Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Honours)
Become a civil engineer responsible for planning, designing and constructing projects that involve the built environment.
Course essentials
ATAR
If you receive an ATAR equal to or above the guaranteed ATAR, and meet the course prerequisites and any extra requirements, you're guaranteed a place.
A lowest adjusted ATAR shows the lowest selection rank (ATAR plus adjustments) offered a place last year. It's not a guaranteed entry score and changes annually.
Lowest adjusted 60.75
Guaranteed 60.00
Entry requirements
Credit
A full-time study load is 120 credits a year (usually four 15-credit units each semester). 120 credits equal one equivalent full-time student load (EFTSL). Each credit point equals about 10 hours of learning, so a 15-credit unit means roughly 150 hours.
Study mode
Study modes tell you how teaching and learning will be delivered for your course and include where and when classes can be scheduled, what you'll do and the tech you'll use.
Duration
Start dates
01 March 2027
26 July 2027
Locations
Course overview
Become a civil engineer responsible for planning, designing and constructing projects that involve the built environment.
From roads to railways, dams to harbors, houses to high-rises; civil engineers are responsible for the design and construction of all these assets. It is also civil engineers who work with other experts like builders, architects and clients to ensure that structures are safe, economical, and environmentally-sound. Students will learn how to prevent flooding, design irrigation systems and road infrastructure, and build multi-storeyed buildings. It is these skills that may see you specialize in structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, transport engineering, water engineering, or construction and infrastructure management.
All online students are required to attend on campus block labs.
IT requirements
To do this course you’ll need a fast and reliable computer and access to high-speed internet. Expect to use about 5GB of data per month for every unit you’re doing. Find out more about the minimum IT requirements for studying with us.
Got questions?
Call us on 1800 333 864, start a live chat or submit an enquiry.
Student support
The support we offer is second to none. Need academic help? No problem. Extra access or financial assistance? Let’s see what we can do. View our student services.
The fine print
The commencement of all courses is subject to available funding and enrolment quotas.
Everything in this course overview is correct at the time of being published. However, the University reserves the right to alter any course, procedure or fee. Please check for changes before you apply or enrol.
Federation University uses Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding (for eligible students) to deliver training.
School department
Engineering
Career paths
Professional recognition
This course is accredited by Engineers Australia.
Fees and scholarships
Tuition fee information
Commonwealth Supported Places are subsidised by the Australian Government. The tuition fee is called the student contribution amount. The indicative fee above is based on a typical first-year enrolment for this course and should be used as a guide only. For 0.5 EFTSL (60 credit point) courses the certificate fee is displayed. Your fee will depend on the units you chose, your study load, the time it takes to complete your course and any approved credit you receive.
How it's calculated
The government sets the fee each year. The amount depends on the discipline area and band of each unit. 2026 annual student contribution amounts for 1 EFTSL (equivalent full-time student load) range from $4,738 (Band 1) to $17,399 (Band 4). The sample course structure below link to the EFTSL, Band and fee for each unit or you can use our unit search to find these details.
Other fees
You will also need to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Fee assistance
If you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan, you can defer the payment of all or part of your student contribution fee. If you’re also eligible for a SA-HELP loan, you can defer your SSAF payment too. You won’t have to start paying either loan back until your income reaches the compulsory repayment threshold.
Scholarships
There’s a range of scholarships and grants available. Find out what you can apply for.
Course details
Start dates
Semester 2, 2026
20 July 2026
Locations
Mt Helen (on campus)
Semester 1, 2027
1 March 2027
Locations
Mt Helen (on campus)
Semester 2, 2027
26 July 2027
Locations
Mt Helen (on campus)
Information
- Our Mt Helen, SMB, Camp St and Gillies St campuses are located in Ballarat.
Contact hours
You’d be looking at about 25-30 hours per week (if you’re full time), but this includes on-campus classes and self-directed study (i.e. homework).
Work integrated learning
Placement
This course provide you with real experience in your chosen profession, through our Co-operative Industry Placement model.
This course requires students to complete 60 days (450 hours) as part of the placement requirements. Students will complete 60 days of paid placement as part of Cooperative Placement units (COOPE2011 Cooperative Placement 1 (Engineering), COOPE2012 Cooperative Placement 2 (Engineering)).
