Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Civil)/ Bachelor of Arts

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Swinburne University of Technology

Program Overview

This double degree is perfect if you want to build real-world infrastructure while thinking creatively about how it affects people and communities. You’ll combine the hands-on problem-solving of civil engineering with the critical thinking, communication, and cultural insights of the arts, giving you a unique skill set that stands out in the job market.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
In your first year, you’ll get a solid grounding in both worlds. Core engineering units like Preliminary Mathematics, Engineering Materials, and Introduction to Programming teach the essentials of design, analysis, and coding. At the same time, arts units like Technology and Society start you thinking about how engineering impacts communities and culture.

Year 2:
Year two dives deeper. In engineering, you’ll tackle Topographical Engineering, Digital Engineering Project, and Structural Mechanics, learning to apply your skills to real problems. Arts subjects such as Skills and Strategies for Social Change build your critical thinking and communication, showing how creativity complements technical expertise.

Year 3:
By now, you’ll be handling more complex projects. Engineering units like Water Engineering Design Project and Urban Water Resources help you design practical infrastructure solutions. Arts courses like Changemakers in Action challenge you to think about social impact, giving your projects a human and societal perspective.

Year 4:
Your fourth year is about putting it all together. In civil engineering, you’ll work on units like Geotechnical Engineering and Structural Design of Low Rise Buildings, while your arts electives let you dive deeper into areas that inspire you. You’ll tackle bigger projects that combine technical know-how with creative insight.

Year 5:
In the final year, it’s all about capstone projects and professional readiness. Engineering units like Final Year Capstone Project 1 & 2 let you solve complex, real-world engineering challenges, and arts units like BA Professional Practice prepare you to communicate, research, and lead effectively in any career path.

Focus Areas

Civil engineering design and infrastructure, creative problem-solving, technology and society, social impact and communication.

Learning Outcomes

By graduation, you’ll be able to design and manage civil engineering projects, think creatively and critically, communicate across disciplines, and understand how your work affects people and communities.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The civil engineering component is accredited by Engineers Australia, ensuring your degree meets professional standards, while the arts component enhances your broader professional and creative skills.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Swinburne is known for producing graduates who are ready for the workplace, with strong industry connections, practical skills, and high employability.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Swinburne, learning isn’t just about sitting in lectures — you’ll be getting hands-on experience from day one. The civil engineering side of your degree gives you real-world projects every semester, letting you apply your skills to actual design challenges and infrastructure problems. At the same time, your arts studies include team-based projects where you explore social issues, research ideas, and develop your communication and creative thinking skills. You’ll also get access to state-of-the-art facilities and industry-standard tools, so your learning mirrors the professional world:

Here’s a closer look at what you can expect:

Industry projects and placements: Guaranteed projects throughout your degree give you practical experience and a professional portfolio before you graduate.
Construction Simulation Hub: Work with digital modelling, virtual and mixed reality tools to plan and test construction scenarios, just like engineers do in the field.
Trimble Technology Lab: Get hands-on with industry-grade software for 3D scanning, collaborative design, and digital engineering projects.
Digital Construction Lab: Experiment with 3D printing, robotics, and other cutting-edge construction technology in team-based projects.
Applied Mechanics Hub: Conduct experiments in mechanics, materials, and dynamics to see how engineering concepts work in the real world.
Arts project units: Work in teams on initiatives like Changemakers in Action, combining research, creativity, and communication to tackle social challenges.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from this double degree means you’ll be ready to take on careers that blend technical skills with creative thinking. You could work as a civil engineer, structural engineer, policy advisor, or community planner, using both your engineering know-how and arts insights to make a real impact. Swinburne graduates leave prepared to tackle projects, solve real challenges, and make meaningful contributions to society and the built environment:

Here’s how Swinburne helps you get there:

Career support: Swinburne’s Careers & Employability team offers personalised guidance, workshops, interview prep, and the Professional Purpose program to help you shape a career that matches your strengths and passions.
Strong employment outcomes: Swinburne consistently ranks highly for graduate employability, with many students landing full-time jobs shortly after finishing their degree and earning competitive starting salaries.
Industry experience: Through Work Integrated Learning (WIL) projects, placements, and internships embedded in your degree, you’ll gain hands-on experience and build professional connections — some students even receive job offers straight from these placements.
Industry partnerships: The university collaborates with businesses, government, and community organisations, giving you opportunities to work on real-world projects that matter.
Professional recognition: The civil engineering portion of your degree is accredited, so employers recognise your skills and your qualification sets you up for long-term career growth.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to continue your studies, there are excellent postgraduate options. You could pursue a Master’s in a specialised engineering field such as structural or sustainable engineering, or further study in arts and social sciences to deepen your critical thinking and communication skills. These pathways can open doors to senior roles, research positions, or leadership opportunities in both technical and social impact careers.