Upskill your employees with UniSA Online’s Associate Degree in Engineering
Supported by the Australian Government, UniSA can boost your organisation’s engineering capability
UniSA Online gives small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) the opportunity to enrol their employees into the Associate Degree in Engineering with zero course fees, supported by the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment.
Offered as part of an Australian Government pilot, this program aims to strengthen partnerships between industry and universities with all course fees fully funded by the Australian Government. Commencing in January 2022, this is a unique opportunity to build your talent pipeline and upskill your employees with in-demand engineering capabilities.
To be eligible, employers must have no more than 200 staff and need to demonstrate their requirement for engineering skills. To access a fee-free place, employers need to nominate their employee(s) to participate in the program and employees are required to remain with the nominating employer for the duration of the program.
Underpinned by engineering research that is rated above world class¹, UniSA offers a different approach to online engineering education. Our industry-focused, two-year Associate Degree in Engineering not only includes essential technical abilities but responds to the changing business models and digital innovations transforming the sector. Our approach offers a commitment to innovative online course delivery that engages and supports students wherever they are located.
We are no longer taking applications for this pilot program.
100% online - no need to come onto campus
Designed specifically for online learning
Finish each course in 10 weeks
Access expert academic and tutor support seven days a week
Receive dedicated student adviser support
24/7 access to learning resources
Enhance your organisation’s engineering capabilities with UniSA Online
Upskill your workforce
Ideal for new industry entrants or those transitioning from tradesperson to engineering professional
The program offers an introduction to university-level engineering aligned with Stage 1 Engineers Australia (EA) Competency Standard1.
Grow your talent pipeline
Your employees will gain in-demand engineering capabilities and learn the latest advancements in the sector. Your employees will be able to immediately apply their new knowledge and skills into their roles, bringing the benefits back into your business. Students who wish to pursue further study will be eligible for up to 1.5 years credit into a variety of UniSA Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degrees.
Discover the latest advancements in engineering
Solution-focused skills such as systems and design thinking techniques are applied through industry-relevant assessments. Students from anywhere in Australia will have access to use UniSA’s 3D printers and laser cutters. Final designs will be couriered to the student’s address.
Learn to use industry-standard software
Our practical approach means students learn industry-standard software such as SolidWorks to produce 3D CAD models that bring designs alive, Enovia (Dassault Systems) to develop detailed project plans, MATLAB to process data and Multisim to instantly visualise and analyse electronic circuit behaviour.
1Actual number of hours towards the EA Stage 1 Competency Standard depends on courses completed
Program structure
First year
- UO Critical Approaches to Online Learning (CURR 3021) | OR Elective
- UO Essential Mathematics 1: Algebra and Trigonometry (MATH 1076)
- UO Introduction to Engineering Chemistry (ENGG 1006)
- UO Essential Mathematics 2: Calculus (MATH 1077)
- UO Introduction to Engineering Physics (PHYS 1019)
- UO Mathematical Methods for Engineers 1 (MATH 1078)
- UO Sustainable Engineering Practice (ENGG 1007)
- UO Mathematical Methods for Engineers 2 (MATH 1079)
Second year
- UO Engineering Design and Innovation (ENGG 1005)
- UO Engineering Materials (RENG 1006)
- UO Programming Concepts (COMP 1047)
- UO Engineering Mechanics (MENG 1014)
- UO Project Management for Engineers (ENGG 2005)
- UO Electrical and Electronic Systems (EEET 1029)
- UO Design Management for Engineers (ENGG 3007)
- UO Circuits and Signals (EEET 1028) | OR UO Fluid and Energy Engineering (MENG 2015)
How does the program work?
Eligibility
Employers must have no more than 200 staff and demonstrate their requirement for engineering skills.
Zero course fees
To access a fee-free place, employers need to nominate an employee(s) to participate in the program.
Employees are required to remain with the nominating employer for the duration of the program to be eligible for a fee-free place.
This project is supported by the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment through the Advanced Apprenticeships (Industry 4.0) pilot program.
Time commitment
UniSA Online’s Associate Degree in Engineering is a two-year qualification. Students must successfully complete the program within three years to be eligible for a fee-free place.
Employer study support
The employer is required to provide flexible working arrangements for students to complete their program. This is to be negotiated between the employer and employee. The employer is also asked to provide necessary study materials including a small number of textbooks and a low-cost digital drawing tablet.
Program admissions process
- Register your organisation’s interest in the form below
- UniSA will get in touch to discuss the program and answer any questions you may have
- UniSA will provide you with information that you can send to your nominated employees
- Nominated employees register their interest with UniSA
- UniSA contacts the nominated employee(s) to assist with the Associate Degree in Engineering application process
- Nominating employers and employees will be notified of the application and grant eligibility outcome
- As a condition of the Commonwealth grant, the employer, employee and UniSA are required to sign an agreement to access a fee-free place.
A fully-funded place will only be confirmed once employees have met the academic criteria for entry to the program and the agreement is signed by UniSA, the employer and the employee.
We are no longer taking applications for this pilot program.