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Master of Engineering Science
Specialising in Civil Engineering
Choose your specialisation
Advanced Manufacturing
The advanced manufacturing specialisation gives you the skills to ensure quality, efficiency and productivity in manufacturing environments.
Civil Engineering
The Civil Engineering Specialisation will give you the skills and knowledge to ensure the safe, efficient, and sustainable development of physical infrastructure
Electrical Engineering
The Electrical Engineering specialisation equips students with the core skills to design, develop and innovative electrical systems and technologies
Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering
Gain expertise in power systems, digital circuits, and electronic devices with the Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering specialisation.
Industry 4.0 and Automation
Our Industry 4.0 and Automation specialisation teaches you to work with technology that improves manufacturing lines, supply chains and resource useage
Mechanical Engineering
Learn the core concepts of surface engineering, industry 4.0, computer modelling and fluid mechanics as you participate in industry-based projects and practical workshops.
Structural Engineering
Our Structural Engineering Specialisation prepares you with the skills and knowledge necessary to design, analyse, and construct various structures.
Overview
The Master of Engineering Science has a strong focus on independent research work and builds on the knowledge learned from your existing undergraduate engineering degree. In this course, you’ll expand your specialised technical knowledge either in the same discipline, or one which is related. Upon graduation, you’ll be able to work as a professional engineer in an area such as: electrical power generation, mechanical systems and telecommunication networks design, or civil engineering project management.
You're invited to our 2025 Study Expo
Join us this January to meet academics, browse courses, get application help, explore our Hawthorn campus and find out all you need to know about starting in Semester 1.
Your specialisation
The Civil Engineering Specialisation will give you the skills and knowledge to ensure the safe, efficient, and sustainable development of physical infrastructure. Develop expertise in advanced Concrete Design, Geotechnical Design, Construction law and Contract Management. Apply your learnings to industry-linked projects and develop the ability to critically analyse problems and develop effective solutions.
Upgrade your skills
- Information analysis
- Problem Solving
- Communication
- Research planning and execution
Stretch your career further
Students can enhance their career opportunities by gaining additional leadership and management skills – an important asset in a today’s complex and changing business environment. The below examples demonstrate the types of roles graduates can attain.
- Senior Electrical Engineer
- Renewable Energy Engineer
- Manufacturing Systems Designer
- Civil Engineering Project Manager
Key codes
International student visa
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
Professional recognition
Completion of this course may assist graduates in meeting eligibility criteria for membership to various levels of Engineers Australia.
Why Swinburne?
89.1% of students found employment within 4 months of graduating.
The median income for PG graduates nine years out is $111K (2nd highest in Melbourne)
Top 20% for PG Skills Development in Australia.
Top 20% for PG Teaching Quality in Australia.
Qualifications
Standard entry
a Bachelor of Engineering or a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree* (minimum four years of full-time study) in an approved cognate field, or
a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma of Engineering degree in an approved cognate field following on from a four-year Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree, or
a qualification deemed to be equivalent to any of the above
* Applicants with a recognised Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree in an approved cognate field may be eligible for advanced standing.
Standard entry
a Bachelor of Engineering or a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree* (minimum four years of full time study) in an approved cognate field, or
a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma of Engineering degree in an approved cognate field following on from a four-year Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree, or
a qualification deemed to be equivalent to any of the above
* Applicants with a recognised Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree in an approved cognate field may be eligible for advanced standing.
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
English language requirements
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 70%, all skills 65% or above
- or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?
A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.
Credit transfer
Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Finding your fit
At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.
-
Master of Business Information Systems
-
Bachelor of Science
-
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
How credit points work
The Master of Engineering Science consists of 200 credit points. Units normally carry 12.5 credit points. A standard annual full-time load comprises 100 credit points and a part time load comprises of 50 credit points. The volume of learning of the Master of Engineering Science is typically two years.
Your units
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Engineering Project Management
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
CSM80006 |
|
Professional Practice in Engineering
Core unit |
EAT80003 |
|
Engineering Master Major Thesis
Core unit, 50.0 credit points |
ENG80002 |
|
Research Methods
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ICT80011 |
Want to learn more about this course?
Learn more about the Master of Engineering Science in the course handbook.
Civil Engineering specialisation units
Students completing the Civil Engineering specialisation must complete 3 core specialisation units, 5 specialisation units and 1 option unit.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
|
Geotechnical Design
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
CVE80007 |
|
Integrated Water Design
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
CVE80009 |
|
Building Design Project
Core unit, 25.0 credit points |
CVE80021 |
|
Transport Planning, Modelling and Economics
Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points |
CVE80003 |
|
Advanced Concrete Design
Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points |
CVE80004 |
|
Strengthening and Monitoring of Structures
Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points |
CVE80005 |
|
Infrastructure Deterioration Modelling
Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points |
CVE80006 |
|
Finite Element Methods and Applications
Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points |
CVE80018 |
|
Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering
Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points |
CVE80019 |
|
Engineering Postgraduate Internship
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
ENG80003 |
|
Construction Law and Contract Management
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
CSM80003 |
|
Documentation and Information Management with BIM
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
CSM80012 |
|
Estimating and Project Costing
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
CSM80016 |
|
Bridge Design
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
CVE80020 |
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$39,280
Total fee* ($AUD)
$78,560
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$45,600.00
Fees are estimates only
The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2025 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.
Fees are estimates only
The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
How do I pay my fees?
FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.
International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.
To pay your fees:
- log in to My Finances
- check your Australian bank account details are correct
- check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
- pay using your preferred payment method.
Eligibility for FEE-HELP
You’re eligible for a FEE-HELP loan if you are studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or UniLink or OUA course at Swinburne, and you:
- are an Australian citizen doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
- hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
- hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens
- are undertaking bridging study for overseas trained professionals and will be living in Australia for the duration of this study
- have not exceeded the new combined Help Loan limit.
The HELP limit is the maximum amount you can borrow from the government in your lifetime towards your education costs. It is fixed and cannot be topped up.
Student services and amenities fee
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
The fee shown in the capped amount for 2025.
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.
Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.
Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.
When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.
Apply through an agent
Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.
Apply directly
Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online!