Master of Engineering (Electrical Systems)

The Master of Engineering (Electrical Systems) is a two-year postgraduate degree taught by the Engineering Institute of Technology, a private Australian higher education provider that specialises in engineering. It is aimed at graduates who want to work as electrical engineers in Australia or overseas, and at practising engineers who want to formalise their knowledge or move into more advanced technical work. The course sits at master's level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, which means it builds on prior study in engineering or a closely related field rather than starting from scratch.

What you study

Postgraduate engineering degrees in Australia are structured around units of study, each worth a set number of credit points. A two-year master's typically requires 96 to 192 credit points depending on the provider, and the Master of Engineering (Electrical Systems) follows that pattern. You will cover core electrical engineering subjects such as power systems analysis, electrical machines and drives, power electronics, protection and control, and renewable energy integration. Alongside the technical core, most Australian master's programmes include a research or design project in the final year, and many include a professional practice or work-integrated learning unit. At EIT, the delivery is built around industry-relevant engineering content, and you should check the official course page for the exact unit list and credit point total.

How it is delivered and assessed

Australian master's degrees are usually delivered over semesters or trimesters, with full-time study taking two years and part-time study stretching longer. Assessment combines exams, assignments, laboratory work, design reports and the final project. Some units may be offered online or in a blended format, which suits working engineers. The course is registered on CRICOS for international students, so it meets the registration requirements for delivering to overseas students in Australia. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and after graduating you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which lets you stay and work in Australia for a period that depends on your qualification and circumstances.

Who it suits

This degree suits three groups: recent graduates in electrical engineering or a related discipline who want a deeper specialisation; engineers from other fields who want to move into electrical systems; and working engineers who need a recognised Australian master's for career progression, registration or migration purposes. English proficiency is required for international applicants, typically IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall for coursework master's programmes, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the provider's own English programmes accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs also sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register, and you should confirm fees, intake dates, unit details and English requirements on the official course page before applying.

• Electrical engineer — design, maintain and improve electrical systems in utilities, manufacturing, mining and building services.
• Power systems engineer — work on generation, transmission and distribution networks with network operators and energy companies.
• Control and instrumentation engineer — tune and commission control systems in process industries, water treatment and heavy industry.
• Renewable energy engineer — design and integrate solar, wind and battery storage projects with developers and contractors.
• Project engineer — manage electrical scope on construction and infrastructure projects for engineering consultancies and contractors.
• Test and commissioning engineer — verify protection, switchgear and plant performance before handover.
• Engineering consultant — provide technical advice to clients in energy, resources and infrastructure.
• Asset and maintenance engineer — keep electrical plant reliable in mining, utilities and transport.

Australian industries that hire electrical engineers include electricity generation and networks, mining and resources, oil and gas, construction and infrastructure, manufacturing, water utilities, transport and defence. Many roles are in capital cities, but there is steady demand in regional areas where mining, energy and utility assets are located. Professional recognition matters in this field: Engineers Australia is the assessing authority for engineering occupations for migration purposes, and accreditation of your qualification can affect both migration and chartered status. Check the current requirements with Engineers Australia and the official course page.