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Uni Stuff => Universities - Victoria => Other universities => Topic started by: power4 on March 25, 2015, 05:24:45 pm

Title: RMIT or QUT for Engineering-urgent!!
Post by: power4 on March 25, 2015, 05:24:45 pm
Hi I really need some advice about choosing a uni for engineering.I am currently at Monash but it seems there aren't any specific engineering fields I am interested in.Census date is coming soon so I really need to decide.Can someone here please help me to get a decision?  :-[

I have to move to QLD to go to QUT.That is the hardest thing where as I can go to RMIT from where I live now.but QUT course seems more versatile than RMIT.

could someone here say whether is it worth it to change states to go to QUT?how is the campus/facilities/lecturers and mainly the difficulty and contact hours etc etc?

Most importantly do I going to miss a lot by not going to Monash?

Also anyone who studied ECE or any eng course at RMIT can give me some insight?
Title: Re: RMIT or QUT for Engineering-urgent!!
Post by: power4 on March 26, 2015, 03:16:25 pm
bump :(
Title: Re: RMIT or QUT for Engineering-urgent!!
Post by: brenden on March 26, 2015, 08:52:26 pm
I personally could not conceive of why you would go to QUT instead of RMIT when the former is likely to be a shitload more expensive and stressful.
Title: Re: RMIT or QUT for Engineering-urgent!!
Post by: power4 on March 26, 2015, 09:13:03 pm
I personally could not conceive of why you would go to QUT instead of RMIT when the former is likely to be a shitload more expensive and stressful.

Its just that QUT has campus feeling and has a better course structure for me than RMIT.for me, hey have a better specialization option too.Apart from the reputation I feel I won't lose much from going to QUT from Monash rather than gaining things.I don't know.But yeah it is hell of a lot easier to go to RMIT than changing states to go to QUT.I want to know whether is it worth it.
Title: Re: RMIT or QUT for Engineering-urgent!!
Post by: brenden on March 26, 2015, 09:35:04 pm
RMIT is extremely reputable for engineering. At least, that's what I've heard. I would err on the side of saying 'not worth it'. Financially it doesn't make sense. It might make sense as far as your university experience goes but only you can decide that.
Title: Re: RMIT or QUT for Engineering-urgent!!
Post by: hobbitle on March 26, 2015, 10:27:53 pm
I definitely don't think it's worth it just because you like the vibe better at QUT. The courses can be tailored to a degree.... And the campus vibe is what you make of it to an extent as well. Both unis are about as reputable as each other for Eng so you aren't really gaining anything in that regard and to be honest your Eng specialisation stream only matters to a certain extent, you may study a niche stream but end up in a job that is in a broader stream anyway. Or a side step, or whatever.
Title: Re: RMIT or QUT for Engineering-urgent!!
Post by: power4 on March 26, 2015, 10:36:20 pm
RMIT is extremely reputable for engineering. At least, that's what I've heard. I would err on the side of saying 'not worth it'. Financially it doesn't make sense. It might make sense as far as your university experience goes but only you can decide that.

Thanks for replying.
Title: Re: RMIT or QUT for Engineering-urgent!!
Post by: power4 on March 26, 2015, 10:55:49 pm
I definitely don't think it's worth it just because you like the vibe better at QUT. The courses can be tailored to a degree.... And the campus vibe is what you make of it to an extent as well. Both unis are about as reputable as each other for Eng so you aren't really gaining anything in that regard and to be honest your Eng specialisation stream only matters to a certain extent, you may study a niche stream but end up in a job that is in a broader stream anyway. Or a side step, or whatever.

Thanks a lot for giving some helpful reply. The main reason I am going to leave Monash is there aren't any specific specialization I am interested at Monash.Plus I have heard from my friends that at RMIT, the contact hours is less than that to Monash and has less home work and so on. (I have heard from the faculty it is more or less same at QUT too)I am just struggling with some subjects already at Monash. So I have decided to move to another uni where I can enjoy my studies.That is the most important thing for me.

but am I going to lose ANYTHING by leaving Monash and going to RMIT or QUT? I talked with one of the best employers in Australia in careers fair.Most of them if not everyone said that the university you went doesn't really matter.(at least when compared Monash and RMIT) all that matters is grades,personality,how you fit for the job etc.but what do you think?will I miss anything?say if I am going to do PG studies abroad, would that effect me negatively?

