Through an Australian engineering education, you can create an exciting future for yourself, as well as contributing to the future in your society

Australia offers courses in innovative, emerging disciplines, along with flexible programs and combined degrees to broaden your career prospects. You can be at the forefront of advances in any of the exciting new horizons in engineering. And with a world shortage of engineers in some disciplines, you'll have excellent career prospects.

Practical training with new technology
Australian engineering courses are internationally competitive and intellectually demanding. To ensure courses are relevant to today's working environment, they are designed with the engineering industry and the professional body, Engineers Australia. Most courses have a strong emphasis on practical skills. Some degree and vocational courses offer internships or work placements with local companies so you can gain practical experience before graduating.

At Australian institutions, you'll have access to well-equipped laboratories, modern facilities and equipment, and extensive libraries. In addition, Australian universities are involved in research activities relating to engineering. Australia is a world leader in a number of research areas, including: biological sciences related to agriculture and the environment; processing of mineral resources; the field of sensory perception; sustainable land management; remote sensing; pharmaceutical design; telecommunications; energy science and technology.

Students may become involved in research activities with practical applications, such as building and running a solar car for an annual race from Adelaide to Sydney.

Career outlook
Graduate engineers have exciting career prospects in a wide range of fields, with good graduate pay and employment rates. In Australia, figures released by the Graduate Careers Council of Australia show that engineers are highly sought after and in the top four for graduate salaries. The British Engineering Council says engineering is statistically among the most secure of professions, with a very low unemployment rate for registered engineers.

Cutting-edge engineering
The following areas are just some of the new horizons in engineering:

• Advanced computer technology
• Artificial intelligence
• Bio-engineering
• Data compression and encoding/security
• Digital broadcasting
• DNA drugs
• Flat screen displays
• Handwriting recognition
• Integrated transport systems
• Minimally invasive surgery
• Molecular engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Personal and mobile communications
• Robotics software engineering
• Space engineering
• Telemedicine
• Virtual reality

Many traditional engineering areas will also remain strong. Civil and infrastructure engineering is essential in all countries ą developing and developed. For example, after the Indian Ocean tsunami, engineers from Australia and around the world have come together to help re-build the affected areas.

Women in engineering
Engineering has traditionally been a male-dominated field but with the new disciplines, the image of engineering is changing. Women can be equally successful and their perspectives and skills are needed to create a diverse industry. Many professional engineering associations and employers are encouraging women to train as engineers, particularly as there are skills shortages in the industry.

Global mobility
Engineering is an international profession, with many foreign engineers working in different countries, particularly in the development of infrastructure and minerals exploration. National professional engineering associations have set up agreements to recognise engineering qualifications from different countries and regions for career mobility across the world.

When you graduate with a four-year engineering degree from an Australian university, you will be accredited by Engineers Australia. Through international agreements, these degrees are professionally recognised in several other countries, including the UK and USA.

Engineering options in Australia
Engineering is divided into five broad groups: chemical, industrial and aeronautical; civil; electronic and electrical; mechanical and mining. Within each group, there are several branches and with changing technology, new disciplines are emerging. You can study engineering at the university level or through vocational education and training.

University courses
The main engineering options are aeronautical, chemical, civil, communications, computer, electrical, environmental, manufacturing and mechanical engineering.

Bachelor degrees in engineering are usually four years, although there are some three-year degrees. Four-year courses are accredited by the professional body, Engineers Australia and enable graduates to practise as professional engineers.  You are most likely to study one of the following degrees with a specialisation: Bachelor of Engineering; Bachelor of Science; Bachelor of Applied Science; or Bachelor of Technology.

Many universities offer double degrees so you can combine engineering with a degree in science, arts, law or business. This usually takes at least one additional year of full-time study.

Postgraduate courses are offered at most universities. Courses include a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in your specialisation, a Master of Engineering (by research or coursework), or a Doctoral degree (PhD).

Vocational education and training courses
Vocational education and training (VET) courses help you gain practical job skills in specialised areas. There are three levels and a broad range of courses. You can progress from one level to the next, and some institutes also offer links with Bachelor degrees.

Certificate courses (Certificate I to Certificate IV) teach practical skills for employment in a specific occupation or to prepare you for further study.

Diplomas require one to two years of full-time study.
Advanced Diplomas are two or three years and allow you to specialise in a particular area.

Article by IDP Education Australia www.idp.com, an organisation providing free, unbiased advice, application and visa services to students wishing to study in Australia