Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Master of Engineering Science is designed for students who already hold an undergraduate engineering qualification and want to develop advanced technical knowledge in an engineering specialisation.
• The course has a strong focus on independent research, including a 50-credit-point Engineering Master Major Thesis.
• Students develop skills in information analysis, problem solving, communication, research planning and research execution.
• The programme combines advanced engineering specialisation units with engineering project management, professional practice and research methods.
• Swinburne states that graduates may work in areas including electrical power generation, mechanical systems design, telecommunications network design, civil engineering project management, structural engineering and construction.
• Completion may assist graduates in meeting eligibility criteria for membership at various levels of Engineers Australia; actual professional recognition depends on the individual's circumstances and Engineers Australia requirements.
• Swinburne's current course page reports 84.1% of students found employment within four months of graduating, based on the QILT Graduates Outcomes Survey 2022–2024. This is university-wide/course-page contextual information and is not a guaranteed employment outcome for this programme.
• Swinburne also currently cites ARWU Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025 results of #1 in Australia for Computer Science and Engineering and #1 in Australia for Automation and Control. These are university-level/subject-ranking claims rather than a ranking of this specific master's programme.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

Core component — 75 credit points:

• 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

Specialisation component — 125 credit points:

Advanced Manufacturing:

• Nanofabrication Technologies
• Surface Engineering
• Advanced CAD/CAM
• Robotics in Manufacturing
• Advanced Manufacturing Processes
• Intelligent Inspection Systems
• Computer Modelling, Analysis and Visualisation
• Additive Manufacturing and Tooling Project — 25 credit points
• Sustainability and Life Cycle Engineering

Civil Engineering:

• Research Paper
• Sustainable Transport
• Advanced Concrete Design
• Bridge Design and Strengthening
• Infrastructure Deterioration Modelling
• Finite Element Methods and Applications
• Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering

Electrical Engineering:

• Programming Principles and Practices
• Electrical Power Systems Safety
• Operation of Power Systems
• Analysis Techniques for Large Scale Power Systems
• Renewable Energy
• Design of Smart Power Grids
• Virtual Instrumentation

Electronic and Telecommunications:

• Programming Principles and Practices
• RF Circuit Design Techniques
• Virtual Instrumentation
• IoT Programming
• Networks and Switching
• Network Routing Principles
• Mobile and Personal Networking

Mechanical Engineering:

• Surface Engineering
• Advanced CAD/CAM
• Intelligent Inspection Systems
• Computer Modelling, Analysis and Visualisation
• Fluid Waves
• Sustainability and Life Cycle Engineering
• Introduction to Industry 4.0

Structural Engineering:

• Research Paper
• Systems, Processes and Technologies for Construction
• Documentation and Information Management with BIM
• Estimating and Project Costing
• Bridge Design and Strengthening
• Infrastructure Deterioration Modelling
• Geotechnical Design
• Finite Element Methods and Applications
• Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering

Disciplines / Specialisations

The current Master of Engineering Science offers six listed specialisation areas:

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

Programme Highlights

• 200-credit-point postgraduate engineering qualification.
• Two-year full-time structure.
• Strong independent research component.
• 50-credit-point major engineering thesis.
• Six engineering specialisation areas.
• Advanced topics covering areas such as renewable energy, smart grids, IoT, robotics, additive manufacturing, BIM, earthquake engineering, CAD/CAM and Industry 4.0.
• Development of professional practice, research and project-management capabilities.
• Potential pathway towards further PhD study in engineering.
• Completion may assist with eligibility for various levels of Engineers Australia membership.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies potential employment areas including:

• Electrical power generation and distribution
• Renewable energy systems
• Electrical safety
• Systems and embedded design
• Mechanical systems design
• Manufacturing systems design
• Telecommunications network design
• Civil engineering project management
• Structural engineering
• Construction

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• Current course code: MA-ENGSC.
• Current CRICOS code: 097335G.
• The current published upcoming starts are 1 March 2027 and 2 August 2027 at Hawthorn.
• International students studying in Australia on a Student visa must study full-time and on campus for this course.
• A relevant engineering background is required; this is not a general master's degree open to applicants from unrelated bachelor's disciplines.
• Applicants should check whether their previous engineering qualification is considered an approved cognate field.
• Advanced standing/RPL is assessed individually.
• Completion may assist with Engineers Australia membership eligibility, but it should not be interpreted as automatic professional accreditation or registration. 

International Student Visa Requirements

The relevant visa is Australia's Student visa (subclass 500).

For Swinburne:

• Students must first accept their offer and obtain a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Swinburne states that the Student visa application should be made after accepting the offer.
• The CoE is used for the course listed with Swinburne.
• Swinburne identifies the passport, CoE and Letter of Offer among documents required for the visa process.

Australian Department of Home Affairs requirements include:

• Valid passport/identity documentation.
• Confirmation of Enrolment.
• Genuine Student requirement and supporting responses/evidence where applicable.
• English-language evidence where required.
• Evidence of sufficient financial capacity where required.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
• Any additional documents shown by the Department's Document Checklist Tool for the applicant's passport country and education provider