What is engineering?

Engineers solve some of society's greatest challenges. Our future society will be powered by renewable energy, have zero waste and be a healthier place for all of us, making now a crucial time to become an engineer.

Did you know that starting salaries for engineers are among the highest for any university degree? Out of all Brisbane universities, our graduates earn the highest salaries within the first year of graduating (compared.edu.au, 2022).

  • Engineering - $70000
  • Science and Mathematics - $63000
  • Nursing - $65200
  • Pharmacy - $50000
  • Law and Paralegal Studies - $66800

Source: Undergraduate median-full time salary 2021 Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021

What is engineering?

Engineers solve some of society's greatest challenges. Our future society will be powered by renewable energy, have zero waste and be a healthier place for all of us, making now a crucial time to become an engineer.

Did you know that starting salaries for engineers are among the highest for any university degree? Out of all Brisbane universities, our graduates earn the highest salaries within the first year of graduating (compared.edu.au, 2022).

What are my career options?

Explore your career options in engineering at QUT.

Chemical and Sustainable Process

Turn raw materials into useful, everyday products such as clothing and food.

Civil

Plan and construct sustainable cities, transport and infrastructure systems.

Computer and software systems

Design software operating systems for satellites, flight systems, mobile phones and GPS.

Electrical and aerospace

Design and build aircraft, spacecraft, missiles and satellites.

Electrical and renewable power

Design renewable power systems for our planet's urgent energy targets.

Electrical

Develop electrical components such as motors, radar or navigation systems.

Mechanical

Control and automate next-generation manufacturing systems.

Mechatronics

Build robots and autonomous systems to improve production processes for a future-focused workforce.

Medical

Integrate engineering with human physiology to design robotic medical technology.

Why study engineering at QUT

We are the number 1 research institution in robotics in Australia (The Australian’s Research magazine, 2023).

You'll benefit from our hands-on learning approach. We'll encourage you to think like an engineer and solve problems using the same workflows a real engineer would use.

Develop your skills using the latest technologies and equipment in our advanced engineering facilities, with support from highly qualified staff. You'll share ideas with peers and work on projects in our popular LaunchPad lab, available to all engineering students.

Get involved in any one of hundreds of industry projects that we have underway with leading companies such as Origin Energy, Rio Tinto, Boeing and Technology One.

Linda Hapgood

QUT engineering graduate
Vice President of Digital Transformation at Boeing, Washington, USA

Linda explains her international career in the aviation industry leading sustainability projects which are transforming the industry, and how she got her first job at Boeing through QUT.

Watch video

Deanna Hood

Young Professional Engineer of the Year 2022– Engineers Australia

Deanna is one of the core engineers who worked on the robotics software ROS 2, which will be used on NASA’s VIPER mission to the moon. Deanna has used the same software to pioneer the CoWriter robotic partner, which helps children with handwriting difficulties.

'You don’t have to be a doctor, occupational therapist or teacher to help people; I’ve worked with all of them as a roboticist.'

Bede Jordan

QUT Engineering and IT graduate
Chief Technology Officer, Shelf Engine

Bede Jordan founded technology platform, Shelf Engine, to reduce food waste and its impact on climate change. QUT connected Bede to Microsoft which is where he landed his first job as Principal Software Engineering Lead.

Watch video

You can make a difference

The world depends on engineers to develop new technologies for lifesaving medical equipment, safe transport, renewable energy sources, clean drinking water, and other vital systems. At QUT you don’t just learn theory, you gain hands-on experience working with your peers on pivotal challenges facing almost every industry.

Check out some of our majors that will set you up to lead meaningful change as an engineer:

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Medical)

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical and Sustainable Process)

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical and Renewable Power)

Find your crew

QUT Robotics Club

The QUT Robotics Club is an exciting way to practically apply your knowledge by building robots and AI technology alongside peers and academics from your Engineering degree. Student Genevieve Hughes shares what the QUT Robotics Club is all about and how it’s provided her with some of her best friends and real-world experiences in uni.

QUT Motorsport Club

Hear from student Tyler Cohzolo about QUT Motorsport Club, where you get to engineer and test electric racing cars for the Formula SAE-A competition. Make connections with peers while you work together on your designs, and rub shoulders with the best in the business at industry networking events.

QUT Mechanical Engineering Student Society

Hear student Obi Carwood explain how the QUT Mechanical Engineering Society helped him gain friendships, make connections with industry partners and plan his career moves after graduating. QUT’s Mechanical Engineering Student Society is one of the biggest Engineering clubs at QUT and welcomes students from any degree.

Accelerate your career

Graduate with a Bachelor and Masters degree within five years, fast-tracking your ability to lead and contribute to complex engineering projects and respond rapidly to current and emerging local and global challenges, such as impacts of climate change, pollution, rapid urbanisation and technological disruption.

Explore our new vertical double degrees:

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/Master of Advanced Manufacturing

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/Master of Renewable Energy

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/Master of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/Master of Sustainable Infrastructure

Pathway options for engineering

There are so many ways to study engineering at QUT.

Whether you're a recent school leaver or are returning to study after a break, the QUT Diploma in Engineering enables you to gain foundational engineering skills, sharpen your mathematics skills, and progress straight into the second year of QUT's Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) upon graduating.

Diploma in Engineering

Leverage our industry connections

Work placements in industry are embedded into all our engineering majors, so you'll have experience working at top companies even before you graduate. Our corporate partnerships harness the combined power of academia and industry to equip you with next-generation engineering skills, making you a highly-sought after, work-ready graduate.

Find a degree

Learn from the best, develop your skills in real industry settings and build strong connections for your future career.

Engineering courses