INTERNATIONAL

Associate Degree in Mechanical Engineering

CRICOS Code: 117357K
National Code: CRS1401610


Description

Become a paraprofessional mechanical engineer, where you’ll gain the skills to design, install, commission, test and troubleshoot mechanical equipment. This course is tailored to meet the demands of South Australia’s key industries, including manufacturing and defence, and open doors to various sectors such as robotics, production line processing and mining. You’ll delve into engineering practice, mathematics, manufacturing, machine dynamics, fluid and thermal systems, project management and mechatronics. Plus, you can fast-track your pathway to a university degree. Launch your career and advance your studies in this rapidly expanding field with TAFE SA

Duration (incl. holidays)
Semester(s)
Teaching Duration
Print Course Page
104 weeks
4
80 weeks
Campus / Location
Study Mode
Contact Hours
Study Load
Commences
Scheduled

Course Admission Requirements
(for International Applications)

  • Academic IELTS score of 6.0 Overall with minimum of 5.5 in all bands or equivalent.
  • Satisfactory completion of Year 12 including Year 12 Maths, or overseas equivalent or the successful completion of the CIII in Engineering - Technical (if no Year 12) or the Diploma of Engineering - Technical if no Year 12 Maths).
  • All international students will be required to undertake an Engineering Diagnostic Test during the orientation and induction program at TAFE SA (prior to commencing their course) to demonstrate sufficient and required technical skills for academic success. See course note for more information.

Course Notes

  • Within 2 weeks of commencement students will need to purchase a laptop and a 2nd screen to enable practice at home/ on campus. TAFE SA will provide any compulsory software.
    Minimum requirements:
    Windows 10 or later
    Minimum 16 GB RAM
    Minimum 12th Gen Intel I5 or AMD 6000 Series Ryzen 5
    Minimum 250 GB hard drive
    Apple Macs and mobile devices are not suitable

    These computing requirements would cost approximately $1500-$2000 and can be purchased online of in store. TAFE SA loaned laptops are unavailable after 5pm and do not have the compulsory software for this course. More specific details will be provided at or after commencement.
  • All international students will be required to undertake an Engineering Diagnostic Test during the orientation and induction program at TAFE SA (prior to commencing their course) to demonstrate sufficient and required skills for academic success. The diagnostic test will help identify a student’s current level of mathematical skills and determine any areas of improvement. The test involves the below areas:

    • Arithmetic
    • Notation
    • Algebra
    • Graphs, scales and data
    • Reasoning
    • Geometry and trigonometry
    • Reading and comprehension

    The duration of the test is 60-90 minutes and no calculators, including phones, can be used.

    Results of the test:
    Students achieving 60% will be able to commence in the Associate Degree.
    Students achieving less than 60% will need to transfer to either the Certificate III or Diploma in Engineering - Technical to build their technical knowledge.

    Any changes to course enrolment based on the result in the Test will affect that student’s enrolment and study duration at TAFE SA.

Fees

These course fees are for international students only.

Duration
Fees
Average cost per semester (6 months)
AUD $10068
Total course cost ( 104 weeks)
AUD $40270
Incidental Fees*
AUD $2000*
Total Fees
AUD $42270

Note: TAFE SA course tuition and other fees/costs are subject to regular increases and are reviewed annually. TAFE SA accepts applications for courses commencing beyond the current year, course, tuition and other fees/costs for these years will apply once published. TAFE SA and their agents reserve the right to alter, amend or delete any fee, course, admission requirement, mode of delivery, duration or other arrangement without prior notice. If the study duration is extended beyond the period of the student’s visa the student will be liable for visa and related costs, eg medical examinations, OSHC and living expenses.

Overseas Students Health Cover

All overseas students are required to have Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC) insurance for the entire duration of the course. The health cover rate will vary depending on the personal circumstances and duration of stay in Australia. Read more about Overseas Students Health Cover.

  • Employment Outcomes

    Paraprofessional engineer

    Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.

    Qualifications & Skills Covered

    Associate Degree in Mechanical Engineering (CRS1401610)
    This qualification provides graduates with the practical ability and theoretical understanding necessary to enter employment at a paraprofessional engineer level and/or articulate into a relevant undergraduate engineering degree courses. To complete the qualification, you are required to complete all 14 core units and 2 elective units.

    90%*
    of TAFE SA graduates are satisfied with the overall quality of training.
    87%*
    of TAFE SA graduates would recommend their training.



    * 2023 NCVER Student Outcomes Survey findings
  • Core

    Name Nominal Hours
    Advanced Engineering Materials 144
    Basic Electrical Circuits 144
    Computing for Engineering 144
    Drawing for Manufacturing 144
    Engineering Mechanics 144
    Engineering Workshop 144
    Fluid and Thermal Systems 144
    Machine Dynamics 144
    Manufacturing Processes and Systems 144
    Materials for Engineering 144
    Mathematics 1 144
    Mathematics 2 144
    Mechanical Engineering Project 144
    Project Management 144

    Elective

    Name Nominal Hours
    Digital Technologies 144
    Engineering Programming 144
    Mathematics 3 144

  • The city created for students

    You will never find another city like Adelaide. With welcoming locals, it is the perfect place for you to study, live and enjoy.

    Affordable living
    A student city

    A student city

    Adelaide is home to over 30,000 international students and has a strong and growing reputation as an education city. In addition to TAFE SA, Adelaide is home to six world-leading universities: The University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia, Flinders University, Carnegie Mellon University, Torrens University Australia and CQ University Australia.

    Safe

    Adelaide’s crime rates are the lowest in the country and for that reason, Adelaide has previously been named the safest city in Australia.

    Safe
    Beach Culture

    Beach Culture

    Adelaide’s pristine sandy beaches are just a 20 minute tram ride from the city centre. On hot summer days, you can study in the day and take the tram to have dinner at the beach and watch the sunset with friends.

    Live centrally

    Accommodation is more affordable in Adelaide than in other cities in Australia making it often possible for students to live in the heart of the city or just outside. This means more time is spent studying and less time travelling.

    Live centrally
    Delicious!

    Delicious!

    Adelaide is known for its cafe culture, with more cafes and restaurants by population than any other city in Australia. In recent years, Adelaide has also developed a vibrant and varied bar scene. The city is big enough that you will struggle to visit all of the places you would like to drink and eat in during in your first year of study. Our mix of cultures means there’s likely to be a supermarket that sells food from your home country too.

    Easy to get around

    Adelaide is a flat city so it is ideal for walking or cycling. Its grid layout makes it almost impossible to get lost! There are free trams and buses around the city centre. International students can show their ID to get cheaper tickets.

    Easy to get around
    Festivals

    Festivals

    Adelaide is known for its festivals, which are famous around the world. WOMADelaide, the Adelaide Festival of Arts, Fringe Festival and Cabaret Festival are just some of the international arts and music festivals that keep the city buzzing

    Everyone agrees – Adelaide is a great place to live and study

    Adelaide is recognised as one of the world’s most liveable cities. In 2014, Lonely Planet’s Best of Travel book ranked Adelaide in the global top ten. For the last four years Adelaide has been ranked one of the most liveable cities in the world by The Economist Intelligence Unit.

    Everyone agrees – Adelaide is a great place to live and study
    Beautiful weather

    Beautiful weather

    Adelaide has four distinct seasons, with moderate winters and warm to hot summers. In winter you will need woolly jumpers and jackets and in summer, shorts and t-shirts. The heat in South Australia is dry, rather than humid.

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