The Bachelor of Engineering (Product Design) (Honours) is a four-year undergraduate degree that bridges the gap between engineering science and industrial design. It combines the creativity and human-centred thinking of product and industrial design with the academic rigour of mechanical engineering principles, manufacturing science, and innovation methodology. Students develop the technical and creative competencies to conceive, engineer, prototype, and bring to market a wide range of physical products — from consumer goods and medical devices to transport components and sustainable packaging. The degree is typically accredited by Engineers Australia, giving graduates internationally recognised professional standing under the Washington Accord and the ability to practise as qualified engineers in signatory countries worldwide.

The course is designed for students who want more than a traditional engineering degree — those who are equally passionate about how a product looks, feels, and functions as they are about how it is built. Across the degree, students work on real-world design briefs, learning to apply materials science, ergonomics, CAD modelling, sustainability principles, and user experience research to develop products that are commercially viable and human-centred. Employers who recruit graduates from this degree span a broad range of Australian industries, including consumer electronics, medical technology, automotive, defence, mining equipment, packaging, furniture, household appliances, and sporting goods, as well as specialist product design and engineering consultancies.

As a Honours-level degree, the program includes a significant research or capstone component, typically in the final year, where students independently investigate a design engineering problem. This elevates the qualification beyond a standard bachelor's degree and prepares graduates for advanced roles, postgraduate study, or leadership pathways in product innovation. Many programs integrate Work Integrated Learning (WIL) from the very first year, providing students with guaranteed industry placements, internships, or industry-linked project experiences that build their professional networks and CVs before graduation.

For domestic students, the primary entry pathway is through an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), with competitive programs typically requiring scores ranging from approximately 70 to 90+ depending on the institution and the level of demand for the course. Subject prerequisites commonly include English (at a minimum study score threshold) and at least one Mathematics subject (such as Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics, or General Mathematics depending on the state). Some programs award additional selection rank points for relevant subjects such as Product Design and Technologies, Visual Communication Design, Systems Engineering, Physics, or Chemistry. Mature-age applicants, TAFE graduates, and those with vocational qualifications may be considered through alternative entry pathways, and some institutions accept a portfolio of creative or design work as part of the selection process.

For international applicants, English language proficiency is required, typically demonstrated through IELTS Academic (usually a minimum overall score of 6.0–6.5 with no band below 6.0), TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or equivalent tests. Academic qualifications must be equivalent to Australian Year 12 completion at the required standard. Some programs may require a personal statement or brief design portfolio, particularly those with a stronger industrial design component, while others admit students based solely on academic merit. Students who do not fully meet entry requirements may access foundation studies, diploma pathway programs, or bridging courses that provide a route into the degree.

For students entering the Honours component directly (in an embedded four-year Honours degree), no separate application is required — Honours is integrated into the standard program. For students completing a three-year Bachelor of Design in Product Design and then applying for a separate Honours year, institutions typically require a minimum weighted average mark (WAM) equivalent to a Credit or Distinction grade (usually 65–70% WAM). Work experience is not generally mandatory for entry, although it is strongly encouraged and some programs incorporate mandatory industry experience as part of the degree itself.