The edge I give for QUT over RMIT is that;

It seems not every lecture at RMIT isn't recorded where as at QUT almost everything recorded.
At QUT they have a specialization called Electrical and Aerospace Engineering which I find interesting because of the subjects.
Flexibility of the course of QUT is great coz I can do a 2nd major or 2 minors which is great.where as at RMIT its all about the doing given subjects from the word go till the end.except few electives in the final year.you can even do languages at QUT.
at QUT there is a campus feeling you know.at RMIT it is all about building after building.It is not as important as other.but having studied at Monash Clayton Campus, I feel I will miss a lot if I go to RMIT in that aspect.


May I know why is it not so worth? I really need to know that.Yeah relocating would be hard I know.but I haven't being in Australia for so long.So I haven't yet established a lot.and AFAIK Brisbane is cheaper than Melbourne right?and living right in the city would mean, everything is close.living close to Melbourne city is not possible as it is really expensive.

Title: Re: RMIT or QUT for Engineering-urgent!!
Post by: keltingmeith on March 26, 2015, 11:12:22 pm
say if I am going to do PG studies abroad, would that effect me negatively?

My gut instinct here is yes. Even if the RMIT/QUT engineering degrees are arguably better, Monash is world-renowned and in the top 100 universities in the world. So, if you were to apply overseas for masters and have Monash on your application, they're more likely to know you're coming from a good place, as they may not have even heard of RMIT or QUT before.

This could, of course, not be an issue at all though. But, I am curious - what do you think is at RMIT/QUT in terms of engineering that Monash doesn't have? Particularly since you've mentioned electrical engineering as an interest (unless I'm reading that wrong)?
Title: Re: RMIT or QUT for Engineering-urgent!!
Post by: power4 on March 26, 2015, 11:39:24 pm
My gut instinct here is yes. Even if the RMIT/QUT engineering degrees are arguably better, Monash is world-renowned and in the top 100 universities in the world. So, if you were to apply overseas for masters and have Monash on your application, they're more likely to know you're coming from a good place, as they may not have even heard of RMIT or QUT before.

This could, of course, not be an issue at all though. But, I am curious - what do you think is at RMIT/QUT in terms of engineering that Monash doesn't have? Particularly since you've mentioned electrical engineering as an interest (unless I'm reading that wrong)?

Well I am in a dilemma.So RMIT/QUT Engineering degrees are arguably better.but as Monash is world-renowned, I will have a better place overseas.So then I don't know what to do.Yeah RMIT/QUT doesn't have that reputation.but I have much better chance of getting internship/job at a Europe or somewhere if I go to RMIT/QUT.

btw why do you say RMIT/QUT Engineering is better? I really like to know :)

Well its bit complicated.I don't know whether you'll understand that. I mean if I go to RMIT I am looking to do Electronic and Communication Engineering where as at QUT it'll be Electrical and Aerospace Engineering.

The point is Monash basically has a straight Electrical Engineering degree (even though it has computer systems) which is not I am looking for.the Electrical and Aerospace Engineering degree at QUT is more like 60-65% Aerospace and 35-40% Electronics/Electrical side.You know what I mean? :) I just don't want to do pure Electrical because it is not my passion nor I want to study pure Aerospace as it will limit me in-terms of my career.studying Elec and Aero degree looks lot more versatile.more over I can study a 2nd major in other engineering fields OR 2 minors which RMIT or Monash doesn't allow.

So what do you think?
Title: Re: RMIT or QUT for Engineering-urgent!!
Post by: keltingmeith on March 26, 2015, 11:46:32 pm
btw why do you say RMIT/QUT Engineering is better? I really like to know :)

I don't know enough about engineering at any of these three universities to make a proper statement, just things I've seen when I visited each campus. I just know that many people say RMIT has the best eng program in Victoria, and The Cube is fucking sick as. Of course, it all depends on what you want to study.

Well its bit complicated.I don't know whether you'll understand that. I mean if I go to RMIT I am looking to do Electronic and Communication Engineering where as at QUT it'll be Electrical and Aerospace Engineering.

