Australia is globally celebrated for many reasons and one is its higher education, particularly in engineering. The country remains a popular destination for overseas students looking to make a career in their chosen area of study because the universities are among the top worldwide institutions delivering world-class education.
Beyond the classroom, studying in Australia offers students a vibrant urban life, the most livable cities in the world, coastal beaches, and various opportunities to engage in cutting-edge projects.
The demand for engineers has created opportunities and entry-level engineers earn competitive salaries in the country. In this article, we explore the top engineering schools in Australia as a prime destination for your engineering education.
Top Schools Offering Engineering Programs in Australia
1. University of Adelaide
Found in the coastal capital of Australia, the University of Adelaide offers a high-quality learning environment with some of the most reputable lecturers in the world – making it an outstanding school for engineering in Australia.
At both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, the university offers an unmatched array of subject choices. Whether you are interested in studying mechanical, geotechnical, structural, or pharmaceutical engineering, the university has you covered.
Beyond the city, the wide expanses of the Australian Outback await, as well as the vast number of vineyards. If you want to go on an adventure, many reputable tour guides can bring you into the depths of this vast wilderness – an experience that students studying at the university should not miss out on.
2. University of Queensland
Ranked in the top 100 universities worldwide, the University of Queensland is known for its academic excellence and the quality of the engineers that come from the college. This is why the University of Queensland is among the top engineering institutions in Australia. The diverse courses are impressive; from civil to software engineering and everything in between, the university has something to cater to all interests at an undergraduate level.
For master’s students, the university has several unique benefits. Most importantly, students can take advantage of a placement in an industry of their choosing, allowing them to gain practical experience in their field before entering the world of work.
The university is also home to many unique traditions. The University of Queensland is the origin point of the Three Minute Thesis, a practice where master’s students defend their thesis in 180 seconds, the aim being to improve their presentation and communication skills. Another tradition is Market Day; a day when all the many clubs and societies in the college set out their stalls and attempt to get new members, with many going above and beyond with their displays.
3. University of New South Wales
The top-ranked university in all of Australia for engineering, according to the QS World University Rankings, is the University of New South Wales. With nearly 64,00 students, the university is larger than some towns and offers just as many services. With an expansive library, a well-developed online learning service as well as theatres open for rent, the university is a community all in itself.
Offering degrees in specializations such as civil, aerospace, chemical, and environmental engineering, the selection at UNSW is extensive, even at the undergraduate level. Students interested in doing a master’s degree can choose from between 40 different disciplines, more than any other university in Australia.
The university also makes a special effort to involve undergraduates in research, with two-month-long projects designed to give bachelor’s students a taste of what research is like in academia and private industry.
4. University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is also included in the list of Australia’s five best engineering schools. The university, home to more than 73,000 students, teaches a diverse range of disciplines, including aeronautical, biomedical, electrical, and software engineering, amongst others.
The university is located in the heart of Sydney, the largest city in Australia. Those enrolled in the university will have this vast city of over 5 million at their doorstep and the near limitless cultural and historical events that take place within it. Whether it is watching opera in the Sydney Opera House or visiting one of the many cafes in the city, it is easy to get immersed in the city’s culture just by walking around. This is without even mentioning the hundreds of pristine beaches, the vast Outback, and the Blue Mountains, which are just some of the many beautiful natural features to see near Syndey.
5. RMIT University
Finally, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, better known as the RMIT, is recognized for its high-quality engineering courses. The university, with over 90,000 students at all levels, is easily one of the largest in the country. Students interested in studying engineering benefit from the college’s broad choice of courses, including civil, biomedical, aerospace, and mechanical engineering.
Regardless of what one chooses, the university ranks in the top 150 worldwide when it comes to teaching engineering, guaranteeing the time spent at RMIT will be time well spent. Graduates will also be inducted into Engineers Australia’s graduate membership program.
The RMIT student organizations are also worth mentioning; the college has a wide variety of student-run organizations, including over 40 sports clubs and even more social and creative clubs. With such a wide set of offerings, there will certainly be something to get involved in.
With all this in mind, we hope that the information here helps inform your decisions. Australia has many great options for students interested in studying engineering and is a wonderful place to start one’s engineering journey.
Hopefully, this guide on the best engineering schools in Australia was informative and of big help to you. Make sure to also check out the Study in Australia and Available Programs for International Students pages for more information.
