University of Tasmania
Minimum 4 years, up to a maximum of 9 years
This Bachelor degree prepares you to become a Marine Engineering Officer by combining theoretical engineering knowledge with hands-on maritime training and 36 weeks of sea service. Ideal for students passionate about maritime careers who want to operate and maintain complex ship engineering systems while meeting international industry standards.
Domestic students must have completed Year 12 or equivalent with a minimum ATAR of 65 (anticipated). Subject prerequisites include General Mathematics, and either Chemistry, Physics, or Physical Sciences, plus an Australian Year 10 pass in English or equivalent. International students require IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with no band below 5.5, or PTE Academic 50 with no score lower than 42. Alternative pathways are available for students with VET/TAFE qualifications (Certificate IV or higher), higher education study (Diploma level or above), or relevant maritime experience. All students must complete a Safe to Practice Agreement confirming medical, physical and psychological capacity to participate in professional experience placements.
Year 1 (Pre-Sea Engine) covers core units in Shipboard Operations and Marine Mathematics/Engineering Design, plus practical units in Electrical and Electronics Maintenance, Machinery Condition Analysis, Marine Component Fabrication, Marine Construction and Fabrication Techniques, and Marine Heavy Fitting/Machinery Maintenance. Short course units include Elementary First Aid, Fire Prevention and Fighting, Personal Safety, Personal Survival Techniques, Security Awareness, Marine Confined Space Entry, Marine Damage Control, and Tanker Familiarisation. Year 2 (Watchkeeper Engine) includes core units in Electrical/Electronics/Control Systems, Ship and Engine Resource Management, Naval Architecture, Applied Mechanics, Marine Thermodynamics, and Operational Marine Engineering. Year 3 (Class 2/Class 1 Chief Engineer) focuses on advanced topics including Managerial and Leadership Skills, Advanced Applied Mechanics, Advanced Electro-technology, Advanced Marine Thermodynamics, Advanced Marine Engineering, Advanced Marine Electrical Engineering, Advanced Marine Control and Automation, and Advanced Naval Architecture. Optional short courses for professional endorsements include Hotel Engineering, Shipboard Electronics, and GMDSS.
The University of Tasmania's Australian Maritime College (AMC) is Australia's national centre for maritime education, training and research and a specialist institute of the University. AMC offers world-class facilities including engineering simulators, Electro-technology labs, Electronics labs, Thermo-fluids labs, and a fleet of training vessels. The college maintains strong connections with the Australian maritime and shipbuilding industry through an Industry Advisory Committee comprising industry leaders and past graduates. Courses are informed by industry needs and aligned with AMSA and international maritime standards. Students benefit from hands-on learning experiences deeply connected to industry, expert instruction, and access to specialist maritime teaching facilities unmatched in the Southern Hemisphere.
Graduates are qualified to work as Marine Engineering Officers on commercial vessels, with career pathways including Engineer Watchkeeper, Class 2 Engineer, and Class 1 Chief Engineer positions. Beyond shipboard roles, the qualification opens opportunities in shore-based positions such as governmental maritime regulators (AMSA, EMSA, IMO), senior positions in shipyards and shipping companies, marine superintendent or safety manager roles, product and R&D positions in marine engine manufacturing, surveyor roles in Classification Societies and Port State Control authorities, marine insurance, and maritime education and training. Employment opportunities for seafarers are growing, with demand projected to increase 2.16% by 2028, and job adverts for Marine Transport Professionals tripling since 2020.