The Master of Civil Engineering is a 2–3 year degree (full-time) depending on your prior study.

Course structure

First year

In your first year (or equivalent) you’ll complete foundation engineering subjects – tailored to students from a non-engineering background. If you’ve completed the Civil Systems major in your bachelor’s degree, plus the required maths and science subjects, you’ll receive credit for these foundation engineering subjects and start in second year.

Second and third year

In the second and third year (or equivalent), you’ll focus on your chosen engineering discipline. As a civil engineering student, you will focus on sustainable urban developments, environmental protection and the conservation of energy and water resources.

You will learn structural, geotechnical, hydraulic and transportation engineering, as well as the application of these disciplines in ports and harbour, energy, sustainability and project management. The course has also been designed to give you a broader understanding of sustainability design and environmental processes.

You’ll undertake an industry, design or research project and gain the skills and knowledge to practice as a professional engineer.

Choose your specialisation

As a Master of Civil Engineering student, you can pursue your career goals and interests through one of three specialisations, or you can choose not to specialise if you’d prefer.

Business

Study tailored business subjects developed in partnership with the Melbourne Business School, covering how economics, marketing and finance relate to engineering.

Energy

Explore energy efficiency and renewable energy for infrastructure, to help create a low carbon future.

Structural

Study how to design, develop and evaluate the load-bearing structural systems used in buildings, bridges and other infrastructure like tunnels and dams.

Industry, design and research subjects

Internship subject

Enhance your skills and build work experience through our academically credited internship subject. Running over 10-15 weeks, you could intern for organisations in diverse applications including transport, infrastructure, property, electricity distribution, built environment, oil and gas, engineering and construction.

Creating Innovative Engineering subject

You could work on a real-world innovation challenge with an industry mentor through our Creating Innovative Engineering subject.

Design capstone subjects

Be guided by experienced engineers in preparing an infrastructure design proposal in our Integrated Design – Infrastructure subject. Learn how to scope a design to meet society’s needs including suburban precincts, transport systems or water and renewable energy supply systems.

You could also learn how to design major civil infrastructure projects including railway stations, trains, airports and stadiums with our Integrated Design – Civil subject.

Handbook entries

Master of Civil Engineering