ME - Master of Engineering

Overview
Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates
Regulations
Schedule/Programme Rules
Graduate Profile

Gain access to our advanced facilities and establish contact with world-class experts. Join us to innovate, improve and push forward the frontiers of knowledge. This research programme allows you to choose from a variety of specialisations and contribute to your preferred field, allowing the potential to apply your in-depth expertise to further study.

The ME is structured to help you develop a sense of independence and confidence in your ability to think critically and conduct fundamental or applied research. Regardless of your specialisation, you will engage with a stimulating mix of theory and analysis, setting you apart in your pursuit of higher-level opportunities.

For research options in Civil Engineering, please see the MCivilEng - Master of Civil Engineering.

You may pursue either a 120 point or 180 point ME in one of our approved specialisations. This is generally dependent on your prior study. Both options require the completion of a 120 point research thesis.

Your thesis topic, which will involve discussions with your supervisor, is determined by your chosen specialisation.

The 180 point ME is intended for students with a relevant three-year bachelors degree, such as engineering, science or architecture. This requires the selection of an additional 60 points of courses from a list of taught classes relevant to your chosen research specialisation.

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

An engineering masters degree confirms your ability to investigate an important issue with research expertise, work with initiative, make sound judgements, draw conclusions and write a thesis to explain your arguments. These are extremely marketable qualities that can be used to widen your career options and general employability, both immediately after you finish your masters and later on in your career.

PhD - Doctor of Philosophy

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Key Information for Students

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Year Fees Applicable

Domestic Student Annual Fees

International Student Annual Fees

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses. For more information, please see Fees and Money Matters.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Scholarships and awards

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Student loans and allowances

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Cost of living

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Semester	Application Closing Date	Semester Start Date	Semester End Date
2026 Semester One	08 December 2025	02 March 2026	29 June 2026
2026 Semester Two	08 June 2026	20 July 2026	16 November 2026
2026 Late Year Term	11 November 2026	01 December 2026	27 February 2027
2027 Semester One	08 December 2026	01 March 2027	28 June 2027
2027 Semester Two	08 June 2027	19 July 2027	15 November 2027
2027 Late Year Term	11 November 2027	01 December 2027	26 February 2028

1 - 6

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

1 December start available for 120-point research masters only, subject to supervisor availability.

Please note: we will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

University of Auckland Qualification

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

5.0 - Grade Point Average

Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)

Whether a qualification is considered relevant will depend on the courses taken in that qualification and the specialisation a student intends to complete. As well as qualifications in Engineering, qualifications in Architecture, Planning or Science, for example, may be considered relevant to some specialisations.

Research 120 points

You must have completed either:

A BE or BE(Hons) from this University and passed with a GPA of 5.0 in at least 60 points at Stage III. OR
A relevant Bachelors degree from this University with a GPA of 5.0 or higher and at least three years of relevant professional experience approved by the Programme Director. OR
A BE or BE(Hons) from this University and a relevant postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma with a GPA of 5.0 or higher. OR
A relevant Bachelors degree and a relevant Postgraduate Diploma from this University (or equivalent) with a GPA of 5.0 or higher

Research 180 points

You must have completed either:

A relevant bachelors degree from this University with a GPA of 5.0 or higher in 60 points above Stage II. OR
Completed the requirements for a relevant bachelors degree from this University and passed 60 points towards a relevant postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher.

In exceptional circumstances, we will consider you for entry if you have completed an undergraduate degree and have three years of work experience in engineering.

If you do not meet the above entry requirements, but have other relevant experience and think you would be successful in postgraduate study, please contact us to discuss alternative pathways into our programmes.

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

Depending on the type of programme you are pursuing, you may have the opportunity to complete a unique research project. To find out more about the research carried out at the University of Auckland and to identify potential supervisors, check out our researcher profiles.

If you are an international applicant whose first language is not English, you must provide evidence of your English proficiency.

If you are a domestic applicant, you will generally be considered proficient in English.

6.5 - IELTS Academic score required

No bands less than - 6.0

See alternative English language requirements

For more information about the requirements and English proficiency tests, please see Postgraduate English language requirements.

Qualification from another tertiary institution

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

5.0 - Grade Point Equivalent

Calculate your Grade Point Equivalent (GPE)

Research 120 points

You must have completed a four-year bachelors degree in engineering at a recognised university (or similar institution) with a grade point equivalent of 5.0 that includes:

Broad coverage in your first year of the foundational science topics that underpin engineering disciplines: mathematical modelling, chemical and materials science, electrical engineering theory, mechanics, programming, and engineering design.
One year of postgraduate-level study
A research project or dissertation comprising at least one-quarter of the final year

Research 180 points

You must have completed an undergraduate degree in engineering at a recognised university (or similar institution), in a field related to your intended specialisation with a grade point equivalent of 5.0.

Transfer of Credit - You can apply for transfer of credit for tertiary courses completed elsewhere as part of your Application for Admission. For more information see External transfer of credit.

