School of Engineering / Schools / The University of Newcastle, Australia

Ranked #1 Australian university for overall undergraduate engineering student experience (QILT Student Experience Survey 2019 and 2020)

The role of an engineer is ever-changing: from building complex computer systems and influencing the infrastructure we use every day, to finding new ways to harness energy or even designing prosthetic limbs to help amputees, engineers play a critical role in overcoming the challenges our world faces.

Of those many challenges, food and water security, climate change, data protection and the increasing impact on society of growing populations are just a few that require our urgent attention and action. As a global leader in engineering higher education, our students work in multidisciplinary teams together with academics and industry to develop world-changing solutions to the challenges we face.

The School of Engineering is dedicated to research and training in the areas of Aerospace Systems, Chemical, Civil, Computer Systems, Electrical and Electronic, Environmental, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Medical, Mining Transfer, Renewable Energy Engineering, and Surveying.

We conduct high-impact, industry-relevant research and have a global reputation for research excellence. The Australian Research Council’s Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) ratings support our reputation for excellence, with a 5 rating in 2018* for the following disciplines:

Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Civil Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Resources Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy

*2018 is the most recent ratings year

The School has achieved high rankings in several discipline areas in the QS World University Rankings and the Shanghai Ranking, the standouts being Mineral and Mining Engineering and Automation and Control Engineering.

Engineering Area	QS World University Rankings 2021	Shanghai Ranking 2021
Automation and Control		13
Minerals and Mining	23	27
Civil and Structural	Top 100	Top 200
Electrical and Electronic	Top 200	Top 200
Chemical	Top 250	Top 400
Mechanical	Top 300	Top 300
Environmental Science and Engineering		Top 300
Energy Science and Engineering		Top 300

Study areas

Our innovative engineering degrees offer exciting learning opportunities that are future-focused and related to real-world challenges. The unique structure of our programs offers opportunities and experiences unlike any other Australian university.

Our engineering students develop their work readiness by undertaking four core courses in professional practice which develop their applied skills including working in teams, project management, sustainability and critical thinking. They also have the opportunity to choose an elective pathway – four courses in an area of interest that either complements their degree or allows them to extend into an entirely new field of study. For example, a civil engineering student may choose four elective courses in surveying to complement their core studies, or they may choose to study a language or communications or construction management or history with their four elective courses – the choice is theirs.

Bachelor programs

Postgraduate programs

Master of Materials Science and Engineering
Professional Engineering

Program educational outcomes: Engineering

The University of Newcastle Engineering programs produce graduates that meet the following Program Educational Outcomes (PEOs). The PEOs are statements that summate the minimum expectations of graduates some 3-5 years post-graduation.

University of Newcastle Engineers will:

Create, innovate, design and manage engineering systems in both the public and private sectors
Communicate effectively in written and oral formats with both professional and broader communities, with appropriate respect for cultural, national and ethical norms
Pursue life-long learning: appreciate new directions and knowledge in engineering, and understand developments within modern tools of analysis, synthesis and design
Seek to incorporate interdisciplinary concepts and perspectives into engineering solutions
Practice engineering in an ethical and sustainable manner, respecting regulatory concerns and the broader impacts of engineering solutions in both a local and global context

Engineering mission statement

The University of Newcastle’s College of Engineering, Science and Environment is home to two of the most highly ranked¹´², research-intensive engineering schools. Together, these schools provide research-led, forward-thinking engineering programs in 11 engineering specialisations. Our programs are designed to ingrain deep technical discipline knowledge within a robust, professional perspective framework. Our graduates hone their technical skills by working on real-world problems both individually and in teams to achieve ethical, socially responsible and technically meritorious solutions to complex, open-ended problems.

_{1 QILT, 2 ERA}

In demand

Our engineering graduates are highly sought after with many students landing a job before they even finish their degree. In their final year our students bring theory and practice together in sophisticated research projects.

Scholarships for high achievers

Offered since 2014, the Catherine and Peter Tay High Achiever Engineering Scholarship gives one new student $32,000 over the four years of their degree. There are numerous other scholarships available to Engineering students.

Formula SAE

Our Formula SAE team put their theory into practice by designing and building a formula style race car. The students take part in an annual competition and get to race their car against teams from across Australia.

Find a researcher

Staff resources

Student resources

The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.