Articulation agreement
DP-ENG1 - Diploma of Engineering - Swinburne Institute (120 credit points) (COOPE1001; MATHS1100; MATHS2100; ENGRG1001; ENGRG1002; ENGRG1003; ENGRG1004; ENGRG1005)
Other credit pathways
EL1 - Diploma of Engineering - Federation University Australia (120 credit points) (COOPE1001; MATHS1100; MATHS2100; ENGRG1001; ENGRG1002; ENGRG1003; ENGRG1004; ENGRG1005)
RPL unit exclusions
This course recognises relevant non-formal and informal prior learning and experiences, as long as you meet the admission eligibility rules and procedures, and any RPL unit exclusions.
- ENGRG4002 Engineering Capstone Project 1
- ENGRG4003 Engineering Capstone Project 2
Sample course structure
Here’s what the course structure could look like. It’s just an example (so don’t use it for enrolment). Interested in the details? You can find current course structure or select a single unit name below to find out what it’s about and how much it costs.
- Computational Skills for Engineers15 credit pointsENGRG1001
- Physics for Engineers 115 credit pointsENGRG1002
- Engineering Design 115 credit pointsENGRG1003
- Applied Mathematics 115 credit pointsMATHS1100
- Physics for Engineers 215 credit pointsENGRG1004
- Engineering Design 215 credit pointsENGRG1005
- Professional Identity (Engineering)15 credit pointsCOOPE1001
- Applied Mathematics 215 credit pointsMATHS2100
- Construction Engineering15 credit pointsENGRG2107
- Hydrology and Hydraulics15 credit pointsENGRG2106
- Solid Mechanics15 credit pointsENGRG2301
Elective
- Geotechnical Engineering 115 credit pointsENGRG2102
- Structural Engineering 115 credit pointsENGRG2104
- Water and Wastewater System15 credit pointsENGRG2103
Elective
- Structural Engineering 215 credit pointsENGRG3101
- Co-operative Placement 1 (Engineering)30 credit pointsCOOPE2011
Elective
- Road and Traffic Engineering15 credit pointsENGRG3103
- Co-operative Placement 2 (Engineering)30 credit pointsCOOPE2012
Elective
- Modelling and Simulation in Engineering15 credit pointsENGRG9101
- Water Resource Management15 credit pointsENGRG9103
- Engineering Design Project15 credit pointsENGRG4001
- Engineering Capstone Project 115 credit pointsENGRG4002
- Geotechnical Engineering 215 credit pointsENGRG4105
- Intelligent Technologies for Sustainable Construction15 credit pointsENGRG4106
- Engineering Capstone Project 230 credit pointsENGRG4003
Entry requirements
Entry requirements (year 12)
This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.
- Units 3 and 4: A study score of at least 20 in any English and
- Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in Maths: Mathematical Methods or
- Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in Maths: Specialist Mathematics or
- Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in Maths: General Mathematics.
Entry requirements (non year 12)
Admission criteria for applicants with a Higher Education Study
Previous higher education studies with results at a pass level or above, including any 'single subjects of study', or successful completion of a tertiary preparatory course such as Federation Access Studies (FAST).
Admission criteria for applications with a Vocational Education and Training study
- Successful completion of a relevant VET qualification at Certificate III level or higher.
- Successful completion of a Certificate III level in a cognate discipline in Engineering.
Admission criteria for applications with work and life experience
Applicants who haven't completed secondary education, or undertaken any TAFE or university studies aren't eligible for entry into this course. If that's you, start with a pathway program such as Federation Access Studies (FAST).
The application will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and an appropriate pathway will be recommended.
English language requirements
Overall Academic IELTS band score of 6.0, with no band less than 6.0, or equivalent.
How you apply will depend on your current situation – school leaver, tertiary background or life experience – and whether you’re also applying for courses at other institutions. Visit our how to apply page to find out more.
Ready to fill out your application? You might need these codes:
- VTAC application
- Yes
- VTAC code
- 3700510111 - Mt Helen (on campus)
- Direct application
- Yes
- Federation University code
- EN8
Applicants who meet a score of at least 20 in any English but do not meet the requirement for Mathematics can alternatively complete EDMTH1000 Introduction to Technical Mathematics unit offered by the Federation University Australia Pathways program prior to admission into the degree.
Admission pathways for applicants without a year 12 qualification
- Completion of a Diploma of Engineering (Higher Education) at Federation University Australia
- Completion of a cognate Certificate IV in engineering in addition to a pathway mathematics unit “Introduction to Technical Maths” by Federation University Australia’s Foundation Access Studies (FAST) course
- Completion of a cognate Diploma or Advanced Diploma in Engineering at a TAFE provider
- Completion of Federation University Australia’s Foundation Access Studies (FAST) course
Hear from our staff
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