The point is Monash basically has a straight Electrical Engineering degree (even though it has computer systems) which is not I am looking for.the Electrical and Aerospace Engineering degree at QUT is more like 60-65% Aerospace and 35-40% Electronics/Electrical side.You know what I mean? :) I just don't want to do pure Electrical because it is not my passion nor I want to study pure Aerospace as it will limit me in-terms of my career.studying Elec and Aero degree looks lot more versatile.more over I can study a 2nd major in other engineering fields OR 2 minors which RMIT or Monash doesn't allow.

So what do you think?

I think that minors are pretty useless, and you shouldn't let 2 minors affect your decision at all. I also think you'll find that electrical/communication engineering is incredibly similar to electrical/data systems (which, as you said, they have at Monash), which basically removes RMIT as a preference if you really don't like Monash's electrical degree.
Title: Re: RMIT or QUT for Engineering-urgent!!
Post by: tinagunface on March 27, 2015, 12:15:13 am
Hi! I'm a second year @ RMIT doing Chemical Engineering/Biotechnology.

I do agree that Monash is more prestigious university compared to RMIT, but with my experience with RMIT, I'd like to point out some things

Moving from Monash to RMIT
- RMIT is versatile when it comes to double degrees (Most engineering student do double degrees; Are there no electrical engineering double degrees that suit your liking?)
- It's an enjoyable environment, and it's close by transport
- From the courses that I have done so far this year, all my courses have been recorded (Last year, some of them weren't recorded because they were straightforward courses. Pretty much, the lectures that are needed are recorded)
- Less contact hours
- I don't think you do ask much theory work

But I have to say the structure is rigid (no electives for me so far); but it's not something that has greatly affected me.

I'm not too sure what you're looking for, but ask away :D
Title: Re: RMIT or QUT for Engineering-urgent!!
Post by: power4 on March 27, 2015, 12:34:57 am
I don't know enough about engineering at any of these three universities to make a proper statement, just things I've seen when I visited each campus. I just know that many people say RMIT has the best eng program in Victoria, and The Cube is fucking sick as. Of course, it all depends on what you want to study.

I think that minors are pretty useless, and you shouldn't let 2 minors affect your decision at all. I also think you'll find that electrical/communication engineering is incredibly similar to electrical/data systems (which, as you said, they have at Monash), which basically removes RMIT as a preference if you really don't like Monash's electrical degree.

Yeah there is a overlap between RMIT course and Monash course.That is why I am leaning more towards QUT :) Yeah if that is the case I will look in to a second major, which I think gives me lot of flexibility. but is changing states that hard?why people say it is not worth it?  :-\
Title: Re: RMIT or QUT for Engineering-urgent!!
Post by: power4 on March 27, 2015, 12:55:25 am
Hi! I'm a second year @ RMIT doing Chemical Engineering/Biotechnology.

I do agree that Monash is more prestigious university compared to RMIT, but with my experience with RMIT, I'd like to point out some things

Moving from Monash to RMIT
- RMIT is versatile when it comes to double degrees (Most engineering student do double degrees; Are there no electrical engineering double degrees that suit your liking?)
- It's an enjoyable environment, and it's close by transport
- From the courses that I have done so far this year, all my courses have been recorded (Last year, some of them weren't recorded because they were straightforward courses. Pretty much, the lectures that are needed are recorded)
- Less contact hours
- I don't think you do ask much theory work

But I have to say the structure is rigid (no electives for me so far); but it's not something that has greatly affected me.

I'm not too sure what you're looking for, but ask away :D

first of all thanks for the reply.

1. Yeah but the thing is that I am not fond of doing straight electrical degree.Electronic and Communication is the closest I can think at RMIT Electrical and Comp faculty.
The next thing I can think of is Aerospace Engineering.but it only has a double degree with Business.Doing straight Aero will limit my chances when I go to workforce.

2.The campus is pretty much building after building right.are there any open areas where people can hang out?are there sports facilities?actually at which building do you hae engineering studies?is it the one in front of 80 building?Yeah being close to transport is great.
3.how much contact hours are there generally?for first year?
4.OK that is great to know.

Yeah that is something to worry about.When I look at the course structure, we have to study pretty much everything they ask to study. and doing double degree mean doing 9 subjects per year.

