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Postgraduate · Engineers Australia accredited
Master of Engineering (MEng)
University of Melbourne
🇦🇺 Melbourne, VIC, Australia · QS World Top 20

Master of Engineering

A professionally accredited master's degree at Australia's top university. Choose from 16 specialisations — structural, mechanical, electrical, software, biomedical, and more — and graduate ready for professional engineering registration.

2–3 years
Full-time duration
AU$50,000
Tuition / year (intl.)
Feb / Jul
Two intakes
IELTS 6.5
English requirement
Overview
  • Study at Australia's #1 university (QS #13, 2026)
  • Engineers Australia accredited — recognised for professional registration worldwide
  • 3-year post-study work visa (subclass 485) for master's graduates

Choose from 16 specialisations — civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, software, biomedical, environmental, and more. The programme is structured around real-world projects, industry placements, and a capstone thesis. Melbourne's unique "Melbourne Model" means this master's is the professionally accredited pathway into engineering.

As a master's graduate, you qualify for a 3-year post-study work visa (subclass 485) — one year longer than bachelor's graduates — giving you time to build your Australian career and apply for permanent residency.

Compare options

Same field, different universities

UniversityCountryLevelDurationTuition/year
U of Melbourne ★ This programme 🇦🇺 Australia Master's 2–3 years AU$50,000
TU Munich QS #28 🇩🇪 Germany Master's 2 years €0
Politecnico di Milano QS #111 🇮🇹 Italy Master's 2 years €3,900
Purdue QS #89 🇺🇸 USA Bachelor's 4 years $31,104
McGill QS #27 🇨🇦 Canada Bachelor's 4 years CA$63,000
Entry requirements

What you'll need

AcademicBachelor's degree in engineering or related science (GPA 65%+)
BackgroundRelevant maths & science prerequisites for chosen specialisation
EnglishIELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) or TOEFL 79
DocumentsTranscripts, CV, personal statement, passport
Specialisations

16 streams to choose from

01 Civil Engineering
02 Mechanical Engineering
03 Electrical Engineering
04 Software Engineering
05 Biomedical Engineering
06 Environmental Engineering

+ Chemical, Structural, Geotechnical, Mechatronics, Spatial, Biochemical, and more. Your counsellor helps you choose the best fit.

After you graduate

Career outcomes

A$85,000

Median starting salary for master's engineers

3-year visa

Post-study work visa (subclass 485)

95%

Employed within 4 months

Top employers

BHP, Rio Tinto, Arup, AECOM

How to apply

Application timeline

Anytime (rolling admissions)
Prepare your application
Gather transcripts, take IELTS/TOEFL, write your personal statement. Your counsellor reviews everything free of charge.
October 31 (Feb intake) / April 30 (Jul intake)
Submit via Melbourne portal
Apply directly through the University of Melbourne's Graduate School of Engineering portal. Early applications get priority for scholarship consideration.
4–6 weeks after submission
Receive your offer
Melbourne issues offers on a rolling basis. Your counsellor helps compare offers and scholarship packages across universities.
8–12 weeks before semester
Accept & student visa (subclass 500)
Accept your offer, receive your CoE, arrange OSHC, and apply for your student visa with financial proof and GTE statement.
February or July
Orientation & start
Arrive in Melbourne for O-Week and begin your Master of Engineering programme.
Fees & funding

Tuition fees & costs

Tuition (international)Per annumAU$50,000
Total programme cost2 years (standard)AU$100,000
OSHC (health cover)Per yearA$600–$700
Student visa feeSubclass 500A$710
Scholarships

