Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Chemical Product Engineering) / Arts

5 Years On Campus Dual-bachelors Program

University of New South Wales

Program Overview

The UNSW Sydney Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical Product Engineering) / Arts combines advanced engineering knowledge with creative, cultural, and social insight, preparing students to design innovative products and sustainable industrial solutions while developing strong communication and critical thinking skills. This dual degree is ideal for students who want to combine technical engineering expertise with interests in humanities, languages, social sciences, policy, media, or global studies.

The program is delivered primarily at the Kensington Campus in Sydney, New South Wales, where students study within world-class engineering laboratories, collaborative innovation spaces, research facilities, and arts and humanities learning environments connected to industry and global research networks.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students build broad foundations in engineering, mathematics, chemistry, and humanities-based inquiry. You’ll study engineering subjects such as Engineering Design and Innovation, Higher Chemistry, and Mathematics 1A, alongside introductory Arts courses that develop communication, analytical, and cultural understanding. This year helps students connect technical engineering thinking with broader social and human perspectives.

Year 2

Year 2 introduces specialised engineering concepts through units including Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, and Process Engineering Fundamentals. Students begin analysing industrial systems, chemical processes, and sustainable manufacturing while continuing Arts studies in areas such as politics, media, languages, sociology, or international studies. Practical laboratory learning and interdisciplinary problem-solving become increasingly important during this stage.

Year 3

In Year 3, students progress into advanced chemical product engineering topics such as Heat and Mass Transfer, Chemical Reaction Engineering, and Product Design and Development. Learning focuses on designing innovative chemical-based products, process optimisation, and sustainable engineering systems. Students also strengthen communication and research capability through advanced Arts electives and collaborative projects.

Year 4

The fourth year focuses on professional engineering practice and interdisciplinary integration. Students complete advanced studies in Process Control, Process Plant Design, and Engineering Project Management, while continuing specialised Arts coursework aligned with their chosen major. Engineering design projects increasingly reflect real-world industrial and societal challenges.

Year 5

The final year centres on honours-level engineering research and major project work. Students complete a substantial Chemical Product Engineering Thesis or capstone design project alongside final Arts studies. This year prepares graduates for leadership roles requiring both technical engineering expertise and strong communication, policy, cultural, or analytical capability.

Focus Areas

Chemical product engineering, sustainable manufacturing, product design, process optimisation, industrial systems, innovation management, communication, global studies, and interdisciplinary problem-solving.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates develop the ability to design and optimise chemical products and industrial systems while integrating technical expertise with communication, social analysis, and global perspectives. Students gain advanced engineering design, research, leadership, analytical, and interdisciplinary collaboration skills suited to complex modern industries.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical Product Engineering) component is accredited by Engineers Australia, supporting international recognition through the Washington Accord.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings)

UNSW Sydney is internationally recognised for engineering excellence, innovation, and graduate employability. UNSW consistently ranks among the world’s leading universities for engineering and technology and is highly regarded for producing industry-ready graduates with strong research and leadership capability.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At UNSW Sydney, the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical Product Engineering) / Arts is built around hands-on engineering practice combined with real-world design thinking, creative problem-solving, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Students learn at the Kensington Campus in Sydney, where engineering labs, innovation hubs, and humanities learning spaces come together to support both technical mastery and broader social understanding. Learning is highly practice-oriented, with strong exposure to industry-style projects, digital engineering tools, and research-informed teaching.

Students gain practical experience through:

Chemical Engineering Laboratories : Hands-on experimentation in thermodynamics, reaction engineering, fluid systems, and process analysis using modern laboratory instrumentation and measurement systems.
Engineering Design Studios : Collaborative spaces where students work on product design challenges, prototype development, and real-world engineering problem-solving projects.
Process Simulation & Engineering Software : Use of industry-standard computational tools for process modelling, chemical product design, system optimisation, and engineering analysis.
Arts & Humanities Learning Integration : Workshops and seminars in communication, policy, media, and global studies that develop strong interdisciplinary thinking alongside engineering skills.
Industry-Based Projects & Capstone Design Work : Students complete major team-based engineering projects focused on chemical product innovation, sustainability, and industrial application.
Internship & Industry Engagement Opportunities : Access to internships, industry networking events, and professional development programs connected to engineering and technology sectors.
Research Centres & Innovation Ecosystems : Engagement with engineering and science research institutes working on sustainability, materials science, chemical systems, and advanced manufacturing.
Digital Engineering Tools & Platforms : Use of modelling, simulation, and data analysis tools integrated into coursework and project-based learning.
Libraries & Academic Resource Centres : Access to extensive engineering journals, scientific databases, humanities resources, and global research publications supporting interdisciplinary learning.
Collaborative Learning Spaces : Flexible study environments designed for group projects, innovation workshops, and interdisciplinary teamwork across engineering and arts disciplines.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the UNSW Sydney Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical Product Engineering) / Arts are well-prepared for careers that combine advanced chemical engineering capability with strong communication, cultural awareness, and interdisciplinary problem-solving skills. This unique blend opens pathways into industries where innovation, sustainability, and human-centred design are essential, including energy, consumer products, pharmaceuticals, consulting, policy, and global technology sectors.

Typical career roles include chemical product engineer, process engineer, product development engineer, sustainability consultant, and innovation or technology analyst.

With strong industry alignment and career development support:

UNSW Employability & Career Services : Students access personalised career coaching, internship matching support, employer networking events, resume development workshops, and structured graduate recruitment programs.
Industry-Connected Learning & Project Work : Engineering design projects, interdisciplinary Arts collaborations, and capstone experiences are developed in partnership with industry-informed challenges and real-world applications.
Global Industry & Research Partnerships : UNSW maintains strong connections with leading organisations across energy, advanced manufacturing, consumer goods, defence, sustainability, technology, and innovation sectors.
Professional Accreditation Advantage : The engineering component is accredited by Engineers Australia, ensuring international recognition under the Washington Accord framework and strong global career mobility.
Graduate Outcomes & Employability : UNSW graduates are highly regarded for their technical expertise, innovation capability, communication strength, and interdisciplinary thinking across global engineering and business environments.
Indicative Salary Outlook (Australia) : Chemical engineering graduates commonly start at approximately AUD $75,000–$110,000+ per year, with strong long-term growth into senior engineering, consulting, product development, and leadership roles.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can pursue advanced study such as a Master of Engineering Science, Master of Engineering Management, Master of Sustainable Energy, Master of Design, or PhD research programs. These pathways support specialisation in advanced engineering innovation, research and development, global policy and sustainability leadership, or high-level technical consultancy roles.