The Ultimate Showdown: Inside the UNSW Sydney vs UNSW College Engineering Competition

Ever wondered what it’s like to design and race a solar-powered car, or build a robot that can put out fires? That’s exactly what students do in the Engineering Design Project (EG1000) at UNSW College, culminating in one of the most exciting events on the calendar: the UNSW Sydney vs UNSW College Engineering Competition.

This hands-on contest gives Diploma of Engineering students at UNSW College the chance to take on peers from UNSW Sydney in a real-world design challenge. From teamwork and testing to track-side racing, here’s a look inside this innovative student event.

At the end of each term, students in EG1000 present their final projects in a friendly but competitive showdown. Recent challenges have included building a remote-controlled firefighting robot and designing and racing solar-powered cars — with 26 UNSW College teams going head-to-head against 24 UNSW Sydney teams.

But it’s not just about fun. Students spend weeks planning, building, coding, and testing their designs in teams of five to six. They use university-level tools such as 3D printers, laser cutters, and solar cells, often for the first time.

“Most of us had never worked with solar panels before, so it was our first time using this kind of technology,” said one student. “It was amazing to bring our design to life.”

The EG1000 course is built around practical, project-based learning. Students don’t just attend lectures; they brainstorm ideas, assign roles, problem-solve, prototype, and pitch their creations. It’s the kind of technical learning that prepares them for real-world engineering work.

“The best part was meeting up, planning together, and seeing everyone’s ideas come to life,” said another student. “It was really fun and helped us learn leadership skills and how to work together.”

Throughout the course, students are supported by mentors, academic staff, and industry-style project processes. As one team member explained, “Our mentors and teachers were a great help the whole time. They guided us but also let us make decisions ourselves.”

Hundreds of students gather on the UNSW Quadrangle Lawn for the big day, a celebration filled with sunshine, music, and cheering crowds. 26 UNSW College teams and 24 UNSW Sydney teams compete in multiple rounds to test their designs head-to-head.

For the solar-powered car challenge, the event is run in collaboration with the UNSW School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, where students get the chance to learn how to create lightweight, energy-efficient vehicles that can perform under pressure.

One of the biggest advantages of this experience is how closely the Diploma of Engineering mirrors first-year university content at UNSW Sydney. Once students complete the program, they’re well prepared to progress to second year at the university.

Students also have access to UNSW Sydney’s world-class facilities — from 3D makerspaces and design studios to engineering labs and workshops. It’s a future-focused education at one of the world’s top 20 universities.

“Studying at UNSW College gave me a strong foundation,” said one past student. “Now I feel confident taking on second year at UNSW Sydney.”