Postgraduate study in Chemical and Materials Engineering

Postgraduate students in Chemical and Materials Engineering gain a deeper understanding of how things work, with the potential to develop new technologies. Areas of interest include:

• Advanced and nanomaterials research, which involves in-depth studies into properties, performance, processing, microstructure, and industrial applications
• Chemical and process engineering, including aluminium smelting technology, heat exchange, iron and steel making, food processing, high-pressure sterilisation, and more
• Energy and the environment, including biodiesel, oil and gas processing, thermal management, air flow and heat transfer, and clean technologies
• Food and bioproduct processing, with a focus on value-added food products and cost-effective technologies
• Materials engineering, with studies in novel materials design, manufacturing and processing. Specialist areas are light metals, nanomaterials and biomaterials
• Separation and reaction engineering, specialising in green process engineering
• Surface and materials science, from the nano to large-scale

Important requirements for international students

• All international applicants should ensure that they meet all the programme’s entry requirements. You should only proceed with your application if your GPA matches or exceeds the requirements listed for your country. Please do not apply if your GPA is below the minimum entry requirements, but consider the alternative study options that may be offered as a pathway into your preferred programme, such as the Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering.
• You are strongly advised to consider visa application times. Please be aware of the student visa processing times in your home country and submit the documentation needed well ahead of the Faculty of Engineering's programme application deadlines. For processing times, contact the New Zealand High Commission/Embassy or your education agent.
• If you are applying for your second masters degree, you need to be aware that additional assessment requirements will take extra time. The Faculty of Engineering is required to assess your previous masters degree courses to ensure that they do not overlap with the courses in the University of Auckland programme that you have expressed interest in. You must therefore allow more time for your application to be processed, and be aware that further documentation may be required. Submit your application well in advance of the deadline if this is your situation, as you may also need to take visa application times into account.

“My Programme Requirements” is a feature in Student Services Online that tells you what the academic requirements are for your programme.

It shows you what courses you are enrolled in, what courses you have passed and what courses you can take to complete your degree. For more information, see How to view your programme requirements.

For detailed course information and advice please refer to your programme regulations in the University of Auckland Calendar or visit one of our Student Hubs.

Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering

There are distinct study tracks available for the PGCertEng in Chemical and Materials Engineering focusing on Food Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering and Biomaterials Engineering. Find out more

Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering

This is a 120-point Taught programme. You will need to complete a minimum of 90-points of courses in Chemical and Materials from the list provided under the Master of Engineering Studies (excludes research projects). The remaining 30-points can also be selected from this list, or you may choose up to 30-points of other appropriate courses, as approved by the Programme Director. Find out more

Master of Engineering Studies

The Master of Engineering Studies in Chemical and Materials Engineering is available in a 120-point taught option only. You also have the option of undertaking a 30-point Research Project and will be eligible for the award of Honours and may be able to progress to the PhD.

Electives
Select at least 45 points from the following:

Semester One:

• CHEMMAT 713 Advanced Chemical Engineering (15 points)
• CHEMMAT 721 Advanced Materials (15 points)
• CHEMMAT 752 Process Dynamics and Control (15 points)
• CHEMMAT 753 Biological Materials and Biomaterials (15 points)
• CHEMMAT 754 Materials Performance Enhancement (15 points)
• CHEMMAT 772 Advanced Food Process Engineering (15 points)

Semester Two:

• CHEMMAT 713 Advanced Chemical Engineering (15 points)
• CHEMMAT 758 Resource Recovery Technologies (15 points)
• CHEMMAT 773 Food Process Systems Engineering (15 points)

Available for Semester One and Two:

• CHEMMAT 788 A/B Research Project (30 points)

For the 120-point programme you can select up to 75 points from the following courses:

Semester One:

• CHEMMAT 712 Directed Study in Chemical Engineering (15 points)
• CHEMMAT 722 Directed Study in Materials (15 points)
• CHEMMAT 723 Industrial Materials Engineering (15 points)
• CHEMMAT 756 Food Process Engineering (15 points)
• CHEMMAT 760 Advanced Microbial Technology in Bioprocess Engineering (15 points)
• ENERGY 721 Energy Resources (15 points)
• ENGGEN 732 Systems Thinking and Project Business Case (15 points)
• ENGGEN 769 Research Methods for Engineers Online (15 points)
• ENVENG 702 Engineering Decision Making in Aotearoa Online (15 points)
• FOODSCI 703 Food Processing (15 points)
• MECHENG 743 Composite Materials (15 points)

Semester Two:

• CHEMMAT 712 Directed Study in Chemical Engineering (15 points)
• CHEMMAT 720 Materials Design and Processing (15 points)
• CHEMMAT 722 Directed Study in Materials (15 points)
• CHEMMAT 725 Advanced Functional Materials (15 points)
• CHEMMAT 757 Engineering Biotechnology (15 points)
• CHEMMAT 759 Industry 4.0 for Chemical Engineering (15 points)
• ENGGEN 769 Research Methods for Engineers (15 points)
• ENVENG 702 Engineering Decision Making in Aotearoa (15 points)
• ENVSCI 711 Environmental Impact Assessment (15 points)

Note: Students in the 120-point programme may select up to 45 points of other relevant courses from this university; subject to approval from the Course Director and Programme Director.
 

Not offered in 2025:

• CHEMMAT 724 Advanced Materials Characterisation (15 points)
• CHEMMAT 755 Materials for Energy and Environmental Applications (15 points)
• MECHENG 742 Advanced Materials Manufacturing (15 points)
   

Master of Engineering

This degree aims to provide a research-focused learning environment in which you can develop your independent problem-solving skills through supervised research. The programme is offered in two options to suit the existing qualifications and experience of candidates. This degree may be awarded with Honours and you may be able to progress to the PhD.

• 120-point option:
  CHEMMAT 796A/B Research Thesis (120 points)
• 180-point option:
  CHEMMAT 796A/B Research Thesis (120 points)

Electives
For the 180-point research degree you will also select 60-points elective courses; excluding research project (see above).

For course descriptions, please refer to the University of Auckland Calendar.

For general student enquiries, please contact the Student Hubs. If you would like further academic information, you can contact a Postgraduate Adviser.