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Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours)

Educating leaders in Defence, government & industry
You have reached the maximum of 6 degrees.
When you enrol in the Bachelor of Civil Engineering, you’ll work with experienced engineers on industry-focused design projects. Hands-on opportunities and academic lectures will provide you with the expert knowledge you need to pursue a successful career in the sector.
Commencing Terms
Semester 1
Duration
4 Year(s)
Delivery Mode
Face-to-face (includes blended)
Campus
Canberra
Codes
UAC code 450050 - Defence 451050 - Non Defence
Program code 4473
CRICOS code -
Entry Requirements
ATAR/2024 lowest selection rank
85 + Application (Defence)90 - Non Defence
View all admission criteria
Fees
2024 Indicative first year full fee
$8,000*
2024 Indicative full fee to complete degree
$36,500*
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The Australian Defence Force Academy

Combining teaching and research with military education

UNSW Canberra specialises in high-quality undergraduate and postgraduate courses in all areas relating to military, strategic and defence studies. This means future leaders of the Navy, Army and Air Force can combine their military and leadership training with our world-class university programs and defence industry expertise.

Overview

Civil engineering focuses on the planning, design, construction and management of civil facilities of all types, such as traffic, buildings, roads, bridges, airfields, water supply and storage, waste treatment facilities, offshore platforms, wind farms and landfills. A degree in civil engineering will provide you with professional engineering design, construction, and management skills, as well as an opportunity to focus on the interaction between civil engineering and other disciplines. 

At UNSW Canberra, our Bachelor of Civil Engineering will equip you with the skills to begin your ADF career and take a lead role in designing and transforming our world.

Key features

Why study at UNSW Canberra?

As a civil engineering student at UNSW Canberra, you’ll have access to purpose-built workshops and facilities and benefit from the best university teacher-to-student ratio in Australia. Working with experienced engineers and client representatives on industry-focused design and research projects, you’ll gain the hands-on experience required to meet the global challenges of the future. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to apply the theories that you study in class and have the strong support of your peers and academic lecturers to help you succeed. 

 

Program Code
4473
Campus
Canberra
UAC Code
450050 - Defence 451050 - Non Defence
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
192

Want to see more from UNSW Canberra at ADFA?

Entry requirements

2024 Lowest Selection Rank
85 + Application (Defence)90 - Non Defence
2024 A levels
11 + Application (Defence)13 - Non Defence
2024 IB Diploma
32 + Application (Defence)34 - Non Defence
2024 Lowest ATAR
83.4 - Defence86.25 - Non Defence
    1. The 2024 Lowest Selection Rank (LSR) is the adjusted rank (ATAR plus adjustment factors) you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2024.
    2. The 2024 A levels score is based on four Advanced Level (A2) subjects. Entry scores are calculated from the best three or four A2 subjects (excluding repeated subjects) using the following values: A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1. At most one Applied A Level subject may be included in the best four subjects used to calculate the aggregate.
    3. The 2024 IB Diploma is an indication of the IB you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2024. It is to be used as a guide only.
    4. The 2024 Lowest ATAR is the lowest ATAR (before adjustment factors were applied) to which an offer was made. Where <5 is listed, this indicates that less than 5 ATAR-based offers were made and so the score has not been published. N/A indicates no offers were made on the basis of ATAR.
  • At UNSW, we are committed to ensuring prospective students have all the information they need in order to make informed decisions about their study options.

    To assist you in gaining a better understanding of how Admissions works at UNSW, we have provided you with a summary of ATAR offers and the student profile.

    We hope this information will help you identify the degree that is right for you.

Additional Selection Criteria

Undergraduate entry to the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) is open to Australian residents who are members of the Australian Defence Force and selected members of overseas Armed Forces. Trainee Officers are selected by one of the three services (Navy, Army or Airforce) in the Australian Defence Force and must also meet academic entry requirements for UNSW Canberra at ADFA. Applying for ADFA is a dual application process. As selection for the Australian Defence Force is a competitive process, which can take up to 12 months, it is preferable that you apply to Defence Force Recruiting in Year 11. Visit this site for more information on both application processes.

This degree is also available to non-defence students.

Assumed knowledge

Mathematics, Physics

Adjustment Factors


We offer a range of adjustment factor schemes that reward students for academic performance and extra-curricular achievements. These schemes also take into account a range of personal and educational disadvantages that may have affected your studies. 

HSC Plus 
This scheme rewards students who perform well in Year 12 subjects that are relevant to their preferred UNSW degree. You may be awarded up to five points. 

Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders (EAPL) 
This program recognises achievements in the areas of sport, academia, leadership and music at an elite level. You may be eligible for up to five points.

Educational Access Scheme (EAS)
Factors such as illness, financial hardship, language difficulties or attending a particular school can mean you don't always get the best possible marks in Years 11 and 12. If one of these situations applies to you, submit an application for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) via UAC. Eligible students can receive between 1 and 10 points towards their chosen UNSW degree.

English language requirements

 

You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.

If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.

Program structure

A UNSW Canberra Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours) is a four-year full-time degree with an in-built Honours research project. You will study subjects such as engineering mechanics, computational problem solving, mathematics, physics, structural analysis, geotechnical design, transportation and traffic engineering, hydrology, hydraulic engineering and environmental engineering practice. You will spend at least 60 days gaining practical engineering experience in the workplace during your degree. In your final year you will undertake your own capstone research project and work in a team to complete an integrated design project. 

Full program structure

Future careers

Your degree will be accredited with Engineers Australia, which means that you will be qualified to begin working as an engineer in Australia and many parts of the world as soon as you graduate.  

Civil engineers plan, design, construct and manage essential infrastructure as part of ADF projects and military activities around the world. At UNSW Canberra, our Bachelor of Civil Engineering will equip you with the skills to begin your ADF career and take a lead role in designing and transforming our world. 

Trainee Officers studying civil engineering have career opportunities in the Army or Air Force. 

Army  

As an Army Trainee Officer graduate, you’ll be able to join the Royal Australian Engineers Corps, where you will work on infrastructure projects in Australia and overseas. You could find yourself travelling the world to develop or restore clean water supplies, accommodation and airfields.

Air Force 

As an Air Force Trainee Officer graduate, you’ll play a major role in managing the infrastructure within the Air Force. You will be responsible for the management of whole facilities or specialised projects including aircraft pavements, hangars and hospitals. 

Accreditation

Engineers Australia

How to apply

Applications for undergraduate study from domestic students (Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders and New Zealand citizens) are processed by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

Visit the Apply section of the UAC website and you can nominate up to five degrees in order of preference, with the first being your most desired degree and university.

On-time applications for admission usually close at the end of September each year for Term 1 admission. Late applications can be submitted, but a late fee will apply. For study starting in Term 1, the majority of offers are made in December and January. Visit the UAC website for key dates for admission outside of Term 1.

Ready to Apply?

Fees & Scholarships

2024 Indicative First Year Full Fee
$8,000*
2024 Indicative Full Fee to Complete Degree
$36,500*

The Australian Defence Force covers tuition fees for defence students.


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Worldwide

QS World University Rankings, 2025.

Most
Employable Graduates

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Innovation

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Information for Prospective Trainee Officers

Planning to join UNSW Canberra at ADFA as a Trainee Officer? Discover the courses available to you and read about the benefits of studying in this unique defence-tailored environment.
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