Master of Professional Engineering (Mechanical)

The Master of Professional Engineering (Mechanical) at Adelaide University is a two-year postgraduate degree for people who want to work as mechanical engineers in Australia. It is built for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in engineering, or a closely related field, and want to move into professional practice or change direction into mechanical engineering. The programme is structured around the Australian engineering curriculum, so you will study core areas such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, machine design, manufacturing, dynamics and control, and engineering mathematics. You will also complete a significant research or design project in your final year, which is a common feature of Australian master's degrees and gives you a portfolio piece to show employers.

How the degree is structured

Australian master's degrees are made up of units of study, each worth a set number of credit points. A full-time year usually totals 48 credit points, and the Master of Professional Engineering is typically 96 credit points over two years. The academic year runs across semesters or trimesters, depending on the university's calendar, with exams at the end of each teaching period. Your first year builds the mechanical engineering fundamentals, and your second year includes advanced electives, a capstone project or minor thesis, and possibly an industry placement or work-integrated learning component. Work-integrated learning is common in Australian engineering degrees, and many students complete a placement with a manufacturing, mining, energy or consulting firm as part of their studies. You should check the official course page for the exact unit list and any placement requirements.

What you will learn

Graduates come out with the ability to design mechanical systems, analyse forces and motion, select materials, manage projects, and use engineering software for modelling and simulation. You will also practise writing technical reports, working in teams, and presenting your work to clients and colleagues. These are the skills that Australian employers look for when they hire mechanical engineers, and they align with the competencies required for Engineers Australia accreditation. Many master's programmes of this type are accredited by Engineers Australia, which matters if you plan to apply for skilled migration or registration as a professional engineer. Confirm the accreditation status on the official page before you apply.

Who it suits

This degree suits three groups: engineering graduates who want to specialise in mechanical engineering, graduates from other engineering disciplines who want to switch, and international students who want an Australian qualification that is recognised by employers and professional bodies. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and after you graduate you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which lets you stay and work in Australia. English requirements for international applicants are usually IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall for coursework postgraduate degrees, though some fields ask for higher scores. Adelaide University accepts TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and its own English programmes as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself. Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register under course code 115947D. Always check the official course page for the most current details on structure, fees, English requirements and intake dates.

• Mechanical engineer, design, analyse and improve mechanical systems and components in manufacturing, mining, energy, automotive and aerospace organisations.
• Design engineer, work on product development, CAD modelling and prototyping for engineering consultancies and industrial firms.
• Project engineer, manage engineering projects from planning through to delivery, often in construction, resources or infrastructure.
• Manufacturing engineer, optimise production processes, tooling and quality control in factories and processing plants.
• Maintenance engineer, keep plant and equipment running safely and efficiently in mining, oil and gas, utilities and heavy industry.
• HVAC and building services engineer, design heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems for commercial and residential buildings.
• Mechanical engineering consultant, provide technical advice to clients across sectors such as defence, transport and renewable energy.
• Research and development engineer, test and develop new products or technologies in industry or research organisations.

Australian industries that hire mechanical engineers include mining and resources, manufacturing, construction, energy and utilities, defence, automotive, aerospace, agriculture and food processing. Many graduates also go on to work for engineering consultancies or government agencies. Professional accreditation with Engineers Australia can support your career and migration options.