WA universities offer engineering at three institutions: UWA, Curtin and Murdoch. Each has a slightly different prerequisite list and a slightly different ATAR cutoff. The good news: there is a single subject combination that works for all three. Here it is, with reasoning.
The minimum prerequisites
Across all three WA engineering programs, the universal minimum is:
- Mathematics Methods (scaled mark of 50+ for direct entry).
- One of Mathematics Specialist, Chemistry, or Physics (UWA accepts any one; Curtin requires Chemistry for Chemical Engineering specifically).
- English (any ATAR English subject for WACE).
That is the floor. With these three plus one filler, you have entry. But entry to a degree is not the same as success in it.
The optimal 5-subject combination
For engineering, take:
- Mathematics Methods (mandatory).
- Mathematics Specialist (highest scaling subject; first-year university maths becomes much easier).
- Physics (covers ~80% of first-year engineering physics).
- Chemistry (required for Chemical Engineering; useful for civil and environmental engineering).
- English (mandatory for WACE).
This 5-subject load gives you 4 strong scaled subjects (Methods, Specialist, Physics, Chemistry) for ATAR top 4 calculation. ATAR projection: 85 to 95+ depending on raw marks.
Why Specialist matters more than students think
Specialist is the highest-scaling subject in WA, with a +9.8 to +10 lift at the median in recent TISC reports. But the ATAR boost is not the main reason to take it.
The main reason: first-year engineering maths is built on Specialist. Vectors, complex numbers, advanced calculus, differential equations. Students without Specialist take a bridging unit and play catch-up for the entire first semester. Students with Specialist hit the ground running.
If you can score 50+ raw in Specialist, take it. The dual ATAR plus first-year benefit is unmatched.
What if I cannot do 5 subjects?
The drop priority for a 4-subject combination:
- Drop English Literature, keep English ATAR (mandatory for WACE).
- Drop Chemistry first if you are not aiming at Chemical or Civil Engineering.
- Drop Specialist last if you cannot handle the maths load.
- Never drop Methods. It is the universal prerequisite.
So a 4-subject combination might be: Methods, Specialist, Physics, English. Or: Methods, Physics, Chemistry, English (drop Specialist; pick up the calculus in first-year bridging).
What about ATAR cutoffs?
| Program | Typical ATAR cutoff |
|---|---|
| UWA Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) | ~80 to 85 |
| UWA Engineering / Commerce double | ~85 to 90 |
| UWA Engineering / Science double | ~85 |
| Curtin Engineering (Civil, Mining) | ~70 to 75 |
| Curtin Engineering (Chemical, Software) | ~75 to 85 |
| Murdoch Engineering | ~70 |
Adjustment factors apply at all WA universities for low-SES schools, regional schools, indigenous students and equity backgrounds. Your effective ATAR can be 5 to 10 points higher than your raw ATAR. Check the specific scheme on each university's website.
The "Specialist or Chemistry" choice
If you can only fit one of Specialist or Chemistry into your 4-subject load, choose based on your engineering specialisation:
- Specialist: Mechanical, Electrical, Software, Mechatronic, Aerospace.
- Chemistry: Chemical, Civil, Environmental, Mining (sometimes), Materials.
If you are uncertain about specialisation, take Specialist. It opens more engineering doors and scales better. Chemistry can be picked up in a first-semester bridging unit if needed.
What about programming or computer science?
Engineering increasingly uses programming. Most engineering courses include first-year programming units (Python or MATLAB). No prior coding is required, but having Year 12 Computer Science or programming-relevant electives helps. Computer Science is not a SCSA ATAR subject, but several private and public schools offer Applied Information Technology, which has overlap.
What to actually do this week
- Open the UWA, Curtin and Murdoch engineering admission pages. Read the prerequisites section for your target specialisation.
- Use our ATAR calculator with the recommended 5-subject combination. Note your projected ATAR.
- If you are in Year 10 and uncertain, lock in Methods plus Physics for Year 11. You can drop down to 4 subjects in Year 12 if needed.
If you want a 30-minute call to map out an engineering ATAR plan, book a free consultation at our centres. We help engineering-bound students set per-subject raw mark targets and weekly study cadences.