Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical engineering) and Law

6 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Monash University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) and Bachelor of Laws at Monash University is a unique double degree designed for students who want to combine technical engineering expertise with legal knowledge and regulatory understanding. It suits students interested in solving complex industrial, environmental, corporate, or technology-related challenges where engineering decisions intersect with law, ethics, and policy.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students build strong foundations in both engineering and law. Engineering subjects typically include Engineering Mathematics, Chemistry for Engineering, and Introduction to Engineering Practice, while law studies begin with units such as Foundations of Law and Legal Reasoning. This year develops analytical thinking, scientific problem-solving, and an understanding of legal systems and institutions.

Year 2

Year 2 deepens technical and legal knowledge through engineering units such as Material and Energy Balances, Thermodynamics, and Fluid Mechanics, alongside law subjects like Contract Law and Criminal Law. Students begin understanding how engineering industries operate within legal and regulatory frameworks.

Year 3

At this stage, chemical engineering becomes more specialised with subjects such as Reaction Engineering, Heat and Mass Transfer, and Process Systems Engineering, while law studies progress into areas like Torts and Constitutional Law. Students learn to analyse both complex engineering systems and legal disputes using structured reasoning.

Year 4

Engineering learning focuses on advanced areas such as Process Design, Separation Processes, and Engineering Design Projects, while law electives may include subjects related to Environmental Law, Corporate Law, or Intellectual Property Law. Students begin connecting industrial engineering practice with legal compliance, governance, and policy.

Year 5–6

The final years focus on professional-level legal and engineering practice. Students complete a major Chemical Engineering Capstone Project while also undertaking advanced law electives and legal skills training, preparing them for careers where technical expertise and legal understanding are both essential.

Focus Areas:

Chemical process engineering, industrial systems, environmental regulation, corporate and commercial law, sustainability, intellectual property, engineering ethics, and policy.

Learning Outcomes:

Graduates develop strong technical engineering capabilities alongside advanced legal reasoning and regulatory understanding, enabling them to solve complex problems across engineering, business, environmental, and legal sectors.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Chemical Engineering component is accredited by Engineers Australia, while the Law degree satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, subject to practical legal training requirements.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings):

Monash University is internationally recognised for excellence in both engineering and law, with strong graduate employability outcomes and global reputation across technical, legal, and professional industries.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Monash University, the Chemical Engineering and Law double degree is designed to give students practical experience across both technical engineering environments and professional legal training settings. Students learn how industrial systems operate while also understanding the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern engineering, sustainability, safety, and corporate decision-making. Through laboratory experimentation, legal case analysis, team-based projects, and industry-focused learning, the program develops graduates who can confidently operate in both engineering and legal contexts:

Experiential Learning (engineering labs, legal practice environments, software tools, and industry engagement):

Chemical Engineering Laboratories : Hands-on work in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, reaction engineering, and process systems using pilot-scale equipment that simulates industrial chemical operations.
Engineering Simulation Software : Training with professional tools such as MATLAB and process modelling software (Aspen-style systems) for analysing and optimising chemical engineering processes.
Monash Law Moot Courts : Practical legal training through simulated courtroom environments where students develop advocacy, legal reasoning, and case presentation skills.
Legal Case-Based Learning : Law subjects use real legal case analysis, regulatory scenarios, and problem-solving exercises related to corporate, environmental, and commercial law.
Industry-Based Learning (IBL) Opportunities : Access to internships and professional placements in engineering firms, consulting organisations, government agencies, and legal environments linked to industry and regulation.
Interdisciplinary Group Projects : Collaborative projects combining engineering design with legal and regulatory analysis, such as environmental compliance, industrial safety standards, or sustainability governance.
Capstone Engineering Design Projects : Final-year engineering projects where students design and optimise chemical systems while considering legal, ethical, and environmental obligations.
Monash Engineering Design Studios : Team-based collaborative spaces where students develop and present engineering solutions in industry-style settings.
Law Library & Engineering Research Resources : Access to specialist legal databases, engineering journals, technical standards, and digital research platforms supporting both disciplines.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) and Law at Monash University are uniquely equipped to work in industries where technical engineering expertise must align with legal, regulatory, and corporate requirements. This dual qualification opens pathways into careers such as Chemical Engineer, Environmental or Regulatory Consultant, Patent/IP Specialist, and Corporate or Commercial Lawyer with technical expertise, particularly in sectors like energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, and sustainability.

Career progression & industry outcomes:

Monash employability services: Students are supported through Monash Talent & Career Services, offering personalised career coaching, employer networking events, internship support, legal and engineering career guidance, resume development, and interview preparation.
Employment outcomes & salary outlook: Monash graduates consistently achieve strong full-time employment outcomes in national graduate surveys, with engineering and law graduates often entering high-demand professional roles across consulting, corporate law, energy, infrastructure, and government sectors with strong long-term salary growth potential.
Industry partnerships & real-world exposure: The program benefits from Monash’s industry links across engineering firms, legal organisations, consulting companies, and government agencies, supporting internships, project collaboration, and professional networking opportunities.
Professional accreditation value: The Chemical Engineering component is accredited by Engineers Australia, while the Law degree satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia (subject to practical legal training requirements).
Graduation outcomes: Graduates develop a rare combination of engineering problem-solving and legal reasoning skills, enabling them to work in technical consulting, environmental regulation, intellectual property, corporate governance, and industrial compliance roles.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the degree, students can pursue further study through a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Advanced Engineering, Master of Engineering Science, or research degrees (MPhil/PhD). These pathways allow graduates to specialise further in areas such as environmental law, intellectual property, sustainability regulation, advanced engineering systems, or interdisciplinary research connecting engineering and policy.