RTSA Endorsed Courses

The RTSA provides the following 1-day courses several times each year:

  • Insight into Rollingstock Engineering (2023/4 dates to be scheduled)
  • Insight into Track Engineering (2023/4 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 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 (via email to [email protected]) if you are interested in exploring options.

As of July 2023, 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 Australasian Railway Association, 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.

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 offers a postgraduate course Railway and Rolling Stock Environment (ENGG924).  This course covers rail within a transport industry context, historical perspective on railways development, business structures for rail organisations, rolling stock interfaces, safety considerations, design drivers, system design specification, rolling stock system (operations, servicing, maintenance), component interfaces, train types and applications, rolling stock operation and asset management, railway cost perspectives, technological development trends in rolling stock. [This course is currently not offered.]

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

There are currently no rail related undergraduate courses offered throughout Australia and New Zealand (as of July 2023).

The RTSA Chapters in WA, NSW 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.

The following rail related undergraduate scholarships are offered throughout Australia and New Zealand (as of September 2019):

  • ” The Inland Rail Scholarships” – Charles Sturt University has a scholarship agreement with the Australian Rail Track Corporation Ltd which will provide financial assistance to a number of the University’s first-year students over the course of their degrees.  New scholarships valued at $5,000 per year to a maximum of $20,000 over a four-year undergraduate degree for students.  Scholarships will assist first-year regional students living in specific LGAs near the Inland Rail project alignment
  • Six undergraduate scholarships valued up to $20,000 each are being offered by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) to La Trobe University students – living in specific LGAs – as part of a new Inland Rail Skills Academy.

 

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

Politecnico di Milano in Italy offers a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering which includes an optional track (FA3) in Railway Engineering.

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).