Bachelor (Honours)
In this degree, you'll immerse yourself in the manufacture and use of solar cells, which capture and convert sunlight into electricity.
In this degree, you'll immerse yourself in the manufacture and use of solar cells, which capture and convert sunlight into electricity. Courses in technology development, manufacturing, quality control, reliability, policy, system design and more will prepare you for varied, high-level work in an industry that is vital for humanity's future.
Your study looks beyond the sun as a source of energy, encompassing a wider range of technologies and their uses. It also addresses the important areas of solar architecture and the design of energy-efficient buildings and appliances. To get you work-ready, you'll apply your skills through 60 days of approved industry training.
UNSW Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Photovoltaics & Solar Energy) is a four-year full-time degree that'll teach you how to carve out a career that works towards a more sustainable future.
This undergraduate degree is globally recognised and is accredited by Engineers Australia. Part of your study involves applying your skills through 60 days of approved industrial training in Australia or overseas. Your industrial training will give you a taste of a real-world professional engineering setting and the hands-on experience to become career-ready.
Make a difference to disadvantaged communities through our Humanitarian Engineering projects, electives and minors on offer. Humanitarian Engineering works to provide disadvantaged individuals and communities with engineering solutions that improve lives and livelihoods. These solutions may provide essential services such as food, water, shelter, energy and information where they are unavailable.
You can complete a Flexible First Year when you study this degree. Flexible First Year allows you to explore different engineering fields before choosing your specialisation. The first year of engineering study has a core of common subjects, plus a wide choice of electives, so you can figure out which one is right for you.
For over twenty years UNSW has been a world leader in research and commercialisation of high-performance silicon solar cells. The School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering (SPREE)
UNSW academics in the photovoltaic field have been consistently ranked amongst global academic leaders through peer review. Our research has produced world record solar cells for a range of materials and technologies - including silicon, perovskite, CZTS and concentrating photovoltaics.
UNSW is known for its graduate employability, with UNSW awarded the Most Employable Students Award in the AFR Top100 Future Leaders Awards for 5 consecutive years (2020-2024).* We have close industry ties with industry partners including Suntech, China Sunergy, LG Electronics, Tongwei, Adani, CSR, BlueScope, AECOM and the NSW Government
At UNSW Engineering you'll benefit from a diverse and welcoming community with plenty to keep you busy. UNSW Engineering boasts 16 student societies including a society for each school. Get involved in Queer Students in Stem, Women in Renewable Energy Society or Robogals. UNSW's Women in Engineering (WIE) society runs social and industry events as well as programs designed to mentor and develop female engineers.
As part of a range of student led projects on offer you can take part in SunSwift Solar. Sunswift is a student-led project run by UNSW students who are pushing the limits of solar technology to inspire sustainable action. They design, build and race solar-electric vehicles in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. Student volunteers from all areas of engineering come together to build a solar car from start to finish.
*AFR Top100 Future Leaders 2024
At UNSW, we are committed to ensuring prospective students have all the information they need in order to make informed decisions about their study options.
To assist you in gaining a better understanding of how Admissions works at UNSW, we have provided you with a summary of ATAR offers and the student profile.
We hope this information will help you identify the degree that is right for you.
Mathematics Extension 1, Physics
We offer a range of adjustment factor schemes that reward students for academic performance and extra-curricular achievements. These schemes also take into account a range of personal and educational disadvantages that may have affected your studies.
HSC Plus
This scheme rewards students who perform well in Year 12 subjects that are relevant to their preferred UNSW degree. You may be awarded up to five points.
Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders (EAPL)
This program recognises achievements in the areas of sport, academia, leadership and music at an elite level. You may be eligible for up to five points.
Educational Access Scheme (EAS)
Factors such as illness, financial hardship, language difficulties or attending a particular school can mean you don't always get the best possible marks in Years 11 and 12. If one of these situations applies to you, submit an application for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) via UAC. Eligible students can receive between 1 and 10 points towards their chosen UNSW degree.
The Faculty of Engineering Admission Scheme (FEAS) is a possible alternative admission pathway for the admission of domestic undergraduate students to UNSW Faculty of Engineering degree programs, including the BSc Computer Science and the BSc Food Science (Hons), who do not meet the published Guaranteed Entry selection rank. Visit the FEAS page
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you're completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
| Qualifications | Direct entry requirement |
|---|---|
|
International ATAR
|
85
|
| UNSW Foundation Studies GPA |
7.5
|
|
Great Britain General Certificate of Education (GCE A levels)
|
11
All applicants must present a minimum of two Advanced Level (A2) subjects. Entry Scores are calculated from the best two, three, or four A2 Level subjects (excluding repeated subjects) using the following values: A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2 and E=1. |
|
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
|
31
Results based on scores required for entry into UNSW in 2019 and are only applicable if the Diploma has been completed. Students currently attempting the IB can apply directly to UNSW or through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). For more details, visit www.uac.edu.au |
|
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) (after 2016)
|
1210
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) based on the total of evidence-based reading and writing and mathematical test scores. Must be provided in conjunction with evidence of successful completion of senior secondary studies. |
We do not accept secondary qualifications from this country. We may accept tertiary study results, please contact us for more information.
Please contact us for direct entry requirements.
If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry into your chosen degree, you may be eligible for a pathway program with UNSW College. UNSW College provides alternative entry options using university-approved content so that you can start your UNSW journey with confidence.
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you'll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Photovoltaic engineers can be involved in developing and refining cell production methods, installing and maintaining systems and further integrating photovoltaics into everyday life. Graduates from our undergraduate and postgraduate degrees are at the forefront of this transition to a renewable energy future.
Opportunities are found in many fields. These include:
Refining cell production technology
Researching and developing multi-junction cells
Concentrated solar power
Multi-axis tracking
Thin film technologies
Grid-connection and integration
Utility scale developments
Independent system design
Building integrated photovoltaics
Our graduates are equipped to work in large engineering companies or small start-up companies.
This degree is globally recognised and is accredited by Engineers Australia and acknowledged by the Washington Accord.
Part of this degree involves applying your skills through 60 days of approved industrial training in Australia or overseas. Your industrial training will give you a taste of a real-world professional engineering setting and the hands-on experience to become career-ready.