Master of Engineering (Applied Research) - [Electrical]

The Master of Engineering (Applied Research) - Electrical is a two-year postgraduate degree for engineers who want to work at the research end of electrical engineering rather than move straight into a purely design or project role. It is offered by the Engineering Institute of Technology and is registered on CRICOS for international students. The degree sits at master's level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, where a master's is normally one to two years depending on prior study and whether it is coursework, research or a mix.

What you actually study

Applied research means you spend a substantial part of the degree doing supervised research rather than only attending lectures. Expect advanced coursework in electrical engineering areas such as power systems, control, instrumentation, electronics and renewable energy, built around units of study with credit points. The research component is usually a thesis or major project where you define a problem, run experiments or simulations, analyse results and write it up to an academic standard. Because this is a research-oriented master's, the balance between coursework units and research units is set by the institution, so check the official course page for the exact structure.

How Australian master's degrees are structured

Australian universities generally run two semesters a year, with some institutions using trimesters and a smaller number offering three study periods. Each unit of study carries a credit point value, and you need a set total to graduate. A master's by research or applied research typically includes a research methods unit, a literature review, and a thesis or capstone project spread across the final semesters. Assessment is a mix of exams, assignments, laboratory reports, presentations and the final thesis or project report. Part-time study is sometimes possible but can extend the duration well beyond two years.

Skills you build

You learn to design and run experiments, use simulation and analysis tools common in electrical engineering, handle data properly, and write technical work that stands up to review. You also build the habits of a researcher: reading the literature critically, framing a question, managing a long project, and presenting findings to both technical and non-technical audiences. Those skills transfer directly into industry roles where evidence and clear reporting matter.

Who it suits

This degree suits electrical engineering graduates who want to go deeper into a technical area, engineers already working who want to move into research, development or advanced technical roles, and people considering a PhD later. It also suits international students who want an Australian qualification and post-study work options. While you study, a Student visa generally allows 48 hours of work per fortnight during teaching periods. After graduating, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may let you stay and work in Australia, subject to the Department of Home Affairs rules at the time. English proficiency is required for international applicants, and the Student visa has its own separate English threshold set by Home Affairs. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register. Confirm entry requirements, unit structure and fees on the official course page before applying.

• Electrical engineer in power generation, transmission and distribution, renewables, mining, manufacturing or building services.
• Research and development engineer in electronics, instrumentation, automation or energy technology companies.
• Control and systems engineer in industrial automation, robotics or process industries.
• Power systems analyst or planner with network operators, consultancies and energy market bodies.
• Test and compliance engineer working with electrical equipment standards and certification.
• Project engineer on electrical infrastructure, substations and renewable energy projects.
• Academic or PhD pathway, the research component can support applications to doctoral study.

Australian employers in these areas include energy utilities, engineering consultancies, technology manufacturers, government agencies and research organisations. Professional recognition in Australia is handled by Engineers Australia, so check the current accreditation and migration assessment details if that matters to your plans.