Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

The Master of Professional Engineering has been developed in consultation with industry to equip you with the advanced technical expertise, critical thinking and professional skills required to remain competitive in a global workforce.

Course outline

The Master of Professional Engineering is a two-year postgraduate course specialising in a chosen field of engineering. The course enables you to specialise through a mix of advanced engineering technical units, design and research projects, professional units and an engineering practicum. Your engineering project will provide you with the opportunity to thoughtfully apply your skills and work creatively as part of team across the breadth of an engineering project, preparing you for real-world applications.

Beyond practice as a professional engineer, this course will allow you to pursue further research studies in engineering, as well as to seek employment in a wide range of related industries.

Master of Professional Engineering specialisations:

• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mining Engineering
• Software Engineering

If you are considering a career in the oil and gas industry, you might opt to specialise in chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering or mechanical engineering. By choosing the discipline that most interests you, you will not only gain a deep understanding of the discipline from a holistic engineering perspective, but also undertake units relevant to oil and gas engineering.

Upon successful completion, you will have an internationally recognised qualification that allows you to practice as a professional engineer*.

*The Master of Professional Engineering has been assessed for accreditation at the level of Professional Engineer by Engineers Australia. As is standard practice for new courses, accreditation is provisional until graduation of the first cohort of students from the MPE in 2014/15.

Professional engineering pathway

The pathway to professional engineering is now easier and more accessible than ever before at UWA. There are three pathway options for graduates:

Graduates with a UWA bachelor's degree and major in Engineering Science or Computer Science

Students who successfully complete a UWA undergraduate degree, majoring in Engineering Science or Computer Science (for the Software Engineering program) will be guaranteed a place in the Master of Professional Engineering program in 2015.

Graduates with a bachelor's degree in a non-engineering area of study

Graduates without previous studies in engineering have the opportunity to become professional engineers if they first undertake the Master of Professional Engineering Preliminary (given you satisfy the prerequisites for this course). This would mean that a student with a Bachelor of Science for example, can progress towards becoming a professional engineer.

Graduates with a bachelor's degree and prior studies in engineering, maths, physics or computing

A student who has completed prior studies in engineering, computing, maths, physics or computing to an appropriate level within their undergraduate bachelor's degree may be eligible to have their studies recognised. This will allow you to either enter the Master of Professional Engineering directly in 2013, or reduce the length of the preliminary course. Recognition of prior learning and/or application for credit ('advanced standing') will be assessed by the University on a case-by-case basis at the time of application.

Master of Professional Engineering Preliminary

The Master of Professional Engineering Preliminary is a non-award* course that enables graduates to complete the required undergraduate studies in Engineering Science (or Computer Science) prior to entering the Master of Professional Engineering.

The course ranges from one semester to 1.5 years (3 semesters) of full-time study, depending on prior study. Students will also receive a conditional offer for the Master of Professional Engineering.

This pathway allows a graduate with a bachelor's degree in science for example, to become a professionally qualified engineer in 2.5 - 3.5 years (depending on prior study and whether the course is studied full-time or part-time).

*A non-award course is a program of study which does not lead to a formal award. It may comprise a unit or units of study from an award course and may be counted as credit towards an award course in some cases.

Admission requirements

In addition to the admission requirements listed below, all students must meet the University’s required level of English language competency.

Master of Professional Engineering

Domestic applicants

• A UWA bachelor’s degree with a major in Engineering Science (or Computer Science for students seeking to do Software Engineering); or
• The Master of Professional Engineering Preliminary in the engineering field relevant to the choice of program; or
• A recognised bachelor’s degree or equivalent, completed in an area of engineering relevant to the choice of program, and with the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 65%.

International applicants

• A recognised bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, completed in area of engineering relevant to the choice of program, to an appropriate academic standard; or
• A UWA bachelor's degree with a major in Engineering Science (or Computer Science for student seeking to do Software Engineering) or;
• A Master of Professional Engineering Preliminary from UWA in the engineering field relevant to the choice of program.

Master of Professional Engineering Preliminary

Domestic applicants

• A recognised bachelor’s degree in any field, completed with the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 65%, or equivalent; and
• Prior study of prerequisite units equivalent to WACE Mathematics: Specialist 3C/3D, Mathematics 3C/3D, Physics 3A/3B and Chemistry 3A/3B.

International applicants

• A recognised bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, completed to an appropriate academic standard; and
• Prior study of prerequisite units, completed to an appropriate academic standard: Mathematics with Calculus, Chemistry and Physics, or equivalent.