Master of Engineering (Civil Engineering)
- Commencing Terms
- Term 1, 2 & 3
- Duration
- 2 Year(s)
- Delivery Mode
- Face-to-face (includes blended)
- Campus
-
Kensington
- Codes
- Program code 8621
- CRICOS code 067604G
-
2024 Indicative first year full fee
- $41,000*
-
2024 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $84,000*
-
2024 Indicative first year full fee
- $54,000*
-
2024 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $113,000*
Fees
Fees
-
In-demand skills
-
Industry training
-
Accredited program
International application pause for 2025 intakes
Applications for international students to study at UNSW in 2025 are currently paused. Please submit your expression of interest to join our application waitlist so we can contact you.
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Future careers
- How to apply
- Fees & Scholarships
Overview
UNSW Master of Engineering (Civil Engineering) is a two-year full-time postgraduate degree that’s professionally accredited by Engineers Australia. This degree includes an integrated industrial training component and courses to develop your technical knowledge and skills in engineering management, analysis and design to ensure you graduate career-ready and accredited
You’ll undertake an extensive research project in a specific area of interest to you. Through this project you’ll learn valuable skills in project planning and management and the critical analysis, interpretation and communication of results. The structure of this degree also provides the opportunity for students to specialise in an area of interest while gaining a depth of knowledge across a broad range of topics, including:
- Project and construction management
- Transport engineering
- Structural engineering
- Geotechnical engineering
- Water resources and wastewater treatment
The Master of Engineering includes an integrated 60 days industrial training component and courses to develop your technical knowledge and skills in engineering management, analysis and design to ensure you graduate career-ready and accredited.
Why study this degree at UNSW?
This degree is taught at UNSW Engineering through the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, internationally ranked number one in Australia. The school is consistently among the world’s top twenty schools, as ranked by both the QS World University Rankings by Subject, and AWRU Rankings in 2024. You’ll study at Australia’s leading faculty for engineering and learn from the best minds in the field of civil engineering. With such a formidable reputation it’s no wonder our graduates are so sought after when they enter the field.
Benefits of studying with us include:
- More postgraduate engineering specialisations and opportunities than any other Australian university. Allowing you to develop career paths in multiple industries
- Courses and teaching informed by internationally leading research centres in Infrastructure Engineering and Safety, Integrated Transport Innovation and Surveying and Geospatial Engineering
- Close links to industry with the school engaged with over 100 industry and government organisations every year
Want to see more from UNSW Engineering?
Entry requirements
Admission to this program requires one of the following:
4-year non-accredited (under the Washington Accord) Bachelor of Engineering degree (or equivalent) in a cognate discipline with a minimum 65% average; or
3-year Bachelor of Engineering Science degree in a cognate discipline, at least equivalent to the first three years of an Engineering degree accredited under the Washington Accord with a minimum 75% average.
A pathway for entry into the program for graduates from both 4-year Bachelor of Engineering degrees in non-cognate disciplines, and 3-year Bachelor of Science degrees, exists via enrolment first into the Bachelor of Engineering (BE) program, where advanced standing (to a maximum of 2 years) may be granted.
Cognate disciplines
Cognate areas include:
- Building Environment and Energy Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Civil with Architecture
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Manufacturing
- Materials Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechatronic Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Naval Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
- Structural Engineering
- Traffic Engineering
- Water Conservance
- Hydropower Engineering
Admission pathways
UNSW Global has university pathway programs that provide seamless transition to UNSW Sydney so you can achieve your academic and career goals. Learn more.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Admission to this program requires one of the following:
4-year non-accredited (under the Washington Accord) Bachelor of Engineering degree (or equivalent) in a cognate discipline with a minimum 65% average; or
3-year Bachelor of Engineering Science degree in a cognate discipline, at least equivalent to the first three years of an Engineering degree accredited under the Washington Accord with a minimum 75% average.
A pathway for entry into the program for graduates from both 4-year Bachelor of Engineering degrees in non-cognate disciplines, and 3-year Bachelor of Science degrees, exists via enrolment first into the Bachelor of Engineering (BE) program, where advanced standing (to a maximum of 2 years) may be granted.
