STUDY ENGINEERING IN AUSTRALIA

Australia has cultivated a great number of engineers. Just think of the Sydney Harbour Bridge that was engineered by John Bradfield in the 1920s. Australia offers a rich culture in all the spheres of engineering – you can study, invent or improve upon designs which can make life better and easier for all mankind.

In Australia, you can study engineering at some of the world’s newest and most prestigious universities as well as benefit from a multi-cultural community. Studying engineering in Australia means that you learn in an atmosphere where knowledge, research and expertise is gladly shared and pooled; where learning and intellectual growth are stimulated and cherished.

You can study your chosen subject as a theory or practical course – you may even end up being the one to invent the solution to Global Warming or a new type of engine to take man to far away planets. Or you may just wish to accumulate knowledge in order to pass it on to the next generation. Whatever your ambitions, we can help you choose the right combination of course and college in order to pursue your career goals.
So if you would like to study Engineering in Australia, you have come to the right place.

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
Studying Electrical Engineering in Australia

As the pace of the world increases, the world of technology seems to be moving even faster. Since the Industrial Revolution began in the late 18 th Century, invention and innovation have driven the constant advancement of human achievement. Never has the world experienced such a rapid rate of technological development as we are experiencing now – from computers to the Internet, from mobile phones to blackberries, the last twenty years have seen some remarkable inventions become ubiquitous. So, who has driven this evolution? Engineers, and more specifically, electrical engineers. They are involved at every stage of design, from the power stations that generate the large amount of electricity needed to operate the new devices, to the integrated circuits that form their basis, to the systems that are required to enable communication between them. And as the 21 st Century commences, they are at the forefront of the newest technology. The discipline has moved beyond wires and circuits to include the cutting edge fields of mechatronics (the convergence of mechanics, electronics, robotics and software design), artificial intelligence (smart robots) and nanotechnology (microscopic components), to name but a few.
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If the question is: why study electrical engineering, the answer is simple – if you want to be at the cutting edge of technology and shape the direction of the 21 st Century, there is no better choice.

As to why you should study in Australia, the answer is also simple:
Australia is one of the most liveable countries in the world. In the annual Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) survey of liveability, Australian capital cities consistently place at the top. In 2005, Melbourne was ranked number two, with Sydney, Adelaide and Perth at three and Brisbane at four. These rankings are due to the fact that Australia is a modern, multicultural country, with state-of-the-art infrastructure, spectacular natural scenery and an enviable climate. While the population is relatively small given the size of the country (20 million) the country is also highly urbanised, with the majority of the population living in the major cities that hug the eastern and south-western coasts. As such, inhabitants get all the benefits of living in a city, without the overcrowding that plagues many countries around the world.

Australians themselves also add to the attraction of the country. They represent the majority of the world’s cultures and are passionate about their multi-culturalism. They are also passionate about sport, culture and food – aspects that are reflected in the activities and facilities that are offered to residents. This enthusiasm is reflected in the student populations of the country’s universities, with most campuses hosting dynamic student associations that are focused on electrical engineering. These students run many events and activities that support their own professional development.

In terms of education, the Australian tertiary sector is world-class. Institutions such as the University of Melbourne, the University of Sydney and Australian National University feature in world rankings and offer an excellent variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, both by research and coursework. The majority of universities also offer services that are tailored to international students.

This is because Australia is already a popular destination for international students. It is estimated that around 20% of students enrolled in Australian universities are from overseas and this number has been growing significantly over the last 20 years. The number of foreign students studying engineering has also grown, estimated to have nearly doubled over the last 10 years.

Due to the different regulations that exist between countries, foreign students studying in Australia for a professional degree, such as Law and Medicine, often limit their international career options. However, studying engineering in Australia in fact opens up the global opportunities available to a graduate. Through accreditation by Engineers Australia, the national engineering professional body, qualifications attained at most universities are internationally recognised. And over 80% of Australia’s universities offer accredited electrical engineering undergraduate courses. These courses allow students to choose from a broad range of specialisations, including electronics, power, control, communications, photonics, computer, software, biomedical, mechatronics and signal processing engineering.

