Master of Engineering Practice

2024 course information for Domestic Students
2024 course information for International Students

updated 6:02 AM on Wed, 24 May

Domestic snapshot

International snapshot

IELTS
View full English language requirements
Duration
2 years full-time; 4 years part-time
2 years full-time
Location
Gold Coast, Online
Gold Coast
Start date
March, July
February, June
Course code
1209400
Course abbreviation
MEngPrac
Credit points
192
Equivalent units
16
CRICOS
View in availability and fee details
Fees
Fee paying
Fees
View in availability and fee details

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

Course overview

Are you curious about our world and what makes it work? Do you want to help find solutions to complex problems? This degree will prepare you to solve our biggest challenges as a civil or mechanical engineer.

The Master of Engineering Practice is designed to meet the requirements for accreditation at the level of Professional Engineer by Engineers Australia. The course is structured around 16 key competencies identified by Engineers Australia as being essential to the graduating engineer, which are broadly grouped into knowledge and skills, application, personal and professional skills.

Foundational core units build knowledge of the basic sciences, practical skills and the processes and philosophy that underpin the engineering profession. You’ll then choose a specialisation to build additional knowledge and skills needed to solve complex problems using creative, analytical and design thinking across a range of engineering systems relevant to your specialisation. To complete your study, you will choose advanced elective units to further build specialist expertise in areas of professional practice, while also completing research and project-based units that will develop your skills in independent investigation, critical thinking, and creative problem solving.

Are you curious about our world and what makes it work? Do you want to help find solutions to complex problems? This degree will prepare you to solve our biggest challenges as a civil or mechanical engineer.

The Master of Engineering Practice is designed to meet the requirements for accreditation at the level of Professional Engineer by Engineers Australia. The course is structured around 16 key competencies identified by Engineers Australia as being essential to the graduating engineer, which are broadly grouped into knowledge and skills, application, personal and professional skills.

Foundational core units build knowledge of the basic sciences, practical skills and the processes and philosophy that underpin the engineering profession. You’ll then choose a specialisation to build additional knowledge and skills needed to solve complex problems using creative, analytical and design thinking across a range of engineering systems relevant to your specialisation. To complete your study, you will choose advanced elective units to further build specialist expertise in areas of professional practice, while also completing research and project-based units that will develop your skills in independent investigation, critical thinking, and creative problem solving.

Current Southern Cross students – to access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook.

Entry requirements

See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.

Either:

Bachelor degree (AQF 7) in an engineering discipline that is cognate with the chosen specialisation (or equivalent), or

Bachelor with Honours (AQF 8) in an engineering discipline that is non-cognate with the chosen specialisation (or equivalent).

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall6.5
Listeningminimum 6.0
Speakingminimum 6.0
Readingminimum 6.0
Writingminimum 6.0

About the course

Students will choose one of the following specialisations:
  • Civil Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering.

Domestic students

Location Teaching period
Gold CoastTerm  1, Term  3
OnlineTerm  1, Term  3

International students

Location Teaching period Annual Fees CRICOS
Gold CoastTerm  1, Term  3$35,280 ($4,410 per unit)112804K
Gold Coast (Civil Engineering)Term  1, Term  3$35,280 ($4,410 per unit)112802A
Gold Coast (Mechanical Engineering)Term  1, Term  3$35,280 ($4,410 per unit)112804K

Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions.

How to apply

Where and when do you want to study?

Applications for this course are made directly to Southern Cross University via our online application service.

Australian/Domestic students

View domestic application details View international application details

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Master of Engineering Practice, students must complete 16 units (192 credit points), comprising:


Course structure


Schedule of units

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
Take all of the following 12 units (144 credit points):
COMM5001Advanced Communication
INDG1001Indigenous World-Views
ERTH2004Career Development and Professional Practice
PROJ5005Stakeholder Engagement in Engineering
PROJ5006Strategic Asset Management
ENGN6002Engineering Management for a Sustainable Future
PROJ6002Applied Research Project I
PROJ6004Applied Research Project II
CIVL3009Integrated Water Cycle Management Systems
CIVL3010Smart Infrastructure and Places
CIVL3011Advanced Built Structure Systems
CIVL3012Sustainable Engineering Systems
Select 4 units (48 credit points) from another specialisation or from the Option Units

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
Take all of the following 11 units (132 credit points):
COMM5001Advanced Communication
INDG1001Indigenous World-Views
ERTH2004Career Development and Professional Practice
PROJ5005Stakeholder Engagement in Engineering
PROJ5006Strategic Asset Management
ENGN6002Engineering Management for a Sustainable Future
PROJ6002Applied Research Project I
PROJ6004Applied Research Project II
MANI3001Automation and Control Systems
MANF3001Advanced Manufacturing Systems
MANI3002Energy and Power Systems
Select 5 units (60 credit points) from another specialisation or from the Option Units

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
Take all of the following 12 units (144 credit points):
COMM5001Advanced Communication
INDG1001Indigenous World-Views
ERTH2004Career Development and Professional Practice
PROJ5005Stakeholder Engagement in Engineering
PROJ5006Strategic Asset Management
ENGN6002Engineering Management for a Sustainable Future
PROJ6002Applied Research Project I
PROJ6004Applied Research Project II
CHEM2001Environmental Chemistry
CIVL3009Integrated Water Cycle Management Systems
ENGN5001Environmental Engineering in Construction Systems
ENGN5002Environmental Engineering in Industrial Systems
Select 4 units (48 credit points) from another specialisation or from the Option Units

