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What is an associate degree?

Our associate degrees in engineering blend practical, hands-on training with personalised support in small, focused classes. Graduate with the skills to:

  • Work as a qualified engineering paraprofessional
  • Pursue further university study
  • Take the next step in your career

Become an Engineering Paraprofessional

An associate degree can lead to a career as an Engineering Paraprofessional, where you bridge the gap between engineers and tradespeople. You might draft designs, build prototypes, install equipment, test systems, supervise teams or even start your own business.

engineering-student-in-lab

Fast Track your Degree!

Once you’ve completed your associate degree, you can apply to university and finish a Bachelor of Engineering in just two more years.

TAFE SA Associate Degree (2 Years) + University (2 Years) = Engineering Bachelor

By combining the hands-on experience from your associate degree with the academic knowledge of a bachelor’s, you’ll graduate with a well-rounded skill set that gives you a clear advantage in the job market.

Dual Offers: Graduate with Academic & Vocational Skills

Some of our associate degrees are dual offer courses, so a single application secures your spot in both a TAFE SA associate degree and a related university bachelor’s program. Apply for an associate degree and guarantee your entry into a Bachelor of Engineering at university.

Admission Criteria

There are several ways in which you can meet the entry requirements for a TAFE SA higher education course.

  • Selection criteria explained

    • Applicants with higher education study

      If you have been enrolled in a higher education course such as a university degree since leaving secondary school, you may meet the entry requirements for higher education at TAFE SA. This includes prospective students who:

      • Are currently studying a higher education course at university or another Higher Education Provider and would like to transfer to TAFE SA
      • Have completed study at university or another Higher Education Provider
      • Have completed a bridging/foundation course delivered by a university or Higher Education Provider.

      You may need to have completed a certain amount of study within a higher education course to be considered for entry into TAFE SA higher education, for example, one year of a Bachelor course. Please refer to the individual course information pages for details.

      You may also be eligible for credit for your previous higher education studies, which can decrease the time it takes to complete your degree at TAFE SA. Credit for previous higher education study is assessed on a case-by-case basis at the time of enrolment.

    • Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

      You may meet the entry requirements for TAFE SA higher education if you have previously studied a Certificate, Diploma or Advanced Diploma at TAFE SA or another Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

      In some cases, your VET qualification must be in a related area of study. Please refer to the individual course information pages for details.

      Your VET qualification may also entitle you to credit towards your TAFE SA degree. This means you can complete your study in less time and at a lower cost. For credit details, visit the course information pages or browse all available  TAFE to Uni Credit Transfer arrangements.
    • Applicants with work and life experience (includes those who left secondary education more than 2 years ago)

      You may still meet the admissions criteria for higher education at TAFE SA if you left secondary education more than two years ago and have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.

      Academic results

      You may still use your year 12 results for entry even if you completed secondary education more than two years ago and have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.

      You must have met the requirements for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) or its equivalent or completed the International Baccalaureate (IB).

      Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

      If you have not completed secondary education, or did not achieve an ATAR high enough for entry into TAFE SA higher education, you may meet the requirements for your course by achieving a minimum score in the STAT.

      The STAT is a two-hour, multiple choice test that assesses your ability to study at a tertiary level.

      Visit SATAC for more information about the STAT.

    • Applicants with recent secondary education (within the past two years)

      Australian Year 12 students

      If have completed Year 12 in Australia within the past two years and you meet the requirements for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) or the interstate equivalent, or you have completed the International Baccalaureate (IB), you may apply for TAFE SA higher education courses using your Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR).

      You will need to meet the minimum ATAR requirements for your course. Some courses have additional entry requirements along with the ATAR, such as passes in specific Year 12 subjects. Please visit the course information page for further information.

      Overseas or non-standard secondary education

      If you have completed your secondary education overseas or in a non-standard program, your academic results will be assessed to determine whether they can be converted to an ATAR, and whether you have met any prerequisite subject requirements. 

       

  • Admissions criteria

    • Semester 1, 2024

      Admissions Criteria Table
        Semester 1, 2024 intake
      Applicant backgroundNumber of studentsPercentage of all students
      (A) Higher Education study <5 n/p
      (B) Vocational Education and Training (VET) study <5 n/p
      (C) Work and life experiencen/a n/a
      (D) Recent secondary educationn/an/a
        - Admitted solely on basis of ATARn/an/a
        - Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. special consideration pathways)<5n/p
        - Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration pathways) n/a n/a
      International students 63 90%
      All students 70100%

      Notes:

      <5 – the number of students is less than five
      n/a – not applicable: students were not accepted in this category
      n/p – not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with fewer than 5 students

       

    • 2024 full year intake

      Admissions Criteria Table - Full year 2024
       2023 full year intake
      Applicant backgroundNumber of studentsPercentage of all students
      (A) Higher Education study95.3%
      (B) Vocational Education and Training (VET) study137.7%
      (C) Work and life experience158.8%
      (D) Recent secondary educationN/AN/A
        - Admitted solely on basis of ATARN/AN/A
        - Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. special consideration pathways)<5N/P
        - Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration pathways)<5N/P
      International students13076%
      All students170100%

      Notes:

      <5 – the number of students is less than 5
      N/A – students not accepted in this category
      N/P – not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with fewer than 5 students

Be sure to also check if there are specific course admission requirements for your desired course.

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