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

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of New South Wales

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil Engineering) / Bachelor of Commerce at UNSW is a five-and-a-half-year double degree that combines technical engineering expertise with a strong understanding of business. It’s ideal for students who want to design and manage infrastructure projects while also gaining insights into finance, marketing, and business strategy, giving you the skills to bridge technical and commercial worlds.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Your first year builds a solid foundation in both engineering and commerce. You’ll take introductory engineering courses such as Introduction to Engineering Design and Innovation alongside core maths, physics, and computing units to develop problem-solving skills. At the same time, your commerce courses introduce you to business fundamentals, economics, and data analysis, helping you understand how organisations operate.

Year 2:
In the second year, you’ll deepen your knowledge in both fields. Civil engineering courses cover structural fundamentals, mechanics, and materials, while commerce classes start exploring core business concepts and electives in areas like Finance, Marketing, or Business Analytics. This year helps you connect technical solutions with commercial decision-making.

Year 3:
Year three allows you to specialise further. In engineering, you might study transport systems, water engineering, or geotechnical fundamentals, applying technical knowledge to real-world infrastructure challenges. In commerce, advanced units in your chosen major give you a stronger understanding of business strategy and analytical thinking.

Year 4:
The fourth year focuses on advanced and project-based learning. Engineering studies include applied projects and industrial training to gain hands-on experience, while commerce courses dive into higher-level electives such as strategic business analysis, financial decision-making, or international markets.

Year 5 & Beyond:
In your final stage, you’ll consolidate both technical and commercial skills through capstone projects, advanced electives, and professional experience. Engineering includes 60 days of industrial training to apply your skills in real workplaces, while commerce may include internships or practicums that prepare you for leadership roles and business decision-making.

Focus Areas

Civil engineering design, Engineering innovation, Business analytics, Finance, Marketing, Strategic management

Learning Outcomes

Technical problem-solving, Engineering design and competence, Business strategy and decision-making, Commercial awareness, Interdisciplinary integration

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The engineering component is accredited by Engineers Australia and recognised under the Washington Accord, while the Commerce degree can provide pathways to professional recognition through CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand, or other relevant business accreditations, giving you credibility in both technical and commercial fields.

Reputation

UNSW is ranked #1 in Australia and among the top universities globally for Engineering, and the UNSW Business School is consistently highly ranked for business education, ensuring strong academic quality and excellent graduate employability.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

In the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil Engineering) / Bachelor of Commerce at UNSW, learning goes far beyond lectures and textbooks — it’s about doing and experiencing. You’ll get hands-on opportunities to apply what you learn in real-world settings, whether that’s solving engineering problems, working on business projects, or gaining industry experience through placements. UNSW supports this with top-notch facilities, professional tools, and structured programs that help you develop skills that employers value:

Industrial Training (Work Integrated Learning) – as part of the engineering degree, you’ll complete 60 days of industry experience. This gives you the chance to work on real projects, understand workplace culture, and see how the skills you’re learning are applied in practice.
Business internships and practicums – within the Commerce component, you can take part in for-credit internships or group consulting projects, experiencing real business challenges and learning how organisations operate.
Project-based learning and teamwork – many courses involve collaborative design or business projects, helping you build problem-solving, communication, and project management skills that are valuable in any career.
Professional tools and software – you’ll gain hands-on experience with the digital tools and software commonly used in engineering and business, ensuring you’re industry-ready.
Industry connections and networking – UNSW connects you with industry partners through placements, networking events, and professional programs, helping you start building your professional network early.

These experiences make your studies come alive, giving you both technical and commercial skills so that when you graduate, you’re ready to step confidently into the professional world.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil Engineering) / Bachelor of Commerce at UNSW opens the door to a wide range of exciting careers where both technical and business skills are highly valued. You could find yourself designing infrastructure, guiding strategic business decisions, or analysing systems in roles such as Civil Engineer, Management Consultant, Business Analyst, or Project Manager. The combination of engineering problem-solving and commercial insight gives you a real edge in today’s competitive job market:

UNSW Careers and Employability support – get personalised advice on career planning, CVs, and interviews, plus access to networking events and job boards designed to connect you with employers across engineering, business, consulting, and more.
Graduate outcomes and recognition – UNSW graduates are highly employable, with industry demand reflecting the practical and analytical skills you’ll develop in both engineering and commerce.
Industry partnerships and experience – through 60 days of industrial training in engineering and business internships, you’ll gain hands-on workplace experience, develop professional networks, and learn how real organisations operate.
Accreditation – the engineering component is accredited by Engineers Australia and recognised under the Washington Accord, giving your qualification international credibility.
Versatile career pathways – graduates go on to work in sectors like consulting, finance, infrastructure, transport, technology, and management, giving you a wide range of opportunities to pursue.

Further Academic Progression:
After finishing this double degree, you could continue your studies with postgraduate programs such as a Master of Engineering, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Finance, or specialised coursework in project management and strategic leadership. For those interested in research or academia, honours or PhD programs in engineering, commerce, or interdisciplinary fields are also an option, letting you deepen your expertise and pursue advanced roles in industry or research.