Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical Engineering)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of New South Wales

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Chemical Engineering at UNSW is a four-year degree that equips you with practical skills to design chemical processes, optimise industrial operations, and tackle real-world challenges in industries like energy, water, and environmental management. It's perfect for students passionate about chemistry and engineering who want to turn lab ideas into sustainable large-scale solutions, with hands-on projects, industry training, and electives to customise your path.

Curriculum structure
Year 1
You'll kick off with a solid foundation in engineering basics, building skills in computation and analysis through courses like Computing for Engineers, which teaches you to model real problems digitally. This year sets you up to think like an engineer while exploring chemistry's role in big-picture processes, blending theory with practical intro labs to get you excited for what's ahead.

Year 2
Here, you dive deeper into chemical principles, mastering how reactions work at scale with Chemical Reaction Engineering, where you'll design safe, efficient reactors. You'll also tackle Process Modelling Analysis to simulate and optimise systems, gaining confidence in predicting industrial behaviours before building anything real.

Year 3
Advanced process knowledge ramps up as you learn to integrate equipment and sustainability in Process and Plant Design, focusing on efficient layouts for factories. Environment and Sustainability sharpens your skills in minimising pollution and managing resources, preparing you for green engineering roles with a mix of design projects and case studies from industry.

Year 4
Your final year culminates in a team-based capstone project, designing an entire chemical plant to solve a live industry challenge with partners like energy firms. You'll refine expertise through electives such as Advanced Reaction Engineering or Sustainable Energy, plus 60 days of industrial training for that career-ready edge.

Focus areas
Core strengths include process design, reaction engineering, plant operations, environmental impact minimisation, nanoparticles, pollution management, and sustainable energy systems—plus electives in pharmaceuticals, data-driven decisions, and humanitarian engineering.

Learning outcomes
Graduates master optimising chemical processes, critical analysis, economics, management strategies, cross-disciplinary thinking, and translating lab chemistry to industrial scale, with enhanced problem-solving via design projects and general education electives.

Professional alignment (accreditation)
Fully accredited by Engineers Australia (Washington Accord signatory) and Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), ensuring global recognition, plus mandatory 60 days of industrial training for professional readiness.

Reputation (employability rankings)
UNSW Engineering ranks in the global top 50 (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025) for chemical engineering, with graduates highly sought after—over 90% employed or in further study within four months, thanks to strong industry ties and hands-on prep.

Ready to take the next step? Apply now at [UNSW Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical)](https://www.unsw.edu.au/study/undergraduate/bachelor-of-engineering-honours-chemical).

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At University of New South Wales, the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Chemical Engineering is strongly practice-oriented, combining theory with extensive laboratory work, design projects, and industry-informed engineering challenges. Students develop hands-on experience in chemical process systems, materials behaviour, and industrial-scale engineering through access to advanced teaching laboratories and collaborative project environments within one of Australia’s leading engineering faculties.

The program is designed to mirror real chemical engineering practice, where students work with modern simulation tools, experiment with process systems, and solve open-ended engineering problems:

Chemical Engineering Teaching Laboratories : Students conduct experiments in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, reaction engineering, and separation processes to understand real industrial chemical systems.
Process Design and Engineering Projects : Group-based design projects simulate real-world chemical plant design, encouraging teamwork, innovation, and systems-level thinking.
Advanced Engineering Software and Simulation Tools : Students use industry-standard modelling and simulation software for process design, optimisation, and chemical system analysis.
Industrial-Style Problem Solving Workshops : Practical sessions focus on applying engineering theory to solve real chemical and process engineering challenges.
Industry Exposure and Engineering Practice Learning : The program includes strong links to industry practice through engineering design challenges and exposure to professional engineering standards.
Research-Active Engineering Environment : Students learn within a faculty engaged in cutting-edge chemical engineering research, particularly in energy, sustainability, and materials innovation.
Collaborative Team-Based Learning : Engineering projects emphasise teamwork, communication, and leadership skills essential for professional engineering practice.
Digital Engineering and Data Analysis Tools : Students engage with computational methods, engineering modelling, and data analysis platforms used in modern chemical engineering practice.
Engineering Library and Research Resources : Access to extensive engineering journals, technical standards, and scientific databases through UNSW library services.
Innovation-Focused Engineering Facilities : Students benefit from modern engineering laboratories and learning spaces designed to support experimentation, design thinking, and applied research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Chemical Engineering at University of New South Wales are highly valued in industries such as energy, manufacturing, resources, pharmaceuticals, and advanced materials. The program develops strong technical engineering capability, preparing students to design, optimise, and manage large-scale chemical and industrial processes in real-world environments.

Graduates typically pursue roles such as Chemical Engineer, Process Engineer, Energy Engineer, Production Engineer, or Industrial Consultant across engineering firms, resource companies, and global technology industries:

UNSW Employability and Career Development Support : Students access dedicated engineering career services, internship guidance, employer networking events, resume support, and interview preparation tailored to engineering industries.
Strong Industry Engagement in Engineering Education : UNSW engineering programs are closely connected with industry through project-based learning, professional engineering practice, and real-world design challenges.
High Graduate Employability Outcomes : Engineering graduates from UNSW are widely recognised by employers in Australia and internationally for their strong technical and practical engineering training.
Professional Accreditation Pathway : The degree is designed to meet academic requirements for entry into professional engineering pathways and accreditation through recognised engineering bodies in Australia.
Engineering Industry Partnerships : Students benefit from UNSW’s strong connections with leading engineering, energy, and resources companies through collaborative projects and industry-informed learning.
Research and Innovation Strength : Students learn in a research-active environment with strengths in chemical engineering innovation, sustainability, energy systems, and advanced materials.
Global Career Opportunities : UNSW engineering qualifications are highly regarded worldwide, supporting strong international career mobility across engineering sectors.
Transferable Technical Expertise : Graduates develop advanced analytical, modelling, and problem-solving skills applicable across chemical, process, and systems engineering industries.

Salary outcomes vary by role and industry, but chemical engineering graduates are generally associated with strong earning potential and long-term career growth in both Australian and global engineering markets.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, graduates may progress into Master of Engineering (Chemical), Master of Engineering Science, or other accredited postgraduate engineering qualifications required for professional engineering registration. Students may also pursue research pathways such as a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Process Systems Engineering, or related engineering fields.