Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) / Bachelor of Arts is a five-year double degree combining professional engineering education with humanities and social-science study.
• It is designed for students who want to combine science, mathematics and technology with an understanding of people, society, culture and social change.
• Students develop both technical engineering capability and broader critical, creative and communication skills.
• Engineering study includes practical, industry-connected learning, while the Arts component develops skills in critical thinking, communication, social analysis and understanding cultural and societal issues.
• Swinburne states that Work Integrated Learning is incorporated into its bachelor degrees, and the Engineering component includes industry-based projects.
• The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) is professionally recognised, with graduates eligible to apply for graduate membership of Engineers Australia.
• Swinburne currently highlights its position as Top 400 for Arts and Humanities, 5 stars for overall experience, #1 in Victoria for Graduate Employability and Salary according to QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024, and #1 in Australia for Automation and Control according to ARWU Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme combines two qualifications.

Engineering component:

The Engineering core includes subjects such as:

• Preliminary Mathematics
• Introduction to Programming
• Humanitarian Engineering Design Project
• Engineering Materials
• Engineering Mechanics
• Engineering Technology with Indigenous Context
• Calculus and Applications
• Linear Algebra and Applications
• Energy and Motion
• Professional Experience in Engineering
• Final-year engineering capstone/project units appropriate to the selected major.

Examples of major-specific study include:

• Architectural Engineering: Architectural Engineering Studio Project, Digital Engineering Project, Structural Mechanics, Design of Concrete Structures.
• Biomedical Engineering: medical and regulatory practice, clinical practicum, advanced medical imaging and related engineering subjects.
• Civil Engineering: Topographical Engineering, Digital Engineering Project, Structural Mechanics, Statistics and Computation for Engineering and Design of Concrete Structures.
• Mechanical Engineering: Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Engineering Dynamics, Manufacturing Engineering, Control Engineering, Machine Design and Heat Transfer.
• Product Design Engineering: Product Visualisation, Digital Modelling, Product Design Engineering Studio, Sustainable Product Design, Advanced Product Design and Digital Manufacturing.
• Robotics and Mechatronics: Circuits and Electronics, Object-Oriented Programming, Control and Automation, Machine Vision, Robotic Control, Mechatronics Systems Design and Robot Systems Design.
• Software Engineering: Object-Oriented Programming, Cloud Computing Architecture, Data Structures, Artificial Intelligence, Interface Design, Software Architecture, Mobile Software Development, Software Testing and AI Engineering.

Arts component:

The four Arts core units are:

• Technology and Society
• Skills and Strategies for Social Change
• Changemakers in Action
• BA Professional Practice.

Disciplines / Specialisations

Engineering majors currently available for the double degree include:

• Architectural
• Biomedical
• Civil
• Electrical and Electronic
• Mechanical
• Product Design
• Robotics and Mechatronics
• Software.

Arts majors currently shown in the course handbook include:

• Climate and Social Justice
• Literature and Creative Writing
• Screen Studies and Popular Culture

Programme Highlights

• Five-year Engineering and Arts double degree.
• 500 credit points.
• Professional Engineering component recognised by Engineers Australia.
• Eight engineering major choices.
• Arts specialisation alongside engineering.
• Practical engineering projects throughout the degree.
• Humanitarian Engineering Design Project.
• Final-year engineering capstone/project experience.
• Development of technical, analytical, communication and critical-thinking skills.
• Strong industry orientation.
• Hawthorn campus in Melbourne.
• CRICOS-registered programme for international students. 

Career Outcomes

The double degree can support careers combining engineering, technology, policy, communication and social analysis.

Potential engineering career directions include:

• Architectural engineer
• Biomedical engineer
• Civil engineer
• Electrical and electronic engineer
• Mechanical engineer
• Product design engineer
• Robotics and mechatronics engineer
• Software engineer

The Arts component can broaden career options into areas such as:

• Policy analysis and development
• Research
• Community development
• Administration
• Public relations
• Publishing
• Media
• Government and policy-related roles.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• Current course code: BB-ENGART.
• Current CRICOS code: 108363J.
• Current duration: 5 years full-time.
• Current location: Hawthorn.
• Current future starts: 1 March 2027 and 2 August 2027.
• Mathematics is an important prerequisite for the Engineering component.
• Applicants without the required mathematics background may need a MathsLink bridging programme.
• The Engineering degree has professional recognition through Engineers Australia.
• Professional Experience in Engineering is a compulsory non-credit component.
• International Student visa holders cannot undertake the six- or 12-month Professional Placement option in this double degree according to the current course handbook.
• Credit transfer and recognition of prior learning may be assessed case-by-case. 

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying this programme in Australia normally require an Australian Student visa, subclass 500.

Key requirements include:

• Hold a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for an eligible course when the visa is decided.
• Hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies.
• Meet the Department of Home Affairs' character, health and other applicable requirements.
• Provide financial evidence if required by the visa document checklist.
• Meet applicable English-language evidence requirements if requested.
• Satisfy the Genuine Student requirement where applicable.
• Comply with all Student visa conditions.