Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Electrical)

The Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Electrical) at Adelaide University is a three-year degree for people who want to work with electrical systems, power distribution, control equipment, instrumentation, motors and drives. You study the fundamentals first: maths, electrical circuits, electronics, engineering mechanics and computing. Later units move into power systems, electrical machines, control systems, PLCs and industrial automation. There is also a strong practical thread running through the degree, with lab work and project units where you build and test circuits rather than just solve problems on paper.

How the degree is structured

Like most Australian bachelor degrees, this one sits at Level 7 of the Australian Qualifications Framework and is built on units of study, each worth a set number of credit points. You typically enrol full-time over two semesters a year, with a mid-year break, and accumulate 24 units across the three years. The final year usually includes a capstone or major project where you work in a small team on a real engineering problem, often with an industry partner. Some students take the degree part-time or spread it over a longer period; the university can advise on that.

What you actually learn

You graduate able to read and draw electrical schematics, design and commission basic electrical installations, use industry software for circuit simulation and control programming, and fault-find on motors, switchgear and control panels. You also pick up the softer side of engineering: writing technical reports, working in teams, and understanding Australian standards and workplace safety rules that apply on site. Electrical engineering technology is a hands-on field, so expect time in laboratories and workshops, not just lectures.

Who it suits

This degree suits school leavers who like physics and maths and prefer practical work to pure theory. It also works well for tradespeople, electricians, instrumentation technicians, maintenance staff, who want to move into engineering roles without doing a four-year honours degree. If your goal is to register as a professional engineer or work on complex design, an accredited four-year engineering degree with honours is the usual route; this three-year qualification is more about applying and managing electrical technology. Check the official CRICOS entry and the university page for current admission requirements, assumed knowledge and English language details.

• Electrical engineering technologist or officer in power utilities, mining, manufacturing and building services
• Electrical drafter or design support role in engineering consultancies
• Instrumentation and control technician or coordinator in water, oil and gas, or food processing
• Maintenance and reliability roles in heavy industry, defence or transport
• Solar, battery and renewable energy installation and project support
• Testing, commissioning and compliance work with electrical contractors and asset owners
• Further study towards a four-year engineering degree or a master's, if you later want professional engineer status

Graduates work across Australia in electricity networks, resources, infrastructure and advanced manufacturing. The degree also gives you a pathway to the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream if you meet the Department of Home Affairs requirements, and international students can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying. Confirm all details on the official CRICOS and university pages.