Master of Engineering (Software)

This program combines an understanding of computer science, design, engineering management, mathematics and psychology to manage the development, maintenance and production of large-scale software systems.

The Master of Engineering (Software) is designed to provide students with a formal qualification in engineering at the masters level. Software engineers combine an understanding of computer science, design, engineering management, mathematics and psychology to manage the development, production and maintenance of large-scale software systems. This discipline focuses on team-based projects, in which students conceive, design, implement and operate software engineering solutions. Students develop technical skills and the ability to apply engineering principles to solving realworld problems. A year-long industry project provides the opportunity to work closely with ICT professionals. The program is accredited by the Australian Computer Society and Engineers Australia.

Career Outcomes

The ICT industry in Australia is experiencing a critical skills shortage, and highly-trained graduates are in strong demand. Our graduates find employment as software designers and developers, project managers, database managers, programmers, web producers, analysts, gaming software authors and consultants in companies of all sizes, government organisations and as freelancers.

Dual accreditation with Engineers Australia (provisional) and EUR-ACE® allows graduates of the Master of Engineering, or the Master of Spatial Information Science, to practice as professional engineers virtually anywhere in the world. For more information see our accreditation page.

Mode
Coursework
Duration
2–3 years full-time
Available part-time.
Entry
Semester 1, Semester 2
Fees
Local CSP: $7756 per annum
International: $30,848 per annum

Further Fees Information

Detailed information about fees and funding support including local and international fee brochures, scholarships, loans and grants, youth allowance, austudy and abstudy, currency converters, the cost of living in Melbourne and financial aid, is available at:

Domestic Students

International Students

 

Entry Requirements

Prior Qualification Entry Requirements
University of Melbourne Engineering Pathways
  • One of the following undergraduate degrees with a Software Systems major or sequence:
    • Commerce
    • Science
  • An average of 65% in the final two years.
Undergraduate Engineering Degree
  • An undergraduate degree including:
    • the equivalent of 25 points (2 subjects) of first year mathematics, (any), and
    • the equivalent of 25 points (2 subjects) of first year computing, computer science programming (or equivalent).
  • An average of 65% in the final two years.

Note: Students with a Bachelor of Engineering who seek to specialise in the same field of engineering in which they majored, are likely to receive 100 points (one year) of credit, possibly more. Exact credit can only be determined on application.

Undergraduate Degree with Limited or No Engineering Study

(Including University of Melbourne Non-pathway Degrees)

  • An undergraduate degree including:
    • the equivalent of 25 points (2 subjects) of first year mathematics, (any), and
    • the equivalent of 25 points (2 subjects) of first year computing, computer science programming (or equivalent).
  • An average of 65% in the final two years.

Students who have graduated from an institution other than the University of Melbourne must supply official engineering syllabus or subject descriptions from their institution with their application.

English Language Requirements

All students studying at the University of Melbourne must satisfy the University’s english language entry requirements. For graduate entry, Engineering offers an alternative.

Engineering English Language Entry Requirements


Credit for Prior Studies

The Master of Engineering is a 300 point or 3 year program. The first 100 points (1 year) is made up of foundation study tailored to students from non-engineering backgrounds. Many students who enter the program will have some prior study in engineering, which will allow them to receive credit for up to the first year of the program, reducing the program to 2 years.

Students who have studied at an institution other than the University of Melbourne must supply engineering syllabus item details from their previous institution of study, along with an original or certified copy of their academic transcript, to enable credit to be assessed at the time of application.

Application for Advanced Standing Form [PDF 190KB]

Course Structure

These course plans are examples only and provided as an indicative guide. They will vary according to a student’s undergraduate degree and the time of commencement.

Master of Engineering (Software) Sample Course Plan

Preliminary year: required only for students entering from non-Engineering backgrounds.
Graduates from corresponding University of Melbourne New Generation degree pathways enter at second year.

Year 1 (Prelim) Sem 1 Engineering Communication Software Modelling and Design Algorithms and Complexity Programming and Software Development
Sem 2 Programming the Machine Discrete Structures Elective Elective
Usual entry point for applicants with 100 points advanced standing.
Year 2 Sem 1 Masters Software Engineering Project Software Processes and Management Elective Modelling Complex Software Systems
Sem 2 Software Engineering Methods Elective Elective
Year 3 Sem 1 Masters Advanced Software Project Elective Elective Elective
Sem 2 Elective Elective Elective

Software Engineering electives are chosen from a prescribed list.

For further information on course structures, subjects and electives:

University Handbook listing


Further Information

If you have a question which isn’t answered by the links below, please use the ‘Enquire Now’ form.

Domestic Students

How to Apply


Fees


Scholarships



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For application enquiries, please provide details of your University, Country, Degree and GPA.

Scholarships

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Domestic Students

International Students

Shanika Karunasekera

Dr Shanika Karunasekera

Dr Shanika Karunasekera is the Academic Program Coordinator of the Master of Engineering (Software) program. Dr Karunasekera’s main areas of expertise are software engineering; distributed systems; peer-to-peer systems; and sensor networks.

Our state-of-the-art Master of Engineering (Software) program gives a good balance between theory and practice in software engineering, preparing students to become competent software engineers in industry. By working as a lead software engineer in industry, I gained an appreciation of the role of software engineering in shaping the modern technology-driven society. I believe that with a solid education in software engineering, one will be able to embark on a challenging career and make a real difference to future software solutions.