Postgraduate study in Computer Systems Engineering

A strong research focus is vital to the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and postgraduate study in Computer Systems Engineering is no exception. You’ll gain opportunities to tackle projects alongside world-class researchers, sometimes within well-known research groups in purpose-built laboratories, with real-world applications. Major topics may include:

• Control systems, applied to bioprocess modelling, control of water treatment plants and nonlinear filtering design, active fault-tolerant control of nonlinear stochastic dynamical systems, and more
• Embedded systems, working with well-recognised researchers to investigate hardware/software co-design, real-time systems, low-power design, application-specific processors, system-level languages, wearable computing, smart sensors, intelligent transportation, medical devices, and the Internet of Things
• Industrial informatics and automation, focusing on distributed intelligent control architectures in industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, food processing
• Robotics, generally undertaken in the Centre for Automation and Robotic Engineering Science with an aim to create innovative technologies to improve social well-being; focusing on human-robot interaction, software systems and tools, and applications in the healthcare and primary sectors

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.
• 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’re 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

This is a flexible programme that can be structured around your engineering interests. 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 Computer Systems 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 Computer Systems Engineering is available in 120-point and 180-point taught options. 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:

• COMPSYS 701 Advanced Digital Systems Design (15 points)
• ELECTENG 734 Power Electronics (15 points]
• SOFTENG 701 Advanced Software Engineering Development Methods (15 points)
• SOFTENG 751 High Performance Computing (15 points)

Semester Two:

• COMPSYS 704 Advanced Embedded Systems (15 points)
• COMPSYS 705 Formal Methods for Safety Critical Software (15 points)
• COMPSYS 726 Robotics and Intelligent Systems (15 points)
• ELECTENG 704 Advanced Control Systems (15 points)

Available for Semester One and Two:

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

From the courses below, you can select up to 75 points for the 120-point programme, and up to 135 points for the 180-point programme:

Semester One:

• COMPSYS 721 Machine Intelligence and Deep Learning (15 points)
• COMPSYS 723 Embedded Systems Design (15 points)
• COMPSYS 731 Human-Robot Interaction (15 points)
• COMPSYS 732 Mobile Autonomous Robotics (15 points)
• ELECTENG 722 Modern Control Systems (15 points)
• ELECTENG 733 Digital Signal Processing (15 points)
• ENVENG 702 Engineering Decision Making in Aotearoa Online (15 points)

Semester Two:

• COMPSYS 730 Robotics and Society (15 points)
• ELECTENG 726 Digital Communications (15 points)
• ENVENG 702 Engineering Decision Making in Aotearoa (15 points)
• SOFTENG 761 Advanced Agile and Lean Software Development (15 points)

Note: Students in the 120-point programme may select up to 30 points of other relevant courses from this university; subject to approval from the Course Director and Programme Director.

Students in the 180-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:

• COMPSYS 725 Distributed Cyber-Physical Systems Design (15 points)
• COMPSYS 727 Model-based Embedded Systems Design (15 points)
• ELECTENG 706 Topics in Digital Signal Processing (15 points)
• ELECTENG 732 Communication Systems (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:
  COMPSYS 796A/B Research Thesis (120 points)
• 180-point option:
  COMPSYS 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 general student enquiries, please contact the Student Hubs.

If you would like further academic information, you can contact a Postgraduate Adviser.