Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of New South Wales

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical) at UNSW equips you with hands-on skills to design, develop, and manage cutting-edge electrical systems powering everything from mobile networks to city grids—perfect for students passionate about tech innovation and problem-solving. You'll dive into key areas like telecommunications, photonics, systems and control, energy systems, microelectronics, and signal processing, blending lab work, 60 days of industry training, and electives to launch you into a dynamic career.

Year 1 lays a strong foundation with essentials like Computer Systems Fundamentals, Digital Circuit Design, and Electrical Energy, helping you grasp programming, basic circuits, and power basics through practical labs that make abstract concepts click right away. You'll also tackle physics and maths, building the analytical toolkit every electrical engineer needs from day one.

Year 2 ramps up with core engineering like Digital Circuit Design (deepening into hardware logic), Electromagnetic Engineering, and intro courses to circuits and systems, where you'll start prototyping real devices and understanding how signals travel. Hands-on projects here turn theory into tangible skills, preparing you for the complex systems ahead.

Year 3 focuses on specialized depth, including Electromagnetic Engineering, Electronics, Analogue & Digital Communications, Control Systems, and Electrical Energy, letting you explore how to manipulate waves, design controllers, and handle power distribution in real-world scenarios. Electives like Power System Analysis open doors to energy grids, making this year a game-changer for your expertise.

Year 4 culminates in advanced integration with courses like Electrical Engineering Design, thesis projects, and electives such as Photonic Networks, where you'll lead major designs, innovate in optics or telecom, and complete your 60-day industry placement to bridge classroom to career.

Focus areas: Dive deep into Telecommunications, Photonics, Systems and Control, Energy Systems, Microelectronics, and Signal Processing—tailor your path to what's next in tech.

Learning outcomes: Master creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and technical prowess in designing reliable systems, plus leadership, ethics, and teamwork through labs, projects, and industry training.

Professional alignment (accreditation): Fully accredited by Engineers Australia, ensuring your degree meets global standards for professional engineering practice.

Reputation (employability rankings): UNSW Engineering ranks #1 in Australia and #27 globally (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025), with electrical engineering grads boasting 89.7% full-time employment and top starting salaries—employers love our industry-ready talent.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

In the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical) at UNSW, you'll dive straight into hands-on learning that builds real-world skills from day one, using state-of-the-art labs and workshops designed specifically for electrical engineering. You'll get to design, test, and innovate in cutting-edge facilities like the recently refurbished Electrical Engineering Building, backed by a $104 million investment, plus specialised labs that let you tackle projects in power systems, signal processing, and more. This practical focus, combined with industry connections, means you'll graduate confident and ready to launch your career—complete with 60 days of approved industrial training for that essential on-the-job edge.

Here's what sets the experiential learning apart in this program: you'll work with top-tier tools and collaborations that mirror professional engineering environments:

- 60 days of industrial training: Gain real-world experience in professional settings in Australia or overseas, building industry networks and applying your skills to live challenges.
- Specialised laboratories: Access the Signal Processing and Systems Laboratory, Hardware Design Project Laboratory, High Voltage Laboratory, computer labs, and unique high-voltage test bays for hands-on work in circuit design, power engineering, and testing.
- ChallEng program: Join award-winning, project-based initiatives like Vertically Integrated Projects, The Maker Games, and student projects, teaming up with peers, academics, and industry pros on real innovations.
- Group and industry projects: Participate in team-based design projects, Honours research projects, and industry-linked work in areas like energy systems, telecommunications, and control systems.
- Advanced simulation tools: Use world-class hardware and software, including one of the largest RTDS simulators globally for power systems analysis, protection, smart grids, and power electronics verification.
- Work-integrated learning (WIL): Extra opportunities beyond industrial training to connect theory with practice in real workplaces.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Electrical Engineering at UNSW are equipped with advanced technical knowledge, practical industry experience, and research-driven problem-solving skills that prepare them for leadership roles across the engineering and technology sectors. With strong foundations in power systems, telecommunications, electronics, control systems, renewable energy, and emerging technologies, graduates are well-positioned to contribute to industries shaping the future of society.

As Australia and the world continue to invest in renewable energy, smart infrastructure, electrification, telecommunications networks, automation, and digital transformation, demand for qualified electrical engineers remains exceptionally strong. UNSW's global reputation, industry partnerships, and emphasis on innovation provide graduates with a significant competitive advantage in the employment market.

Key future opportunities include:

Career Development and Employability Support: Students benefit from dedicated career services, employer networking events, mentoring programs, professional development workshops, and graduate recruitment opportunities throughout their studies.
Industry Connections and Professional Experience: Mandatory industrial training and industry-sponsored projects help students build valuable workplace experience and establish strong professional networks before graduation.
Professional Accreditation: The program is accredited by Engineers Australia, enabling graduates to pursue Chartered Engineer status and gain international recognition through global engineering accords.
Research and Innovation Pathways: Students can participate in cutting-edge research projects and innovation initiatives, preparing them for careers in advanced technology development and engineering research.
Future-Focused Technical Expertise: Graduates develop specialist knowledge in electrical power systems, renewable energy, smart grids, telecommunications, signal processing, automation, robotics, embedded systems, and control engineering.
Strong Industry Demand: Growing investment in clean energy, power infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, defence technologies, telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and smart cities is creating significant demand for electrical engineering professionals.
Graduate Career Opportunities: Potential roles include Electrical Engineer, Power Systems Engineer, Renewable Energy Engineer, Control Systems Engineer, Telecommunications Engineer, Automation Engineer, Systems Engineer, Project Engineer, Electronics Engineer, Engineering Consultant, and Technical Specialist.
Graduate Salary Potential: Entry-level electrical engineering graduates typically earn between AUD $85,000–$105,000 per year, depending on industry, employer, and location. With professional experience and technical specialisation, salaries commonly progress to AUD $130,000–$200,000+ annually.
Median Industry Salary: Electrical Engineering professionals in Australia generally earn median salaries ranging from AUD $115,000–$135,000 per year, while senior engineers, project managers, technical experts, and engineering leaders often earn substantially higher remuneration.

Further Academic Progression:

Graduates may continue their studies through postgraduate qualifications such as a Master of Engineering, Master of Engineering Science, Master of Engineering Management, Master of Project Management, Master of Renewable Energy, Master of Information Technology, or Master of Business Administration (MBA). Students interested in research and innovation may also pursue higher-degree research programs, including a Master by Research or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in areas such as power systems, renewable energy, telecommunications, robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, and smart infrastructure.

With UNSW's world-class engineering reputation, extensive industry engagement, and strong focus on innovation, graduates are exceptionally well-prepared to lead technological advancements and contribute to solving some of the world's most complex engineering challenges.