Bachelors of Engineering (Honours) / Biotechnology
Overview
Prepare for the future with a program at the forefront of innovation.
This dual degree combines the practical and theoretical requirements of a professional engineering qualification with the exciting new commercialisation aspects of the growing biotechnology industry.
Gain advanced skills in established and emerging engineering disciplines and combine life sciences theory, specialised practical training and entrepreneurial thinking.
UQ's respected Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) program is one of the most comprehensive in Australia for design, technology and innovation. Within this program you can specialise in chemical engineering.
In the Bachelor of Biotechnology, you’ll develop the skills and knowledge needed to translate innovative scientific ideas into commercially viable solutions.
Deepen your understanding of the key issues within biotechnology such as intellectual property, regulatory compliance, quality assurance and quality control. Learn to apply quality management systems in biotechnology so products and technologies are safe and reproducible.
Learn how to assess the market potential and financial viability of new products or technical services such as vaccines, diagnostics, biopharmaceutical drugs, transgenic plants or innovations in stem cell therapy.
With a dual qualification in engineering and biotechnology, you'll be equipped for a wide variety of career opportunities in Australia’s thriving life sciences sector, where you can contribute to pioneering new frontiers in health, agriculture, science, engineering and beyond.
Program highlights
- Learn from Australia's leading educators in biotechnology and equip yourself with advanced skills.
- Gain industry experience through practical placements and internships.
- Access world-class laboratory, research and computer facilities to gain hands-on experience.
- Take advantage of UQ’s strong links to industry, government and the research community to build your professional network.
Majors
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
- Agricultural Biotechnology
- Chemical and Nano Biotechnology
- Chemical Engineering
- Medical Biotechnology
How you'll learn
Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Research experience
- Laboratory work
- Seminars
- Workshops
What you'll study
At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'.
See courses and program structure
View dual degree planner (PDF)
The 2026 dual degree planner is not yet available. The planner displayed is for a previous year and is a guide only.
Career possibilities
Our programs prepare you for your first job and beyond. Depending on which major you choose, here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Bioprocess scientist
- Product support specialist
- Field application scientist
- Biopharmaceutical scientist
- Bioprocess development engineer
- Chemical engineer
- Process engineer
- Service engineer
- Technical manager
- Biotechnologist
Average annual salary range
Geotechnical Engineer
seek.com.au
Average annual salary range
Chemical Engineer
seek.com.au
Program accreditation
The Bachelors of Engineering (Honours) / Biotechnology is accredited by:
- Engineers Australia
I picked UQ because of its strong emphasis on student support services, especially for first year students. There were a lot of support options available like mentoring, academic advice and employability help.
I enjoyed learning the science behind biological mechanisms and working with the plants in the glasshouses on campus knowing that I can have a real, positive impact on agriculture.
I particularly loved the visits to research centres outside UQ. I learned about research institutions and private industries I could work for. I also liked the enriching research culture at UQ and the opportunities to get quality experience working alongside researchers and academics.
I picked UQ because of its strong emphasis on student support services, especially for first year students. There were a lot of support options available like mentoring, academic advice and employability help.
I enjoyed learning the science behind biological mechanisms and working with the plants in the glasshouses on campus knowing that I can have a real, positive impact on agriculture.
I particularly loved the visits to research centres outside UQ. I learned about research institutions and private industries I could work for. I also liked the enriching research culture at UQ and the opportunities to get quality experience working alongside researchers and academics.
Events
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29 June
Queensland Biology Winter School, Year 12
Stories
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Careers
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Entry requirements
Prerequisites
- General English subject (Units 3 & 4, C);
- Mathematical Methods (Units 3 & 4, C);
- and one of Chemistry or Physics (Units 3 & 4, C).
Prerequisites
- General English subject (Units 3 & 4, C);
- Mathematical Methods (Units 3 & 4, C);
- and one of Chemistry or Physics (Units 3 & 4, C).
Entry score threshold
| ATAR / Rank | IB |
|---|---|
| 84 | 32 |
These are the lowest adjusted scores we made an offer to in Semester 1, 2025. Entry scores are based on the most recent Semester 1 intake and are updated in April each year. Meeting the entry score threshold doesn't guarantee admission.
