Why study environmental engineering at Sydney?

The growing emphasis on sustainability, the transition to clean energy, and the pursuit of net-zero emissions have led to an increase in infrastructure projects and demand for environmental engineers worldwide.

Opportunities in environmental engineering, especially in net-zero emissions technologies, increased by 38.5% from 2015 to 2021 globally and are expected to grow in Australia over the next decade, making environmental engineering graduates well-positioned to capitalise on the expanding job market.   

Environmental engineering is a critical discipline that integrates engineering, science, and environmental management to create sustainable solutions safeguarding the planet from pollution and human-induced damage.

If you’re interested in building a sustainable future, studying a Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Environmental Engineering) could be the degree for you. 

An environmental engineer applies engineering principles to address environmental challenges, such as pollution control and waste management, with the goal of safeguarding human health and preserving the environment.

You will access a distinct offering of subjects from chemical engineering, civil engineering, and mechanical engineering. The program focuses on cutting-edge Net Zero technologies such as carbon capture and pollution mitigation, circular economy and systems, First Nations sciences, and renewable energy, making it distinct from other environmental engineering programs across Australia.

You will be trained in a new $200m Engineering building that is home to the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Using purpose-built labs, you can test different heat exchangers and measure their performance, operate wastewater treatment pilot plants, distillation columns, and clean energy production devices or learn about microfluidics and operate a pilot-scale carbon capture plant.

Our degree combines collaborative learning and research with firsthand industry experience, enabling you to tackle challenges in energy consumption, water supply protection, climate change, and waste management. 

You will be offered the choice of an elective strand in one of the three specialisations: Chemical Engineering for the Environment, Energy and the Environment, or Geotechnical Engineering.

Broaden your career prospects by combining your Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Environmental Engineering) with a second degree in arts, commerce, science, health science, medical science, laws or project management. Combined degrees range from 5 to 6.5 years in length, with the same annual workload as a single degree student. 

As part of your degree, you will undertake the award-winning Professional Engagement Program, enabling you to change your approach to learning through self-reflection and undertake a six-week internship to gain valuable firsthand experience.

Students also have the opportunity to apply for an Engineering Sydney Industry Placement Scholarship, a six-month on-the-job experience as part of an industry team under the guidance of an industry mentor and academic supervisor. Environmental engineering students can apply to the Major Industrial Project Placement Scheme Scholarship as they are part of the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.