Master of Philosophy (Engineering)

A Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Engineering at Western Sydney University is a research degree. You spend two years working on one substantial engineering problem, supervised by an academic who knows the field. There are no lectures to sit through in the way a coursework master's works. You read, you design, you test, you write, and you defend your thesis at the end.

The degree is structured around a supervised research project rather than a fixed list of units. You and your supervisor agree on the scope in the first few months, then you work through the literature, methods and experiments or modelling needed to answer your research question. Some candidates take a small number of research training units in the first year, covering research methods, ethics and academic writing. The bulk of your time goes into the thesis, which is examined by external academics. Two years full time is the standard load. Part time study is possible with the university's approval.

Engineering at Western Sydney has strong links to the region's manufacturing, construction, water and infrastructure sectors, and to research groups working on materials, energy, civil and mechanical systems. Depending on your project, you may spend time in laboratories, on industry sites or working with data from partner organisations. The MPhil sits below a PhD on the Australian Qualifications Framework. It is a research qualification in its own right, and it also gives you a pathway into doctoral study if you want to continue.

This degree suits people who want to research an engineering problem in depth rather than add another coursework qualification. You might be a recent engineering graduate with a strong honours or master's result, or an engineer already working who wants to investigate a question that matters to your employer. You need to find a supervisor before you apply. International students should check the English requirement for their situation and confirm the current tuition and visa conditions on the official pages.

• Research engineer in manufacturing, energy, water or infrastructure organisations
• Engineering consultant or technical specialist in private practice
• Product or process development engineer
• Academic researcher or tutor, usually after completing a PhD
• Government or defence engineering roles requiring research skills
• Project engineer in construction, transport or utilities
• Further study: PhD in engineering or a related field