Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Electrical
- Commencing Terms
- Semester 1
- Duration
- 4 Year(s)
- Delivery Mode
- Face-to-face (includes blended)
- Campus
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Canberra
- Codes
- UAC code 450060 - Defence 451060 - Non Defence
- Program code 4471
- CRICOS code -
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ATAR/2024 lowest selection rank
- 85 + Application (Defence)90 - Non Defence View all admission criteria
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2024 Indicative first year full fee
- $7,500*
-
2024 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $35,000*
-
2024 Indicative first year full fee
- $54,500*
-
2024 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $222,500*
The Australian Defence Force Academy
Combining teaching and research with military education
UNSW Canberra specialises in high-quality undergraduate and postgraduate courses in all areas relating to military, strategic and defence studies. This means future leaders of the Navy, Army and Air Force can combine their military and leadership training with our world-class university programs and defence industry expertise.
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Future careers
- How to apply
- Fees
Overview
Electrical engineering is built on a foundation of mathematics, computer science, and physical science. Our degree will provide you with high-level project management skills, as well as engineering expertise to equip you with the skills you need to practice as an electrical engineer.
Why study at UNSW Canberra?
When you study with us, you’ll not only have access to purpose-built workshops and facilities, you'll benefit from the best university teacher-to-student ratio in Australia. Working with experienced engineers and client representatives on industry-focused design and research projects, you’ll gain the hands-on experience required to meet the global challenges of the future.
Our teachers are experienced practitioners and collaborate closely with industry to ensure our graduates possess the skills to meet the needs of the workplace.
Want to see more from UNSW Canberra at ADFA?
Entry requirements
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- The 2024 Lowest Selection Rank (LSR) is the adjusted rank (ATAR plus adjustment factors) you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2024.
- The 2024 A levels score is based on four Advanced Level (A2) subjects. 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.
- The 2024 IB Diploma is an indication of the IB you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2024. It is to be used as a guide only.
- The 2024 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.
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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.
Additional Selection Criteria
Undergraduate entry to the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) is open to Australian residents who are members of the Australian Defence Force and selected members of overseas Armed Forces. Trainee Officers are selected by one of the three services (Navy, Army or Airforce) in the Australian Defence Force and must also meet academic entry requirements for UNSW Canberra at ADFA. Applying for ADFA is a dual application process. As selection for the Australian Defence Force is a competitive process, which can take up to 12 months, it is preferable that you apply to Defence Force Recruiting in Year 11. Visit this site for more information on both application processes.
This degree is also available to non-defence students.
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.
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:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
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.
Program structure
Our Bachelor of Electrical Engineering offers subjects such as computational problem solving, programming, mathematics, physics, signals processing, communications, analog and digital design and power engineering.
We can ground you with the fundamentals you need for a career in electrical engineering. You’ll learn how to program electrical equipment, as well as design and construct the electronic circuits that make programs run. Later in your degree, you’ll begin applying these fundamentals to a wide array of real-world scenarios, from radar and satellite telecommunications systems through to marine engineering. Your time in the classroom and workshop will prepare you for a 60-day internship. You’ll join a team in a professional electrical engineering environment to experience first-hand how an electrical engineer approaches and solves real-world problems.
You will also pursue your own Honours research project with the assistance and supervision of one of our world-class academics. You’ll apply everything you have learnt to a new and novel problem and contribute original research to the field of electrical engineering.
Full program structure
Future careers
This program is designed to meet the needs of the ADF. By studying electrical engineering at UNSW Canberra, you’ll be accredited by Engineers Australia to work as an electrical engineer within the ADF from the moment you graduate.
Whether you are pursuing a career in the Navy, Army or Air Force, you will find yourself well-prepared to shine in your career.
Navy
As a Navy electrical engineering graduate from UNSW Canberra, you’ll be presented with opportunities to look after weapons systems, communication systems and sensor systems across our Australian Navy warships. You will experience rewarding challenges in the ADF across various roles including:
- Aerospace Engineer
- Electronics Engineer
- Electronics Engineer Submariner
- Marine Engineer
- Marine Engineer Submariner
Army
As an Army electrical engineering graduate, you’ll have the choice to join the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME) or the Royal Australian Signals (RASigs) Corps. Regardless of your choice, you’ll find yourself leading a number of technical soldiers responsible for the maintenance and support across diverse systems including helicopters, ground-based telecommunications systems and ground-based weapon systems. Find your perfect ADF Career with roles in the Army including:
- Avionics Engineer
- Mechatronic and Electrical Engineer
- Army Officer (in any specialisation or corps)
Air Force
As an Air Force electronic engineering graduate, you’ll have a range of employment options with the ADF. You will have opportunities to work with advanced technology in aircraft and weapon systems, and ground-based technology such as radar, satellite and communication systems. Regardless of your choice, you'll be able to show your leadership and lead a group of highly skilled technical airmen and airwomen. Explore your opportunities in the Air Force in roles including:
- Armament Engineer
- Electronics Engineer
Accreditation
Engineers Australia
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?
Fees & Scholarships
The Australian Defence Force covers tuition fees for defence students.
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.
QS World University Rankings, 2025.
AFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.
#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.