Postgraduate study in Civil Engineering

We strongly value advanced research; this is reflected in the range of facilities and specialised expertise we offer, all potentially tailored to suit individual interests. Some areas of in-depth study include:

• Advanced structural dynamics
• Earthquake engineering
• Excavation engineering
• Experimental and computational geotechnical engineering
• Fire engineering
• Highway and pavement engineering
• Infrastructure asset management
• Rock mechanics
• Seismic structural design

We are also involved in many real-world projects, with some students contributing to projects around the country, including: the Christchurch rebuild, improving transportation systems in Auckland and the rest of the country, building dams and reservoirs, and responding to natural disasters. They’re also part of the decision-making process in local and regional councils.

Additional entry requirements for the Master of Civil Engineering 

Please note that you must have:

• Completed courses in an undergraduate degree relevant to the specialisation (structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, water resources engineering, transportation engineering or construction management)
• Passed any prerequisite courses prior to enrolment in this programme
• Satisfied any prerequisites specified for the specialisation in the Master of Civil Engineering schedule
  

To be eligible for the 120 point option, you must have accomplished one of the following:

• Completed the requirements for the Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Civil Engineering from the University of Auckland with a Grade Point Average of 4.0 or higher in 120 points above Part 3 of the programme
• Completed the requirements for an equivalent 4-year degree qualification (BE/BTech/BS/Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Civil/Environmental/Water Resources/Sanitary/Structural Engineering) at an overseas institution of high standing, and at a level deemed satisfactory by the Dean of Faculty of Engineering
• Completed the requirements for the Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Civil Engineering from the University of Auckland, or an equivalent degree qualification (as mentioned above) or passed with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in 60 points relevant to the civil engineering specialisation in the Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering at the University of Auckland, provided that the Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering has not been awarded
• Completed the requirements for an appropriate bachelors degree (BE/BTech/BS/Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Civil/Environmental/Water Resources/Sanitary/Structural Engineering) at a level deemed satisfactory by the Dean of Faculty of Engineering

To be eligible for the 180 point option, you must have:

• Completed the requirements for an appropriate bachelors degree (BE/BTech/BS/Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Civil/Environmental/Water Resources/Sanitary/Structural Engineering), at a level deemed satisfactory by the Dean of Faculty of Engineering
• Passed with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in 60 points relevant to the specialisation in the Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering from the University of Auckland, provided that the you have not been awarded the PGCertEng
  

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 for your country listed in the engineering programme of your choice. 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.
• 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 and Design's programme application deadlines. For processing times, contact the New Zealand High Commission/Embassy or your education agent.
• Applicants applying for their second masters degree need to be aware that additional assessment requirements will take extra time. The Faculty of Engineering and Design is required to assess your previous masters degree courses to ensure that they do not overlap with your selected 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 documentations may be required. Submit your application well in advance of the deadline if this is your situation, as you may also need to take into account visa application times.

Post-study Work Rights
Are you an international applicant considering applying for a student visa and post-study work rights after completing your masters?

In that case, you must be aware that international students must be enrolled in at least 45 points (three courses) in an on-campus delivery mode each consecutive semester to comply with your student visa requirements.

Online courses do not meet the Immigration NZ requirements for on-campus study.

Masters students must complete a minimum of 30 weeks of on-campus study full-time to be eligible to apply for a post-study work visa.

For information on Student Visas and the Post-Study Work Visa, visit the Immigration NZ website.

“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.

Postgraduate Certificate in Civil Engineering

This is a flexible programme that can be structured around your interests in civil engineering.  Find out more

Postgraduate Diploma in Civil Engineering

This is a 120-point fully taught programme. You will need to complete a minimum of 45 points of core courses and 75 points from the electives listed under the Master of Civil Engineering below (excludes research projects). Find out more

Master of Civil Engineering (unendorsed)

The Master of Civil Engineering is available in 120-points and 180-points and in both research and taught options. If undertaking a 30-point Research Project in the taught programme, then all options will be eligible for the award of Honours and may be able to progress to the PhD.

TAUGHT

Core courses (120-points):

Semester One

• ENVENG 702 Engineering Decision Making in Aotearoa Online (15 points)
• ENGGEN 730 Management Skills for Project Professionals (15 points)

Semester Two

• ENVENG 702 Engineering Decision Making in Aotearoa (15 points)
• ENGGEN 730 Management Skills for Project Professionals (15 points)

Core courses (180-points):
In addition to ENVENG 702 and ENGGEN 730, you are required to enrol in ENGGEN 742 and ENGGEN 769:

Semester One

• ENGGEN 742 Project Management (15 points)
• ENGGEN 742 Project Management Online (15 points)
• ENGGEN 769 Research Methods for Engineers (15 points)

Semester Two

• ENGGEN 742 Project Management Online (15 points)
• ENGGEN 769 Research Methods for Engineers (15 points)

For 120-points and 180-point programme, select at least 30 points from the following:

