Construct, manage and maintain the infrastructure of modern society, and work on projects that improve the quality of life for millions of people.

 

Faculty
Faculty of Engineering
Delivery Mode
Face-to-face (includes blended)
Award
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
Commencing Terms
Term 1, 2 & 3
Duration (Full Time)
4 Year(s)

Overview

Civil engineering involves the design, construction and management of modern infrastructure. Roads, railways, tunnels, buildings, bridges, airports, mines, dams, ports and harbours, water supply and sewerage systems and flood mitigation works are all shaped by civil engineers.

As a civil engineer you’ll construct, manage and maintain infrastructure using mathematics, mechanics, physics and creative problem-solving.

In this degree you’ll be immersed in civil engineering design and research projects, professional engineering practice, engineering and technical management and conduct research towards your thesis project.

You’ll develop a foundation in civil engineering fundamentals and applications. Your education will include structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, transport engineering and water engineering, as well as construction and management.

Why study this degree at UNSW?

We’re the top Engineering faculty in Australia, which is home to the leading Civil and Environmental Engineering School, ranked 1st in Australia and 16th globally by QS Rankings and 10th by AWRU. As a leading research school, we ensure our research work is included in our teaching.

To support our strong research focus and educational excellence, we have some of the best civil engineering facilities in the country.  Access state-of-the-art facilities such as the Water Research Laboratory, Infrastructure Laboratory, Heavy Structures Laboratory and the Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre.

The UNSW School of Civil and Environmental Engineering has six research hubs. Our academic staff are recognised world leaders in their fields of expertise. The discoveries and breakthroughs made by our researchers ensure your education is up to the minute, and your knowledge is second to none.

When you study engineering at UNSW you can take part in the ChallENG Program. This unique program connects students, academics and industry to exciting, real-world, project-based learning initiatives. 

This degree includes 60 days Industrial Training which provides a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) experience. WIL allows you to engage in work learning experiences that integrate academic learning with its application in the workplace, connecting you directly with industry and community partners.

UNSW is known for its graduate employability, UNSW placed in the GradConnection AFR Top 100 Future Leaders Awards in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. Australia’s top employers prefer UNSW Engineering graduates over any other university and we’re ranked 29th in the world for employer reputation.

At UNSW Engineering you’ll benefit from a diverse and welcoming community. UNSW Engineering boasts 16 student societies including a society for each school. Get involved in CEVSOC, SURVSOC, Queer Students in Stem, or Women in Engineering.

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023

Program Code

3707

CRICOS Code

056835E

Campus

Kensington

UAC Code

425400

Total Units of Credit (UOC)

192

Indicative Enrolments

4,397

Want to see more from UNSW Engineering?

Entry requirements

2023 Lowest Selection Rank

90

2023 A Levels

16

2023 IB Diploma

34

2023 Lowest ATAR

81.55*

    1. The 2023 Lowest Selection Rank (LSR) is the adjusted rank (ATAR plus adjustment factors) you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2023.
    2. The 2023 A levels score is based on four Advanced Level (A2) subject. Entry scores are calculated from the best three or four A2 subjects (excluding repeated subjects) using the following values: A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1. At most one Applied A Level subject may be included in the best four subjects used to calculate the aggregate.
    3. The 2023 IB Diploma is an indication of the IB you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2023. It is to be used as a guide only.
    4. The 2023 Lowest ATAR is the lowest ATAR (before adjustment factors were applied) to which an offer was made. Where <5 is listed, this indicates that less than 5 ATAR-based offers were made and so the score has not been published. N/A indicates no offers were made on the basis of ATAR.
  • At UNSW, we are committed to ensuring prospective students have all the information they need in order to make informed decisions about their study options.

    To assist you in gaining a better understanding of how Admissions works at UNSW, we have provided you with a summary of ATAR offers and the student profile.

    We hope this information will help you identify the degree that is right for you.

Assumed knowledge

Mathematics Extension 1, Physics

Adjustment Factors


We offer a range of adjustment factor schemes that reward students for academic performance and extra-curricular achievements. These schemes also take into account a range of personal and educational disadvantages that may have affected your studies. 

HSC Plus 
This scheme rewards students who perform well in Year 12 subjects that are relevant to their preferred UNSW degree. You may be awarded up to five points. 

Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders (EAPL) 
This program recognises achievements in the areas of sport, academia, leadership and music at an elite level. You may be eligible for up to five points.

Educational Access Scheme (EAS)
Factors such as illness, financial hardship, language difficulties or attending a particular school can mean you don't always get the best possible marks in Years 11 and 12. If one of these situations applies to you, submit an application for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) via UAC. Eligible students can receive between 1 and 10 points towards their chosen UNSW degree.

Admission pathways

The Faculty of Engineering Admission Scheme (FEAS) is a possible alternative admission pathway for the admission of domestic undergraduate students to UNSW Faculty of Engineering degree programs, including the BSc Computer Science and the BSc Food Science (Hons), who do not meet the published Guaranteed Entry selection rank. Visit the FEAS page for more information.

English language requirements

 

You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.

If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.

International direct entry

We do not accept secondary qualifications from this country. We may accept tertiary study results, please contact us for more information.

Please contact us for direct entry requirements.

Admission pathways


If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry into your chosen degree, you may be eligible for a pathway program with UNSW College. UNSW College provides alternative entry options using university-approved content so that you can start your UNSW journey with confidence. 

