Why Study/Key Benefits

• The Master of Engineering in Fire Engineering (MEFE) at the University of Canterbury (UC) is a research-focused master's degree for graduates from relevant engineering disciplines.
• It focuses on applying science and engineering principles to protect people, buildings, structures and the environment from destructive fire.
• The programme covers fire safety in buildings and other structures, human safety and risk assessment.
• Unlike the 120-point Master of Fire Engineering Studies, the MEFE includes advanced coursework followed by a substantial thesis/research component.
• UC's Fire Engineering programme has dedicated small- and medium-scale fire laboratories, including a cone calorimeter, wind tunnel, small-scale furnace, ISO ignition apparatus and a furniture calorimeter capable of measuring fires up to approximately 2 MW. These facilities support graduate laboratory teaching and master's/PhD research.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The programme consists of six advanced Fire Engineering courses followed by a thesis.

The six courses, totalling 105 points, are:

• ENFE601 – Structural Fire Engineering
• ENFE602 – Fire Dynamics
• ENFE603 – Fire Safety Systems
• ENFE605 – Fire Safety Engineering Design
• ENFE610 – Advanced Fire Dynamics
• ENFE615 – Human Behaviour in Fire

Students then complete:

• ENFE690 – MEFE Thesis

The first part of the programme covers topics such as fire dynamics, fire safety and fire protection systems. UC uses block teaching and online learning software to provide flexibility.

The second half focuses on the thesis/research project.

UC's Fire Engineering research areas include:

• computer modelling
• fire dynamics
• structural fire performance
• active fire protection systems
• human behaviour
• fire statistics and risk.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The MEFE is specifically focused on Fire Engineering rather than offering separate named majors.

Major subject areas include:

• Structural fire engineering
• Fire dynamics
• Fire safety systems
• Fire safety engineering design
• Advanced fire dynamics
• Human behaviour in fire
• Fire risk and safety assessment
• Fire protection and safety of buildings and structures.

Programme Highlights

• 225-point research master's degree.
• February/ Semester 1 start.
• 16–36 months full-time according to the current UC programme page.
• Six advanced Fire Engineering courses worth 105 points.
• Dedicated MEFE thesis component.
• Combination of block teaching, guided self-study and online learning tools.
• Covers both technical fire behaviour and human safety.
• Access to specialised Fire Engineering laboratory infrastructure for relevant graduate teaching and research.
• UC identifies Fire Engineering as an active research area within Civil and Natural Resources Engineering.
• UC also offers a PhD in Fire Engineering for students wishing to progress to doctoral research.

Career Outcomes

UC states that postgraduate study can provide specialist skills and enhanced knowledge, support entry into specific occupations, improve career progression and develop research capability.

Potential professional areas for MEFE graduates include:

• Fire safety engineering
• Fire risk assessment
• Building fire safety design
• Structural fire engineering
• Fire protection systems
• Fire dynamics and modelling
• Fire safety consultancy
• Building and construction-related engineering
• Fire research
• Engineering risk and compliance
• Academic/research careers.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The current UC programme page confirms that the MEFE is a research master's and should not be confused with the 120-point Master of Fire Engineering Studies, which is the taught master's alternative.
• Places in the MEFE are limited.
• Applications are considered in June and December for the following February start.
• UC recommends that international students apply by June.
• The programme requires approval of the proposed programme of study.
• Practical/non-academic prerequisites, including practical work, work reports, workshop training and first aid, must be completed as applicable.
• Research students require an appropriate thesis/research topic and academic supervision.
• UC's current Fire Engineering facilities include small- and medium-scale fire laboratories, a cone calorimeter, wind tunnel, furnace and furniture calorimeter.
• UC has published a 2027 Postgraduate Prospectus and 2027 International Prospectus on the current programme page.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying this programme in New Zealand would normally apply for the New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently states that the visa:

• costs from NZD $850
• can be granted for up to 4 years
• has 80% of applications processed within 8 weeks according to the current published processing information
• requires an offer of place from an approved education provider
• requires evidence of sufficient tuition funding or an applicable scholarship
• requires evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor
• requires acceptable medical and travel insurance
• requires applicants to meet health and character requirements
• requires evidence of genuine intentions to study
• requires evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.