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
Take all of the following 12 units (144 credit points):
COMM5001Advanced Communication
INDG1001Indigenous World-Views
ERTH2004Career Development and Professional Practice
PROJ5005Stakeholder Engagement in Engineering
PROJ5006Strategic Asset Management
ENGN6002Engineering Management for a Sustainable Future
PROJ6002Applied Research Project I
PROJ6004Applied Research Project II
AGRC2008Agricultural and Forest Value Chains
SOIL2001Soil Processes
AGRC5002Agricultural Machinery Systems
AGRC5003Smart Farming Systems
Select 4 units (48 credit points) from another specialisation or from the Option Units

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
PLAN5001Smart Liveable Cities
PBHL5002Risk and Resilience Engineering
PROJ5001Project Management
ACCT5002Accounting for Managers
MGMT5002Organisational Behaviour
BUSN5003Management Communication
MGMT6002The Positive Leader
BUSN6004Managing Information Systems
BUSN6005Strategy and Case Analysis
AGRC5001Regenerative Agricultural Principles and Practice
ACCT6015Corporate Governance
ENVR5007Building Resilience in a Changing Climate: Through Drought, Fire and Flood
ENVR6008Ecological Perspectives for Transformational Change
ENVR6009Supporting Change in Regenerative Systems


Unit groups

Option Units

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
PLAN5001Smart Liveable Cities
PBHL5002Risk and Resilience Engineering
PROJ5001Project Management
ACCT5002Accounting for Managers
MGMT5002Organisational Behaviour
BUSN5003Management Communication
MGMT6002The Positive Leader
BUSN6004Managing Information Systems
BUSN6005Strategy and Case Analysis
AGRC5001Regenerative Agricultural Principles and Practice
ACCT6015Corporate Governance
ENVR5007Building Resilience in a Changing Climate: Through Drought, Fire and Flood
ENVR6008Ecological Perspectives for Transformational Change
ENVR6009Supporting Change in Regenerative Systems

Why choose SCU?

Excellence in research

Outstanding ratings of 'at world standard' or above in 23 research fields.

Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018

Top 200 Young Universities

Only 25 years young and ranked in the top 200 universities in the world.

Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020

Outstanding student support

5-Star Student Support across undergraduate and postgraduate studies

Good Universities Guide 2021

Learning outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.

Course Learning Outcome

Critically apply systems approaches using a wide range of technical and contextual factors to conceptualise and evaluate human-centred solutions to complex, industry-relevant problems in the chosen field of engineering specialisation in professional practice or scholarship

Plan and execute a substantial research project to create and apply new knowledge in the chosen field of engineering that contributes to professional practice or scholarship

Lead or function as a team member and systematically manage information and projects to deliver industry-relevant engineering solutions aligned with stakeholder and community needs in professional practice

Critically apply systems approaches using a wide range of technical and contextual factors to conceptualise and evaluate human-centred solutions to complex, industry-relevant problems in the chosen field of engineering specialisation in professional practice or scholarship

Creatively apply and integrate established engineering methods, techniques, tools and resources in the context of systematic engineering synthesis, design and management processes in professional practice

Apply professional conduct and judgement that reflects contemporary industry standards of ethical, sustainable and human-centred engineering practice

Draw upon a broad conceptual knowledge of mathematics, other basic sciences, computing and information sciences to demonstrate an advanced understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge in the chosen field of engineering specialisation

Plan and execute a substantial research project to create and apply new knowledge in the chosen field of engineering that contributes to professional practice or scholarship

Plan and execute a substantial research project to create and apply new knowledge in the chosen field of engineering that contributes to professional practice or scholarship

Critically reflect on and document development of proficiency in relevant engineering competencies to guide continuing professional development and lifelong learning in professional practice

Employ effective oral and written communication and social skills, informed by an appreciation of diverse cultural and Indigenous perspectives with a high level of personal autonomy and accountability to a variety of audiences

Employ effective oral and written communication and social skills, informed by an appreciation of diverse cultural and Indigenous perspectives with a high level of personal autonomy and accountability to a variety of audiences


Assessment methods

Under the Southern Cross Model, assessment is designed to help you learn. Most units don't have exams, and instead focus on real-life tasks and scenarios that allow you to gain experience and confidence in the same tasks you'll be doing in your future career.

Teaching methods

Both on campus and online students will be taught in the Southern Cross Model, with a strong focus on scenario-based and problem-based learning. The Southern Cross Model is highly interactive, engaging, and flexible. Teaching for online students strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community.

Career opportunities

Graduates will have opportunities to work as professional engineers in the broad disciplines of civil engineering and mechanical engineering.

Professional placement

As part of this course, students must complete at least 60 days of professional placement in industry, typically with an organisation conducting work related to engineering practice. Industry experience enables students to apply their knowledge and skills to engineering problems within a real work environment, and to make valuable contacts within industry. 

Professional recognition

The Master of Engineering Practice has provisional accreditation from Engineers Australia at the level of Professional Engineer.

Ask a question

Domestic future
students

Call 1800 626 481 during business hours.

International future
students

Call +61 2 6620 3876 during business hours.

Current
students

Email: enquiry@scu.edu.au
Call 1800 005 687 during business hours.

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