Master of Engineering Practice

Summary

Fast-track your career in engineering with a one-year programme that will give you solid practical and industry experience.

Get up to date with engineering practice

The 180-point Master of Engineering Practice is a one-year (three trimester) programme that helps you build a strong technical foundation.

It’s the perfect choice if you want to specialise in a particular area of engineering. You’ll have the chance to develop niche knowledge that will open doors to specialist and senior roles.

If you’re an international student, the MEP will get you up to speed with engineering practice in New Zealand and make you a strong candidate for jobs here.

How you’ll study

The programme combines taught courses and an industry placement, giving you the chance to apply your learning in a real-life context.

Past industry placements have included companies like:

• Google
• Xero
• Datacom
• Wētā FX
• Microsoft
• IBM
• Trade Me
• Fisher & Paykel
• 2degrees.

Through the programme, you’ll develop problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and research skills to complement your technical knowledge. You’ll gain a competitive edge as you prepare for a career in one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing industries.

Tailor your study

For the coursework component of the Master of Engineering Practice, you can specialise by choosing courses in your area of interest. These could include:

• mechatronics
• renewable energy
• software engineering
• electronics
• networked applications.

Potential fast track

If you already have a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours or equivalent, you may be able to credit some of your Honours-level courses towards the MEP. This way, you may be able to gain a Master’s degree in as little as two trimesters of study.

Scholarships for international students

We are currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme. Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.

Part-time study options

You can choose to study the coursework component of the MEP part time, but you will usually need to study full time to complete the Industry Project (ENGR 589).

If you do the coursework component of the MEP part time, you will need about 20 hours per week if you take two courses per trimester. You can complete your MEP in up to three years.

Make sure you take these timeframes into account if you are working or balancing other commitments.

Future careers

Your study might lead to specialist or senior roles in areas such as:

• software engineering
• electrical engineering
• renewable energy engineering
• cybersecurity
• artificial intelligence
• mechatronics.

Potential employers

Recent Engineering graduates work for employers such as:

• tech companies—Trade Me, Datacom, Atlassian, Catalyst IT, Xero, Google, IBM, Wētā FX, Apple, Microsoft, Eagle Technology, DXC Technology, Palantir, Pik Pok, RedShield
• engineering firms and electricity companies—Beca, Transpower, Wellington Electricity, Radiola, Infratec, Aurora Energy, Eight360, Fisher & Paykel, Foundry Lab
• consulting firms—PwC, Ernst & Young, KPMG, Deloitte
• insurance companies
• government and public sector organisations.

Paid industry or research project

All international students in the Master of Engineering Practice programme undertake an industry or research project in their final trimester of study. The project involves either working in an industry setting or conducting industry-focused research at the University.

Why Wellington

Wellington has the highest concentration of web-based and digital technology companies in New Zealand. Our ICT sector is the largest contributor to the city’s GDP, and a significant employer of talent in the region.

Your study can include a placement at a wide range of Wellington-based, industry-leading companies.

• Living in Wellington
• Industry Alliance Programme

Learn about how you'll study for the Master of Engineering Practice.

How you’ll study

The Master of Engineering Practice has two parts.

Part 1

In Part 1 you’ll focus on developing your research, communication and practise skills through taught courses and a project.

You’ll take four core courses, and choose four additional approved courses from electronics, networking, renewable energy, software or computer science.

You’ll complete a major group project to design, implement and evaluate a solution to an industry-based engineering problem. Through this project you’ll apply your technical and professional skill set to address a range of topics related to the project, including legal and IP issues, business...