Semester One

• CIVIL 707 Construction Supply Chain Management (15 points)
• CIVIL 764 Highway Safety and Operations (15 points)
• CIVIL 765 Infrastructure Asset Management (15 points)
• CIVIL 770 Transport Systems Economics (15 points)
• ENGGEN 737 Engineering Risk Management Online (15 points)
• ENVENG 701 Urban Stormwater Management (15 points)
• ENVENG 746 Surface Water Quality Modelling (15 points)

Semester Two

• CIVIL 702 Design of Earthquake Resistant Foundations Online (15 points)
• CIVIL 704 Advanced Topics in Project Management (15 points)
• CIVIL 715 Advanced Structural Concrete Online (15 points)
• CIVIL 717 Advanced Structural Timber (15 points)
• CIVIL 725 Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering (15 points)
• CIVIL 738 Construction 4.0: The Future of Construction (15 points)
• CIVIL 745 Seismic Assessment of Existing Buildings (15 points)
• CIVIL 771 Planning and Managing Transport (15 points)
• ENGGEN 738 Work Based Learning (15 points)
• ENGGEN 739 Cost Engineering (15 points)
• ENVENG 707 Advanced Water Treatment and Reuse (15 points)

Available in Semester One and Semester Two

• CIVIL 788 Part A and B Research Project (30 points – completed over 2 semesters)

For the 120-point programme you can select up to 60 points from the following courses. For the 180-point programme you can select up to 90 points:

Semester One

• CIVIL 700 Geotechnical Analysis (15 points)
• CIVIL 720 Earthquake Engineering (15 points)
• CIVIL 722 Slope Engineering (15 points)
• CIVIL 727 Dynamics of Structures in Earthquakes (15 points)
• CIVIL 731 Water Resources Modelling (15 points)
• CIVIL 733 Coastal Engineering Dynamics (15 points)
• CIVIL 750 Timber Engineering (15 points)
• CIVIL 762 Transportation Planning (15 points)
• CIVIL 782 Water Resources Engineering (15 points)
• ENGGEN 734 Engineering Contracts for Project Managers Online (15 points)
• ENGGEN 735 Project Management Case Studies (15 points)
• ENGGEN 742 Project Management (15 points)
• ENGGEN 742 Project Management Online(15 points)
• ENGGEN 743 Applied Creative Thinking Online (15 points)
• ENVENG 740 Water and Wastewater Engineering (15 points)
• STRCTENG 710 Low Rise Structures Design (15 points)
• STRCTENG 711 Multistorey Structures Design (15 points)

Semester Two

• CIVIL 741 Ground Improvements and Geosynthetics Engineering (15 points)
• CIVIL 743 Special Topic: Building Information Modelling (15 points)
• CIVIL 763 Smart Infrastructure Analytics (15 points)
• ENGGEN 734 Engineering Contracts for Project Managers (15 points)
• ENVENG 752 Sustainability and Life Cycle Assessment (15 points)
• ENVENG 705 Special Topic - TBC (15 points)

Note: You may select up to 30 points electives from other relevant 600 and 700 level courses offered at this University approved by the Programme Director.

RESEARCH
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:

• CIVIL 796A/B Research Thesis (120-points)
  or
• ENVENG 702 and ENGGEN 730 and;
• CIVIL 793A/B Research Thesis (90 points)

180-point option:

• ENGGEN 730, ENGGEN 742, ENGGEN 769 and ENVENG 702 and;
• CIVIL 796A/B Research Thesis (120-points)
  or
• ENGGEN 730, ENGGEN 742, ENGGEN 769 and ENVENG 702 and;
• 30 points from electives and;
• CIVIL 793A/B Research Thesis (90 points)

Not offered in 2025:

• CIVIL 706 Special Topic: Water-sensitive Cities (15 points)
• CIVIL 710 Advanced Structural Dynamics (15 points)
• CIVIL 711 Structures Seminar (15 points)
• CIVIL 718 Light Gauge Steel (15 points)
• CIVIL 719 Matrix Structural Analysis (15 points)
• CIVIL 721 Foundation Engineering (15 points)
• CIVIL 724 Soil Behaviour (15 points)
• CIVIL 728 Geotechnical Engineering in Professional Practice (15 points)
• CIVIL 732 Coastal Engineering Design (15 points)
• CIVIL 734 River Engineering (15 points)
• CIVIL 737 Coastal Modelling (15 points)
• CIVIL 742 Bridge Design (15 points)
• CIVIL 746 Nonlinear Structural Analysis (15 points)
• CIVIL 754 Geotechnical Modelling (15 points)
• CIVIL 761 Planning and Design of Transport Facilities (15 points)
• CIVIL 766 Road Asset Management (15 points)
• CIVIL 767 Pavement Analysis and Design (15 points)
• CIVIL 769 Highway Geometric Design (15 points)
• CIVIL 773 Sustainable Transport: Planning and Design (15 points)
• CIVIL 774 Studies in Transportation 1 (15 points)
• ENVENG 744 Environmental Engineering Processes Laboratory (15 points)
• ENVENG 747 Environmental Fate of Chemicals and Mitigation (15 points)
• ENVENG 750 Advanced Sustainability Engineering (15 points)

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.