Why Study/Key Benefits

• The Master of Architectural Engineering (MArchEng) is a practice-focused master’s designed for students with engineering or architecture backgrounds who want advanced, work-ready building-design skills.
• It brings architects and engineers together to learn collaborative approaches to building design.
• UC describes it as the first master’s degree of its kind in Aotearoa New Zealand where engineers and architects study together.
• The programme focuses on whole-building performance, sustainable integrated design, digital methods, and collaboration with designers, investors, contractors and project managers.
• It is particularly suitable for professionals already working in the building industry who want to upskill or change career direction.
• UC provides access to engineering facilities including an augmented-reality laboratory, a high-voltage laboratory and a structural engineering laboratory.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The MArchEng consists of Part I and Part II.

Part I

All students complete:

• ENAE601 Whole Building Behaviour and Performance – 15 points
• ENAE602 Collaborative Building Design Studio – 15 points

Students then take two endorsement-specific courses.

Integrated Building Design:

• ENAE605 Sustainable Building Design Practice – 15 points
• ENAE606 Building Modelling and Integrated Design – 15 points

Structural Engineering:

• ENAE603 Structural Design Practice – 15 points
• ENAE604 Structural Assessment and Retrofit – 15 points

Building Services and Energy Engineering:

• ENAE607 Building Energy Systems Design Practice – 15 points
• ENAE608 HVAC Design Practice – 15 points.

Part II

Students complete:

• ENAE620 Integrated Building Design Project – 15 points
• Three additional courses towards their chosen endorsement from the approved course schedule.

Topics available across the programme include:

• Whole-building behaviour and performance
• Collaborative building design
• Sustainable building design
• Building modelling
• Integrated design
• Structural design
• Structural assessment and retrofit
• Building energy systems
• HVAC design
• Building envelope design
• Building sustainability assessment
• Human factors in building design
• Construction management
• Cost engineering
• Advanced building environmental control
• Seismic assessment and retrofit
• Advanced steel and composite structures
• Advanced structural concrete
• Foundation engineering.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The MArchEng can be awarded with one of three endorsements:

1. Integrated Building Design
2. Structural Engineering
3. Building Services and Energy Engineering

Programme Highlights

• 120-point professional master’s.
• Normally 1 year full-time.
• Up to 4 years part-time.
• Blended online and face-to-face block learning.
• Designed for engineers and architects.
• Strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Practice-focused rather than solely research-focused.
• Integrated sustainable building design.
• Digital building design and construction methods.
• Choice of three professional endorsements.
• Integrated building design project.
• Access to advanced UC engineering facilities.
• Possibility of taking some Part II courses through the University of Auckland.

Career Outcomes

UC states that graduates are suited to the growing international demand for professionals who combine technical building knowledge with collaborative design skills.

Potential career areas include:

• Building design professional
• Contractor
• Project manager
• Technical leadership
• Multidisciplinary team leadership
• Sustainable building design
• High-performance building design
• Digital design and construction

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

The current UC programme page identifies the following important points:

• The programme is currently 120 points.
• Integrated Building Design has February and July starts.
• Structural Engineering is identified as an August-start option on the programme page.
• Building Services and Energy Engineering currently has a start date to be confirmed.
• UC strongly recommends at least one year of professional practice.
• Entry is assessed based on previous academic study and work experience.
• Some Part II courses are offered by the University of Auckland.
• Courses use blended online and face-to-face block delivery.
• Both parts must be completed within 4 years.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students normally need a New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa to study this programme.

Immigration New Zealand currently states that the Fee Paying Student Visa:

• Costs from NZD $850.
• Can allow a stay of up to 4 years.
• Has 80% of applications processed within 8 weeks.
• Requires an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Requires evidence of sufficient funds for tuition.
• 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 a genuine reason for coming to New Zealand.
• Requires evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.