Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Maritime)

The Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Maritime) at the University of Tasmania is a three-year degree for people who want to work on the technical side of ships, ports and maritime systems. It sits on the Australian Qualifications Framework at level 7, the same level as any bachelor degree. Full-time study is three years; part-time takes longer. The course is built around units of study, each worth a set number of credit points, and you need to pass the required total to graduate. The academic year runs in semesters, with exams at the end of each one.

What you actually study

You start with the engineering basics: maths, physics, materials, statics and dynamics, and electrical principles. Then you move into maritime-specific units. That means marine machinery and propulsion, ship structures and stability, marine electrical and control systems, and the rules that govern how ships are built and operated. You also learn about maintenance planning, safety systems and the survey requirements that keep commercial vessels in service. Later units cover project management and the business side of running a vessel or a fleet.

How the degree is structured

Most units are taught on campus, with lectures, tutorials and lab sessions. You will spend time in workshops and simulation facilities working with marine systems, not just reading about them. The degree finishes with a capstone project in your final year where you take on a real engineering problem, often connected to a local operator or a research group. Some students choose a research-based project instead. Work-integrated learning is part of the course: you complete a period of industry experience, usually during the summer break, on a vessel, in a shipyard, at a port or with a marine engineering firm. Tasmania has a working maritime sector, so placements are often close to home.

Skills you come out with

You learn to read and produce engineering drawings, run calculations for stability and power, diagnose faults in marine systems, plan maintenance, and write technical reports that other engineers and regulators can act on. You also get practice working in small teams, which is how most maritime engineering jobs actually run. The degree teaches you to solve problems with the equipment and information you have on hand, because that is what happens at sea and in port.

Who it suits

This course suits someone who likes machinery, ships and practical problem solving. It is a good fit if you want to work ashore in ship management, port operations or marine surveying, or if you are already in the industry and want to move into a technical or supervisory role. It also works for school leavers with a maths and science background who want a career that combines engineering with the sea. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream after you finish. Check the official University of Tasmania page and the CRICOS register for current details on entry requirements, English language standards and fees.

• Marine engineer — working on propulsion, power and auxiliary systems aboard commercial vessels or in shipyards.
• Naval architect technician — supporting design and stability work for new builds and modifications.
• Port engineer — maintaining tugs, pilot boats and other harbour craft for port authorities.
• Marine surveyor — checking vessels and equipment against safety and class rules for survey companies or flag state administrations.
• Fleet technical superintendent — managing maintenance and compliance for a shipping company's vessels.
• Marine systems technician — installing and servicing electronics, control systems and navigation equipment.
• Offshore oil and gas technician — keeping platforms and support vessels running.
• Engineering officer trainee — starting the sea-going path toward a certificate of competency.

In Australia, the main employers are shipping companies, port authorities, shipyards, marine survey firms, offshore energy operators, the Australian Defence Force and government marine agencies. Tasmania's aquaculture, Antarctic supply and ferry sectors also hire from this pool. Some graduates go on to further study or to gain marine engineer class certification.