Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Electrical Engineering) / Law

6 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of New South Wales

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical Engineering) / Law at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) is a comprehensive 6.7-year dual degree that combines advanced electrical engineering expertise with a strong legal education. Designed for students who are interested in both technological innovation and the legal frameworks that govern modern industries, this program prepares graduates to address complex challenges at the intersection of engineering, technology, business, and law.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1 – Foundations in Engineering and Law
Students develop a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, engineering design, and legal principles. Courses such as Engineering Mechanics, Introduction to Engineering, and Introduction to Law build analytical thinking, technical problem-solving skills, and an understanding of the Australian legal system.

Year 2 – Core Electrical Engineering and Legal Concepts
Students progress into key engineering subjects including Circuit Analysis, Electrical Systems, Programming Fundamentals, and Engineering Design. Alongside these studies, foundational law subjects such as Contract Law introduce legal obligations, commercial relationships, and regulatory considerations relevant to engineering practice.

Year 3 – Systems Engineering and Legal Responsibility
The curriculum advances into specialized engineering areas including Control Systems, Signals and Systems, Electronics, and Digital Technologies. Legal studies continue with subjects such as Tort Law and public law, helping students understand liability, risk management, and legal accountability in technological and engineering contexts.

Year 4 – Advanced Electrical Engineering and Commercial Law
Students explore advanced topics including Power Systems, Communication Systems, Electromagnetics, and Electrical Energy Technologies. Law studies focus on commercial, corporate, and regulatory frameworks that influence engineering projects, innovation, and technology-based enterprises.

Year 5 – Innovation, Technology, and Legal Governance
Students deepen their expertise in areas such as renewable energy systems, automation, smart technologies, and emerging engineering applications. Law electives introduce topics related to technology regulation, intellectual property, and innovation management, providing valuable interdisciplinary perspectives.

Year 6 – Professional Practice and Interdisciplinary Specialisation
Students undertake advanced engineering electives and senior law courses that allow them to specialize in areas aligned with their career goals. Topics may include energy regulation, technology law, telecommunications law, intellectual property, entrepreneurship, and engineering project management.

Final Semester (0.7 Year) – Capstone Project and Legal Specialisation
The program culminates in a major engineering capstone project alongside advanced law electives such as Intellectual Property Law and technology-focused legal studies. Students integrate engineering expertise and legal knowledge to develop solutions for complex real-world challenges involving innovation, infrastructure, and emerging technologies.

Focus Areas:

Electrical Engineering
Power and Energy Systems
Telecommunications and Communication Networks
Technology and Innovation Law
Contract and Commercial Law
Intellectual Property Law
Regulatory and Technology Governance

Learning Outcomes:
Graduates will develop:

Advanced technical expertise in electrical engineering systems and technologies
Strong understanding of legal principles and regulatory frameworks
The ability to evaluate technological developments from both engineering and legal perspectives
Critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and problem-solving skills
Effective communication across technical and legal environments
Project management and leadership capabilities
Knowledge of intellectual property, commercial law, and technology regulation

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):
The Engineering (Honours) component is accredited by Engineers Australia, ensuring graduates meet internationally recognized professional engineering standards. The Law component satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in New South Wales, subject to completion of Practical Legal Training (PLT) and relevant admission requirements.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):
UNSW is internationally recognized for excellence in engineering, law, and technology education. Consistently ranked among the world's leading universities for graduate employability, engineering, and legal studies, UNSW equips graduates with a highly valuable combination of technical and legal expertise that is increasingly sought after across energy, technology, infrastructure, telecommunications, consulting, regulatory, and legal sectors.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At the University of New South Wales (UNSW), students pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Electrical Engineering and Law are immersed in a dynamic learning environment that emphasizes practical skills and real-world applications. The university is committed to providing students with hands-on experiences that enhance their understanding of complex concepts and prepare them for successful careers. With state-of-the-art facilities and a range of tools at their disposal, students can engage in collaborative projects, internships, and research opportunities that bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Here are some key aspects of experiential learning available to students in these programs:

