The Graduate Diploma program is suited to practising engineers and other graduates wishing to pursue a specialised range of courses to enhance their career opportunities in a particular area. It provides an introduction to the chosen specialisation for graduates in Science and Technology or Engineering and serves as a qualifying course for entry to the Master of Engineering Science program.

This degree is offered in the following specialisations (plans):

UNSW postgraduate coursework programs are designed to enable students to fulfil a number of needs including:

Students must complete a total of 60 UOC consisting of 24 UOC of Professional Development courses from the chosen specialisation, 6-18 UOC of Engineering and Technical Management courses and at least 18 UOC of Specialisation courses.

(a) Completion of 24 UOC of Professional Development courses is required in this program. Up to 24 UOC of advanced standing in these courses may be granted based on the background of the student and the chosen specialisation. A student who has been awarded a 4 year Bachelor of Engineering deemed to be equivalent to that from UNSW with at least Honours II/2 in an appropriate discipline may be exempted by the specialisation authority from some or all Professional Development courses. These courses are designed to develop core knowledge and skills for students with limited background in their chosen specialisation. On approval of the specialisation authority, students may be permitted to substitute up to 6 UOC of Professional Development courses not on the approved list of courses. The availability of the courses may vary from session to session and courses may be offered in alternate years.

(b) This program requires completion of at least 18 UOC of specialisation courses. These courses must be selected from the approved list for each specialisation. Specialisations may be broad (e.g. Mechanical Engineering) or narrow (e.g. Energy Systems) and include options that cross the traditional boundaries in the Faculty. Some specialisations include approved courses outside the Faculty of Engineering. Some specialisations include courses from the list for the Engineering and Technical Management specialisation. Specialisations may include core and elective courses. A number of specialisation courses may be offered in both internal and external attendance modes and may be delivered in regular session, block or intensive modes on or off campus. The availability of the courses may vary from session to session and courses may be offered in alternate years.

(c) This program requires completion of 6-18 UOC of courses selected from the Engineering and Technical Management specialisation. The Engineering and Technical Management courses may be offered in both internal and external attendance modes and may be delivered in regular session, block or intensive modes on or off campus. A number of these courses will be available in both sessions each year. On approval of the program authority, students with a postgraduate management qualification and/or significant industry experience may be permitted to substitute up to 6 UOC of Engineering and Technical Management courses not on the approved list of courses.

(d) This program allows a limited number of 6 UOC of courses from other specialisations offered by the same School as the specialisation in which the student is enrolled. Further courses from the Engineering and Technology Management list are explicitly excluded. Further courses from specialisations from other Schools require the approval of the specialisation authority for the specialisation in which the student is enrolled.

(e) Project work is not permitted in this program.

(f) Students who wish to articulate to the MEngSc should generally have completed this program with at least a credit average (65). Complete articulation is permitted between the programs in the sequence regardless of whether the degree has been awarded. Standing rules apply in all programs. Refer to the Transfer Between Programs below.

(g) Students who have enrolled in this program will be permitted to exit with a Graduate Certificate provided they have completed the requirements of that program.

General Rules of Progression

Progression in all postgraduate coursework programs in the Faculty of Engineering is permitted by course. However:

(a) Not all courses are available every session and some courses may only be available in alternate years. Students should check the approved list of courses for their specialisation and the Engineering and Technical Management specialisation for further details. Students will need to select courses carefully to ensure they can complete their program in minimum time. Students are not permitted to enrol in courses with clashing timetables.

(b) Students must satisfy the rules governing re-enrolment. A student's academic standing is evaluated at the end of each session. Any student not in Good Standing should discuss the situation with the Academic Adviser in the relevant school, and may be required to talk to a counsellor in the Careers and Counselling Unit. The full description of the University policy governing enrolment and academic standing can be found at https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/academiclife/assessment/AcademicStandingExplanation.html
(c) Students must satisfy the relevant pre-requisite and co-requisite requirements for each course.

(d) Only in exceptional circumstances will students be permitted to enrol in more than 24 units of credit in a session. The part-time mode will usually require students to enrol in a minimum of 18 UOC within any three consecutive sessions.

(e) Students are only permitted to enrol in courses that satisfy the program requirements as specified in the On-Line Handbook for the program in which they are enrolled. Enrolment in any other course is permitted only on a Non-Award basis, that is, on a tuition fee basis.

(f) Notwithstanding the above, before a student can enrol in any non-standard program, such a program must meet with the approval of the relevant program authority as shown in the program rules.

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/fees/FeesMainPage.html

The courses in each specialisation form an articulated sequence. Students who complete the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master program may upgrade to the next program with full credit for the courses undertaken in the previous program(s), provided they have completed the previous program at UNSW. A credit average (65) is generally required to articulate to the next level in the sequence. Students who have enrolled in a program will be permitted to exit with a lower qualification in the specialisation sequence providing they have completed the requirements of that program. Subject to the approval of the program authority and available places, students will be permitted to transfer to another specialisation with credit transfer being subject to the requirements of the specialisation into which the student is transferring.

All software required for coursework is provided on the computers in the School computer laboratories. Some students find it advantageous to buy their own computer and software so that they can work at home. Some external courses may require students to own their own computer with Microsoft Office or equivalent. Specialist software packages that are required for external courses will be provided as part of the course pack to students.

Field projects, site visits and industry seminars or lectures are a requirement of some courses and may involve additional expense.

All programs are available on a full-time or part-time basis. The part-time mode will usually require students to enrol in a minimum of 18 UOC over three consecutive sessions.