Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) program rules

UNSW Engineering introduced a new Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree program in 2015. The information below is valid only for those students enrolled in this new BE (Hons) program or BE (Hons) dual award programs. For students in old programs (commenced up to 2014), program rules are available here.

Note that all undergraduate single and dual award programs established and running prior to 2015 remain unchanged. Students enrolled in these programs are advised that the program rules, including honours classifications, remain the same, and that they should consult with the appropriate handbook entry for more information. 

Program objectives

The broad objective of UNSW Engineering's undergraduate programs is to develop well-educated graduates, that is, graduates with the strong technical knowledge and the basic skills and attributes required to practise as professional engineers. The desired skills are those that enable graduates to be independent investigators; self-motivated; critical thinkers; problem solvers; life-long learners; good communicators; team players; effective managers; as well as economically, environmentally and socially aware.

Learning outcomes
  1. Comprehensive, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline
  2. Conceptual understanding of the mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline
  3. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline
  4. Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline
  5. Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline
  6. Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific discipline
  7. Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving
  8. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources
  9. Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes
  10. Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects
  11. Ethical conduct and professional accountability
  12. Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains
  13. Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour
  14. Professional use and management of information
  15. Orderly management of self, and professional conduct
  16. Effective team membership and team leadership
Program structure rules

Students must complete the following units of credit:

  • 168 UOC stream
  • 12 UOC General Education
  • 12 UOC electives*

* The student chooses courses, being additional electives from the stream’s foundational or disciplinary elective lists. 

Award of Class of Honours

All students who complete the program will receive a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) award. In addition, those students who complete the program with an appropriate performance level through the program will receive an award with a Class of Honours. This class is based on the honours weighted average mark (Honours WAM) calculated for each candidate and on the mark awarded for the thesis project component.*

  • Class 1: Honours WAM of at least 80 and thesis course mark of at least 65
  • Class 2 Division 1: Honours WAM of at least 75 and thesis course mark of at least 65
  • Class 2 Division 2: Honours WAM of at least 65 and thesis course mark of at least 65

 * NOTE: The thesis project component is weighted as at least a 12 UOC Level 4 course. If the thesis project is run across two terms in two courses (Thesis A and B), the total weighting for each component is to be decided by the school with the total weighting equalling the total UOC of the two courses.

Honours WAM

  • Courses will be weighted according to the following:

General Education

Level 1 Courses

Level 2 Courses

Level 3 Courses

Level 4 Courses

1

1

2

3

4

Honours WAM calculation notes

  • First attempt counts
  • Honours WAM to be calculated to one decimal place
  • Academic Withdrawal (AW) grades will count as fails
  • Courses above level 4 (postgraduate courses) will count as level 4 courses.
Progression rules
  • No level 4 BE course until 102 UOC of BE stream passed
  • No level 3 BE course until all Introductory core passed
  • Students must show cause not to be excluded from the program (but allowed to transfer to the BEngSc program) if they have any of the following:
    • 2 fails in any given core course
    • After half or more of the BE stream attempted (more than 84UOC), less than 50% of BE courses have been passed
    • Prior to the final 48 UOC of the stream (120 UOC or more of the BE stream completed), a WAM of less than 50%
Substitution
  • Students may substitute Advanced Disciplinary courses (Level 5) for Disciplinary courses if they have completed at least 120 UOC of BE stream and have a high enough WAM
    • Students with a WAM of at least 65 can substitute up to 6 UOC.
    • Students with a WAM of at least 75 can substitute up to 12 UOC.

The Faculty of Engineering will establish a committee to consider student appeals against transfer out of the Bachelor of Engineering program and will take into consideration academic, medical and personal issues in accord with the UNSW Special Consideration Policy and the Re-enrolment Appeal Committee process. 

Recognition of Prior Learning

Students with previous study and/or experience may be eligible for advanced standing (either credit or exemption). Decisions on this recognition will be made by the Program Authority and/or the Faculty. The maximum credit given is 96 UOC (other than for those transferring from programs accredited by Engineers Australia). Further details, see UNSW RPL procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions