Postgraduate study in Environmental Engineering

A Master of Civil Engineering in Environmental Engineering consists of courses and small research projects in the areas of environmental impact assessment, waste minimisation and management and the protection of air, water, and soil from pollution. Our academic staff members’ main research areas include:

• Fate and transport of contaminants in the environment
• Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions through novel technologies
• Treatment of emerging contaminants by membrane processes
• Resource recovery from wastewater and organic wastes
• Assessing energy efficiency of wastewater treatment facilities

An environmental section plays a key role in all engineering consultancy firms. Also a number of purely environmental engineering firms have become established, with over 30 now existing in Auckland alone. Our graduates have found employment in consulting engineering, environmental agencies, government departments. They also work as designers and advisers for many engineering projects. Some of the opportunities postgraduate study will prepare you for include:

• Design, construction and maintenance of earth structures for highways, dams and urban developments
• Construction of earthquake resistant structures in steel, concrete and timber
• Use of water resources and protecting the environment
• The supervision and management of large projects

Before applying for this programme, please ensure that you meet the entry requirements for the Master of Civil Engineering.

An alternative pathway into this programme is open to applicants with appropriate backgrounds and professional experience, including those with a Bachelor of Technology or a Bachelor of Science.

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's programme application deadlines. For processing times, contact the New Zealand High Commission/Embassy or your education agent.
• Applicants for a second masters degree need to be aware that additional assessment requirements will take extra time. The Faculty of Engineering must 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 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 visa application times into account.

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

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 Online (15 points)

Semester Two

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

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

Semester One

• ENVENG 701 Urban Stormwater Management (15 points)
• ENVENG 746 Surface Water Quality Modelling (15 points)

Semester Two

• 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 two semesters)
  
  

From the following courses, you can select a further 60 points for the 120-point programme, and up to a further 90 points for the 180-point programme:

Semester One

• ENVENG 740 Water and Wastewater Engineering (15 points)

Semester Two

• ENVENG 705 Special Topic - TBC (15 points)
• ENVENG 752 Sustainability and Life Cycle Assessment (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.
 

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
• 15 points from: ENVENG 701, 705, 707, 740, 744, 746, 747 or 752
• CIVIL 793A/B Research Thesis (90 points)

180-point option:

• ENGGEN 769, ENVENG 702
• 30 points from: ENVENG 701, 705, 707, 740, 744, 746, 747 or 752
• CIVIL 796A/B Research Thesis (120-points)

or

• ENGGEN 769, ENVENG 702
• 60 points from: ENVENG 701, 705, 707, 740, 744, 746, 747 or 752
• CIVIL 793A/B Research Thesis (90 points)

Not offered in 2025:

• ENVENG 747 Environmental Fate of Chemicals and Mitigation (15 points)
• ENVENG 744 Environmental Engineering Processes Laboratory (15 points)

For general student enquiries, please contact the Student Hubs.

If you would like further academic information, you can contact a postgraduate adviser.

*New applicants/students interested in this specialisation should apply for the Master of Civil Engineering