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Contents

Quick Facts

Programme Tabs

Overview

Programme Overview

Earthquake engineers design new buildings and infrastructure to withstand disasters, and they assess the vulnerability of existing buildings and infrastructure. They draw expertise from structural and geotechnical engineering. The University of Auckland is internationally recognised for our strengths in these fields, putting us in the right position to deliver specialist professional capabilities both locally and internationally where there are increasing population densities in seismic regions.

Recent earthquakes in Canterbury and Kaikoura have caused extensive damage to buildings, infrastructure and the natural environment. Investigations into the post-disaster repair and reconstruction efforts have increased our understanding and specialist expertise, but also revealed major demands for earthquake engineers. In this case, the demands have exceeded the capacity of our engineering profession. This need is also seen in many other countries around the world.

Beyond training a new generation of leading professionals, the MEqEng also aims to support current practitioners in the building industries – those who require skills to navigate increasingly complex building codes, policies and requirements in line with new innovations in research and industry.

Programme Structure

You can undertake a Master of Earthquake Engineering in either a taught or research pathway.

This programme is offered in two options, to suit the existing qualifications and experience of candidates.

  • 120 points for candidates with a four-year bachelors (honours) degree
  • 180 points for candidates with a three-year bachelors degree

Programme Careers

Potential Careers

There is a growing need for civil engineers – specifically earthquake engineers – with capabilities in new construction, and the assessment and retrofit of existing buildings and infrastructure. Recent disasters in New Zealand alone dictate that highly skilled professionals will be in demand as investments in this field grow over the upcoming decades.

Jobs related to this programme

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

Further Study Options

Student career planning services

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

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates

Programme Entry Requirements

Other qualifications

If your highest qualification was gained from another tertiary institution, view our entry requirements.


University of Auckland minimum programme requirements

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.

Taught (120 point) - 5.0 Grade Point Average 

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

Research (120 point) - 5.0 Grade Point Average

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

Research (180 point) - 5.0 Grade Point Average          

Bachelors degree in an approved subject

Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)

Postgraduate Requirements

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

Find a Supervisor

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.

Other Pathways to Study

Taught and 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 in 60 points above Stage II and at least three years of relevant professional experience approved by the Programme Director

Or

  • A BE or BE(Hons) from this University and passed 60 points toward 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 (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.

Whether a qualification is considered relevant will depend on the courses passed and the applicant’s intended specialisation. Qualifications in applied science, engineering or technology may be considered relevant.

If you do not meet the GPA requirement, you may still gain entry by passing 60 points towards one of the following with a GPA of 5.0: 

  • PGCertEng - Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering  
  • PGDipEng - Postgraduate Diploma 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. 

Fees and scholarships

Fees

Fees Disclaimer

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

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Loans and Allowances

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of Living

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

Advice on Programme Limits

This is a limited entry programme: there is a limit on the number of enrolments due to staff or space capacity. For more information, please see the Programme and Course Limitations section of the University Academic and General Statutes and Regulations.

Key Dates

Application Advice

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.

Key Dates

SemesterApplication Closing DateSemester Start DateSemester End Date
2026 Semester One08 December 202502 March 202629 June 2026
2026 Semester Two08 June 202620 July 202616 November 2026

Other Important Dates

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

Regulations

Preamble

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

Admission

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

a completed the requirements for a relevant 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

or

b completed the requirements for a relevant 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

or

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

or

d (i) (a) completed the requirements for a relevant Bachelors degree from this University with a Grade Point Average of 4.0 or higher, or have equivalent prior study

or

(b) completed the requirements for a relevant Bachelors degree from this University with a Grade Point Average of 4.0 or higher in 60 points above Stage II

and

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

or

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

or

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

or

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 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.

Notes:

(i) This is a limited entry programme as per the Limitation of Entry Statute 1991 and selection criteria apply. Selection criteria are available from the Faculty of Engineering and Design.

(ii) Whether a qualification or subject is considered relevant will depend on the courses passed. Qualifications and subjects in Architecture, Civil Engineering or Science, for example, may be considered relevant.

Duration and Total Points Value

5 A student admitted to this degree under Regulation 1 or 4a 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

and

c not exceed 160 points for the total enrolment for this degree.

6 A student admitted to this degree under Regulation 2 or 4b 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.

Structure and Content

7 A student enrolled for this degree must complete the requirements as listed in the Master of Earthquake Engineering Schedule.

8 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.

9 A student who has to complete 180 points must achieve a Grade Point Average of 4.0 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 Earthquake Engineering cannot continue.

10 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.

Research Component

11 a A research project or thesis, when included in the programme, is to be carried out under the guidance of a supervisor appointed by the Academic Head.

b The topic of the research project or thesis must be approved by the Programme Director or nominee prior to enrolment.

c The research project or thesis is to be completed and submitted in accordance with the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

Credit, Cross-credit and Reassignment

12 A student may apply to reassign courses passed for this degree to the Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering or Postgraduate Certificate in Earthquake Engineering.

Transfer from Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma

13 A student who has passed courses towards the Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering, Postgraduate Certificate in Earthquake Engineering, or Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering that are available in this degree may apply to reassign those courses to this degree provided that the postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma has not been awarded.

Distinction

14 This degree may be awarded with Honours, Distinction or Merit in accordance with the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

Variations

15 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.

Regulation Commencement or Amendment

16 These regulations and/or schedule have been amended with effect from 1 January 2025.

Schedule

Programme Schedules

Complete 120 to 180 points comprising:

  • Either:
  • 1 item from 120 points Requirements, or
  • 1 item from 180 points Requirements, and
  • 1 item from Academic Integrity Course

Academic Integrity Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

Graduate Profile

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Programme Capabilities

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Programme Capabilities to Graduate Profile Map

Programme Learning OutcomesPeople and PlaceSustainabilityKnowledge and PracticeCritical ThinkingSolution-SeekingCommunicationCollaborationEthics and Professionalism