RTSA Endorsed Courses
The RTSA provides the following 1-day courses several times each year:
- Insight into Rollingstock Engineering (2025/6 dates to be scheduled)
- Insight into Track Engineering (2025/6 dates to be scheduled)
Engineering Education Australia (EEA) offers a short on-line course Introduction to Rail Engineering. The purpose of this course is to broaden your understanding of rail engineering for projects and operations that involve rail services. (RTSA Members get a reduced price). The course facilitator is RTSA Life Membership Award Recipient (2021) Martin Baggot.
RTSA has endorsed CBTC Masterclass and ETCS Masterclass courses by Informa Connect Academy (delivered by Doc Frank Heibel, RTSA Distinguished Rail Career Award Recipient for 2025)
RTSA is currently working with Engineers Australia and Engineering Education Australia (EEA) to develop additional courses.
The Monash Institute of Railway Technology (IRT) offers several short courses on rail fundamentals in: rolling stock, rail welding, track infrastructure and rail operations.
The RTSA offers an course endorsement program. Contact RTSA if you are interested in exploring options.
As of July 2025, the following additional courses are known to be available. This listing does not mean endorsement by RTSA.
Other Industry-Run Courses / Workshops / Diplomas
The ARA and RISSB regularly run and participate in various courses and workshops to assist the Australasian Rail Industry in knowledge sharing. For the latest course schedules, please click here or here.
Since 2020, the IRSE Australasian Section together with Competency Australia is offering a Graduate Diploma in Railway Signalling via distance education.
Engineering Education Australia (EEA) offers a Graduate Learning Program – Rail which is designed for organisations in the rail industry that are ready to invest in their graduate workforce and shape them into efficient and effective engineering professionals. Designed in consultation with engineering organisations and the ARA, this 18-month program helps new engineers develop the skills to achieve business results. Content within the program aligns to the underpinning knowledge engineers need to start their journey towards Chartered status. Modules are: Personal Empowerment Module, Understanding Rail Module, Project Management Module, Professional Skills Module.
The ARA offers a Professional Certificate in Rail. This certificate explores topics such as: Rail freight & passenger operations; Infrastructure & maintenance, Rail safety, Digitisation & automation, Sustainability & supply chain and Asset lifecycle management
University Courses – Advanced
Rail-specific courses and degrees are offered from time to time at Universities around Australia and New Zealand. A list of some (but not all) courses that are currently available include:
Civil Infrastructure
The Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) provides practical engineering and technology education; from Diplomas through to Masters Degrees. Via online delivery, EIT offers a Graduate Certificate in Civil – Railways Infrastructure Engineering and a Master of Engineering (Civil: Railway Infrastructure).
A Rail Track Engineering qualification is available through the University of Tasmania (UTAS) in partnership with Engineering Education Australia and Transport for NSW. The Diploma of Engineering Infrastructure (Rail) builds the necessary knowledge and skills to manage a section of track, from design to commissioning and maintenance, as well as relevant legislation and regulations to meet industry standards. The qualification is ideal for experienced engineers looking to deepen their knowledge in rail engineering; technicians looking to upskill; and engineering graduates working towards a career in rail.
For the Master of Engineering (Civil Engineering), RMIT offers an elective in Rail Infrastructure (CIVE1257 at RMIT, Melbourne). This course investigates components of railway infrastructure and the design and construction of different railway systems. It encompasses a wide range of engineering disciplines, including civil engineering, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering.
CQU offers a postgraduate course Introduction to Railway Engineering (ENER20001 at CQU, Rockhampton). In this unit, you will engage in a project that offers opportunities for you to explore issues in the design, modelling and analysis of railway vehicle/ track systems. Depending on your previous knowledge and experience, you may choose to investigate traction and braking, vehicle dynamics or structural engineering aspects.
Deakin University offers a postgraduate course Railway Infrastructure Design and Management (SEN729) at Waurn Ponds, Geelong and online). This a core course for the Master of Infrastructure Engineering and Management (Professional). This course provides specific knowledge for designing and maintaining railway infrastructure systems through real-world case studies. Using Australian railway industry standards and guidelines, students learn about design and maintenance procedures for both light and heavy railway systems. In addition to the engineering design of railway infrastructure systems, technological solutions for their efficient and safe operation are addressed.
