If you completed a degree, or you are working as an engineer at the level of Engineering Technologist after you graduated you may have pondered how, when and why to start a Master’s degree to further accelerate your career and additionally gain specialized knowledge.
The time commitment and work needed to complete a Master’s degree is sometimes overwhelming, especially for someone starting a professional career.
There is a way to start some of the academic work, and also add an academic qualification to your resume thanks to mediating qualifications like a Graduate Diploma.
Graduate Diplomas offer graduates with an Engineering-related degree academic guidance and credit to pursuing a Master’s degree later with less time commitment but with the academic chops to be able to complete a postgraduate degree at an opportune time.
At EIT when you successfully complete all of the first-year units of select Master of Engineering programmes, you can opt to receive EIT’s Graduate Diploma.
If and when students want to finalize the Master’s qualification after exiting at the Graduate Diploma level, they will need to re-enrol and relinquish the Graduate Diploma testamur.
In some ways, you are able to cut the time commitment of a Master’s degree in half.
All four Graduate Diplomas offered at EIT for instance are standalone programmes that are equivalent to the exit point after the first year of the two-year master’s degree.
That means if you complete a Graduate Diploma you have academic credentials to enter your Master’s degree at a second-year level at a later point in time since you completed the first year of modules presented during a Master of Engineering with EIT.
Access to postgraduate education, simplified
One of the main reasons may choose to complete a Master’s degree from a Washington Accord accredited University or institution is due to the fact that it widens your employability, and gives you the status of a Professional Engineer.
Graduates with a Bachelor’s degree operate under the status of Engineering Technologist.
When it comes to international accreditation, a Master’s degree is often seen as a top indicator of the education a working engineer has completed, and their adaptability in different countries when it comes to engineering practices.
With a Master of Engineering degree from EIT graduates can work as Professional Engineers in alignment with the Washington Accord.
Although various national accreditation guidelines exist for Engineers the Dubin Accord, Sydney Accord and Washington Accord are internationally accepted, and engineers often need qualifications to meet the standards of each accord.
Engineers with some technical degrees, diplomas, and Advanced Diplomas often meet the standards of the Dublin Accord.
Engineers with some technical B-Degrees, Advanced Diplomas and with Bachelor’s Degrees qualify to work as Engineering Technologists under the Sydney Accord while engineers with a Master’s degree can work as Professional Engineers under the Washington Accord.
With a Graduate Diploma you have the option to be introduced to the work and academic knowledge required for the completion of a qualification at the Washington Accord level, yet also have the opportunity to work full time or extend the completion of the degree to when you know it aligns with your professional needs.
Here’s what you need to know about EIT’s Graduate Diplomas
Graduate Diploma in Engineering (Industrial Automation)
There is a global shortage of automation, instrumentation, and control engineers due to the rapid growth of new industries and technologies.
The Graduate Diploma of Engineering (Industrial Automation) program offers eight core units that address the growth and new technologies in the industrial automation industry.
The program equips students with core competencies and the associated knowledge and aptitudes required of engineers working with automation.
What is covered during the course:
You must complete 12 credit points comprising four core units. There are no electives in this program. The program duration is six months across two terms, and you will study two units per term. For further study, graduates may consider EIT’s Master of Engineering (Industrial Automation).
- ME500 Industrial Automation Introduction
- ME502 Programmable Logic Controllers
- ME503 Industrial Process Control Systems
- ME504 Industrial Instrumentation
- ME509 Electrical Engineering for Industrial Automation
- MXX507 Professional Engineering Management
- ME510 Industrial Data Communications
- ME508 Safety Instrumented Systems
The next intake for the course is 2 January 2023.
For more information, or to apply visit Graduate Diploma in Engineering (Industrial Automation) course page.
Graduate Diploma of Engineering (Civil: Structural)
The programme addresses specific core competencies and associated underpinning knowledge required of structural engineers.
The program covers 8 core units that cover a diverse range of topics geared to producing well-rounded graduates equipped with the knowledge that employers require.
Students with a background in civil, construction, transport, and systems engineering will especially benefit from this program as it prepares them for further career development in the structural engineering industry.
What is covered during the course:
- MCS501 – Structural Analysis
- MCS502 – Advanced Engineering Materials
- MCS503 – Structural Design Part 1 – Advanced Topics on Reinforced Concrete Design
- MCS504 – Project, Design, and Construction Management
- MCS505 – Advanced Structural Engineering Methods Part 1
- MCS506 – Structural Design Part 2 – Advanced Topics on Steel Design
- MCS507 – Structural Dynamics
- DENG601 / MXX501/601 – Engineering Practice and Key Research Methodologies
The next intake for the course is 2 January 2023.
For more information, or to apply visit the Graduate Diploma of Engineering (Civil: Structural) course page.
Graduate Diploma of Engineering (Electrical Systems)
The graduate diploma course is designed for engineers with a background in electrical, electronics, instrumentation & control, or industrial computer systems engineering, who seek to advance their career and build on their current engineering specialization.
What is covered during the course:
The next intake for the course is 2 January 2023.
For more information, or to apply visit the Graduate Diploma of Engineering (Electrical Systems) course page.
Graduate Diploma of Engineering (Mechanical)
This program will provide you with the requisite skills in mechanical engineering technology and maintenance to take advantage of the growing demands of the industry.
The program offers eight core units that address specific core competencies and the associated knowledge and aptitudes required of mechanical engineers.
What is covered during the course:
Students have to complete 24 credit points comprising four core units. There are no electives in this program. The program duration is six months across two terms, and you will study two units per term. For further study, graduates may consider EIT’s Master of Engineering (Mechanical).
The next intake for the course is 2 January 2023.
For more information, or to apply visit the Graduate Diploma of Engineering (Mechanical) course page.
Who can apply?
To enter this program, we require applicants to hold:
- A recognized 3-year bachelor’s degree* in an engineering qualification in a congruent** field of practice; OR
- An EIT Bachelor of Science (Engineering) degree* in a congruent** field of practice; OR
- A 4-year Bachelor of Engineering qualification (or equivalent) that is recognized under the Washington Accord or by Engineers Australia, in a congruent**, or a different field of practice at the discretion of the Admissions Committee; OR
- A 4-year Bachelor of Engineering qualification (or equivalent)* that is not recognized under the Washington Accord, in a congruent** field of practice to this program; AND
- An appropriate level of English Language Proficiency is equivalent to an English pass level in an Australian Senior Certificate of Education, or an IELTS score of 6.0 (with no individual band less than 6.0), or equivalent as outlined in the EIT Admissions Policy.
The online graduate diploma is delivered on a part-time intensive basis over 4 terms, every 12 weeks. Part-time students must spend approximately 20 hours per week learning the program material and completing assessments. This includes attending tutorials.
You will be able to complete each Graduate Diploma in 12 Months.
Pros and Cons of a Graduate Diploma
Pros
- Can be completed in 12 months
- Master’s degree level work and knowledge
- An additional qualification for your resume
- Specialized knowledge in one of four disciplines
- On completion, you can enter a Master of Engineering degree after a break with a full year of credit
Cons
- The diploma is not Washington Accord accredited (only a full Master’s degree)
- You will have to testamur your qualification when entering a Master’s degree
Not sure if the Graduate Diploma course is right for you? Check our Postgraduate Engineering Education options information.
