Master of Engineering (Professional)

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Deakin University

Program Overview

Deakin University’s Master of Engineering (Professional) is a two-year postgraduate program for engineering graduates who want to strengthen their technical knowledge and develop the professional skills needed for an engineering career. Students can specialise in areas such as civil infrastructure, electrical and renewable energy, mechanical engineering, robotics and automation, or smart manufacturing, while gaining practical experience through projects and workplace learning.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build a strong foundation in professional engineering through subjects such as Engineering Sustainability, Engineering Project Management, and Project Planning, alongside studies in their chosen engineering specialisation. This combination helps students develop their technical knowledge while learning how to analyse engineering challenges, plan projects and work effectively as part of a professional team.

Year 2: Students build on their specialist knowledge and apply it through advanced project-based learning, including Project Implementation and Evaluation and other subjects related to their chosen engineering field. Students can also undertake Professional Practice, which provides 30–60 days of practical engineering workplace experience and allows them to apply their university learning to real engineering situations.

Focus Areas

Civil infrastructure engineering, electrical and renewable energy engineering, mechanical engineering, robotics and automation engineering, smart manufacturing, engineering sustainability, engineering project management, project planning, professional engineering practice, advanced technical problem-solving and engineering project implementation.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates develop advanced engineering knowledge and the ability to investigate, analyse and solve complex engineering problems. They also gain skills in engineering design, project management, sustainable problem-solving, professional communication, leadership and decision-making, preparing them to work confidently in professional engineering environments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The course is designed to prepare graduates for professional engineering practice by combining advanced technical knowledge with project management, professional skills and practical workplace experience. The program supports career development across areas such as civil and infrastructure engineering, electrical and renewable energy engineering, mechanical engineering, robotics and automation, and smart manufacturing.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Deakin highlights strong future demand for engineering professionals and notes that engineering employment is expected to grow significantly over the coming decade. The university also points to renewable energy engineering as one of the rapidly growing areas of employment, with graduates able to pursue opportunities across government, private industry, consulting, education and research.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Deakin’s Master of Engineering (Professional) is designed around practical, project-based learning, giving students opportunities to apply engineering knowledge to real-world problems. Students can work with advanced engineering facilities across Deakin’s campuses, while the course also includes industry or research-informed projects and professional workplace experience. Through Professional Practice, students complete at least 30–60 days of practical experience in an engineering workplace, helping them build professional skills and industry connections.

Key practical learning opportunities and facilities include:

Industry placement: The Professional Practice unit provides 30–60 days of practical engineering workplace experience.
Project-based learning: Students undertake project-oriented, design-based learning focused on developing solutions to real-world engineering problems.
Teamwork and collaboration: The course develops students’ ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams through engineering projects and collaborative learning.
Additive Manufacturing Lab: Supports hands-on work with advanced manufacturing and 3D-printing technologies.
Civil Engineering Labs: Provide practical environments for civil and infrastructure engineering activities.
Environmental Engineering Lab: Supports practical learning related to environmental engineering applications.
Deakin Hydrogen Hub: Provides access to facilities connected with hydrogen technologies and clean-energy research.
Digital Manufacturing Lab: Supports practical learning in digital and smart manufacturing technologies.
High Voltage Lab: Provides specialised facilities for electrical and power engineering learning and research.
Materials Science Labs: Support practical investigation of engineering materials and their properties.
Mechatronics Lab: Provides facilities for practical work involving automation, robotics and mechatronics.
Renewable and AusNet Electrical Engineering Lab: Supports practical learning in renewable energy and electrical engineering.
Structural Engineering Lab: Provides facilities for structural engineering experiments and testing.
Virtual Reality Lab: Gives students access to immersive technologies that can be applied to engineering learning and problem-solving.
Research opportunities: Deakin’s engineering programs are research-led, with research strengths supported by ManuFutures and the Institute for Frontier Materials.
Industry engagement: Deakin works with industry partners including Acciona, AusNet Services, Barwon Water, Downer, Ford, Thales and others, supporting industry-informed learning and research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Deakin’s Master of Engineering (Professional) prepares graduates for professional engineering careers by combining advanced technical knowledge with project management, problem-solving and practical workplace experience. Depending on their chosen specialisation, graduates can move into roles such as Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Electrical and Renewable Energy Engineer, Environmental Engineer, Robotics and Automation Engineer, or Smart Manufacturing Engineer.

Key career and progression opportunities include:

DeakinTALENT: Students have access to career support including job and internship opportunities, CV and cover-letter guidance, career coaching, employability resources, careers events and opportunities to connect with employers.
Professional work experience: Through SEL703 Professional Practice, students can complete 30–60 days of practical engineering workplace experience, giving them the opportunity to apply their skills in a professional environment and build industry connections.
Industry connections: Deakin has strong links with industry and research organisations. Students can benefit from connections within the Geelong Future Economy Precinct, including CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering, the Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) and the Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation (IISRI).
Graduate employment: Deakin reports that nine out of ten graduates get a job within four to six months, while its postgraduate Graduate Outcomes Survey reported that 94% of responding postgraduate coursework graduates were employed three years after graduation.
Growing engineering sector: Deakin highlights strong employment demand across engineering fields, including civil, mechanical, electrical, environmental and renewable energy engineering.
Professional value: The degree is an AQF Level 9 master's qualification and is designed to prepare students for professional engineering practice across a range of specialised engineering fields.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates leave the program with advanced technical, project management, communication and problem-solving skills that can support careers in Australia and internationally.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the Master of Engineering (Professional), students can continue into further postgraduate research or doctoral study if they want to develop advanced expertise or pursue careers in engineering research, innovation or academia. Deakin’s research institutes, including the Institute for Frontier Materials and the Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation, provide opportunities for students interested in progressing into research-focused careers.