Why Study / Key Benefits

• Combines engineering knowledge with advanced business and management skills.
• Designed for engineers and technical professionals progressing toward management and leadership.
• Develops communication, planning, interpersonal, management and leadership capabilities.
• Strong focus on project management, stakeholder engagement and sustainability.
• Provides real-world industry experience rather than being purely classroom-based.
• The programme is aligned with the IEEE Technology and Engineering Management Society Body of Knowledge, which UC describes as a global benchmark for engineering and technology management.
• Students work on an industry-focused engineering management project.
• The programme incorporates Aotearoa New Zealand, M?ori and Pacific perspectives, particularly in leadership, sustainability and stakeholder engagement.
• The online pathway is designed to fit around work and other commitments.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The current MEM includes the following major study areas.

1. Inclusive Leadership and Team Development – PMGT604, 15 points

Topics include:

• Leadership theories and styles
• Motivation
• Team building
• Emotional intelligence
• Conflict resolution
• Inclusive leadership
• Managing culturally and socially diverse teams
• M?ori and Pacific perspectives on leadership

2. Essential Project Management for Professionals – EMGT615, 15 points

Topics include:

• Project planning
• Project initiation
• Project delivery
• Project requirements
• Stakeholder engagement
• Scope development
• Resource scheduling
• Project costing
• Quality
• Risk management
• Monitoring and evaluation

3. Engineering Knowledge Management – EMGT602, 15 points

Topics include:

• Research paradigms
• Research methods
• Different knowledge and cultural frameworks
• Critical evaluation of information
• Qualitative research
• Quantitative research
• Survey design
• Analysis of large datasets
• Communicating data to different audiences

4. Management in Technical Organisations – EMGT604, 15 points

Topics include:

• Corporate structures and processes
• Human resource management
• Strategic planning
• Implementation
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Ethics
• Quality management
• Financial concepts
• Occupational health and safety
• Risk management

5. Sustainability Systems in Engineering – EMGT605, 15 points

Topics include:

• Systems thinking
• Anticipatory thinking
• Human, cultural, environmental, economic and technical systems
• Sustainability tools and frameworks
• Local, regional and global sustainability challenges
• Evidence-based strategy
• Collaboration
• Tikanga M?ori in engineering practice

6. Accounting and Financial Information – ACCT601, 15 points

Focuses on:

• Financial statements
• Financial analysis
• Interpretation of financial information
• Internal decision-making
• External decision-making

7. Technology Development, Application and Transfer – EMGT606, 15 points

Topics include:

• Emerging technology
• Technology evaluation
• Technology implementation
• Organisational strategy
• Production
• Marketing
• Research and development
• Human resources
• Intellectual property
• Technology opportunities and risks

8. Project Procurement, Negotiation and Contract Management – PMGT607, 15 points

Topics include:

• Strategic procurement
• Contract management
• Contract selection
• Tendering and bid evaluation
• Supplier relationships
• Contract administration
• Risk and liability
• Negotiation
• Conflict resolution
• Dispute management
• New Zealand contracting practices
• Ethical and sustainable procurement

9. Elective – 15 points

Students can select an elective in an area such as:

• Energy transition
• Risk management
• Applied data science
• Software and computer engineering
• Statistics

Availability can depend on academic background and faculty approval. UC states that the complete elective options are confirmed with enrolled learners.

10. Engineering Management Project – EMGT680, 45 points

This is the major applied component of the degree.

Possible project areas include:

• Optimisation
• Data analytics
• Knowledge management
• Project management
• Technology evaluation and implementation
• Engineering business operations
• Sustainability evaluation

Disciplines / Specialisations

There are no formal majors or minors for the MEM.

The programme is specialised in Engineering Management, with academic emphasis across:

• Engineering leadership
• Project management
• Technical organisation management
• Sustainability
• Technology management
• Procurement and contracts
• Engineering knowledge management
• Accounting and financial information
• Data and technology applications
• Industry-based engineering management

Programme Highlights

• 180-point master's qualification.
• Engineering plus business and management integration.
• Full-time on-campus pathway available in Christchurch.
• Fully online part-time pathway available through Tuihono UC | UC Online.
• Current online start dates include September 2026 and February, April and July 2027.
• 100 hours of supervised industry experience for on-campus MEM students.
• Industry-focused 45-point Engineering Management Project.
• Flipped-classroom delivery for the on-campus pathway.
• Flexible online delivery for working professionals.
• Leadership and management development.
• Strong project-management component.
• Sustainability and technology-management focus.
• Maori and Pacific perspectives integrated into relevant coursework.
• International students on the on-campus pathway have access to UC student services and a UCSA mentorship programme.

Career Outcomes

UC states that MEM graduates gain integrated technical and business skills, real-world project experience and connections with industry professionals.

Potential employment areas include:

• Engineering management
• Project management
• Technical management
• Engineering consulting
• Product manufacturing
• Technology management
• Engineering firms
• Government ministries
• Business operations
• Engineering entrepreneurship
• Sustainability management
• Technology development and implementation

The programme is particularly relevant for an engineer who wants to transition from a primarily technical position toward:

• Engineering Manager
• Project Manager
• Technical Manager
• Engineering Consultant
• Technology Manager
• Operations/Engineering leadership
• Engineering programme leadership

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The most significant current update is the introduction of the full-time on-campus MEM.

UC announced on 23 March 2026 that the MEM is now available through a full-time flipped-classroom study model. The programme is delivered in Christchurch, combines digital self-paced learning with face-to-face sessions, and includes at least 100 hours of supervised industry experience.

The online programme is also currently accepting applications for 2026 and 2027, with the current UC Online page listing 28 September 2026, 8 February 2027, 26 April 2027 and 19 July 2027 starts.

Important application considerations:

• Academic eligibility is assessed by UC's engineering academic team.
• Relevant professional engineering experience can potentially provide an alternative admission route.
• Written statements or interviews may be required.
• The on-campus and online versions have different published English-language requirements.
• Industry experience is an important part of the on-campus programme.
• The programme can be completed through an online pathway without relocating to Christchurch.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student physically coming to New Zealand for the on-campus MEM, the usual visa is the New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• Visa cost: from NZD $850.
• Maximum stay: up to 4 years.
• 80% processing timeframe: within 8 weeks.
• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or an appropriate scholarship.
• Sufficient funds for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Meeting health and character requirements.
• Demonstrating a genuine reason for coming to New Zealand.
• Evidence that you can leave New Zealand at the end of your stay.