Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics) Honours/Bachelor of Technology (Motorsports)

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Edith Cowan University

Program Overview

Program Overview
The Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics) (Honours) / Bachelor of Technology (Motorsports) at Edith Cowan University (ECU) is an exciting five-year double degree created for students who want to combine advanced mechanical and electrical engineering skills with the thrill of motorsports. It’s the perfect choice if you’re curious about robotics, automation, sensors, and high-performance vehicles — and want to be part of designing, building, and optimising the machines that move the world. This program prepares you to lead multidisciplinary projects where engineering innovation meets real-world speed and precision.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
Your journey begins with a solid grounding in engineering principles. You’ll explore how engineers think and create through subjects like Introduction to Engineering, Race Car Anatomy, and Engineering Drawing and Computer-Aided Design. These units help you understand vehicle systems, develop CAD design skills, and start thinking like a problem-solving engineer. Mathematics 1 builds your foundation in the analytical skills essential for engineering success.

In your second semester, you’ll take on Engineering Mechanics, Introduction to Energy and Resource Engineering, Electrical Engineering Fundamentals, and Mathematics 2. These subjects deepen your understanding of how systems move, use energy, and interact — setting you up for more advanced study in later years.

Year 2
In your second year, the focus shifts to applying your knowledge in hands-on, practical ways. You’ll study Instrumentation and Measurement, Materials and Manufacturing 1, Engineering Systems, and Digital Electronics — learning how sensors work, how materials behave, and how to design integrated systems.

Later in the year, you’ll develop skills in Programming Fundamentals, Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing, Materials and Manufacturing 2, and Thermodynamics. This combination strengthens your abilities in software, manufacturing processes, and energy systems — all critical for high-performance motorsport environments.

Year 3
By the third year, you’ll start to specialise and see how everything connects in real-world applications. Mechanical Design and Development sharpens your design expertise, while Fluid Mechanics gives you insight into how air and fluids behave — knowledge that’s essential in automotive aerodynamics and performance. You’ll also explore Engineering Innovation and Ethics, preparing you to think about sustainability and responsibility as a future engineer.

The highlight of this stage is Race Car Systems, where you’ll dive into the details of motorsports engineering and vehicle integration, connecting theory to real racing technology.

Years 4 & 5
In your final years, you’ll move into advanced areas such as control systems, robotics, and industrial automation. You’ll also undertake a major project or honours thesis — such as Engineering Honours Thesis 2 or Engineering Project — where you’ll design, develop, and deliver a complex engineering solution, often in collaboration with industry partners. This capstone experience mirrors real engineering practice and prepares you for professional life.

Focus Areas

Mechatronics Engineering: automation, sensors, robotics, and manufacturing systems
Motorsports Technology: vehicle dynamics, race car systems, and high-performance design and management

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this double degree will be able to:

Apply advanced engineering design and synthesis to manage complex, multidisciplinary projects.
Integrate mechanical, electrical, computing, and manufacturing systems to solve real-world problems.
Communicate confidently with technical and non-technical audiences.
Lead teams ethically and sustainably in engineering contexts.
Analyse and solve engineering challenges specific to motorsports and high-performance systems.

Professional Accreditation

This double degree is fully accredited by Engineers Australia, ensuring your qualification meets national and international engineering standards. It also aligns with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level 8, recognising it as a Bachelor Honours degree.

Reputation

Edith Cowan University is consistently recognised for outstanding teaching quality — earning 5-star ratings for 18 consecutive years in the Good Universities Guide. ECU is also ranked among the world’s best young universities under 50 years old, reflecting its commitment to innovation, excellence, and student success.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

If you’re thinking about studying the Double Degree – Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics) Honours / Bachelor of Technology (Motorsports) at Edith Cowan University (ECU) (Course code Y75), you’re looking at an exciting, hands-on program designed for people who want to turn their passion for engineering and motorsports into a professional career.

This double degree combines mechanical, electrical, electronic, computing, and motorsports engineering—so you’ll graduate as a versatile engineer ready for real industry challenges. From day one, you’ll spend as much time in labs, workshops, and project spaces as you do in lectures, developing the kind of practical experience employers value most.