English language requirements


You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.

Check the specific English language requirements for this program

Program structure

The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) is a four-year degree, which can be studied part time or full time. You’ll choose one of 19 specialisations ranging from traditional areas of Engineering including Civil, Mechanical and Electrical to emerging areas like Quantum Engineering or Renewable Engineering. 

If you’re not sure of which specialisation to choose a flexible first year allows you to choose your specialisation at the end of your first year.  

 

Minor in Nuclear Engineering

In this degree, you can choose to study a minor in Nuclear Engineering. With a UNSW Minor in Nuclear Engineering, you will be able to apply your degree expertise to work on energy efficiency, material improvements, defence technology, and crucial nuclear medicine for Australia. Find out more.

    • Civil Engineering

Full program structure

Degree structures can vary depending on the number of courses you choose and timetabling, to give you an indication you can consider the below. 

In your first year you might study: 

  • Two introductory courses in Mathematics 

  • An introductory course in Physics, 

  • and an introductory course in Computing 

You may also study an introductory course related to your specialisation of choice. These courses equip you with the skills required for the rest of your Engineering degree.   

All students study ENGG1000 “Introduction to Engineering Design and Innovation”. In this course you’ll learn to think the way that engineers think, developing solutions with limited budget, time and resources.  

In your second year you’ll undertake: 

  • Courses from your selected specialisations 

  • Core courses to give you the fundamental knowledge in your area of interest 

In your third and fourth year you’ll develop your knowledge further with a range of core and elective courses.   

During your degree you’ll be required to complete two General Education electives. These courses help you broaden your education by completing several courses from outside the engineering faculty strengthening your cross-disciplinary thinking, developing a flexible approach and enhancing your critical analysis skills.  

This degree also requires you to complete 60 days of industrial training, which gives you some on the job experience before graduating. This multidisciplinary educational approach connects students, academics and industry enabling you to develop the essential technical and professional skills, so you thrive in your future career.  

Future careers

Civil Engineers work to implement the fundamental structures and functions that society relies on. The range of career possibilities for a Civil Engineer are extensive. Civil Engineers can pursue careers in many specialist areas, including Engineering Construction and Management, Environmental, Geotechnical, Water, Structural and Transport Engineering.

Civil Engineers are employed in specialist consulting firms, construction companies, large public companies, government organisations that construct, manage and maintain public utilities, and in financial and management consultancies.

Civil Engineering graduates can pursue careers in industries and sectors, including:  

  • Transport 

  • Traffic 

  • Infrastructure  

  • Manufacturing 

  • Government 

  • Mining 

  • Construction  

  • Defence 

  • Consulting  

  • Water Supply 

Potential careers

  • Professional consulting firms
  • Construction companies
  • Large public companies
  • Government organisations
  • Financial and management consultancies

Accreditation

This degree is globally recognised and is accredited by Engineers Australia and acknowledged by the Washington Accord. 

Part of this degree involves applying your skills through 60 days of approved industrial training in Australia or overseas. Your industrial training will give you a taste of a real-world professional engineering setting and the hands-on experience to become career-ready.

Double degrees

Combine your talents and passions to discover new opportunities suited to your unique strengths. Despite the name, double degrees are not double the workload! You'll study core courses in two areas of expertise, graduating with two qualifications in less time than it takes to complete two consecutive degrees. 

Double your knowledge, skills, and career options with the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and:

*Double Degree only available with some Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) specialisations. 

How to apply

Applications for undergraduate study from domestic students (Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders and New Zealand citizens) are processed by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

Visit the Apply section of the UAC website and you can nominate up to five degrees in order of preference, with the first being your most desired degree and university.

On-time applications for admission usually close at the end of September each year for Term 1 admission. Late applications can be submitted, but a late fee will apply. For study starting in Term 1, the majority of offers are made in December and January. Visit the UAC website for key dates for admission outside of Term 1.

Ready to start your application?

For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.

Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For more information visit our international applicant information page.

*If you are an international student studying an Australian qualification, go to the Universities Admission Centre (UAC) for application and UAC key dates. Note: If you are under 18 years of age, you need to make special arrangements. Read more.

Ready to start your application?

Fees & Scholarships

2024 Indicative First Year Full Fee
$7,500*
2024 Indicative Full Fee to Complete Degree
$35,000*

Commonwealth Supported Place: Student Contribution Band 2

*The student contribution for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 based on a standard full-time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The actual student contribution you will be liable for depends on your individual program of study and the calendar year in which you enrol. Actual fees are calculated upon enrolment. Student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the university and may increase each year during your studies (subject to caps determined by the Australian Government), effective at the start of each calendar year.

The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only - other fees and charges are not included.

2024 Indicative First Year Fee
$54,500*
2024 Indicative Fee to Complete Degree
$238,000*

*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).

Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.

Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.

Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.

Scholarships


At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.

Featured scholarship

Women in Engineering Scholarships 
UNSW provides a wide range of Women in Engineering scholarships to support high-achieving female students throughout their degree.

Apply here and search for ‘Engineering’ in the keywords.  


  • Top 20
    Worldwide

    QS World University Rankings, 2024.

  • Most
    Employable Graduates

    AFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.

  • Leading
    Innovation

    #1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.

I love that everything in the world is being engineered by somebody.
Engineering alumni Rachel Mcvittie

Rachel McVittie

Engineering Alumni

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