If you have completed study at another New Zealand University, get an estimate of the transfer credit you may be eligible for, using our Transfer Credit Calculator.

If you do not meet the GPE requirement, you can still gain entry by passing 60 points towards the PGCertEng - Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering with a GPA of 5.0.

In exceptional circumstances, we will consider you for entry if you have completed a bachelors degree and have three years of work experience in engineering.

The regulations for this degree are to be read in conjunction with all other relevant statutes and regulations including the Academic Statutes and Regulations.

1 In order to be admitted to this degree, an applicant intending to complete 120 points must have:

a completed the requirements for the Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) from this University, with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, or have equivalent prior study

b completed the requirements for the Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in 60 points above Stage III

c (i) completed the requirements for the Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) from this University, or have equivalent prior study

and

(ii) completed the requirements for a relevant postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, or have equivalent prior study

d (i) completed the requirements for a relevant Bachelors degree from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, or have equivalent prior study

and

(ii) at least three years of relevant work experience approved by the Programme Director

e (i) completed the requirements for a relevant Bachelors degree from this University, or have equivalent prior study

and

(ii) completed the requirements for a relevant postgraduate diploma from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, or have equivalent prior study.

2 In order to be admitted to this degree, an applicant intending to complete 180 points must have:

a completed the requirements for a relevant Bachelors degree from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, or have equivalent prior study

b completed the requirements for a relevant Bachelors degree from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in 60 points above Stage II

c (i) completed the requirements for a relevant Bachelors degree from this University, or have equivalent prior study

and

(ii) passed 60 points towards a relevant postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher.

3 Equivalence and relevance in Regulations 1 and 2 will be determined by the University. Equivalence pertains to the standard as well as nature and level of study.

4 In order to be admitted to this degree, applicants must have completed courses relevant to the specialisation in which they intend to enrol, and passed any prerequisite courses prior to enrolment in this degree.

5 A student wishing to enrol in courses listed in a specialisation in the Master of Engineering Studies Schedule as part of this degree must satisfy any prerequisites specified for that specialisation.

6 a In exceptional circumstances the requirements in Regulation 1 may be waived by the Associate Dean Postgraduate Research or nominee if they determine that an applicant has a Bachelors degree and relevant practical, professional or scholarly experience of an appropriate kind that is equivalent to one year of postgraduate study.

b In exceptional circumstances the requirements in Regulation 2 may be waived by the Associate Dean Postgraduate Research or nominee if they determine that an applicant has at least three years of relevant practical, professional or scholarly experience that provides an equivalent level of preparation.

Note: Whether a qualification is considered relevant will depend on the courses taken in that qualification and the specialisation a student intends to complete. As well as qualifications in Engineering, qualifications in Architecture, Planning or Science, for example, may be considered relevant to some specialisations.

7 A student admitted to this degree under Regulation 1 or 6a must:

a pass courses with a total value of 120 points

and

b complete within the time limit specified in the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

8 A student admitted to this degree under Regulation 2 or 6b must:

a pass courses with a total value of 180 points

and

b complete within the time limit specified in the General Regulations – Masters Degrees

and

c not exceed 220 points for the total enrolment for this degree.

9 A student enrolled for this degree must complete the requirements for one of the specialisations listed in the Master of Engineering Schedule.

10 A student who has previously passed any course the same as, or similar to, the courses required for this degree must substitute an alternative course as approved by the Programme Director or nominee.

11 A student who has to complete 180 points must achieve a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in the first 60 points of taught courses taken for this degree. If this Grade Point Average is not achieved, enrolment in the Master of Engineering cannot continue.

12 A student must complete the University of Auckland Academic Integrity course as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic Integrity, of the University Calendar.

13 a The thesis is to be carried out under the guidance of a supervisor appointed by the Academic Head.

b The thesis is to embody the results obtained by the student in an investigation on a topic approved by the Programme Director or nominee prior to enrolment.

c The investigation is to be carried out by the student at the University under the direct supervision of a member of the academic staff, provided that:

(i) laboratory work may be carried out in an approved institution outside the University for such limited period or periods as Senate or its representative may determine

(ii) field work may be carried out at such places and for such periods as Senate or its representative may determine.

d At the discretion of the Programme Director or nominee the candidate may be required to attend an oral examination.

e The thesis is to be completed and submitted in accordance with the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

14 A student may apply to reassign courses passed for this degree to the Master of Engineering Studies, Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering or Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering.

15 A student who has passed courses towards a Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering or Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering that are available for a specialisation in this degree and is eligible to be admitted to this degree, may apply to reassign those courses to the Master of Engineering for that specialisation provided that the postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma has not been awarded.

16 This degree may be awarded with Honours in accordance with the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

17 In exceptional circumstances the Programme Director may approve a variation to a student’s programme of study in accordance with the Enrolment and Programme Regulations.