Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Surveying)

#1 in Australia for Engineering and Technology*

Engineering students working in makerspace

Support construction activity and infrastructure engineering in urban and rural environments, as well as mapping and monitoring the natural environment.

Faculty

Faculty of Engineering

Delivery Mode

Face-to-face (includes blended)

Award

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

Commencing Terms

Term 1, Term 2, Term 3

Duration (Full Time)

4 Year(s)

Overview

Surveying supports all construction activity and infrastructure engineering in urban and rural environments, as well as mapping and monitoring the natural environment. Activities include defining land boundaries, engineering and mining surveying, offshore surveys, digital mapping, precise positioning and property development.

Surveying is a perfect combination of indoors and outdoors. You'll learn how to use a range of hi-tech tools such as GPSs, laser scanners, mapping drones and surveying robots to create high definition 3D models of the built and natural environment. You'll also learn how to apply maths and powerful software to deliver products for a range of applications. To get you work ready, you'll apply these skills through 60 days of approved industry training.

Why study this degree at UNSW?

The latest QS World University Rankings acknowledged UNSW as the top engineering faculty in Australia and #49 in the world. We’re known as the leading Civil and Environmental Engineering School in Australia. Globally we’re ranked 16th by QS Rankings, and 10th by AWRU. As a leading centre for Civil Engineering and Surveying research, we ensure the outcomes of our research are woven into our teaching, with students given opportunities to work alongside leading researchers.

Benefits of studying with us:

We're committed to advancing a more prosperous, safe and just society, with emphasis on sustainability and consideration of engineering impacts
Our Alumni are consistently high contributors to Engineers Australia’s Top 100 list of Most Influential Engineers
Our academic staff are recognised world leaders in their fields of expertise
Study in the best in modern facilities with $104 million invested in cutting edge laboratory facilities that are nationally unique.

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. It has state-of-the-art surveying instruments and up-to-date software packages to keep up with the latest technology development 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. SNAP Lab is a collaborative research initiative combining expertise in geodesy, surveying & geospatial science, with electronics, signal processing and space engineering.

At UNSW Engineering, you’ll benefit from a diverse and welcoming community. UNSW has over 300 clubs and societies. As a surveyor, you will be able to get involved in our surveying specific society SURVSOC as well as our School Society CEVSOC.

^{* QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023}

Program Code

3707

CRICOS Code

056835E

Campus

Kensington

UAC Code

425500

Total Units of Credit (UOC)

192

Indicative Enrolments

4,397

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Entry requirements

2023 Lowest Selection Rank

2023 A Levels

2023 IB Diploma

2023 Lowest ATAR

87.1

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.

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.

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.

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.

See more

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.

TAFE Admission Pathways
If you’ve studied a relevant diploma under a TAFE Training Package, you can receive credit transfer for up to 60 units of credit (UOC) into the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Surveying). Please see here for the Bachelor of Engineering (Surveying) (Honours) TAFE Pathway Study Plan.

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

I studied in:

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:

Check the specific English language requirements for this program

Select from the options below

Which applies to you?

Program structure

You can study a flexible first-year program consisting of a wide choice of electives and five core courses in Maths, Physics, Engineering, Design and Computing.

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.

Complete core courses such as Surveying and Geospatial Engineering, Engineering Design and Professional Practice, Surveying Applications and Design and Cadastral Surveying and Land Law.

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.

Surveying

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. 

Go to the handbook

Download sample program

Future careers

Surveying is an in-demand global profession with excellent opportunities in industries that are closely linked to land markets, urban and rural development and engineering construction. Upon graduation as a professional surveyor you may design and manage major new land developments, ensure complex infrastructure is built to specifications, optimise mining operations and more.

There are different types of surveying that graduates can pursue:

Engineering Surveying
Mining Surveying
Hydrographic Surveying
Cadastral Surveying
Geodetic Surveying
Photogrammetric Surveying

Potential careers

Urban and rural development
Oil and gas exploration
Mining and engineering construction
Climate change monitoring
Land management and planning
Cadastral surveying and land law
Hydrographic surveying
Aerial imaging and cartography

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.

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?

Apply now

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?

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Fees & Scholarships

2023 Indicative First Year Full Fee

$6,880*

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.

2023 Indicative First Year Fee

$48,100*

2023 Indicative Fee to Complete Degree

$200,820*

*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.  