Why study engineering?

Engineers design and build the world around us, harnessing their expertise in science, mathematics and creative problem-solving to develop solutions for today and tomorrow. Studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) at UNSW will give you the knowledge and hands-on experience to accelerate your engineering career. 

What is engineering?

Engineers use mathematics, science and design to invent and study machines, systems, products and structures across a broad range of fields and industries.

“Engineering design is involved in almost every item we use each day, from our toothbrushes through to the vehicles we drive, the computers we use, the buildings we work in, the medicines we take and the healthcare we experience,” notes Engineering Australia, meaning that engineers are in high demand.  

What does a career in engineering involve?

The day-to-day of engineers vary considerably depending on what you choose to specialise in during your undergraduate or postgraduate study. Traditionally, most engineers have worked in civil, mechanical, chemical, electrical, mining and computer engineering, but this has expanded to include fields like biomedical engineering, aerospace engineering, environmental engineering and quantum engineering. Engineers also work across a range of industries, from construction to food technology.

Broadly, engineers harness their knowledge of science, mathematics and creative problem-solving to invent, design, build, analyse and test machines, systems, structures and materials. Focus areas for different types of engineers include:

Civil engineers: Infrastructure projects 

Mechanical engineers: Machines and tools

Chemical engineers: Materials like food or fuel

Electrical engineers: Electrical systems

Mining engineers: Mineral resources 

Computer engineers: Computer hardware and software

Renewable energy engineers: Renewable energy sources

Biomedical engineers: Medical devices

As the world evolves, so too does engineering, with new specialities like quantum engineering and humanitarian engineering emerging. In quantum engineering, engineers leverage quantum physics to engineer solutions for the future. In humanitarian engineering – which can be studied as a minor as part of a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) program – engineers use their skills to help with humanitarian activities like disaster response and preparedness and sustainable community development.

Jobs in engineering

A career in engineering could see you work in everything from aerospace to renewable engineering. The demand for engineers is currently outpacing supply in Australia according to Engineers Australia, which means graduates are also highly sought after: 87.5% find full-time work after graduation and they earn one of the top five highest graduate salaries with a median entry salary of $71,500.

One UNSW Engineering graduate pursued a role in product engineering, and now works full-time at Asahi Beverages Huntingwood as a Quality Assurance Technician, specialising in quality projects and process improvement:

Here are some of the fields you could specialise in:

Salaries in engineering

Engineers typically earn above-average salaries in Australia and have high earning potential throughout their careers. In Australia, civil engineers earn an average annual salary of $100,000 a year according to Seek. The typical annual salary for a mechanical engineer is $105,000; $95,000 for a chemical engineer; $105,000 for an electrical engineer; $160,000 for a mining engineer; and $120,000 for a computer engineer.

What will you learn in a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)?

In a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree at UNSW, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the natural and physical sciences, mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences that are fundamental to engineering. In your first year, you’ll also get the chance to explore the different specialisations before you decide on your discipline.

You’ll come away with a deep understanding of engineering, from research and development through to design and implementation. You’ll gain real-world skills and knowledge and build connections in the industry with 60 days of industrial experience and additional Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities.

When you graduate, you’ll be equipped with the skills and knowledge you need to become a professional engineer, no matter which area you decide to specialise in.

Caroline Edwards, who graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Renewable Energy) from UNSW in 2021, is now working as an Electrical and Renewable Engineer at GHD. “My degree was quite niche, but it exposed me to lots of aspects of the renewable energy industry. I studied mechanical, electrical, and some chemical engineering subjects, as well as policy and sustainability, which helped me narrow down where I wanted to go, and also gave me a good understanding of other disciplines – I believe this helps a lot in your engineering career.”

Why study a Bachelor of Engineering at UNSW?

UNSW Engineering is ranked #1 in the country and we’re known as a global leader in research and innovation according to the 2024 QS Rankings by Subject. It’s also the largest faculty in Australia, which will give you access to world-class facilities and the latest tech to bring your ideas to life. 

More engineers graduate from UNSW than any other university in Australia according to the QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022, and we have the highest-earning graduates of all Go8 universities.

At UNSW, you’ll also have the opportunity to join our ChallENG program, which connects students with leading academics, researchers, companies and not-for-profits to develop innovative solutions to real-world problems and give you hands-on experience that will set you up for success.