Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Single Major) (Computer and Autonomous Systems Engineering)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Wollongong

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Single Major) at the University of Wollongong is a four-year degree built for people who love understanding how things work — and then making them work better. It’s practical, hands-on, and deeply technical, designed to take you from core engineering principles to specialist skills that employers actively look for. If you’re curious about autonomous machines, control systems, or connected technologies, this degree gives you the space to explore, build, and grow with confidence.

Year 1 eases you into engineering thinking while giving you strong technical foundations. Through subjects like Engineering Computing and Analysis, Electrical Systems, and Engineering Mathematics, you’ll learn how engineers approach problems, break them down logically, and test solutions in real settings. From early lab work to team-based projects, you’ll quickly see how theory connects to real-world applications.

Year 2 is where your chosen major — Computer and Autonomous Systems Engineering — really comes to life. You’ll start working with embedded systems, signals, and programming, learning how hardware and software interact. This is the year where systems begin to respond, adapt, and make decisions, and where your technical confidence grows through building and experimentation.

Year 3 takes things up a level. With subjects like Robotics and Automation, Control Engineering, and Data Networks and Communications, your projects become more ambitious and more realistic. You’ll design intelligent systems, tackle complex control challenges, and collaborate closely with classmates to develop working prototypes that reflect how modern engineering teams operate.

Year 4 brings everything together. You’ll study advanced autonomous systems while completing your Honours Project — a major piece of work that showcases your skills and interests. Alongside this, you’ll undertake a 12-week industry placement, gaining firsthand experience in a professional engineering environment. By the time you graduate, you won’t just understand engineering — you’ll have lived it.

Throughout the degree, you’ll build expertise in computer and autonomous systems, embedded technologies, robotics, control, and networking, graduating with the ability to design, test, and communicate complex engineering solutions. You’ll be prepared to lead projects, think analytically, and adapt in fast-moving, technology-driven industries.

Importantly, the program is accredited by Engineers Australia under the Washington Accord, meaning your qualification is recognised internationally — opening doors both in Australia and around the world.

With the University of Wollongong’s strong global reputation in engineering and technology, this degree carries real weight with employers. It’s a practical, future-focused pathway for students who want to graduate job-ready, confident, and capable of shaping the technologies of tomorrow.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

From day one, this engineering degree is built to feel real — not just something you study, but something you do. Instead of stopping at lectures and formulas, you’re encouraged to apply what you learn to real engineering challenges, just like you would in the workplace. Your first year lays down the essential engineering foundations, and as you move into your chosen major, your learning becomes more focused, practical, and hands-on. By the time you graduate, you’re not only technically capable — you’re confident in your ability to step into an engineering role and contribute from day one.

What really brings the experience to life is how closely the degree connects you with industry and professional practice:

A 12-week full-time industry placement gives you the chance to work as an engineer in a real organisation, either in Australia or overseas. It’s where classroom learning turns into real responsibility, and many students discover exactly what kind of engineer they want to be.
Industry-relevant projects woven throughout the degree let you tackle authentic engineering problems, often in teams, mirroring the way engineers collaborate and problem-solve in real workplaces.
A clear progression into your major from second year onward means you’re not rushed into specialisation. You build confidence through core engineering skills first, then gradually move into deeper, applied work in your chosen field.
An accredited curriculum aligned with professional engineering practice ensures everything you study connects directly to how engineers work in the real world, helping you graduate with a qualification that’s respected by industry.

Overall, this program is designed to help you grow steadily from an engineering student into a capable, work-ready professional — with real experience, real skills, and a clear sense of where your engineering career can take you.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this program step into careers where they’re genuinely making a difference — designing, building, and improving the systems and technologies modern life depends on. By the time you graduate, you’ll be well prepared for roles such as Electrical Engineer, Robotics Engineer, Autonomous Systems Engineer, Network Engineer, and a wide range of other technical and engineering positions. Just as importantly, the degree also lays a strong foundation for moving into leadership roles or developing deep specialist expertise as your career grows.

What this really means for you:

Real experience before you graduate
You won’t just learn engineering in theory. A 12-week industry placement is built into the degree, giving you hands-on experience with real employers, either in Australia or overseas. Alongside this, you’ll work on industry-linked projects that reflect real workplace challenges — so you graduate with practical skills employers actually value.

A qualification that’s recognised worldwide
This program is accredited by Engineers Australia and recognised under the Washington Accord. In practical terms, that means your degree is respected by engineering bodies in countries like the USA, UK, and Canada. If you ever want to work internationally or pursue professional or chartered status, this global recognition gives you a major advantage.

Career support that continues throughout your degree
UOW actively supports your employability from day one. You’ll have access to personalised career advice, networking events with industry professionals, CV and interview workshops, and support finding internships and graduate roles. You’re not navigating your career alone — there’s a team helping you every step of the way.

Majors that let you follow what excites you
You can shape your degree around your interests, choosing from areas like Computer and Autonomous Systems Engineering, Telecommunications, and IoT. This flexibility means you graduate with skills aligned to fast-moving, in-demand areas of engineering, rather than a one-size-fits-all qualification.

Strong graduate outcomes
UOW engineering graduates consistently secure full-time roles in industry. Close connections with industry advisers and meaningful placement opportunities help bridge the gap between university and professional life, making the transition into work smoother and faster.

Long-term professional value
Because the degree meets international engineering accreditation standards, it supports your long-term career progression. Whether you plan to build your career in Australia or take it overseas, your qualification holds lasting professional weight.

Opportunities to study further
If you decide to keep going academically, this degree opens the door to postgraduate study at UOW, including a Master of Engineering or specialised programs in areas such as robotics, telecommunications, or sustainable systems. For those interested in research and innovation, pathways into MPhil or PhD programs are also available — ideal if you want to tackle complex engineering challenges or contribute new ideas to the field.

Overall, this program is designed to help you graduate not just with a degree, but with real experience, global recognition, and clear pathways into a meaningful engineering career.