Bachelor of Applied Science (Marine Engineering)

The Bachelor of Applied Science (Marine Engineering) at the University of Tasmania is a four-year degree that trains you to run and maintain the machinery that keeps ships moving. You study diesel engines, steam and gas turbines, electrical systems, refrigeration, control and automation, and the auxiliary plant that supports them. Alongside the engineering, you cover naval architecture basics, safety and risk management, and the maritime law and environmental rules that govern how a vessel is operated. The degree is built around the Engineer Watchkeeper and Chief Engineer Engineer Class qualifications, so what you learn maps directly onto the certificates you will need at sea.

As an Australian bachelor degree, it sits at Level 7 on the Australian Qualifications Framework and normally takes three years of full-time study. This one runs to four because it includes the sea time and practical training required for the professional certificates. UTAS delivers it through semesters, with each unit carrying a set number of credit points. You will complete units in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, marine electrical engineering, engine room simulation, and shipboard management. The later years include a capstone project where you investigate a real marine engineering problem, often drawn from industry, and a structured program of sea service. That sea time is not optional, it is how you build the watchkeeping experience that the Australian Maritime Safety Authority expects before you can sit for your certificates of competency.

UTAS has strong links to the Australian maritime industry through its Australian Maritime College in Launceston. The college operates its own training vessels and simulators, and industry partners include ferry operators, tug and towage companies, offshore supply operators, and the Royal Australian Navy. That means placements and cadetships are a normal part of the degree, not an afterthought. You will spend time in engine rooms and on bridge simulators, working with the same equipment you will meet on the job. The teaching staff are largely ex-sea-going engineers, so the examples are practical rather than theoretical.

This course suits people who like machinery and problem-solving, and who are comfortable with the idea of working at sea for part of their career. It also works if you want to stay ashore in roles like marine surveying, port engineering, or vessel maintenance management. International students should note that the Student visa allows you to work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available after you finish. English requirements are set by the university and by the Department of Home Affairs separately, check the official course page for the exact scores you need.

• Marine engineer or engineer watchkeeper on commercial vessels, ferries, tugs, and offshore support ships
• Chief engineer or second engineer (after sea time and further certificates)
• Marine surveyor for classification societies, flag state administrations, or insurance firms
• Port engineer or maintenance manager for port authorities and terminal operators
• Fleet technical superintendent for shipping companies and ferry operators
• Propulsion and systems engineer in the Royal Australian Navy or other defence maritime roles
• Marine engineer in the offshore oil and gas, aquaculture, and renewable energy sectors
• Technical sales or service engineer for marine engine, equipment, and control system manufacturers

Australian industries that hire graduates include commercial shipping, ferry and tourism operators, port and harbour services, offshore oil and gas, defence, marine surveying, and the growing offshore wind and aquaculture sectors. Many graduates start at sea to gain their certificates, then move into shore-based technical, management, or regulatory roles.