Here’s what you can look forward to:

Real labs and fabrication spaces: You’ll have access to ECU’s dedicated Manufacturing and Motorsports Laboratory, along with 3D printing facilities, a wind tunnel, and structural mechanics labs. These spaces give you the opportunity to design, prototype, and test your own creations—just like in a real motorsports engineering environment.
Industry-standard design and simulation tools: Throughout your degree, you’ll use software like CAD/CAM and other simulation platforms in units such as Engineering Drawing and Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing. You’ll also work with systems for signal analysis and microprocessor control—building strong digital and technical skills that align with industry standards.
Project-based learning: You’ll take on large, hands-on projects through Motorsports Project 1 and Motorsports Project 2, where you’ll move from concept design to actual fabrication. These projects help you experience the full engineering cycle—planning, building, testing, and refining your designs.
Professional industry experience: Before graduating, you’ll complete a minimum of eight weeks of professional practice in an industry setting. This placement gives you a valuable chance to apply your technical knowledge in a real-world motorsports or engineering environment and build professional connections.
Collaborative, multidisciplinary teamwork: Engineering today is all about teamwork. Throughout your course, you’ll collaborate with students from different disciplines to solve complex problems—mirroring the kind of cross-functional teamwork that happens in professional engineering teams.
Advanced industry tools and systems: You’ll gain experience with instrumentation, measurement systems, microprocessors, power electronics, and advanced manufacturing tools. These are the same kinds of systems used across the motorsports, automation, and engineering industries.
Motorsports-focused learning: In the motorsports major, you’ll explore everything from Race Car Anatomy to Race Car Systems, giving you a deep understanding of vehicle performance, design, simulation, and fabrication processes specific to the motorsports field.
World-class facilities: ECU’s School of Engineering and Technology provides up to 12 weeks of practical work experience, along with exceptional facilities across robotics, electronics, materials, manufacturing, and motorsports engineering—ensuring you learn in an environment that feels like the industry itself.

Overall, this double degree is about more than just theory—it’s about turning your engineering ideas into real innovations. You’ll graduate with the technical depth, creative skills, and hands-on experience to thrive in both engineering and motorsports industries.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Great news — with the Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics) (Honours) / Bachelor of Technology (Motorsports) at Edith Cowan University (ECU), you’re setting yourself up for an exciting, future-focused career. Graduates from this program move into roles such as Mechatronics Engineer, Robotics Engineer, or Motorsports Technical Manager — leading advanced manufacturing systems, designing high-performance vehicles, and developing the next generation of automated technologies.

Progression & Future Opportunities

University support:
At ECU, you’ll have access to a dedicated Career Centre that helps you prepare for the workforce with CV and interview guidance, internship listings, and employer networking sessions. The motorsports component of your degree also gives you opportunities to engage with real-world projects and industry teams — perfect for building practical experience and professional connections early on.

Employment outcomes:
While specific salary data for motorsports engineering isn’t published, ECU’s broader engineering graduates enjoy strong career outcomes. Engineers with accredited qualifications often start above average graduate salary levels, reflecting the high demand for technical skills in automation, robotics, and manufacturing sectors.

Industry connections:
This double degree is designed in collaboration with industry to match the needs of modern manufacturing and motorsports engineering. You’ll get hands-on experience in design, simulation, fabrication, and testing, developing the kind of practical problem-solving skills that employers value.

Accreditation value:
Your qualification is an AQF Level 8 Bachelor Honours degree accredited by Engineers Australia, giving you professional recognition both in Australia and internationally. This accreditation adds credibility to your expertise and opens doors to engineering careers across multiple sectors.

Graduate strengths:
By graduation, you’ll have solid foundations across mechanical, electrical, and computing engineering, ready to take on complex multidisciplinary projects in automation, manufacturing, or motorsports. You won’t just graduate with technical know-how — you’ll have the leadership and analytical skills to drive innovation in your field.

Further Academic Progression

After completing this double degree, you can continue to advance your expertise with postgraduate study — such as a Master of Engineering specialising in automation, robotics, or motorsports systems. You could even move into research and pursue a PhD in areas like intelligent systems or advanced manufacturing. With a strong technical foundation and professional accreditation, you’ll be well-prepared to take the next step in your academic or professional journey.