Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Master of Engineering Science builds on an existing undergraduate engineering qualification and has a strong focus on independent research.
• The Civil Engineering specialisation develops advanced knowledge for the safe, efficient and sustainable development of physical infrastructure.
• Students develop knowledge in areas such as advanced concrete design, geotechnical design, transport, infrastructure deterioration and structural dynamics.
• The specialisation includes a substantial 50-credit-point Engineering Master Major Thesis, giving students experience in planning and completing an independent research project.
• Students develop information-analysis, problem-solving, communication, research-planning and research-execution skills.
• The programme also includes Engineering Project Management and Professional Practice in Engineering, providing broader professional and project-management preparation.
• Swinburne describes the Civil Engineering specialisation as preparing students for work involving civil infrastructure projects and related engineering activities.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The overall Master of Engineering Science contains 200 credit points.

Core units:

• Engineering Project Management — CSM80006 — 12.5 credit points
• Professional Practice in Engineering — EAT80003
• Engineering Master Major Thesis — ENG80002 — 50 credit points
• Research Methods — ICT80011 — 12.5 credit points

The thesis is the largest individual component and provides the main independent research component of the programme.

Civil Engineering specialisation:

Students completing the Civil Engineering specialisation must complete:

• 3 core specialisation units
• 5 specialisation units
• 1 option unit

Current listed Civil Engineering units include:

• Geotechnical Design — CVE80007 — 12.5 credit points
• Integrated Water Design — CVE80009 — 12.5 credit points
• Building Design Project — CVE80021 — 25 credit points
• Research Paper — CVE80001 — 12.5 credit points
• Sustainable Transport — CVE80003 — 12.5 credit points
• Advanced Concrete Design — CVE80004 — 12.5 credit points
• Bridge Design and Strengthening — CVE80005 — 12.5 credit points
• Infrastructure Deterioration Modelling — CVE80006 — 12.5 credit points
• Finite Element Methods and Applications — CVE80018 — 12.5 credit points
• Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering — CVE80019 — 12.5 credit points

Disciplines / Specialisations

The Master of Engineering Science currently has six listed specialisation areas:

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Civil Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Structural Engineering

Programme Highlights

• 200-credit-point master's degree.
• 2 years full-time.
• Hawthorn campus in Melbourne.
• Civil Engineering specialisation.
• 50-credit-point Engineering Master Major Thesis.
• Research Methods and Research Paper components.
• Advanced Civil Engineering subjects.
• Coverage of geotechnical design, water design, concrete design, bridges, transport, infrastructure deterioration, finite-element methods and earthquake engineering.
• Project-management and professional-practice components.
• Potential pathway towards further PhD study.
• Completion may assist graduates in meeting eligibility criteria for various levels of Engineers Australia membership.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne states that the skills developed through the Master of Engineering Science can support employment in areas including:

• Civil engineering project management
• Structural engineering
• Construction
• Infrastructure-related engineering
• Engineering research and development

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• Current course code: MA-ENGSC.
• Current CRICOS code: 097335G.
• Current published 2027 starts: 1 March 2027 and 2 August 2027.
• Both published 2027 starts are at Hawthorn.
• International Student visa holders in Australia must study full-time and on campus.
• A relevant four-year engineering background in an approved cognate field is a key academic requirement.
• Advanced standing may be available to applicants with a recognised Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in an approved cognate field.
• Credit/RPL applications are assessed individually.
• The maximum academic credit that can be granted for the Master of Engineering Science is 100 credit points, normally equivalent to eight units.
• Completion may assist with eligibility for various levels of Engineers Australia membership, but this does not mean automatic professional registration or membership

International Student Visa Requirements

The relevant Australian visa is the Student visa (subclass 500).

For Swinburne's application process:

• Apply for the course and receive an offer.
• Accept the offer and make the required university deposit.
• Arrange Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
• Receive a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Use the CoE to proceed with the Student visa application.

Key Student visa requirements include:

• Valid identity/passport documentation.
• Confirmation of Enrolment.
• Meeting the Genuine Student requirement.
• Meeting applicable English-language requirements where requested by Home Affairs.
• Demonstrating financial capacity where required.
• Maintaining appropriate health insurance/OSHC.
• Providing any documents specified by the Department of Home Affairs' Document Checklist Tool for the applicant's circumstances.