Program Overview

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Master of Earthquake Engineering

The Master of Earthquake Engineering (MEqEng) is a postgraduate program designed to fulfill the increasing need for a new generation of industry leaders in earthquake engineering design and assessment.

Programme Overview

Earthquake engineers design new buildings and infrastructure to withstand disasters, and they assess the vulnerability of existing buildings and infrastructure. The University of Auckland is internationally recognized for its strengths in structural and geotechnical engineering, putting it in the right position to deliver specialist professional capabilities both locally and internationally.

Programme Structure

The MEqEng program is offered in two options: a taught pathway and a research pathway. The taught pathway is available in 120-point and 180-point options, while the research pathway is available in 120-point and 180-point options.

Taught Pathway

• The 120-point taught program requires completion of one 15-point core course and seven electives.
• The 180-point taught program requires completion of four 15-point core courses and eleven 15-point electives.

Research Pathway

• The 120-point research program requires completion of one 15-point core course, one 15-point elective, and a 90-point research thesis.
• The 180-point research program requires completion of one 15-point core course, five 15-point electives, and a 90-point research thesis.

Core Courses

• CIVIL 720: Earthquake Engineering
• CIVIL 727: Dynamics of Structures in Earthquakes
• STRCTENG 710: Low Rise Structures Design
• STRCTENG 711: Multistorey Structures Design

Elective Courses

• CIVIL 702: Design of Earthquake Resistant Foundations
• CIVIL 710: Advanced Structural Dynamics
• CIVIL 715: Advanced Structural Concrete
• CIVIL 717: Advanced Structural Timber
• CIVIL 725: Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering
• CIVIL 741: Ground Improvements and Geosynthetics Engineering
• CIVIL 745: Seismic Assessment of Existing Buildings
• CIVIL 746: Nonlinear Structural Analysis
• CIVIL 750: Timber Engineering
• STRCTENG 711: Multistorey Structures Design
• STRCTENG 760: Forensic Structural Engineering

Entry Requirements

Minimum Programme Requirements

• A Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree with a GPA of 5.0 or higher
• A relevant Bachelor's degree with a GPA of 5.0 or higher and at least three years of relevant professional experience

Further Programme Requirements

• Completion of a postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma with a GPA of 5.0 or higher
• Completion of a relevant Bachelor's degree and a relevant postgraduate diploma (or equivalent) with a GPA of 5.0 or higher

Fees

2026 Fees

• Domestic students: NZ$12,854.40 $21,843.60
• International students: NZ$55,484 $55,864

Key Dates

Application Closing Dates

• Semester One 2026: 8 December 2025
• Semester Two 2026: 8 June 2026

Career Opportunities

The MEqEng program can lead to various career opportunities, including:

• Earthquake engineer
• Project manager
• Seismic engineering consultant
• Senior geotechnical engineer
• Senior structural engineer
• Technical director

Further Study Options

Graduates of the MEqEng program may also pursue further study options, such as a Doctor of Philosophy.