Rolling Stock Engineering
Rolling Stock courses are specifically designed to meet industry needs by delivering the knowledge and experience that are difficult to gain through workplace training programs only. The courses are built on a problem-based approach to learning and focused on the technologies and challenges faced by rolling stock engineers working across all sectors of the railway industry.
University of Wollongong no longer offers a postgraduate courses in Railway and Rolling Stock Environment.
Rail Operations
The University of Sydney Business School offers a certificate in Certificate of Railway Planning and Operations. The course introduces students to the key elements of railway planning and operations.
University Courses – Undergraduate
Rail Engineering
Monash University offers a course in Railway Engineering – ENG5331 – Railway engineering – for undergraduates (enrolled in E3001 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)) and postgraduates. The course covers “The main subsystems for a functioning modern railway network such as the track system, the rolling stock, the power supply system, and the signal and control system will be described in this unit”.
Edith Cowen University offers three 3rd year courses as follows:
- 3rd year course in Railway System Mechanics for its Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) Honours. The ENS3235 unit provides foundational coverage of the mechanical and reliability engineering aspects associated with railway engineering. It covers rolling stock analyses and design principles, wheel-rail interface, transmission systems, braking, track assessments and defects, condition monitoring and an introduction to rail engineering reliability and its management as well as rail system maintenance.
- 3rd year course in Railway Design, Construction and Maintenance for its Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) Honours. The ENS3236 unit provides foundational coverage of the associated civil and structural engineering aspects. It covers track design, railway bridge and tunnel design considerations and some of their associated services, as well as track maintenance and emergency recovery from an infrastructure and civil works perspective.
- 3rd year course in Railway Electrical, Control and Signalling Systems for its Bachelor of Engineering (Electronics and Communications) Honours, Bachelor of Engineering (Instrumentation Control and Automation), Honours Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics) Honours and Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical Power) Honours. The ENS3237 unit provides students with foundational knowledge of the electrical, electronic, control and communications aspects of railway engineering. It covers signalling, operational telecommunications infrastructure, train control systems, overhead line equipment as well as both train and track power systems. Technical and operational considerations for railway systems, including safety and information security, are also addressed.
University Challenge
The RTSA Chapters in WA, NSW, Qld and Victoria run Annual University Challenges for 3rd and 4th year students to learn about rail. Work experience with supporting companies is awarded to winning teams.
Operations, Maintenance and Skilled Trades Training
In Australia, training courses and providers can be found at mySkills Australia
Overseas University Programs
The following rail related undergraduate and postgraduate courses are offered overseas (Note: This is not a complete list nor does this list mean endorsement by RTSA).
KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden offers a Master’s Programme in Railway Engineering. The master’s programme in Railway Engineering is among the very few programmes in the world that covers all aspects of rail engineering. This is also offered jointly via University of Illinois Rail Transportation and Engineering Center (RailTEC) – click here for more information.
RWTH Aachen University in Germany offers a Railway Systems Engineering (RSE) specialisation in their Master’s program in Transport Engineering and Mobility.
Ontario Tech University, Faculty of Engineering of Applied Science in Canada offers a railway engineering specialization for engineering students. The Specialization consists of 4 courses starting in 3rd Year:
- ENGR 3011U – Introduction to Railway Systems
- ENGR 4022U – Railway Safety and Signaling
- ENGR 4033U – Railway Rolling Stock
- ENGR 4044U – Railway Systems Operations and Maintenance
Politecnico di Milano in Italy offers a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering which includes an optional track course (FA3) in Railway Engineering.
McMaster University in Canada offers a Master of Engineering in Engineering Systems and Technology (M.Eng.) with a Railway Systems Option. Courses include: SEP 762 / Introduction to Railway Engineering and SEP 736 / Railway Electrification Infrastructure and Technology
The Permanent Way Institution in the United Kingdom maintains this comprehensive list of UK rail engineering degrees. One well known course is the University of Birmingham Railway Systems Engineering and Integration Masters.
There are also numerous rail related degrees offered in the United States (this list is still under development).