Bachelor of Engineering Practice (Honours)

Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning

BH-ENGPRAC Degree including honours Hawthorn Send me a link to this course

This course has been discontinued - this course is closed for new enrolments, the information on this page is provided for continuing students.

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The Bachelor of Engineering Practice (Honours) offers a revolutionary approach to learning and skill development. From day one, you’ll be taken out of the classroom and placed in the workplace in a higher-education experience like no other. The first of its kind in Australia, this practice-based course – co-created and co-delivered with industry professionals – provides students with practical, professional experience and a work-ready skill set.

For four years, students undertake real-world projects in collaborative teams, working as Associates with the Swinburne Engineering Practice Academy – an on-campus engineering consultancy. In a departure from traditional lecture- and tutorial-style learning, Associates learn by doing with the support of online learning modules. Immersed in a professional practice environment, Associates quickly develop the mind-sets required for professional success – agility, accountability, confidence and resilience – leading to strong employment outcomes.

By completing projects for Academy clients, Associates apply the theoretical and fundamental engineering knowledge in a practical context. Core competencies, including maths and physics, are developed alongside technical and specialist expertise in an integrated approach. There are no exams; assessment is based on individual performance in each project and progress towards self-defined learning goals.

You’ll graduate with a degree and with four years of professional experience, equipping you to adapt and respond to the demands of a rapidly changing work landscape.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A > ABOUT THE COURSE

A1. How does a practice-based course work?
This course comprises 16 core units structured as 16 six-week industry projects. Students undertake these projects in supportive teams, meeting regularly in groups, undertaking individual research and engaging with facilitators and industry mentors.

A2. It looks like there are no majors – how is this degree structured?
Traditional majors will not be offered in this degree. Instead, students can refine their interests by choosing to take part in different team projects focused across four industry sectors: 

  1. smart cities
  2. Industry 4.0
  3. Internet of Things and People
  4. products designed for people.

A3. What are the industry sectors that frame the course?
Projects in this degree focus on four emerging industry sectors:

  1. Smart cities applies digital technology to urban development, infrastructure and government services to improve efficiencies and ultimately raise the quality of life for residents. This sector will appeal to students who are interested in civil engineering and construction engineering.
  2. Industry 4.0 combines the virtual (big data, digital technology) with the physical (3D printing, robotics, prototyping) to create a new approach to manufacturing. This sector will appeal to students who are interested in mechanical engineering, and robotics and mechatronics engineering.
  3. Internet of Things and People refers to the connectivity of products (no longer just computers) wirelessly to the internet, which enables innovative solutions and improved efficiencies for businesses and individuals alike. This sector will appeal to students who are interested in telecommunications, electronics or software engineering.
  4. Products designed for people focuses on the creation of marketable products that are cost effective to manufacture, use sustainable materials and fill a gap in the market or satisfy a customer need. This sector will appeal to students who are interested in product design engineering or biomedical engineering.

A4. How does the course work with no exams?
Assessment in this degree is based on three factors.

  1. How students perform in industry and community projects.
  2. Evidenced progress towards self-defined learning goals.
  3. Completion and attainment of credential modules.

A5. How is this course different to other engineering degrees? 
Students in this degree will graduate with knowledge equivalent to students studying the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Professional).

The key difference is that students in the Bachelor of Engineering Practice (Honours) engage in a different style of learning. This includes:

  • strong project-based and team-oriented learning
  • a professional practice environment rather than a classroom
  • a learning experience designed to mirror how we learn in the workplace
  • assessment based on project outcomes and evidence of application of knowledge rather than exams.

A6. Why is entry into this course based on interview rather than ATAR? 
Joining the Swinburne Engineering Practice Academy is just like joining a professional workplace. We are interested in a range of criteria broader than that represented by an ATAR. These criteria include passion, collaboration, communication and adaptability, and relate to how you will work and learn as an Associate of the Academy.

While there is no ATAR, there are still academic requirements that must be met in order to receive an offer to study this course.

A7. Why is Mathematical Methods not a prerequisite for this degree? 
Maths aptitude is key to succeeding in this degree. As such, Further Mathematics is included as a prerequisite to the course, but course entry will be based on a range of factors determined at interview.

Throughout this degree, students will learn core competencies such as maths, physics, materials and design, and required maths concepts will be covered.

A8. If I haven’t don’t Mathematical Methods, will this course be hard for me?
No. The maths you learn is distributed across the four years of the degree – we don’t expect you to have mastery at day one. Regardless of the maths knowledge you have at the beginning of the course, maths is taught with a focus on application to your project work while studying at the Swinburne Engineering Practice Academy.

A9. Who should apply for this course? 
If you are curious, enterprising and ready for a challenge, you will thrive in the practice-based environment of this course. It is suitable for student who are:

  • proactive, entrepreneurial and problem-solving by nature
  • big-picture thinkers with a passion for making positive impacts in the community and world through their work
  • keen to learn by doing (as in the workplace) and eager to jump into a professional collaborative environment.

B > GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES

B1. What skills can I expect to graduate with?
Graduates of this degree will have the skills, knowledge and attributes crucial for success as a professional engineer, as well as the capabilities required of a 21st-century career including adaptability, accountability, teamwork and resilience.

B2. What are my job prospects as a graduate? 
Graduates of this degree will have, at a minimum, the same job prospects as graduates of any other recognised Australian engineering bachelor degree.

But, with four years’ experience working alongside industry partners in the Swinburne Engineering Practice Academy, graduates of this degree will boast a network of contacts and a knowledge of industry that will assist in taking the next step.

Our industry partners are confident that Engineering Practice graduates will be suited for engineering roles with:

  • engineering consultancies that require a skill set that can be applied across multiple sectors
  • private and government organisations across a range of industries that require in-house engineering expertise to unpack complex problems
  • start-ups and businesses that require engineers who can scope work and lead teams of technical specialists and contractors to deliver work.

B3. Will I be able to specialise in an engineering discipline?
It will be possible to go on to specialise in an engineering discipline through postgraduate study.

C > INDUSTRY AND ACCREDITATION

C1. What industry partners are involved?
The Swinburne Engineering Practice Academy’s industry partners include:

C2. Is this course accredited by Engineers Australia? 
Swinburne cannot receive full accreditation from Engineers Australia until the first cohort of graduates finish and their outcomes are assessed. As such, we will be seeking provisional accreditation in 2019.

C3. Does the degree include a professional placement?
As students work as an Associate in an on-campus engineering consultancy from the first day of the degree, there is no need to undertake a professional placement as part of the course.

If you would prefer to include a year’s paid professional placement in your degree, consider the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Professional).

C4. Engineering students are required to complete 12 weeks of work experience to graduate as an engineer. Is that included in this course?
Students do not complete a specific work placement as part of this degree as this requirement is met by working as an Associate of the Swinburne Engineering Practice Academy.

D > STUDY OPTIONS

D1. Can I do a double degree with this course?
No, at this stage double degrees are not available.

D2. Can I get involved in a study abroad program as part of this course? 
Students will be provided opportunities to have a global experience as part of this course, including through Swinburne's study abroad program.

D3. I am currently studying a different course. Is there a pathway into this degree?
Currently there are no pathways into this degree.

Start dates

Hawthorn campus

  • Semester 1 - 2 March 2020

View application and start dates

Duration

4 years full-time or equivalent part-time

Full-time, Part-time

VTAC codes

  • 3400211251 (CSP)
  • 3400211253 (IFP)