Postgraduate study in Chemical and Materials Engineering

What can you study in Chemical and Materials Engineering?

Postgraduate students in Chemical and Materials Engineering gain a deeper understanding of how things work, with the potential to develop new technologies. Areas of interest include:

  • Advanced and nanomaterials research, which involves in-depth studies into properties, performance, processing, microstructure, and industrial applications
  • Chemical and process engineering, including aluminium smelting technology, heat exchange, iron and steel making, food processing, high-pressure sterilisation, and more
  • Energy and the environment, including biodiesel, oil and gas processing, thermal management, air flow and heat transfer, and clean technologies
  • Food and bioproduct processing, with a focus on value-added food products and cost-effective technologies
  • Materials engineering, with studies in novel materials design, manufacturing and processing. Specialist areas are light metals, nanomaterials and biomaterials
  • Separation and reaction engineering, specialising in green process engineering
  • Surface and materials science, from the nano to large-scale

Entry requirements

Important requirements for international students

  • All international applicants should ensure that they meet all the programme’s entry requirements. You should only proceed with your application if your GPA matches or exceeds the requirements listed for your country. Please do not apply if your GPA is below the minimum entry requirements, but consider the alternative study options that may be offered as a pathway into your preferred programme, such as the Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering.
  • You are strongly advised to consider visa application times. Please be aware of the student visa processing times in your home country and submit the documentation needed well ahead of the Faculty of Engineering's programme application deadlines. For processing times, contact the New Zealand High Commission/Embassy or your education agent.
  • If you are applying for your second masters degree, you need to be aware that additional assessment requirements will take extra time. The Faculty of Engineering is required to assess your previous masters degree courses to ensure that they do not overlap with the courses in the University of Auckland programme that you have expressed interest in. You must therefore allow more time for your application to be processed, and be aware that further documentation may be required. Submit your application well in advance of the deadline if this is your situation, as you may also need to take visa application times into account.

Structuring your postgraduate programme in Chemical and Materials Engineering

“My Programme Requirements” is a feature in Student Services Online that tells you what the academic requirements are for your programme.

It shows you what courses you are enrolled in, what courses you have passed and what courses you can take to complete your degree. For more information, see How to view your programme requirements.

For detailed course information and advice please refer to your programme regulations in the University of Auckland Calendar or visit one of our Student Hubs.

Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering

There are distinct study tracks available for the PGCertEng in Chemical and Materials Engineering focusing on Food Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering and Biomaterials Engineering. Find out more

Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering

This is a 120-point Taught programme. You will need to complete a minimum of 90-points of courses in Chemical and Materials from the list provided under the Master of Engineering Studies (excludes research projects). The remaining 30-points can also be selected from this list, or you may choose up to 30-points of other appropriate courses, as approved by the Programme Director. Find out more

Master of Engineering

This degree aims to provide a research-focused learning environment in which you can develop your independent problem-solving skills through supervised research. The programme is offered in two options to suit the existing qualifications and experience of candidates. This degree may be awarded with Honours.

For the 120-point option you will complete a 120-point Research Thesis. For the 180-point option you will need to complete four 15-point electives in advanced Chemical and Materials courses which will provide you with key technical knowledge to enhance and support your research activities; followed by a 120-point Research Thesis. Find out more

  • 120-point option
    CHEMMAT 796 A/B Research Thesis

  • 180-point option
    Select 60 points of electives from the Master of Engineering Studies course schedule below (excludes research projects).

    CHEMMAT 796 A/B Research Thesis

*Students will be required to submit a thesis topic and supervisor before starting their programme.

Master of Engineering Studies

The Master of Engineering Studies enables you to study a range of topics in your area of expertise. Students that elect to complete a Research Project of 30 points or more may be eligible for their degree to be awarded with Honours. This programme is available as a 120-point taught option. Find out more

You must complete a minimum of 45 points from the following electives:

Other electives:

*Students may also be eligible to select other relevant courses offered at this university, subject to approval of the Programme Director. The maximum limit for the 120-point programme is 45 points.

Not offered in 2024

  • CHEMMAT 755 Materials for Energy and Environmental Applications
  • CHEMMAT 771 Advanced Food Process Technology
  • MECHENG 742 Advanced Materials Manufacturing

Help and advice

For course descriptions, please refer to the University of Auckland Calendar.

For general student enquiries, please contact the Student Hubs. If you would like further academic information, you can contact a Postgraduate Adviser.

Postgraduate programmes

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