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Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil) / Surveying

Engineering
Australia's #1 Engineering & Technology Faculty
With a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil/Surveying), you’ll graduate as both an engineer and a surveyor. This means you’ll have solid grounding in theory and application through the study of various facets of civil engineering and surveying, as well as scientific and IT principles, setting you up for success.
Commencing Terms
Term 1, 2 & 3
Duration
5 Year(s)
Delivery Mode
Face-to-face (includes blended)
Campus
Kensington
Codes
UAC code 425402
Program code 3776
CRICOS code 088839C
Entry Requirements
ATAR/2023 lowest selection rank
90
View all admission criteria
Fees
2024 Indicative first year full fee
$7,500*
2024 Indicative full fee to complete degree
$45,000*
Engineering students working in makerspace

Overview

This double degree is designed to allow students to gain accreditation as both Engineers and Surveyors, which gives them flexibility in their future careers.The Civil Engineering degree provides students with an excellent grounding in theory and applications, through the study of structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, transport engineering and water engineering, as well as construction and management.

The Surveying component prepares graduates for opportunities in the various branches of Surveying and the numerous Spatial Information disciplines. The degree covers general scientific and IT principles, as well as specialised Surveying and Spatial Information topics.

Key features

This degree is recognised by the Board of Surveying and Spatial Information of New South Wales as meeting the requirements for entry as a candidate to become a Registered Surveyor. The degree is also recognised by the Institution of Surveyors, New South Wales, the Spatial Sciences Institute and Engineers Australia, for admission as corporate members. The degree is also globally recognised and acknowledged by the Washington Accord.

Part of the 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.

In your fourth year, you can choose from over 40 discipline electives to explore your interests and future career aspirations. 

Electives include: 

  • Sustainability in construction 
  • Structural dynamics 
  • Traffic Engineering 
  • Planning sustainable infrastructure 
  • Coastal Engineering 
  • Humanitarian Engineering 
  • Reinforced concrete design 

Flexibility and choice are ingrained in the degree structure through the range of elective courses on offer. You’ll have the chance to take part in Humanitarian Engineering projects, where you work to deliver solutions to improve quality of life for disadvantaged individuals and communities. These solutions may provide essential services such as food, water, shelter, energy and information where they are unavailable.

Why study this degree at UNSW?

The latest 2023 QS World University Rankings acknowledged UNSW as the #1 Engineering faculty in Australia and #49 in the world.  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.

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.

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.

When you study Surveying at UNSW, you’ll have access to the Surveying and Geospatial Engineering Laboratory (SAGE Lab). The SAGE Lab is a central space for teaching and research in surveying and geospatial engineering. Our students also have access to the Satellite Navigation and Positioning Laboratory (SNAP Lab). UNSW’s SNAP Lab has over 20 years research experience in wireless, ground-based and satellite-based positioning technology and applications.

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.

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
3776
CRICOS Code
088839C
Campus
Kensington
UAC Code
425402
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
240
Indicative Enrolments
87

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Entry requirements

2023 Lowest Selection Rank
90
2023 A levels
16
2023 IB Diploma
34
2023 Lowest ATAR
85.55
    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


Your ATAR is not the only measure of your potential to succeed, which is why we offer a range of pathways into university. Explore your options below and get in touch with our future student advisors to discuss your path to UNSW. 

Gateway Admission Pathway
This scheme is open to students in Years 11 and 12 who attend Gateway schools. It significantly adjusts the ATAR requirements for your preferred UNSW degree and provides you with an early conditional offer to UNSW. 

Entry programs for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
We offer entry programs for Indigenous Australians, including the Indigenous Preparatory Programs and the Indigenous Admission Scheme (IAS). The entry pathway program you apply for will depend on the degree you want to study. 

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

In the civil engineering component of your degree, you’ll develop a mastery of civil engineering fundamentals and applications. In the final year of this degree you can choose electives in structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, transport engineering, water engineering or engineering construction and management. 

To give you a broad range of experience in surveying, part of your degree includes a one-week off-campus survey camp. This is where you’ll take part in comprehensive survey projects involving control survey design and implementation, detail surveys, contour surveys, the setting-out of a rural road, and other selected projects. 

This one-week immersive learning experience spans: 

  • cadastral surveys 
  • the remote sensing analysis of the environment from satellite images 
  • a digital photogrammetric mapping task 
  • setting up a precise geodetic control network, the use of precise GPS techniques 
  • collection of data for and design of a GIS system 
  • a precise engineering survey or the development 
  • analysis of a geospatial database of a region 

You’ll also process field data and prepare plans and reports during this off-campus experience. Participants work in small groups of students working as a team to complete the design and execution of selected tasks in Surveying and Spatial Information Systems.  

Electives for this degree include Ecology, Sustainability and Environmental Science, Computer Science Fundamentals, Grand Challenges for Engineering, Engineering Infrastructure Systems, Fundamentals of Geology and Sustainable Energy.

Study areas

    • Civil and Environmental Engineering
    • Civil Engineering

Full program structure

Degree structures can vary depending on your specialisation of choice, 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

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.

From your second year onwards, you’ll study:

  • Core courses and electives from your Civil Engineering degree
  • Core courses and a professional elective from your Surveying degree

You’ll also be able to access UNSW Engineering’s ChallENG program which is a project-based learning initiative and allows you to work on multidisciplinary projects lead by academic researchers and industry partners.

Projects within the ChallENG program give you an opportunity to take part in guided but independent group project work on varying briefs, under the guidance of academic and industry mentors. These projects provide students experience in the areas of Leadership and Project Management thus giving them a headstart when seeking employment. 

Future careers

UNSW Engineering graduates are some of the most sought-after engineers and surveyors in Australia and abroad thanks to the reputation of our teaching.

Your career opportunities will depend on your area of specialisation. From your second year, you can specialise in a particular field of engineering. Visit the various engineering degree specialisations for examples of career opportunities.

Potential careers

  • Urban and rural development 
  • Oil and gas exploration 
  • Mining and engineering construction 
  • Climate change monitoring 
  • Architecture 
  • Land management and planning 
  • Hydrographic surveying 
  • Cartography

Accreditation

As Civil Engineers with Engineers Australia and as Surveyors through the Institution of Surveyors NSW and the NSW Board of Surveying and Spatial Information (BOSSI)

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 apply?

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 apply?

Fees & Scholarships

2024 Indicative First Year Full Fee
$7,500*
2024 Indicative Full Fee to Complete Degree
$45,000*

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
$302,000*

*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 scholarships

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. 

Engineering Rural Scholarship

The Faculty of Engineering Rural Scholarships Program aims to assist high achieving high school students from rural or isolated areas to study in the Faculty of Engineering at UNSW.

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

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