Anyway have you seen people coming from Monash to RMIT?May I know why did you chose RMIT at first place? :)

how is the difficulty of the course RMIT?have you heard anything about the difficulty from people who studied Monash before?

how is the faculty?are they helpful?

what sort of assessments did you have in your first year?were they hard or easy?

sorry for so many questions :)
Title: Re: RMIT or QUT for Engineering-urgent!!
Post by: power4 on March 27, 2015, 05:27:33 pm
bump
Title: Re: RMIT or QUT for Engineering-urgent!!
Post by: power4 on March 29, 2015, 11:46:21 am
bump  :-\
Title: Re: RMIT or QUT for Engineering-urgent!!
Post by: hobbitle on March 29, 2015, 07:11:30 pm
Mate this is a very specific query and probably no one here can give you any concrete info on both universities as they are in different states. It's not like you're comparing monash and rmit and Melbourne Uni or whatever. Most of us have no idea about QUT and you have had a number of opinions offered to you.
Title: Re: RMIT or QUT for Engineering-urgent!!
Post by: power4 on March 30, 2015, 12:40:04 am
Mate this is a very specific query and probably no one here can give you any concrete info on both universities as they are in different states. It's not like you're comparing monash and rmit and Melbourne Uni or whatever. Most of us have no idea about QUT and you have had a number of opinions offered to you.

OK mate. no worries then. :)
I'll try to solve this somehow.
Title: Re: RMIT or QUT for Engineering-urgent!!
Post by: tinagunface on April 09, 2015, 06:47:05 pm
I think I've replied to this question a bit too late (So I hope you have made your decision now). I hope others who may be in the same dilemma could get some insight.

1. Oh really? Well in that case, RMIT seems to not cater as well as it should for that area of engineering. And aerospace engineering as you pointed out is extremely difficult to get a job (single), so I know a few that have changed their course due to it. It really does depend on the course that you want to do. Although it might be a stupid idea, why not do two degrees that you want separately? A double degree at RMIT is 5 years, so it's not greatly different to 6 years that you would be doing at Monash

2. There are places that people can hang out! (but hardly compared to monash and melbourne). There's an alumni courtyard where I usually hang out and its chill and all, but I recently found out that the creepy windows that I kept on seeing there were actually the Old Melbourne Gaol lol.
Nope! Sadly theres hardly any sports facilities based on RMIT, but there's so many in the city (or close by) , that its not really required.
Building 12 is the engineering building (opposite to Building 80)

3. Well last year I had ~14 hours (the 2nd degree is only 2 hours or so)

The reason I chose RMIT is because it is close, and they have connections where I believe it is easier to transition to work after I finish uni. I was a John Monash Science School student (you've probably seen those annoying kids at uni), and I felt so dead after travelling there and back for three years(Since I live on the other side). I didn't want to experience for another three lol.

From what I'm aware, Monash starts with two years where everyone does the same thing until you get to choose in the third (or is that a wrong preconception?). For my first year, I went straight into the chemical engineering fundamentals.

The faculty is quite helpful, but it moreso depends on the lecturer that you get for that subject. You may sometimes get one horrendous lecturer that does your head in (It's happening to me right now)

Assignments wise, people keep on telling me they get essays in their uni, and I haven't done that so far! (yay!) Assignments for first year are usually kept to a minimum. The max assignment for one course would be two, but most would be just one. There's usually one big assignment that's done in a group in the year. There's tests weekly/fortnightly for most courses, but they were basic. Mid semesters and exams are harder, well duh (but I don't think as much as Monash)

Tests and assigments are relatively easy (if you put the effort into study). Pretty much, coursework will be easier if you put the effort to do so. And that obviously applies to every uni lol

Again, I'm really sorry for replying late (after the census date), but I am curious as to what you decided to go with. :)
Title: Re: RMIT or QUT for Engineering-urgent!!
Post by: power4 on April 11, 2015, 02:08:56 pm
I think I've replied to this question a bit too late (So I hope you have made your decision now). I hope others who may be in the same dilemma could get some insight.

