Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of New South Wales

Program Overview

Program Overview
The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) gives you the best of both worlds — a solid foundation in mechanical engineering and the latest in manufacturing innovation. You’ll learn how to design, build, and optimise real-world systems, from engines and robotics to large-scale production lines. This program is perfect if you’re curious about how machines work, enjoy tackling complex problems, and want to bring creative engineering ideas to life in industries ranging from automotive and aerospace to energy and advanced manufacturing.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
Your first year sets the groundwork with essential subjects in engineering design, mathematics, and physics. You’ll take courses such as Engineering Design and Innovation (DESN1000), Mathematics 1A (MATH1131), and Design and Manufacturing (MMAN1130). This is where you’ll start thinking like an engineer—understanding how materials behave, how systems function, and how design principles turn ideas into reality.

Year 2
In your second year, you’ll dive deeper into core mechanical and manufacturing principles. Courses like Engineering Mechanics 2 (MMAN2300), Mechanics of Solids 1 (ENGG2400), and Fluid Mechanics for Engineers (ENGG2500) introduce you to the behaviour of forces, fluids, and materials. You’ll see how these elements combine in practical design and manufacturing applications.

Year 3
By third year, you’ll be ready for more advanced topics. Units such as Mechanical Design 1 (MECH3110), Mechanics of Solids 2 (MMAN3400), and either Advanced Thermofluids (MECH3610) or Linear Systems and Control (MMAN3200) will help you design complex systems and understand how control, thermodynamics, and structural behaviour come together in modern machines.

Year 4
In your final year, you’ll bring everything together through professional-level projects and research. You’ll complete a capstone thesis sequence (MMAN4951/4952/4953) and take Mechanical Design 2 (MECH4100), alongside electives that let you specialise in your areas of interest. Many students work on industry-linked projects, giving you hands-on experience and preparing you for your future career.

Focus Areas

Mechanical system design
Advanced manufacturing processes
Thermofluids and control systems
Materials and structural analysis
Industrial training and applied research

Learning Outcomes
When you graduate, you’ll be able to conceive, design, analyse, and manufacture mechanical and manufacturing systems with confidence. You’ll know how to apply mathematical, physical, and engineering tools, work effectively in teams, and approach challenges with a professional and innovative mindset — all while being prepared for the demands of global industry practice.

Professional Accreditation
This program is fully accredited by Engineers Australia and recognised under the Washington Accord, meaning your qualification is internationally recognised and transferable across member countries.

Reputation and Employability
UNSW Engineering is ranked #1 in Australia for Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023). Graduates from this program enjoy strong career prospects, with an impressive 87.5% full-time employment rate (QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023).

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Hands-on Learning: Real Experience from Day One

At UNSW, the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering is all about getting you career-ready through practical, hands-on learning. From your very first year, you won’t just sit in lectures — you’ll be designing, building, and testing real systems using industry-grade tools and labs.

You’ll spend time in the refurbished Ainsworth Building and Willis Annex, home to advanced facilities like mechatronics, robotics, and autonomous vehicles labs, as well as energy-storage and solar-thermal labs. These spaces are designed to immerse you in real-world engineering challenges, helping you bridge theory and practice right from the start.

How You’ll Learn by Doing

Industrial Training:
You’ll complete 60 days of approved industry placement during your degree. This gives you firsthand experience in a professional engineering environment — applying your skills, building industry contacts, and gaining confidence in real projects before you graduate.
Specialised Laboratories:
Work in cutting-edge facilities, including the Mechatronics Teaching Laboratory, Autonomous Vehicles Lab, Energy Storage Lab, Fluid Dynamics & Microfluidics Lab, Optical/Laser Engine Diagnostics Lab, Robotics Lab, and Solar Thermal Energy Lab.
Mechanical Workshop & Aerodynamics Lab:
Learn by testing, prototyping, and fabricating in workshops equipped with tensile and compression testing machines and an aerodynamics lab featuring four wind tunnels. These hands-on environments let you turn your designs into working prototypes.
Project-Based Learning:
In your first year, the Engineering Design and Innovation (ENGG1000) course introduces you to design thinking. You’ll work in teams to solve practical problems while managing real constraints like time, budget, and materials — just like in industry.
Research & Advanced Study:
In your later years, you’ll complete a research thesis (MMAN4951 / MMAN4952 / MMAN4953), where you’ll dive deep into a topic of your choice, using simulation, modelling, and other industry-standard tools to develop innovative solutions.
Digital Tools & Smart Manufacturing:
Throughout your studies, you’ll gain skills in Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM), process modelling, automation, and emerging Industry 4.0 technologies — preparing you for the future of smart manufacturing.
Industry Connections:
UNSW partners with leading organisations such as The Boeing Company, Hyundai NGV, Australia Advanced Aerospace Technology, and Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology. These partnerships open doors for internships, collaborations, and networking with professionals who shape the industry.
Interdisciplinary & Community Learning:
You’ll also have access to campus-wide resources like the UNSW Library, cross-disciplinary engineering spaces, and student societies including Women in Engineering and Robogals — where you can collaborate, compete, and grow alongside your peers.

Progression & Future Opportunities

If you choose to pursue the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering) at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), you’re setting yourself up for a future full of exciting opportunities — whether you see yourself as a Mechanical Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Design Engineer, or Project Manager.

Progression & Future Opportunities

At UNSW, your employability is a top priority. Through the UNSW Employability service, you’ll gain access to a dedicated jobs board featuring graduate, internship, and part-time roles across Australia and in over 30 countries. You’ll also have access to practical career tools, including résumé checkers and practice assessment tests, to help you stand out in the job market.

Career outcomes for UNSW Engineering graduates are excellent. Around 87% of engineering graduates secured full-time employment in 2021–22 — a strong indicator of the industry’s trust in UNSW-trained engineers.

When it comes to earnings, UNSW graduates perform strongly too. The median salary for undergraduate alumni sits around A$70,000 within six months of finishing their degree, rising to approximately A$88,000 after three years.

The School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at UNSW also has deep industry partnerships, giving you a direct connection to cutting-edge research and development. Examples include collaborations with Baoshan Iron & Steel Co. on advanced steel manufacturing and Silanna Semiconductor to improve wafer production processes — projects that place UNSW at the forefront of innovation.

Your degree also carries significant international recognition and credibility. It’s fully accredited by Engineers Australia and acknowledged by the Washington Accord, ensuring your qualification is respected and portable across the globe.

As a student, you’ll benefit from the support and prestige of UNSW Engineering, which is ranked #1 in Australia for Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering. Through hands-on, real-world project experiences — such as those offered by the ChallENG program — you’ll graduate with both strong technical foundations and practical, industry-ready skills.

Further Academic Progression

If you’re inspired to deepen your expertise, you can continue your studies with a Master of Engineering Science (Mechanical and Advanced Manufacturing Engineering) at UNSW. This advanced qualification builds on your undergraduate foundation and prepares you for high-level roles in research, innovation, leadership, and specialised engineering fields.