Funding you may be eligible for

Melbourne Graduate Scholarship
University of Melbourne · Merit-based
A$10,000/year
Coverage: Annual tuition fee reduction
Eligibility: International master's students with outstanding GPA
Duration: Full programme
Deadline: Automatic consideration on admission
Source: scholarships.unimelb.edu.au, 2026
Australia Awards Scholarship
Australian Government · Full award
Full award
Coverage: Full tuition + living allowance + flights + OSHC
Eligibility: Citizens of participating countries (MENA eligible)
Duration: Full programme
Deadline: February each year
Source: australiaawards.gov.au, 2026
Government Scholarships (home country)
Saudi SACM, Egyptian Mission, etc.
Full award
Coverage: Tuition + living expenses + flights
Eligibility: Varies by country — STEM/engineering prioritised
Duration: Full programme
Deadline: Varies — your counsellor checks eligibility
Loans & financing

Alternative funding options

Prodigy Finance
International student loan · No cosigner · Up to A$120,000

Designed for international postgraduates at top-ranked programmes. Melbourne's MEng is an eligible programme.

Work during studies
Subclass 500 · Up to 48 hrs/fortnight during term

Student visa holders can work 48 hours per fortnight during term and unlimited hours during breaks. Engineering students often find paid work in tutoring, research assistance, and industry placements.

Living costs

Monthly budget in Melbourne

Melbourne is consistently ranked one of the world's most liveable cities — excellent public transport, world-class food culture, and a thriving international student community.

Rent (shared apartment)A$800–$1,200
Food & groceriesA$300–$500
Transport (Myki pass)A$100–$160
OSHC (health cover)A$50–$60
Books & suppliesA$50–$100
Personal & leisureA$200–$400
Estimated totalA$1,500–$2,420/month

DHA financial proof: A$24,505/year in living costs (in addition to tuition & OSHC) required for your visa application.

Student visa

Subclass 500 requirements

Visa typeStudent Visa (subclass 500)
CoE requiredConfirmation of Enrolment from Melbourne
Visa feeA$710
OSHCOverseas Student Health Cover — mandatory
Financial proofA$24,505/year living + first year tuition
Post-study (subclass 485)3-year Temporary Graduate visa (master's holders)
Student stories

Hear from our students

"Melbourne's Master of Engineering is the real deal — Engineers Australia accredited, incredible labs, and direct connections to Australian industry. I specialised in civil engineering and landed a job at Arup before graduation. The 3-year work visa makes Australia the best place to build a career."
HA
Hassan A.
MEng Civil, U of Melbourne — Class of 2026 · 🇪🇬 Egypt
"I chose Melbourne over UK universities because of the 3-year post-study work visa — and the city is absolutely incredible. My counsellor handled everything from transcript evaluation to the subclass 500 application. I got an A$10,000 scholarship too."
SA
Sara A.
MEng Software, U of Melbourne — Class of 2025 · 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Why does Melbourne offer a Master of Engineering instead of a Bachelor's?
The University of Melbourne uses the "Melbourne Model" — undergrads complete a broad Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Design, then specialise in the professionally accredited Master of Engineering. This gives you both breadth and depth, and the MEng is the degree that leads to professional engineering registration.
Is the degree recognised internationally?
Yes. The MEng is accredited by Engineers Australia, which is a signatory to the Washington Accord — meaning your qualification is recognised for professional engineering registration across 20+ countries including the US, UK, Canada, and all GCC states.
Is the 2-year or 3-year stream right for me?
If you hold a 4-year engineering bachelor's, you may be eligible for the 2-year stream. If your bachelor's is 3 years or in a related science, you'll typically enter the 3-year stream (which includes foundational coursework). Your counsellor assesses your transcript and advises on the right entry point.
Can I work in Australia after graduating?
Yes. Master's graduates qualify for a 3-year Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) — one year longer than bachelor's holders. Engineering is consistently on Australia's skilled occupation lists, which means pathways to permanent residency through SkillSelect or state nomination are strong.
How does Melbourne compare to other Australian engineering schools?
Melbourne is consistently ranked #1 in Australia for engineering and top 30 globally (QS). The Melbourne Model's master's-level professional programme means you graduate with deeper specialisation than bachelor's-only programmes at other universities. The city's liveability and job market are also strong draws.
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