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

6 Years On Campus Dual-bachelors Program

University of New South Wales

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical Engineering) / Bachelor of Laws at University of New South Wales is a highly integrated dual degree designed for students who want to combine technical engineering expertise with strong legal reasoning and professional law training. It’s ideal for students who are analytical, detail-oriented, and interested in shaping industries through both innovation and regulation.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1 (Foundations in Engineering, Science & Law):
Students begin with core engineering science subjects alongside introductory legal studies. Typical UNSW-first-year learning includes foundational engineering units such as Engineering Mechanics, Chemistry for Engineers, and mathematics-based problem solving, alongside law foundations like Legal Systems and Method, helping students build both technical and legal thinking early on.

Year 2 (Core Discipline Development):
This year deepens chemical engineering knowledge through subjects like Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, and Materials & Energy Balances, while law studies progress into areas such as Torts and Criminal Law principles, strengthening analytical and case-based reasoning.

Year 3 (Advanced Engineering Systems + Core Law Expansion):
Students move into more advanced chemical engineering units such as Separation Processes, Reaction Engineering, and Process Design, while continuing structured law training in areas like Contracts Law and legal interpretation. The workload becomes more integrated, focusing on applying engineering thinking alongside structured legal frameworks.

Year 4 (Specialisation & Professional Law Training):
Engineering becomes more design-focused with units like Process Control and Chemical Process Design Projects, while law students complete upper-level compulsory subjects and begin selecting electives in specialised legal areas such as commercial or environmental law.

Year 5–6.7 (Capstone, Integration & Completion):
The final phase focuses on the Engineering Honours research project, where students solve real-world industrial problems, alongside completion of advanced law electives and professional legal training requirements. This stage prepares students for dual professional readiness in both engineering and legal practice.

Focus Areas:

Chemical process engineering, industrial systems design, environmental engineering, legal reasoning, contract and corporate law, regulatory frameworks, and interdisciplinary problem-solving combining engineering innovation with legal governance.

Learning Outcomes:

Graduates develop the ability to design and optimise chemical engineering systems while also interpreting, applying, and constructing legal arguments across multiple areas of law. They gain strong analytical, technical, and communication skills suitable for complex industries where engineering decisions intersect with legal and regulatory systems.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Engineering (Honours) component is accredited by Engineers Australia, ensuring international recognition of professional engineering qualifications. The Law component aligns with requirements for legal education in Australia, supporting pathways toward legal practice qualifications.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings):

UNSW is consistently ranked among the world’s top universities for Engineering and Law in QS World University Rankings, with strong graduate employability outcomes and close industry integration in both STEM and legal sectors.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At University of New South Wales, the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical Engineering) / Bachelor of Laws is designed around “learning by doing,” where you constantly move between technical engineering environments and real legal training settings. From chemical process labs and simulation software used in industry, to moot courts where you argue real legal cases, students are trained to think and perform like both engineers and future legal professionals. The program also connects classroom learning with industry exposure, so you’re not just studying systems and laws — you’re applying them in real contexts from early in your degree:

Experiential Learning (labs, tools, practice environments, and industry exposure):

Chemical Engineering Laboratories (Process & Systems Testing) : Hands-on work in chemical reaction engineering, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics labs where you operate pilot-scale equipment and industrial simulation systems used to model real chemical processes.
Process Simulation & Engineering Software : Training with industry-standard tools used in chemical engineering design and modelling (such as process simulation and data analysis platforms) to design and optimise industrial systems.
UNSW Law Moot Court Facilities : Real courtroom-style environments where you develop advocacy skills, argue cases, and practice legal reasoning in simulated trials guided by academic and industry professionals.
Legal Practice & Clinical Learning Programs : Exposure to practical legal work through problem-based learning, case analysis, and opportunities linked to UNSW Law’s clinical legal education initiatives.
Interdisciplinary Design & Problem-Solving Projects : Group-based projects combining engineering systems thinking with legal/regulatory frameworks, such as environmental compliance in chemical industries or technology regulation scenarios.
Industry Engagement & Internship Pathways : Access to engineering placements and legal work experience opportunities supported through UNSW’s industry networks, helping you build professional experience before graduation.
Research-Connected Learning Environments : Opportunities to engage with engineering and law research initiatives, working alongside academics in areas like sustainable chemical processes and regulatory policy development.
UNSW Engineering Design Studios & Collaborative Spaces : Team-based learning environments where students design, prototype, and present engineering solutions in structured, industry-style settings.
Specialised Law & Engineering Libraries : Access to extensive legal databases, engineering research collections, and digital learning platforms supporting case law research and technical design work.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical Engineering) / Bachelor of Laws at University of New South Wales step into a rare dual capability that bridges high-level engineering innovation with legal expertise. This combination prepares you for careers where technology, regulation, and industry decision-making intersect. Typical roles include Chemical Process Engineer, Environmental/Regulatory Compliance Advisor, Corporate Lawyer (Technology or Energy sectors), and Engineering Consultant working in policy or infrastructure projects.

Career progression & industry outcomes:

University employability support: UNSW provides dedicated career development through its Careers & Employability service and Law Careers Centre, offering tailored coaching, employer networking events, internship matching, and interview preparation specifically for engineering and law students.
Employment outcomes & salary strength: UNSW graduates consistently record strong full-time employment outcomes in Australia’s national Graduate Outcomes Survey (QILT), with engineering and law graduates typically entering high-demand professional fields associated with above-average starting salaries in the STEM and legal sectors.
Industry partnerships & professional pathways: Students benefit from UNSW’s direct connections with major engineering firms, energy and resources companies, government agencies, and leading commercial law firms, supporting internships, clerkships, and capstone project collaborations.
Professional accreditation value: The Engineering (Honours) degree is accredited by Engineers Australia, supporting international professional recognition, while the Law degree is accredited for progression toward legal practice qualifications in Australia, strengthening long-term career mobility across both fields.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates leave with a powerful interdisciplinary skill set — combining technical engineering design, systems thinking, legal analysis, and regulatory understanding — making them highly competitive in roles involving policy, infrastructure, sustainability, and technology governance.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this dual degree, students can pursue postgraduate study in Engineering (Master of Engineering Science or specialised engineering fields), Law (Juris Doctor or Master of Laws), or interdisciplinary areas such as environmental law, energy policy, data governance, or technology regulation. Many graduates also progress into PhD research pathways in engineering innovation, sustainable systems, or legal-technical policy frameworks.