Engineering. It’s the fastest-growing field in the world (LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise Report 2023), making it a smart degree choice for future-focused students. If you want to study engineering overseas, then you should consider The University of Western Australia (UWA).
A UWA College pathway will prepare you for studying at UWA and achieving your career goals. In as little as eight months, you could be starting your engineering degree at this world top 100 institution (ranked 77, QS World University Rankings 2025).
Sound good? Find out more by reading our five reasons why UWA College and UWA will prepare you for future engineering success.
1. Guaranteed pathways* to engineering degrees
UWA College is the ideal place for international students to prepare for undergraduate study at UWA. With tailored, student-focused support, you’ll study at the heart of UWA’s Perth campus with access to the university’s facilities from the moment you arrive.
You can choose from one of two programs, both offering a guaranteed pathway to engineering degrees at UWA. You just need to meet the minimum course entry requirements and any other selection criteria set by UWA.
The UWA Foundation Program is a flexible pathway if you don’t meet university or UWA College Diploma entry requirements. Leading to Year 1 of UWA’s Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), you’ll receive tailored academic guidance with wraparound support.
UWA engineering student Minh decided to study the eight-month UWA Foundation Program before starting their degree: “I chose this because I believe transitioning from my high school to a university environment is quite difficult, especially for an international student like me.”
Depending on your age, academic qualifications and English language skills, you might be eligible for a UWA College Diploma in Engineering. This industry-led pathway offers career-focused, hands-on learning, preparing you to start Year 2 of UWA’s Bachelor of Engineering (Honours). You’ll get to study alongside UWA engineering students in your final trimester and graduate in the same amount of time as students starting directly with UWA.
2. Global leaders in engineering
UWA holds some impressive credentials. This world top 100 institution (ranked 77, QS World University Rankings 2025) sits among the global elite and is part Australia’s of Group of Eight universities – the best of the best.
But UWA offers far more than overall excellence. When it comes to engineering, the university ranks highly too. For example, it’s in the world top 10 for Mineral and Mining Engineering and world top 100 for Civil and Structural Engineering (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024).
As a global research powerhouse, UWA partners with international engineering corporations and collaborates with research facilities – so you can expect to learn the latest in this field from the greatest minds.
3. Future-focused courses
UWA College pathway programs are embedded with future-focused employability skills. So, before you even start your degree, you’ll have built key soft skills such as communication, teamwork, presenting, time management and creative thinking.
You’ll continue to develop the skills for future career success during your UWA engineering degree. Degrees here are developed in collaboration with some of Australia’s big engineering names, including BHP, Chevron, Engineers Australia, Rio Tinto, South 32 and Water Corporation – ensuring what you learn is relevant.
You’ll have a choice of nine specialisations – including chemical, electrical, environmental, mechanical or software engineering – so you can focus on the area of engineering you want to study and build towards your career before you graduate.
The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) also provides first-hand industry experience. You’ll get to complete 450+ hours of professional practice, giving you the opportunity to work on real-world challenges.
UWA engineering student Jayden completed a 12-week professional practicum at Rio Tinto – an experience he says that students should go for: “It gives you the opportunity to put into place all the skills and theory you have learnt at university.”
4. A world-class learning space
When you study engineering at UWA, you’ll be fortunate to study in EZONE – a dedicated hub for collaborative learning and industry interaction. This state-of-the-art AUD $80 million facility offers engineering labs, workspaces, learning studios, a café and various outdoor areas for socialising and studying.
As such a modern, dynamic space, it’s easy to understand why EZONE is a big hit with students. “It’s a really great space and it caters to all different types of study styles, whether you want to study by yourself or in a large group”, says UWA engineering student, Reshma.
More top facilities are located within UWA’s 75+ research and training centres. These include the Pawsey Supercomputing Centre – home to the most powerful supercomputer in the Southern Hemisphere – and the Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, an AUD $62 million facility for ocean engineering research.
5. Graduate as an industry-ready engineer
It’s a fact that UWA produces graduates equipped with the skills employers need: the university is ranked 1st in Western Australia for Graduate Employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022).
But did you also know that engineers are in demand in Australia? It’s predicted that the country needs 2 million engineering and building sector workers by 2050 (Jobs and Skills Australia 2023).
Perth in particular, with its booming green economy, is the ideal place to launch your career. Globally connected and resource rich, the city offers engineering graduates plenty of opportunities. You’ll find a third of Australia’s ASX-listed companies here along with more than 100 resources and energy companies (Think Perth, City of Perth and WA State Government).
With a Post-Study Work Visa, you can stay for one year longer in Perth than Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane after you graduate. And the Skills in Demand visa offers priority for workers with skills in the technology and green industries. Always check government advice for the most up-to-date visa information.
So, once you’ve started your rewarding engineering career here, you can continue to enjoy Perth’s unbeatable lifestyle. Average weekly incomes in Perth are 9% above the national average (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2022) plus the city is affordable, with a lower cost of living than Sydney and Melbourne (Worldwide Cost of Living Survey 2023, Economist Intelligence Unit).
UWA engineering student, Minh, adds: “Perth is a good city for international students because I feel safe in Perth. I’m planning on staying in Perth for a few years to experience the work life. I want to understand how different people from different countries perform so I can bring it back to Vietnam and try to improve my country.”
Are you ready to engineer the extraordinary?
Find out more about studying at UWA College and preparing for your engineering degree.
You might also want to check out why UWA College is your best route to UWA or why UWA is the university of choice for international students.
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* A guaranteed place at UWA is subject to meeting the minimum course entry requirements and any additional selection criteria set by UWA.
Provider: The University of Western Australia (UWA)
UWA College in Partnership with INTO Perth
CRICOS 00126G, PRV12169, Australian University
INTO Perth Pty Ltd is an approved third-party provider of The University of Western Australia and will provide the course on its behalf.