The Master of Engineering Science (Structural Engineering) will help you develop advanced professional skills in computational analysis and design of steel, and in reinforced, composite and pre-stressed concrete structures.
It is designed for practising structural engineers and recent graduates planning a career in structural or civil engineering.
You will investigate and gain practical experience in the structural integrity of materials used in buildings, bridges, dams, tunnels, roads, pavements and other structures when exposed to natural phenomena or hostile environments.
We're ranked #1 in Australia and #33 globally for Engineering and Technology. As well as this, 7 of UNSW's Engineering schools are ranked in the global top 50 with one school ranked in the global top 10 for Engineering subjects (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2026).
On top of this, we're known as the leading Civil and Environmental Engineering school ranked #1 in Australia for Civil and Structural Engineering (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2026).
UNSW is known for its graduate employability, with UNSW awarded the Most Employable students for seven years in a row (AFR Top 100 Future Leaders & Graduate Employers Awards, 2020–2026).
Our Centres and discipline groups provide focal points for our 80 researchers to contribute to global efforts in innovative civil, environmental and geospatial engineering research.
By studying at UNSW School of Civil and Environmental Engineering you will gain access to world-class facilities, including Infrastructure Laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art servo-controlled hydraulic actuators and universal testing machines.
The laboratories maintain a capacity for high load testing, ranging from 10 kN to 5000 kN. Strength testing is often combined with X-Ray measuring of laboratory specimens under load, enabling you to gain improved understanding at the materials level and to develop refined, mechanically based, structural models.
There are two entry points into this Master of Engineering Science specialisation depending on your cognate background. This provides a structured and supportive option for students with a non-cognate background, while enabling students with cognate backgrounds earlier flexibility in their course selection. Both entry points equate to the same duration of 2 years (96 UOC), and differ only in the order and structure of core foundation courses.
Students with a cognate background:
Entry into the Master’s program requires completion of a 4-year Bachelor of Engineering degree (or equivalent) or 3-year Engineering Science degree in a cognate discipline. A minimum 65% average, or its equivalent, throughout the qualifying bachelor’s degree is mandatory.*
Students with a non-cognate background:
Students with a non-cognate background can enter the Master of Engineering Science via the Graduate Certificate in Engineering Science/Master of Engineering Science pathway.
Entry into the pathway requires completion of a 4-year Bachelor of Engineering degree (or equivalent) or 3-year Engineering Science degree in any engineering discipline.
A minimum 65% average, or its equivalent, throughout the qualifying bachelor’s degree is mandatory.*
Successful applicants will be offered entry to the Master of Engineering Science via the Graduate Certificate in Engineering Science/Master of Engineering Science pathway. Students can transition to the Master of Engineering Science after successfully completing the Graduate Certificate. The total study duration is the same as the entry point for students with a cognate background (2 years/ 96 UOC). There is no separate application required for this pathway. Applicants with non-cognate backgrounds must apply for the Master of Engineering Science to be considered for this entry.
Qualifications from non-211 Chinese Universities will require a 70% average
Recognition of Prior Learning is the transfer of credit towards your program from previous study. If you have relevant previous study experience, you may be eligible for credit points that would enable you to complete your Master of Engineering Science in as little as one year, or another accelerated option listed below dependent on your previous study.