Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours) / Bachelor of Business

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Newcastle

Program Overview

Program Overview:
This combined degree blends advanced engineering skills with business strategy, preparing you to graduate not just as a technically capable engineer, but also as someone confident in leadership, management, and business decision-making. It’s perfect if you enjoy hands-on engineering challenges—like designing, manufacturing, and problem-solving—but also want to expand into business, entrepreneurship, or leadership roles in industry.

Curriculum Structure:
Year 1: You’ll start by building a strong foundation in mathematics, mechanics, and design & prototyping on the engineering side, while also exploring the basics of business, including accounting, microeconomics for business decisions, and an introduction to management and leadership.

Year 2: Your engineering studies deepen into thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, advanced materials, and manufacturing. At the same time, you’ll dive into business topics such as finance, business law, innovation and entrepreneurship, and leadership ethics.

Years 3‑5: The final years focus on integrating your engineering and business skills. You’ll tackle complex mechanical systems projects, computer-aided engineering, and manufacturing challenges, while your business studies focus on strategy, innovation, and managing projects and people. A 12-week industrial placement gives you real-world experience and helps bridge the gap between study and career.

Focus Areas:

Mechanical engineering fundamentals: mechanics, fluids, thermodynamics, manufacturing
Business fundamentals: accounting, finance, management, law, entrepreneurship

Learning Outcomes:
Graduates will emerge with strong technical engineering skills and solid business acumen. You’ll be able to design, prototype, and optimise mechanical systems, while also leading projects, managing teams, and making informed commercial decisions.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

Engineering: Fully accredited by Engineers Australia
Business: Accredited by AACSB and EQUIS

Reputation & Employability:

92% of engineering graduates secure employment within four months of graduating
Mechanical engineering is ranked in the world’s top 300, and business is ranked in the world’s top 200

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Experiential Learning

Students in this combined degree gain hands-on, practical experience that complements their technical and business knowledge. The program is designed to ensure you don’t just learn concepts in the classroom—you apply them using industry-standard tools, real-world projects, and professional experiences. You’ll engage with cutting-edge laboratories, collaborate on group projects, and develop both engineering and business solutions in a dynamic environment. The University of Newcastle also provides strong industry connections, helping you to build professional networks while gaining practical experience.

Through these experiences, you’ll be able to work confidently in real engineering and business scenarios, using modern software, equipment, and methodologies:

Industrial Placements: Complete 12 weeks of professional engineering experience, which can be undertaken in one block or shorter placements of at least two weeks.
Design and Prototyping Laboratories: Access facilities for mechanics, advanced materials, manufacturing, fluid dynamics, and thermodynamics experiments.
Software and Digital Tools: Utilize computer-aided engineering (CAE) software for simulations, design, and analysis.
Group Projects: Work collaboratively on practical engineering and business challenges to develop teamwork and leadership skills.
Field Visits and Industry Engagements: Participate in excursions and industry visits to experience engineering and business operations in real-world settings.
Research Institutes: Opportunities to engage with world-class research, including projects through the ResTech partnership with Ampcontrol.
Library and Learning Resources: Extensive access to engineering and business collections to support research, assignments, and innovation.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Apply business and engineering knowledge in innovation, project management, and leadership tasks.

This experiential approach ensures that by the time you graduate, you’ll not only have strong technical and business skills but also the professional experience to step confidently into the workforce.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Future Progression & Opportunities
Graduates of this combined program leave with a powerful mix of engineering expertise and business acumen, preparing them for leadership roles in diverse industries. You’ll be equipped to tackle technical challenges while making strategic business decisions. Typical roles include Mechanical Engineering Designer, Engineering Project Manager, Operating Plant Manager, and Mechanical Systems Supervisor:

University services for employment: The University’s Career Development Centre offers tailored career coaching, resume workshops, and networking events to help secure employment. Students also complete 12 weeks of industry placements, building professional networks and hands-on experience.
Employment stats & salary figures: 92% of graduates are employed within four months of graduation. Engineering graduates in Australia typically earn starting salaries ranging from AUD 65,000–80,000.
University–industry partnerships: Students benefit from collaborations with leading industry partners like Ampcontrol and ResTech, providing real-world projects and innovation opportunities.
Long-term accreditation value: The mechanical engineering degree is professionally accredited, enhancing recognition and employability both in Australia and internationally.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates can pursue careers across sectors such as renewable energy, robotics, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, transport, and more, with the ability to move into management or technical leadership roles.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this program, students can continue their studies through postgraduate opportunities, such as a Master of Engineering, MBA, or specialized Master’s programs in renewable energy, robotics, or industrial management, further enhancing career prospects and technical expertise.