What ATAR do you need for engineering in Victoria?
Engineering ATAR cutoffs at Melbourne, Monash, RMIT, Swinburne, Deakin, and La Trobe — plus the prereqs, the bonus point schemes, and the niche entry pathways.
Engineering in Victoria is much more accessible than medicine, but cutoffs differ significantly between unis. Here's the lay of the land.
The big-picture cutoffs
Approximate Victorian engineering cutoffs based on recent VTAC data:
| Uni | Course | ATAR (clearly-in) |
|---|---|---|
| Melbourne | Bachelor of Science (Engineering Systems) | 90+ |
| Monash | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) | 85–90 |
| RMIT | Bachelor of Engineering | 75–85 (varies by stream) |
| Swinburne | Bachelor of Engineering | 75–85 |
| Deakin | Bachelor of Engineering | 75–80 |
| La Trobe | Bachelor of Engineering | 70–75 |
The "clearly-in" range is approximate — the actual lowest selection rank fluctuates year to year and varies by specialisation.
Specialisation matters
Within engineering, certain specialisations are tighter than others:
- Aerospace, biomedical, mechatronic — these tend to be at the higher end of each uni's range.
- Civil, mechanical, electrical — usually mid-range.
- Chemical, environmental, software — vary the most by uni.
If you're targeting a specific specialisation, check that uni's exact "selection rank" data on VTAC.
Prereqs
Almost universal:
- English — any Unit 3/4 English (mainstream, EAL, EL, or Lit).
- Mathematical Methods — required for almost every engineering degree in the state.
- One of Physics, Chemistry, or Specialist Mathematics — varies by uni.
Specifically:
- Melbourne and Monash like Methods + Specialist Maths or Methods + Physics.
- RMIT and Swinburne are flexible — Methods plus any one of Physics/Chem/Specialist.
- Deakin and La Trobe mostly require just Methods, with the rest as recommended.
If you skip Specialist Maths, that's fine for most engineering programs. If you skip Methods, your engineering options narrow dramatically.
A realistic VCE line-up for engineering
Five-subject load aimed at ATAR 88–93:
- English raw 32 → scaled 30
- Methods raw 36 → scaled 42
- Physics raw 35 → scaled 37
- Chemistry raw 33 → scaled 38
- Specialist raw 28 → scaled 39
Top-4 = 30 + 42 + 38 + 39 = 149. Plus 10% × 37 (Physics) = 3.7. Aggregate ~153 → ATAR ~91.
This is a competitive range for most Victorian engineering programs (and a chance at Monash and Melbourne).
Bonus points
Most engineering programs honour:
- SEAS — for disadvantage. 4–10 points typical.
- Subject-specific bonuses — RMIT, Swinburne, and Deakin often add 2–4 points for strong Methods, Specialist, or Physics results.
- STEM access pathways — some unis run special programs for women and underrepresented groups in engineering.
Bonus points apply at the uni's selection step, not your published ATAR.
Combined degrees
Many Victorian engineering students aim for combined degrees: engineering + commerce, engineering + science, engineering + IT. Cutoffs for combineds tend to be 1–3 ATAR points higher than the standalone engineering degree.
If you're aiming at a combined degree at Melbourne or Monash, you're probably looking at 92+ as your working floor.
Pathways if your ATAR is below the cutoff
Engineering programs are particularly forgiving for students who fall short:
- TAFE Diploma of Engineering → guaranteed entry into many engineering bachelors with a credit transfer of one year.
- Mid-year entry at RMIT and Swinburne for some engineering streams.
- Internal transfer after first year at most unis if you do well in a related degree.
The path doesn't end at the September VTAC offer round. Plenty of engineering students at the upper-tier unis transferred in from elsewhere.
Try the numbers
Plug your subject line-up into the ATAR Calculator with realistic raw scores. If you're landing 88+, you're competitive at most Victorian engineering programs. If you're at 92+, you're in range for Melbourne and Monash.
Read picking your VCE subjects for the broader subject-selection picture.
Keep reading
How VTAC turns your VCE study scores into an ATAR. The primary-four rule, the 10% increments, and the aggregate-to-ATAR table — without the jargon.
How VTAC turns your VCE study scores into an ATAR. The primary-four rule, the 10% increments, and the aggregate-to-ATAR table — without the jargon.
Direct-entry MBBS, undergraduate biomed, graduate medicine — every Victorian pathway broken down by ATAR cutoff, prereqs, and what changes in 2026.
Direct-entry JD, undergraduate law, juris doctor pathways. Cutoffs at Melbourne, Monash, La Trobe, Deakin, ACU — plus what to study in VCE if you're aiming there.
The StudyScore app — your VCE in your pocket.
Log every SAC. Predict your ATAR as marks come in. Plan revision around your weakest components. Free, no ads, made by Victorian students.
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