Bachelor of Engineering Honours in 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 Sydney is a four-year degree that prepares you to design and improve processes used in industries like energy, pharmaceuticals, food, and sustainability. It’s a great fit if you enjoy chemistry, maths, and solving real-world problems, with hands-on learning and industry experience built into your journey.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Foundations

You’ll build a strong base in mathematics, physics, and computing, while starting to think like an engineer through Introduction to Engineering Design and Innovation, where you work on real-world problem-solving.

Year 2 – Core Chemical Engineering

This is where you step into your specialisation, learning the fundamentals of chemical processes, engineering chemistry, and system analysis, while developing your technical thinking.

Year 3 – Applied Learning

You’ll dive deeper into advanced topics and electives like biotechnology or data-driven engineering, applying your knowledge to real industrial challenges and process optimisation.

Year 4 – Honours & Specialisation

Your final year focuses on an honours research project, where you work independently on a specialised problem and build expertise for industry or further study.

Focus Areas (in a string)

Process design and optimisation, thermodynamics and transport processes, reaction engineering, sustainability, biotechnology, data-driven engineering

Learning Outcomes (in a string)

Design and optimise chemical systems, solve complex engineering problems, apply scientific principles in real-world settings, work in teams, and build strong analytical and practical skills

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Accredited by Engineers Australia, recognised under the Washington Accord, and accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)

Reputation (Employability & Recognition)

UNSW Engineering is globally recognised and highly industry-focused, with 60 days of industrial training built into the degree to boost real-world experience and employability

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At UNSW Sydney, chemical engineering is something you actively do, not just study. You’ll spend a lot of time in modern labs, working with real equipment and learning how processes actually function in industries like energy, pharmaceuticals, and sustainability. The School of Chemical Engineering is housed in a purpose-built Science and Engineering Building, where teaching spaces, research labs, and collaboration areas are all designed to reflect real-world engineering environments.

What makes the experience stand out is how closely your learning connects with ongoing research and industry work. You’re not just learning theory—you’re surrounded by projects in areas like clean energy, advanced materials, and biotechnology, and this environment naturally feeds into your coursework and projects.

Here’s how that hands-on experience comes together:

Modern lab access: Work in advanced teaching and research laboratories focused on chemical processes, energy systems, and materials
Research exposure: Learn alongside active research in areas like hydrogen energy, polymers, and sustainable technologies
Specialised facilities: Use equipment for reaction engineering, catalysis, and particle processing—similar to what’s used in industry
Simulation & modelling tools: Apply computational methods to model and optimise chemical processes and systems
Team-based projects: Take part in design and innovation projects where you solve real engineering problems with peers
Industry-connected learning: Benefit from strong links with industry, ensuring your skills stay relevant to real-world needs
Advanced analytical facilities: Access high-end instrumentation for analysing materials and chemical systems
Real-world problem solving: Engage with projects tied to global challenges like sustainability, energy, food, and health

Progression & Future Opportunities

By the time you graduate from the Chemical Engineering (Honours) program at UNSW Sydney, you’re not just leaving with a degree—you’re stepping into the job market with real industry experience and practical skills. Graduates typically move into roles like Chemical Engineer, Process Engineer, Environmental Engineer, or Operations Engineer, across industries such as energy, pharmaceuticals, food, and sustainability.

What really supports your career journey at UNSW is the strong mix of industry exposure, global recognition, and career guidance:

Career support that’s actually useful: UNSW offers dedicated employability services—from resume building and interview prep to networking events and career coaching specifically for engineering students
Strong job outcomes: Engineering graduates from UNSW are known to secure solid full-time roles with competitive starting salaries across technical and consulting fields
Real industry experience: You’ll complete at least 60 days of industrial training, giving you hands-on exposure and valuable connections before you even graduate
Globally recognised degree: Accredited by Engineers Australia and recognised under the Washington Accord, making it easier to work internationally
Wide career pathways: Graduates go into sectors like energy, manufacturing, biotech, consulting, and environmental management

Further Academic Progression

If you decide to keep studying, this degree sets you up really well. You can move into a Master’s program in areas like chemical engineering, renewable energy, or biomedical engineering, or even go down the research route (PhD) if you’re interested in innovation or academia.

The honours year is a big advantage here—it gives you research experience and makes you a strong candidate for advanced study, whether at UNSW or other top universities globally.