1. Oh really? Well in that case, RMIT seems to not cater as well as it should for that area of engineering. And aerospace engineering as you pointed out is extremely difficult to get a job (single), so I know a few that have changed their course due to it. It really does depend on the course that you want to do. Although it might be a stupid idea, why not do two degrees that you want separately? A double degree at RMIT is 5 years, so it's not greatly different to 6 years that you would be doing at Monash

2. There are places that people can hang out! (but hardly compared to monash and melbourne). There's an alumni courtyard where I usually hang out and its chill and all, but I recently found out that the creepy windows that I kept on seeing there were actually the Old Melbourne Gaol lol.
Nope! Sadly theres hardly any sports facilities based on RMIT, but there's so many in the city (or close by) , that its not really required.
Building 12 is the engineering building (opposite to Building 80)

3. Well last year I had ~14 hours (the 2nd degree is only 2 hours or so)

The reason I chose RMIT is because it is close, and they have connections where I believe it is easier to transition to work after I finish uni. I was a John Monash Science School student (you've probably seen those annoying kids at uni), and I felt so dead after travelling there and back for three years(Since I live on the other side). I didn't want to experience for another three lol.

From what I'm aware, Monash starts with two years where everyone does the same thing until you get to choose in the third (or is that a wrong preconception?). For my first year, I went straight into the chemical engineering fundamentals.

The faculty is quite helpful, but it moreso depends on the lecturer that you get for that subject. You may sometimes get one horrendous lecturer that does your head in (It's happening to me right now)

Assignments wise, people keep on telling me they get essays in their uni, and I haven't done that so far! (yay!) Assignments for first year are usually kept to a minimum. The max assignment for one course would be two, but most would be just one. There's usually one big assignment that's done in a group in the year. There's tests weekly/fortnightly for most courses, but they were basic. Mid semesters and exams are harder, well duh (but I don't think as much as Monash)

Tests and assigments are relatively easy (if you put the effort into study). Pretty much, coursework will be easier if you put the effort to do so. And that obviously applies to every uni lol

Again, I'm really sorry for replying late (after the census date), but I am curious as to what you decided to go with. :)

Thanks a lot for so much information. Well in the end I took an intermission from Monash course as I had to take some decision before census date. So now I can either start from another uni from next semester or continue at Monash Monash itself. It has basically taken 4 months out of me. but its worth it I feel. I can get a more informative decision rather than just randomly starting from an uni and wondering what should I do now.

Anyway Its OK for replying late. At least you replied, given not much people have replied here :)

Though I have some time, I can't keep it to the last minute. Don't know how to take a decision.  :-\ moving states would be kind of hard. but then I feel like I am going to miss a lot by going to RMIT as they really lack what Monash offer in terms of campus feel.   :-\ but I like the idea of not doing a general first year and doing specific subjects from first semester onwards but the then again their course structure is so rigid and lack the flexibility so I doubt whether I gain much by leaving Monash except may be the amount of contact hours and and may be the difficulty a bit.

Basically the course structure and campus feel are the two most important things for me. but It doesn't have to have so much of campus feel. but I really don't want to feel like, "Oh I could have stayed in Monash, this really sucks" or something like that.

I will be so thankful if anyone here could put in their ideas on this :)
Title: Re: RMIT or QUT for Engineering-urgent!!
Post by: power4 on April 17, 2015, 02:24:31 pm
bump  :-\
Title: Re: RMIT or QUT for Engineering-urgent!!
Post by: hobbitle on April 17, 2015, 03:37:39 pm
Out of interest, you posted this almost a month ago labelled "urgent". When do you need to decide?
Title: Re: RMIT or QUT for Engineering-urgent!!
Post by: power4 on April 18, 2015, 12:46:13 pm
Out of interest, you posted this almost a month ago labelled "urgent". When do you need to decide?

It was because the census date was nearing so I had to take a decision about whether I am going to continue or defer Monash course. as now I have deferred it, I have bit more time to decide about which uni I am going to go. hopefully you can put some input :)
Title: Re: RMIT or QUT for Engineering-urgent!!
Post by: hobbitle on April 18, 2015, 01:02:01 pm
hopefully you can put some input :)
I already did.
Title: Re: RMIT or QUT for Engineering-urgent!!
Post by: power4 on April 18, 2015, 08:55:05 pm
I already did.

Oh I forgot it.Thanks :)