Postgraduate study in Civil Engineering

Postgraduate Civil Engineering at the University of Auckland connects advanced study and research with the challenges facing Aotearoa New Zealand and the world. You can deepen your expertise, work alongside researchers and industry specialists, and develop solutions that improve the way people live, work and move.

Depending on your programme and interests, you can specialise in:

• Construction Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Transportation Engineering
• Water Engineering
   

Through postgraduate study, you can explore challenges such as:

• Developing more sustainable and resilient infrastructure
• Responding to natural hazards and climate change
• Improving transport networks and urban environments
• Managing water resources and wastewater systems
• Designing safer buildings, bridges, dams and other essential infrastructure
• Supporting evidence-based decisions in industry, government and local communities
   

We offer two main master’s programmes in Civil Engineering. The right option for you will depend on your previous qualification, professional goals and preferred style of study.

A professional pathway for graduates seeking an internationally recognised engineering qualification.

The Master of Professional Engineering in Civil Engineering is intended for graduates whose previous engineering degree is not accredited under the Washington Accord.

The programme is designed to meet Washington Accord requirements and provide a pathway towards becoming a Chartered Professional Engineer. It supports the development of the technical knowledge, practical skills and professional competencies needed for engineering practice in New Zealand and internationally.

Programme highlights:

•  180-point and 240-point study options, depending on your previous qualification
• Full-time and part-time study pathways
• A 30-point Professional Capstone course
• A 30-point individual Research Project 
• A potential pathway to doctoral study

Explore the Master of Professional Engineering.

Advanced specialist study for engineering graduates who want to deepen their civil engineering expertise.

The Master of Civil Engineering is designed for graduates seeking advanced technical knowledge, specialist expertise and, depending on the pathway selected, research experience.

You can complete the degree through a taught or research pathway. The programme is available as a general Civil Engineering qualification or with an endorsement in a specialist field.

Programme highlights:

• 120-point and 180-point study options, depending on your previous qualification
• Taught and research pathways
• Advanced, discipline-specific technical knowledge
• Flexible online study option for eligible students via the University of Auckland Online
• A potential pathway to doctoral study for eligible students

Research pathways, and pathways that include a research project, may lead to the award of Honours and provide a potential route to PhD study, subject to meeting the relevant requirements.

Explore the Master of Civil Engineering.

Your previous engineering qualification is an important starting point:

• If your degree is not Washington Accord-accredited, the Master of Professional Engineering may provide the professional pathway you need.
  
  
• If you already hold a Washington Accord-accredited engineering degree, the Master of Civil Engineering may be the more appropriate option for advanced specialist or research-focused study.

If you're not ready to commit to a full masters programme, we also offer the following options, which are both pathway programmes to a masters degree:

• Postgraduate Diploma in Civil Engineering
• Postgraduate Certificate in Civil Engineering
   

If you are an international student intending to apply for a student visa and later a post-study work visa, it is important to understand New Zealand's study requirements.

• International students must be enrolled in at least 45 points (typically three courses) per semester in an on-campus mode of study to meet student visa requirements. Online courses do not meet Immigration New Zealand's on-campus study requirements.
  
  
• To be eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa, master's students must complete at least 30 weeks of full-time, on-campus study in New Zealand.

For more information, visit the Immigration New Zealand website.

Explore our programme pages or Contact Us for advice based on your qualifications and career goals. For detailed information about a specific programme, including its courses and regulations, visit the Curriculum Catalogue.