Guarantee your place at UQ: If you meet our guaranteed minimum ATAR you could secure an offer for your preferred program.
English language requirements
IELTS overall 6.5; reading 6; writing 6; speaking 6; listening 6. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ
TOEFL iBT (including Paper Edition) - Overall 87, listening 19, reading 19, writing 21 and speaking 19.
PTE Academic - Overall Score of 64 and 60 in all sub bands.
BE - A minimum overall grade of 4 plus a minimum grade of C in all macro skills.
CES - Overall 176 and 169 in all sub bands.
OET is not accepted.
There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.
Inherent requirements
To complete this degree, you have to meet its inherent requirements by demonstrating essential skills and attributes. Read the inherent requirements before you apply.
Student visas
International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Bachelors of Engineering (Honours) / Biotechnology are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).
There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
Entry score range
This table shows the range of entry scores for recent secondary students offered a place in the BEngineering(H)/BBiotechnology for Semester 1, 2025
| Without adjustments | With adjustments | |
|---|---|---|
| Highest | 99.65 | 99.95 |
| Median | 95 | 96.25 |
| Lowest | 84.4 | 85.6 |
Who you'll study with
Here's a snapshot of our student intake for this program in Semester 1, 2025:
| Applicant background | Number of students | Percentage of all students |
|---|---|---|
(A) Higher education study | <5 | <5 |
(B) Vocational Education and Training (VET) study | 0 | 0% |
(C) Work and life experience | 0 | 0% |
| (D) Recent secondary education | ||
| N/P | N/P |
| 0 | 0% |
| 0 | 0% |
International students | 0 | 0% |
Total | 22 | 100% |
"<5" — The number of students is less than 5.
N/A — Students not accepted in this category.
N/P — Not published. The number is hidden to protect the privacy of students in other cells.
Need help meeting the entry requirements?
Majors
Specialisations
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
Majors
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
Specialisations
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
Majors
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
Fees and Scholarships
Indicative annual fee
Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
$8,435
2026
Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
AUD $58,056
2026
Government assistance
Financial aid
As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.
HECS-HELP
Domestic places in the Bachelors of Engineering (Honours) / Biotechnology are Commonwealth supported, as long as you meet all Commonwealth supported place eligibility requirements.
This means the cost of your education is shared between you and the Australian Government. Instead of tuition fees, Commonwealth supported students pay what are called student contribution amounts.
If you have a Commonwealth supported place, you may also be eligible for HECS-HELP. This is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their student contribution amounts.
Centrelink support
The Australian Government offers a number of income-support payments to eligible Australian university students.
Scholarships
You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:
How to apply
Applying online
If your senior schooling is from outside Australia, you can submit your application to UQ. Or, if you prefer, you can use an approved UQ agent near you.
The program code for the Bachelors of Engineering (Honours) / Biotechnology is 2486.
How to apply for undergraduate study
If your senior schooling is from Australia
Submit your application to the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre if you're an international student who is currently studying:
- Australian Year 12 (in Australia or another country), or
- the International Baccalaureate in Australia.
The QTAC code for the Bachelors of Engineering (Honours) / Biotechnology is 717501.
Applying through QTAC
All domestic applications should be submitted to the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC).
The QTAC code for the Bachelors of Engineering (Honours) / Biotechnology is 717501.
Important dates
If you’re studying Year 12 in Australia, go to the QTAC website to check the closing date for this program.
If you’re applying to UQ, the closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in semester 2 - May 31 of the year of commencement.
- To commence study in semester 1 - November 30 of the previous year.
Visa processing times vary. Apply and accept your offer as early as you can.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Important dates
To check the closing date for this program, go to the QTAC website.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Admissions schemes
Applying to university can be both exciting and daunting, which is why we’ve tried to make the process as simple as we can.
We have several schemes in place to improve your chances of getting a place at UQ.
Pathway options
A rank or score doesn’t determine your potential.
If you're not offered a place in your first-choice program – or if you don't meet the entry requirements – you still have a number of options.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants
For support with applying – or if you have any questions about university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (ATSIS) Unit.
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