- Engineering Design Studio: A dedicated space where students can work on group projects, utilizing advanced tools and technologies to design and prototype electrical systems.
- Laboratories: Access to specialized labs, such as the Electrical Engineering Lab and the Robotics Lab, equipped with cutting-edge equipment for experimentation and research.
- Internships and Industry Partnerships: Opportunities to undertake internships with leading companies in the engineering and legal sectors, providing invaluable industry experience and networking.
- Field Trips: Organized visits to engineering firms, law courts, and other relevant sites to gain insights into professional practices and real-world applications.
- Software Tools: Familiarity with industry-standard software such as MATLAB, Simulink, and AutoCAD, which are essential for engineering design and analysis.
- Research Institutes: Collaboration with research centers like the UNSW School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, where students can participate in innovative projects.
- Libraries and Resources: Access to extensive library resources, including legal databases and engineering journals, to support research and study.
- Student Projects and Competitions: Participation in engineering competitions and law moot courts, fostering teamwork and practical problem-solving skills.

Choosing UNSW for your studies in Electrical Engineering and Law means stepping into a vibrant community where learning goes beyond the classroom, preparing you for a successful and impactful career.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical Engineering) / Law at UNSW gain a highly distinctive combination of technical engineering expertise and legal knowledge, enabling them to thrive in industries where technology, regulation, and innovation intersect. As industries increasingly rely on advanced electrical systems, renewable energy technologies, telecommunications infrastructure, and digital innovation, professionals who understand both the technical and legal dimensions of these sectors are in growing demand. This dual degree prepares graduates for leadership roles that require both engineering problem-solving and legal reasoning.

Typical career pathways include: Electrical Engineer, Power Systems Engineer, Telecommunications Engineer, Technology Lawyer, Intellectual Property Lawyer, Regulatory Advisor, Energy Policy Consultant, Compliance Manager, Technology Consultant, Corporate Counsel, and Engineering Project Manager.

This strong career outlook is supported by UNSW's global reputation, industry engagement, and graduate employability outcomes:

UNSW Careers and Employability provides personalized career coaching, resume reviews, interview preparation, networking events, mentoring programs, internship support, and graduate recruitment opportunities.
Graduates are well positioned for careers across energy, telecommunications, infrastructure, technology, consulting, government, regulatory agencies, and legal sectors.
Engineering graduates in Australia typically achieve median starting salaries of approximately AUD $75,000–$85,000+, with significant earning potential as they progress into specialist engineering, legal, consulting, or executive leadership roles.
The combination of electrical engineering and law offers a competitive advantage in high-growth areas such as renewable energy regulation, telecommunications law, technology governance, infrastructure projects, cybersecurity policy, intellectual property, and technology commercialization.
UNSW maintains strong partnerships with leading engineering firms, technology companies, law firms, government departments, and industry organizations, providing students with valuable professional exposure and networking opportunities.
Accreditation by Engineers Australia ensures graduates meet internationally recognized engineering standards and supports professional registration pathways worldwide.
The law component satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in New South Wales, subject to completion of Practical Legal Training (PLT) and admission requirements.
Graduates develop highly transferable skills in technical analysis, legal reasoning, project management, communication, negotiation, strategic decision-making, and leadership, making them attractive candidates across multiple industries.
UNSW consistently ranks among Australia's leading universities for graduate employability and is internationally recognized for excellence in engineering, law, research, and innovation.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing this dual degree, graduates may pursue advanced studies through a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Engineering, Master of Engineering Science, Master of Renewable Energy, Master of Project Management, Master of Business Administration (MBA), or specialized postgraduate programs in telecommunications, power systems, energy policy, technology law, intellectual property law, or cybersecurity. Students interested in research can continue into a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in electrical engineering, energy systems, telecommunications, technology regulation, or related fields. These pathways can lead to careers in academia, advanced research, legal practice, policy development, technology leadership, and executive management.