Mechanical engineering courses

Combine maths, science, and creative thinking to help shape our world

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Introduction to Mechanical engineering

From manufacturing systems to mobile phones, behind every mechanical innovation there’s a team of engineers. Responsible for research, design, production, and testing, mechanical engineers are creative, dedicated, and skilled in a variety of areas.  

A challenging but very rewarding field, mechanical engineering will enable you to draw on diverse disciplines, see big ideas come to life, and make a real impact on the world.  

Study a mechanical engineering course online through Open Universities Australia and unlock flexibly study options you didn’t know were possible. Start comparing your options below or ask us how we can help.

Explore mechanical engineering courses
Mechanical engineer working

Discover mechanical engineering courses

Online mechanical engineering subjects and short courses

University of South Australia

Engineering Design and Innovation

UndergraduateUSA-ENGG1005

Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
University of South Australia

Engineering Materials

UndergraduateUSA-RENG1006

Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
View all subjects

Online mechanical engineering degrees

University of South Australia

Associate Degree in Engineering

UndergraduateUSA-ADE-DEG

Transform from tradesperson to engineering professional

Study method
100% online
Duration
2 years full time or part time equivalent
Southern Cross University

Become a professional and accredited engineer

Study method
Online & on-campus
Duration
4 years full time or part time equivalent
Southern Cross University

Business skills plus engineering principles equals unique career opportunities

Study method
Online & on-campus
Duration
5 years full time or part time equivalent
View all bachelor degrees

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Mechanical engineering study FAQs

What will I learn in a mechanical engineering course?

A mechanical engineering course covers diverse areas of expertise, ranging from physics to data to design, which you will apply when working within the profession.  

The subject matter will vary depending on your exact mechanical engineering course, but you may cover topics such as:  

  • Chemistry 

  • Physics  

  • Numerical modelling  

  • Advanced materials  

  • Robotics  

  • Aerospace systems  

  • Renewable energy  

  • Systems design

Why should I study mechanical engineering?

Mechanical engineering is a challenging but fascinating and satisfying field. If you enjoy finding new solutions to problems, collaborating with other talented professionals, and working on a range of interesting projects, you could make a great mechanical engineer. 

With a mechanical engineering degree under your belt, you’ll have a broad range of career paths to choose from. You could find yourself working on anything from automotive systems to aerospace projects to robotics.

Can you really study mechanical engineering online?

Yes, you can absolutely study mechanical engineering online—especially the more conceptual topics. There are online options for undergraduate, postgraduate, and short courses or subjects in mechanical engineering.

What are the entry requirements for a mechanical engineering course?

To qualify for entry into undergraduate courses in mechanical engineering, you will likely need a minimum ATAR score and to have studied some specific subjects in high school. For postgraduate courses in mechanical engineering, you will generally need an undergraduate engineering degree.  

Make sure you read the ‘entry requirements’ section on the course pages you’re interested in, to check that you meet the criteria. 

Consider an Associate Degree in Engineering, if you don’t have a strong academic history. With its lower entry requirements, this 2-year qualification offers a pathway into a full engineering degree.

What careers are available in mechanical engineering?

With a background in mechanical engineering, you’ll find your skills are transferable to a range of engineering roles.  

You may find work as a: 

  • Mechanical engineer 

  • Mechanical technician  

  • Automotive engineer  

  • Civil engineer 

  • Biomedical engineer 

  • Aerospace engineer

What industries hire mechanical engineers?

Mechanical engineering has its place in almost every field of work, but there are key industries where its impact is crucial: 

  • General manufacturing 

  • Medicine 

  • Automotive  

  • Rail 

  • Aerospace 

  • Building and construction 

  • Minerals and energy 

  • Defence 

  • Heating, cooling and ventilation 

  • Robotics 

  • Acoustics

How do I enrol?

Enrolling online is simple. Here’s how it works:

1. Find your course

2. Start your enrolment

  • When you’re ready, click ‘Start studying now’ on the course page.

  • Follow the prompts to begin your enrolment.

  • You’ll need to provide supporting documents, such as:

3. Wait for confirmation

Your chosen university will email you to confirm if your enrolment has been successful.

Note: Some courses have enquiries and applications handled directly by the university. If this applies, it will be clearly stated on the course listing page.

For more details, check our online self-service enrolment guide. And if you need help at any stage, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.

What if I’m not sure mechanical engineering is right for me?

There are other types of engineering that could interest you, as well as related study areas in STEM. Here are a few we recommend, based on what you might like to achieve:  

I want to...

We recommend exploring... 

Design buildings and infrastructure 

Civil engineering courses

Engineer solutions to environmental problems 

Environmental engineering courses

Understand how to analyse problems and design engineering solutions using calculations  

Maths courses

Understand the science behind how things work 

Physics courses

You can also book a phone consultation with an Open Universities Australia student advisor for personalised course advice.

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How to find civil engineering internships in Australia

Want to stand out from the crowd when commencing your civil engineering career? Consider an internship. 

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