UNSW Canberra opens its doors to engineering students

For the first time next year, UNSW Canberra will open entry to its undergraduate engineering programs to the general public.

Currently, undergraduate enrolments are open only to cadets from the Australian Defence Force Academy. The decision to open up enrolments in engineering follows an agreement between UNSW Australia and the Australian Defence Force. 

UNSW Canberra has one of the largest engineering programs in the ACT and is the only local university that offers the traditional engineering disciplines of civil, electrical, mechanical and aeronautical engineering from first year.

“We are very pleased to welcome students from the ACT and wider community into our engineering programs,” said Professor Michael Frater, Rector of UNSW Canberra. “For the first time, Canberra’s aspiring engineers have access to a broad range of engineering degrees without having to leave Canberra.

“From 2016 UNSW Canberra will not only take first year undergraduate engineering students for the first time but students who are already studying for their engineering degree at other universities will be able to complete their studies at UNSW Canberra," Professor Frater said.  

UNSW Canberra has been educating leaders in defence, government and industry in Canberra for half a century. Every year UNSW Canberra has almost 3000 undergraduate and postgraduate students who come from all parts of the world to study its strengths focused in defence-related security and engineering research. 

The new initiative has been welcomed by Canberra industry, with a number of business leaders supporting the new entry scheme.

CEO of Canberra Business Chamber Ms Robyn Hendry said: “The education sector plays an important role in skilling the labour force and in supplying the industry with specialists. This new initiative gives great opportunities for Canberrans and Canberra industries and gets our full support.”

Mr John Hindmarsh, Executive Chairman of Hindmarsh Construction, said: “There is a significant shortage of engineers in Canberra and currently the industry has to look elsewhere to attract engineers to move to the ACT. This new initiative will help to fill up this gap and supply ACT industries with local engineers who will have applied experience gained during their studies. 

And Mr Kirk Coningham, Executive Director, Master Builders Association of the ACT said: “This is a great opportunity for the ACT and those students waiting to pursue a career in engineering, and we look forward to working closely with UNSW Canberra."

Students interested in applying can contact UNSW Canberra Student Recruitment on 02 6268 8201, studyunswcanberra@adfa.edu.au , www.unsw.adfa.edu.au