Program Overview

Master of Engineering

The Master of Engineering (ME) is a research degree that normally takes 12 months and 120 points to complete full-time. It builds on prior study at undergraduate level, such as the four-year BE(Hons). If you are interested in a taught Masters programme, we would recommend exploring our Master of Engineering Practice instead.

Subjects

You can choose an endorsement from a wide range of study areas, such as:

• Chemical and Process Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Materials and Manufacturing Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronics
• Robotics
• Software Engineering
• Structural Engineering

The School of Engineering fosters collaborative relationships between science, engineering, industry, and management. The School has developed a very strong research base to support its aims of providing you with in-depth knowledge, analytical skills, innovative ideas, and techniques to translate science into technology in the real world.

You will have the opportunity to undertake research with staff who are leaders in their field and will have the use of world-class laboratory facilities. Past ME students have worked on projects such as a ‘snake robot’ for disaster rescue and a brain-controlled electro-mechanical prosthetic hand.

Career Opportunities

• Automotive Engineer
• Biotechnologist
• Civil Engineer
• Computer-aided Engineer
• Engineering Geologist
• Food Processing Engineer
• Mechanical Engineer
• Medical Sciences Technician
• Pharmaceutical Engineer
• Quality Assurance Officer
• Research Assistant

Points and Duration

The total number of points to gain this qualification and how long this is expected to take full-time:

• 120 points, 1 year

Locations

The study locations where the qualification is offered:

• Hamilton

Area of Study

This shows which Faculty or School you can study this qualification under:

• School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences
• School of Engineering

Start Dates

Which trimester this qualification can be started in:

• Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)

Degree Information

Plan Your Study

The ME requires 120 points, which can either be made up of 30 points in taught papers and a 90-point thesis (research project), or one 120-point thesis.

Subjects

Choose a subject:

• Browse available subjects and choose one for more information
• Chemical and Process Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Materials and Manufacturing Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronics Engineering
• Software Engineering

Entry Requirements

Admission requires a relevant Bachelors level qualification or equivalent. Once you have applied to study with us, you are welcome to speak with one of our senior academics who will help advise you on your studies based on your goals and previous experience.

Please refer to the relevant regulations in the University of Waikato Calendar for official details of admission and degree requirements, available subjects, honours eligibility, and more.

If you do not hold the appropriate qualifications required for direct entry, you may be eligible to apply for a pathway via a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma. Contact the School of Study for advice on the possibilities.

Fees and Scholarships

Estimated fees:

• $9,299 - $10,441 per year
• Domestic tuition fees
• Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study
• Scholarships: Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships

Graduate Outcomes

Master of Engineering graduates have advanced technical ability and advanced competencies in their area of specialisation beyond what is expected of a graduate professional engineer. They should:

• Possess advanced knowledge of engineering science and mathematics in an area of specialty
• Be able to communicate clearly and effectively in a professional, technical, and research and development context
• Have appropriate intellectual and advanced evaluation skills to critically analyse methodologies and complex problems
• Have appropriate practical engineering skills for their specialisation and be able to apply these skills to complex problems
• Be able to systematically and creatively design systems that provide appropriate practical solutions to complex engineering problems
• Be committed to life-long learning so they are up-to-date on current technologies, practices, methods, and ethical and legal issues
• A capacity to think innovatively and to solve complex problems
• Be able to work independently as well as co-operatively in interdisciplinary teams
• Be aware of social, ethical, economic, environmental, cultural, and legal issues and act with responsibility and integrity at all times
• Have intellectual flexibility and adaptability to be able to be productive and professional in new environments
• Be aware of other professions and engineering disciplines and able to take an integrated approach to providing engineering solutions

Practical Experience

Many Master of Engineering theses are in collaboration with industry. The School of Engineering has excellent industry collaborations with companies such as Fonterra, Gallagher Group, Oji Fibre Solutions, Tetra Pak, and ArborGen Australasia. These strong relationships generate numerous research projects for engineering students, so you will be able to work on real issues with real clients.

Build a Successful Engineering Career

Depending on the thesis topic studied, graduates of this degree may find employment in the research and development department in a range of engineering industries, including energy companies, environmental agencies, government departments, biomedical/pharmaceutical industries, private research companies, universities, food and dairy industries, electronics, agriculture, forestry, and more. The Master of Engineering can also be a stepping stone to doctoral studies.

Engineering Facilities

The University of Waikato School of Engineering’s specialised laboratories includes the Large Scale Lab complex that features a suite of workshops and laboratories dedicated to engineering teaching and research. These include 3D printing, a mechanical workshop, and computer labs with engineering design software.

The computing facilities at the University of Waikato are among the best in New Zealand, ranging from phones and tablets for mobile application development to cluster computers for massively parallel processing. Software engineering students will have 24-hour access to computer labs equipped with all the latest computer software.