chosen major, you will also learn specialist topics in power systems and renewable energy, telecommunications, computer engineering, or optical engineering. Our UniSA STEM Professional Practice Program allows you to apply the skills and knowledge you've acquired throughout your degree in real-world settings.

At least half of the honours year involves a major project. Armed with new knowledge and skills, using the latest design tools, and mentored by engineering academic staff, our honours students develop innovative products to advance technology.

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.

Your studies at UniSA will incorporate both practical, professionally-focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

UniSA collaborates with over 2,500 companies worldwide to ensure our degrees remain relevant and connected to industry. As part of all engineering degrees UniSA students participate in our UniSA STEM Professional Practice Program. The UniSA STEM Professional Practice Program gives you the opportunity during your studies to gain hands on experience and create industry connections. In-industry work placements and internships enhance the employability skills of our graduates. Many of our graduates have been employed through work placements or internships.

Professionally accredited by Engineers Australia, our engineering degrees offer a huge amount of study flexibility. On graduation you’ll be eligible for membership of Engineers Australia and comparable international institutions. We also host regular University-wide employee master classes and employment expos, and alumni events in Australia and overseas.

Your career

To be a successful electrical and electronic engineer, you should be a good problem solver, show a passion for understanding science, mathematics and technologies, and applying your knowledge to the betterment of the quality of lives. Careers to consider:

• electrical design engineer: creating solutions ranging from small component designs to large-scale systems by studying customer requirements; working on all stages of design for electrical services, from early research and development through to detailed design, installation and final commissioning
• electronics engineer: using nonlinear and active electrical components (such as semiconductor devices, especially transistors, diodes and integrated circuits) to design electronic circuits, devices, VLSI devices and systems
• computer/embedded system engineer: designing and implementing embedded systems performing sensing, communications, signal processing, control for various applications, ranging from consumer appliances to Industrial Internet of Things equipment; dealing with graphics processing units and field-programmable gate arrays for advanced applications
• power systems engineer: designing, building, maintaining, monitoring systems that deal with the generation, transmission, distribution and utilisation of electric power, and the electrical apparatus connected to such systems
• telecommunications engineer: designing, commissioning, maintaining, monitoring the installation of telecommunications equipment and facilities, such as complex electronic switching systems, optical fibre cabling, IP networks, and microwave transmission systems
• control system engineer: selecting, commissioning, designing, maintaining control systems for automated devices, systems (as small as electric toothbrushes or as big as rockets) or processes
• systems engineer: applying a robust approach to the design and management of complex systems over their life cycle, including the integration of a large number of products from multiple vendors
• engineering consultant: providing consulting services to help organisations improve performance and efficiency; analysing businesses and creating solutions to help meet their goals
• entrepreneur: using initiative, commercial acumen and broad ranging business skills to develop or transform a product or service for yourself or an organisation

Explore a range of engineering and construction careers here.

Applying to study with us:

• go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
• you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.

Adelaide has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal perfect location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Our student support services will make your life at university easier. We want you to be successful, and if you need help, we're here to assist. We provide a full range of support services, including:

• academic counselling
• personal counselling
• social support services, including family support and nearby childcare

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.

You will have access to the latest industry technology and tools in our engineering learning spaces:

• Experience One Studio: the first-year engineering space is unique, with open studio, small group and learning spaces. There are also chill out areas
• Engineering experience studio: the studio for second and third year students
• Experiential Learning Space: a collaborative, innovation space. Final year students, postgraduate and research students, leading researchers and industry partners work side-by-side, in a flexible, open and creative environment
• Digital Electronics Laboratory and Electronics Innovation Laboratory: build circuits with analog and digital components, program field-programmable gate arrays, and develop embedded systems using the latest electronic laboratory equipment
• Power System Laboratory: get hands-on experience with electrical machines and power electronics using industry-recognised equipment
• Mechatronics Laboratory: explore active suspension systems, mobile robotics, industrial control stations comprising programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) software
• Factory of the Future Laboratory: explore networked collaborative robots, machine vision, and Industrial Internet of Things in the Industry 4 Robotics & Machine Vision Laboratory and Advanced Design Studio