As a Master of Engineering (ME) graduate, you will have the opportunity to either seek employment as a professional engineer or start a research career.

The ME normally takes 12 months to complete full-time.  It builds on prior study at undergraduate level, such as the four-year BE(Hons) or BSc(Tech).  The degree requires 120 points, which can either be made up of 30 points in taught papers and a 90-point dissertation (research project), or one 120-point thesis.

If you enrol in an ME via the School of Engineering you can major in Engineering, and your thesis topic may come from our wide range of study areas such as biological engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, materials engineering, environmental engineering and electronic engineering.

Software Engineering projects are completed via the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences.

The School of Engineering fosters collaborative relationships between science, engineering, industry and management.  The School has developed a very strong research base to support its aims of providing you with in-depth knowledge, analytical skills, innovative ideas, and techniques to translate science into technology in the real world.

You will have the opportunity to undertake research with staff who are leaders in their field and will have the use of world-class laboratory facilities. Past ME students have worked on projects such as a ‘snake robot’ for disaster rescue and a brain-controlled electro-mechanical prosthetic hand.

Facilities

The University of Waikato School of Engineering’s specialised laboratories includes the Large Scale Lab complex that features a suite of workshops and laboratories dedicated to engineering teaching and research.  These include 3D printing, a mechanical workshop and computer labs with engineering design software.

The computing facilities at the University of Waikato are among the best in New Zealand, ranging from phones and tablets for mobile application development to cluster computers for massively parallel processing. Software engineering students will have 24 hour access to computer labs equipped with all the latest computer software.

Build a successful career

Depending on the thesis topic studied, graduates of this degree may find employment in the research and development department in a range of engineering industries, including energy companies, environmental agencies, government departments, biomedical/pharmaceutical industries, private research companies, universities, food and dairy industries, electronics, agriculture, forestry and more. The ME can also be a stepping stone to doctoral studies.

• Aeronautical Engineer
• Automotive Engineer
• Biotechnologist
• Computer-aided Engineer
• Engineering Geologist
• Food and Drink Technologist
• Laboratory Technician
• Mechanical Engineer
• Medical Sciences Technician
• Patent Attorney
• Pharmaceutical Engineer
• Quality Assurance Officer
• Research Assistant
• Theoretical Physics Research