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University of Canterbury

Christchurch , Christchurch ,New Zealand

Master of Civil Engineering

Civil infrastructure has the ability to change the landscape of our planet, from tunnels to skyscrapers. The Master of Civil Engineering (MCivilEng) offers professional practice and knowledge in infrastructure design and analysis, and advanced skills in project and stakeholder management. The flexible programme gives you the opportunity to specialise in a specific area, or develop a broad background in civil engineering.

Students will also gain understanding of complex issues that face our society, including sustainable engineering, risk mitigation for natural disasters, and bicultural perspectives of engineering in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The MCivilEng can be awarded unendorsed, or endorsed in:

  • Construction Management
  • Earthquake Engineering
  • Renewable Energy
  • Transportation Engineering
  • Digital Civil Engineering
  • Geotechnical Engineering
  • Smart Infrastructure (open to enrolments from 2022)
  • Structural Engineering
  • Structural Fire Engineering
  • Water Engineering

UC is ranked 8th in the world for Civil Engineering (Academic Ranking of World Universities, 2019), and in the top 100 universities in the world for Civil and Structural Engineering (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2020).

Campus Information

Ilam Campus

The University has a main campus of 76 hectares (190 acres) at Ilam, a suburb of Christchurch about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from the centre of the city.

Intakes

  • Feb Deadline: Dec
  • July Deadline: May

Application Processing Time in Days: 20

Application Process

More Information Required 
14 Days
Possible Interview Call from Institution
0 Days
Provisional/Unconditional Offer 
20 Days
Visa Process
30 Days

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description IELTS (1.0 -9.0) TOEFL IBT (0-120) TOEFL CBT (0-300) PTE (10-90)
Expert 9 120 297-300 86-90
Very Good 8.5 115-119 280-293 83-86
Very Good 8 110-114 270-280 79-83
Good 7.5 102-109 253-267 73-79
Good 7 94-101 240-253 65-73
Competent 6.5 79-93 213-233 58-65
Competent 6 60-78 170-210 50-58
Modest 5.5 46-59 133-210 43-50
Modest 5 35-45 107-133 36-43
Limited 4 32-34 97-103 30-36
Extremely Limited < 4 < 31 < 93 < 30

Job Opportunity Potential

Because of the flexible structure of the Master of Civil Engineering, students can tailor their degree towards a research or professional career in industry. Graduates will have general or specialist knowledge in civil engineering, which can be applied to structural, geotechnical, transport, construction, water, and/or fire engineering divisions.

Engaging biculturalism is also a strong component of the MCivilEng, which will give graduates a cultural understanding of Aotearoa New Zealand and skills in engaging mana whenua and iwi in building projects, making them ideal for future project management work in the industry.

PSW Opportunity

  • During study, all students on a student visa can work up to 20 hours per week during semester and full time during vacations.
  • After completing Level 7 Bachelor’s Degree or Higher Qualification, a student will get a three years open post-study work visa.
  • After completing Level 8 Post Graduate courses of 1 year, students get 1 year PSW.

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

Academic entry requirements

Students that have completed a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours or a Bachelor of Science with Honours in a relevant subject, or the Postgraduate Certificate in Civil Engineering with good grades, may be admitted to the programme with approval by the College of Engineering Dean (Academic) based on the relevance of their previous studies.