Bachelor of Fine Arts / Engineering (Honours)(Chemical Product Engineering)

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of New South Wales

Program Overview

The UNSW Sydney Bachelor of Fine Arts / Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical Engineering) is a highly interdisciplinary dual degree that combines advanced chemical engineering expertise with creative practice, enabling students to develop innovative, sustainable, and human-centred solutions across science, industry, and the arts. It suits students who want to merge technical engineering capability with artistic thinking, design exploration, and creative problem-solving in real-world contexts.

The program is delivered at UNSW’s Kensington Campus in Sydney, Australia, where students access world-class engineering laboratories, creative studios, fabrication spaces, and interdisciplinary learning environments connected to global research and industry networks.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students build foundational knowledge in both engineering and fine arts. Engineering studies include Engineering Design and Innovation, Chemistry for Engineers, and Mathematics 1A, while Fine Arts introduces Studio Practice Fundamentals and Visual Communication. This year develops core scientific reasoning alongside creative exploration and design thinking.

Year 2

Year 2 introduces core chemical engineering principles alongside expanded artistic practice. Students study Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, and Engineering Computation, while continuing Fine Arts through Expanded Studio Practice and Contemporary Art Theory. This stage strengthens both technical analytical skills and creative experimentation.

Year 3

In Year 3, students progress into advanced chemical engineering topics such as Heat and Mass Transfer, Chemical Reaction Engineering, and Process Systems Engineering. In Fine Arts, students engage in advanced studio work and interdisciplinary creative projects that explore materiality, concept development, and artistic expression linked to technology and industry.

Year 4

The fourth year focuses on professional engineering and advanced creative integration. Engineering studies include Process Control, Process Plant Design, and Engineering Project Management, while Fine Arts students undertake specialised studio practice and exhibition-based work. Students begin integrating engineering systems thinking with creative design methodologies.

Year 5–6 (Integrated Honours & Final Development Stage)

The final stage focuses on honours-level engineering research and major creative outputs. Students complete a Chemical Engineering Honours Thesis or Capstone Design Project, alongside a major Fine Arts exhibition or creative research project. This phase develops leadership, innovation, and the ability to operate across both technical engineering and creative industries.

Focus Areas

Chemical engineering, process systems, sustainable manufacturing, creative practice, fine arts studio work, interdisciplinary design, innovation, materials exploration, and human-centred engineering solutions.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates gain the ability to design and optimise chemical engineering systems while integrating creative thinking, artistic practice, and interdisciplinary problem-solving. Students develop advanced technical engineering, research, design, and communication skills suitable for both engineering industries and creative sectors.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical Engineering) component is accredited by Engineers Australia, ensuring international professional recognition under the Washington Accord framework.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings)

UNSW Sydney is globally recognised for excellence in engineering, innovation, and creative disciplines, consistently ranking among the world’s leading universities for engineering and technology while also maintaining strong international reputation in the arts.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At UNSW Sydney, the Bachelor of Fine Arts / Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical Engineering) is designed around intensive studio-based learning combined with hands-on engineering practice, allowing students to move fluidly between creative experimentation and rigorous technical problem-solving. Delivered at the Kensington Campus in Sydney, students work across engineering laboratories, fabrication workshops, creative studios, and interdisciplinary innovation spaces that mirror real industry and artistic environments. The program emphasises making, testing, prototyping, and collaborative development across both scientific and creative domains.

Students gain practical, real-world experience through:

Chemical Engineering Laboratories : Hands-on experimentation in thermodynamics, reaction engineering, fluid systems, process analysis, and materials behaviour using advanced scientific equipment.
Fine Arts Studio Practice Spaces : Dedicated studios for painting, sculpture, installation, digital media, and experimental art-making processes.
Engineering Design & Fabrication Workshops : Access to prototyping tools, modelling systems, and fabrication facilities for developing engineered and artistic concepts.
Process Simulation & Engineering Software : Use of industry-standard modelling tools for chemical process design, optimisation, and systems analysis.
Interdisciplinary Studio Projects : Collaborative projects combining engineering principles with creative practice to develop innovative, design-led solutions.
Capstone Engineering & Creative Research Projects : Final-year major projects integrating chemical engineering honours research with a substantial Fine Arts creative output or exhibition.
Industry & Creative Practice Engagement : Opportunities for engagement with engineering industries, design sectors, creative organisations, and innovation-driven enterprises.
Research Centres & Innovation Hubs : Access to UNSW research institutes focused on materials, sustainability, advanced manufacturing, and creative technologies.
Digital Design & Engineering Tools : Use of advanced computational tools, design software, and digital modelling platforms across both engineering and arts components.
Libraries & Research Resources : Extensive access to scientific journals, engineering databases, creative research archives, and interdisciplinary academic resources.
Collaborative Learning Environments : Shared workspaces that support teamwork, experimentation, critique sessions, and cross-disciplinary innovation.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the UNSW Sydney Bachelor of Fine Arts / Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical Engineering) are uniquely positioned for careers that combine advanced engineering capability with creative practice, innovation, and design thinking. This rare skill blend allows graduates to work across engineering industries, creative sectors, product innovation, sustainability projects, and emerging interdisciplinary fields where science and art intersect.

Typical career pathways include chemical engineer, product design engineer, innovation designer, sustainability consultant, and creative technologist.

With strong interdisciplinary training and industry alignment:

UNSW Employability & Career Development Services : Students receive career coaching, internship support, portfolio development guidance, employer networking events, and structured graduate recruitment assistance.
Industry-Integrated Engineering & Creative Practice : Studio exhibitions, engineering capstone projects, and collaborative interdisciplinary work simulate real-world professional environments in both engineering and creative industries.
Strong Industry & Creative Partnerships : UNSW maintains connections with engineering firms, technology companies, design studios, creative organisations, and innovation-focused industries across Australia and globally.
Professional Accreditation Advantage : The chemical engineering component is accredited by Engineers Australia, ensuring global recognition under the Washington Accord framework and strong international engineering mobility.
Graduate Employability Strength : UNSW graduates are highly regarded for technical expertise, creativity, problem-solving ability, and interdisciplinary innovation across both engineering and design sectors.
Indicative Salary Outlook (Australia) : Chemical engineering graduates typically begin at approximately AUD $75,000–$110,000+ per year, with strong progression into senior engineering, design leadership, innovation management, and consulting roles.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates may continue into advanced study such as a Master of Engineering Science, Master of Design, Master of Engineering Management, Master of Fine Arts (advanced research pathways), or PhD programs. These pathways support deeper specialisation in engineering innovation, creative research, interdisciplinary design leadership, or academic and industry research careers.