Cognate disciplines
Cognate areas include:
- Building Environment and Energy Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Civil with Architecture
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Manufacturing
- Materials Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechatronic Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Naval Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
- Structural Engineering
- Traffic Engineering
- Water Conservance
- Hydropower Engineering
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Check the specific English language requirements for this program
Program structure
The Master of Engineering is a two-year degree, which can be studied part time or full time. In this degree you’ll gain a solid background in an area of your choice.
The structure of this degree provides the opportunity for students to specialise in an area of interest while gaining a depth of knowledge across a broad range of topics. This degree serves as an entry point to move into the Engineering Profession.
With a strong component of industrial, on-the-job training, our program structure includes:
60 days of industrial training
Six disciplinary knowledge courses
Five advanced disciplinary knowledge courses
Two engineering and technical knowledge courses
One design course
A research project
Full program structure
Degree structures can vary depending on your specialisation of choice, the number of courses you choose and timetabling, to give you an indication you can consider the below.
In your first year you'll study :
Disciplinary Knowledge courses, these are introductory courses where you’ll learn the fundamentals of your chosen specialisation
You may also start studying some of your Advanced Disciplinary Knowledge courses where you’ll be able to tailor your degree to your interest by selecting courses which align with your career goals.
In the second year, you’ll complete the remaining Disciplinary and Advanced Disciplinary Knowledge courses, and study:
Engineering and Technical Management courses which help you build skills in project and or staff management, leadership and strategy.
A design course which is specific to your chosen specialisation – in this course you will be assigned a design task relevant on an area of your studies.
At the end of your degree you’ll bring together all the Engineering principles you’ve learnt to solve complex, open ended problems such as the development of a specific design, process and/or the investigation of a hypothesis.
This degree requires you to complete 60 days of Industrial Training, which gives you some on the job experience before graduating, enabling you to develop the essential technical and professional skills, so you thrive in your future career.
Future careers
Civil Engineers support the development of almost all vital infrastructure that's required for modern society – from bridges, roads and tunnels to airports, buildings and water supplies. This formal qualification provides a broad range of opportunities and is internationally recognised for careers in:
- Construction
- Geotechnical engineering
- Structural engineering
- Transport
- Water infrastructure and supply
- Civil engineering for architecture
Our previous postgraduate students have gone on to work with a wide range of industry sectors and companies, including:
- AECOM
- Transport for NSW
- John Holland
- Lendlease
- Arcadis
- WSP
There is increasing demand for civil engineering professionals across all regions of Australia, with the number of people employed expected to grow from 56,000 in 2019 to 73,600 in 2026. Source
Accreditation
Accredited by Engineers Australia and acknowledged by the Washington Accord, the Master of Engineering degree has professional recognition globally. This degree includes a practical component where you’ll apply your knowledge in practical settings through 60 days of approved industrial training in Australia or overseas.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted through our Apply Online portal. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term. Some high-demand programs and Faculties with limited places may have an earlier application deadline or commencement date. Find out more.
Ready to start your application?
For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.
Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For more information visit our international applicant information page.
Ready to start your application?
Fees & Scholarships
*Fees are subject to annual review (or when required) by the University and may vary accordingly.
Indicative fees are a guide only and have been calculated based on the typical enrolment patterns of students undertaking the program. The indicative fees listed here is an estimate for tuition only and excludes non-tuition fees and charges. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year of enrolment, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (48 units of credit (UOC) per year).
You should not rely on indicative fees as fee increases are assessed when required and may exceed the indicative figures listed here. Actual fees are calculated on enrolment. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only, other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.
Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.
Scholarships
At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.
Featured scholarship
The UNSW Women in Engineering Research Scholarship was established to assist women of high academic achievement with an interest in a research and/or an academic career in engineering. UNSW Engineering offers two Women in Engineering Top-up Scholarships every semester.
Apply here and search for ‘Engineering’ in the keywords.
QS World University Rankings, 2025.
AFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.
#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.
I love that everything in the world is being engineered by somebody.