For those looking for postgraduate courses in electrical engineering, Australian tertiary institutions offer first-rate research facilities. Significant funding (both local and international) is awarded to the many research centres that operate within Australian universities. One of the largest, National ICT Australia (NICTA) operates across four Australian states and territories, offering research opportunities to both local and international postgraduate students interested in the area of information and communication technology (ICT). Like other modern research organisations, NICTA has a focus on not just developing the latest technology, but commercialising it as well; an important factor in a competitive world.

In addition, Australia is well-serviced by professional bodies that cater to electrical engineers. The national body, Engineers Australia, offers both professional and technical development opportunities to student members. International organisations that specialise in the high-technology sector, such as the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), also offer extensive services to student members, including access to global technical and professional networks.

By studying electrical engineering in Australia, students not only obtain a professional degree that will fast-track them through an international career, they also have an opportunity to live in one of the friendliest and most liveable countries in the world.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Studying Mechanical Engineering in Australia
Australia provides, with its multicultural makeup and strong democratic tradition, an excellent environment for students to study and mix in a diverse and tolerant community. Australia has a proud history of engineering achievement that has contributed to the richness of experience and skills offered by the tertiary sector. Taming this vast continent has meant innovative and practical solutions have been at the forefront of the mechanical engineering experience.

There are 37 engineering schools in Australia most of which offer courses in mechanical engineering. That might seem a large number for a country with a population of approximately 20 million, but it offers the international student a wide range of choices of location, size of school and educational approach. A student can study at a large metropolitan university in one of the state capitals or choose a university located in one of the major regional centres throughout Australia.

Whilst all the schools offer high quality education, many have a strong research focus, allowing students the chance to participate in leading edge research activities, whilst others interact more closely with industry, as students tackle real-world engineering.

Examples of industries where mechanical engineers work include manufacturing, mining, energy and water utilities, rail, building services, engineering and management consulting, automotive, aerospace and aeronautical, process industries, bio-engineering and computer software development. In fact, Australia's first astronaut was a graduate in mechanical engineering from Adelaide.

Australian educated engineers can be found working everywhere in today's global community. This is especially true of South and South-East Asia, where large numbers of engineers who have studied at Australian universities from the 1960s onwards will be found, many now in very senior positions in industry, or in government, with some running their own successful companies.

The number of enrolments for overseas students at Australian universities in engineering related degrees increased by over 300% from 1994 to 2004 to a total of 18,202. Overseas students now comprise nearly 40% of all engineering students. Overall Australia has 316 first degree graduates in engineering per million population. When compared internationally Australia has more engineering graduates per million than the USA, Germany, Sweden and India.

Accreditation of engineering education programs is an important element for the assurance of quality and the maintenance of standards against national and international benchmarks. The associated professional body representing a particular discipline frequently provides the accreditation function for academic programs offered in that discipline.

Graduates of an engineering education program accredited by Engineers Australia are assured graduate membership of the Institution at the relevant career grade and enjoy reciprocal recognition privileges offered by equivalent professional bodies overseas. International recognition is offered by countries such as the USA, United Kingdom, Hong Kong (SAR), New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and others that are cosignatories to international agreements on joint recognition. The Washington Accord and the Sydney Accord are agreements that recognise the substantial equivalence of accreditation systems and accredited programs across international boundaries at the Professional Engineer and Engineering Technologist levels respectively.

Many universities offer postgraduate studies in a variety of specialist areas of mechanical engineering. A quick search with Google on Australia choosing “post graduate studies in mechanical engineering in Australia” will reveal the variety of themes available.

In an increasingly connected global village Australia with its fast growing economy, political stability and tolerance, excellent climate and established university network offers overseas graduates interested in Mechanical Engineering a unique opportunity to learn new skills while experiencing the Australian approach to work and play.