Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Civil engineering) and Bachelor of Architectural Design

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Monash University

Program Overview

This combined double degree gives you the best of both worlds: you’ll graduate with strong technical skills in civil engineering and creative design expertise in architecture. It’s perfect for students who enjoy solving real-world problems, designing functional structures, and creating inspiring spaces, giving you the flexibility to work in engineering, architecture, or roles that bridge both fields.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Foundations in Engineering and Architectural Design
In your first year, you’ll lay the groundwork for both disciplines. On the engineering side, you’ll learn the basics of maths, physics, and engineering problem-solving, while your architecture units introduce you to drawing, digital design, and studio work that helps you start developing your design skills.

Year 2 – Developing Technical and Creative Skills
The second year builds on your foundations. Civil engineering units focus on mechanics of solids, water systems, and transport planning, while architecture units immerse you in studio projects that explore spatial and environmental responses. You’ll also start collaborating more with peers, learning how to tackle real-world design challenges together.

Year 3 – Integrating Knowledge Across Disciplines
By the third year, you’ll tackle more complex problems in both fields. Engineering units challenge you with structural and system design projects, while architecture studios push you to respond to real briefs, refine your ideas, and communicate them through models, drawings, and digital tools. This is where your skills in both areas start to come together.

Years 4–5 – Professional Practice and Advanced Projects
In the final years, you’ll focus on advanced engineering electives, specialised architecture studios, and professional practice experiences. Engineering placements and design projects prepare you for the workplace, while architecture units give you the tools to progress into postgraduate study if you wish. By graduation, you’ll have both the technical expertise of an engineer and the creative vision of an architect, ready for a wide range of careers in the built environment.

Focus areas

Civil infrastructure design, structural analysis, water and transport systems, architectural studio projects, spatial design, building technologies, and sustainable environments.

Learning outcomes

You’ll develop professional engineering skills and architectural design thinking, solve complex problems, integrate technical and creative solutions, and communicate your ideas clearly through multiple media.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The civil engineering degree is accredited by Engineers Australia, and the architecture component provides a pathway into Monash’s accredited Master of Architecture, required for registration as an architect in Australia.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Monash is highly regarded for both engineering and architecture, with strong graduate outcomes, global recognition, and excellent industry connections that help students transition into their careers.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

In this double degree, learning goes far beyond lectures and textbooks. You’ll gain hands-on experience using the same tools, labs, and studios that professionals rely on, giving you the confidence and skills to tackle real-world engineering and design challenges. Whether you’re testing structures in engineering labs, building models in architecture studios, or working on industry projects, Monash makes sure you’re ready for the workplace from day one:

Hands-on engineering facilities: Work in purpose-built labs and interactive learning spaces, including the Alan Finkel Building for Technology and Design and the Monash Makerspace Network, where you can test ideas, build prototypes, and work on real civil engineering projects.
Collaborative architectural studios: Spend much of your architectural study in studios, working alongside peers and practicing architects on design challenges that reflect professional practice.
Workshops and digital fabrication: Use advanced workshops and digital fabrication labs for model-making, 3D printing, laser cutting, and other techniques that bring your architectural ideas to life.
Professional internships and placements: Gain workplace experience through the Engineering Co‑operative Education Program, which offers paid internships of 3–6 months as part of your professional practice requirement.
Studio projects and real briefs: Across both engineering and architecture units, you’ll tackle projects that mimic real industry challenges, developing teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills employers value.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from this double degree at Monash opens the door to a wide range of exciting careers where technical engineering skills meet creative design thinking. Many graduates find themselves working as civil engineers, architectural technologists, structural designers, or project managers, shaping buildings, infrastructure, and urban spaces in Australia and internationally:

Career support services: Monash’s Career Connect team helps you plan your career, refine your resume and interview skills, and connect with industry through events, job boards, and personalised advice.
Strong employment outlook: The civil engineering program is highly regarded globally, and around 93% of graduates secure full-time work within four months, showing the strong demand for the skills you develop.
Industry partnerships and experience: You’ll gain practical experience through professional placements and project-based learning, giving you real-world exposure and valuable connections before you graduate.
Accreditation and long-term value: The engineering degree is accredited by Engineers Australia, giving your qualification professional recognition nationally and internationally, while the architecture component prepares you for entry into Monash’s accredited Master of Architecture.
Graduate outcomes: Graduates work across sectors including construction, infrastructure, consulting, sustainable design, urban planning, and government, with the flexibility to focus on engineering, architecture, or a combination of both.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this double degree, you can continue your studies to deepen your expertise. Many students move into the Master of Architecture to become registered architects, or pursue advanced engineering masters to specialise further, take on leadership roles, or explore research opportunities.