Course details

Summary

Our society relies in many ways on software or software-based systems, for example in transportation, entertainment, telecommunications, government, business, health, and avionics.

Very often software systems have a high degree of complexity, often consisting of millions of lines of code produced by large teams of engineers or programmers. We critically depend on their timely and cost-effective completion, and on their reliable and efficient operation. To meet all these targets, a disciplined and well-founded approach to the design, creation and operation of software (or software-based systems) under real-world constraints (economical, ethical, technical, legal) is needed.

The Software Engineering programme at UC provides a unique blend of foundational courses in Computer Science and Engineering, and practical work through a series of projects.

This endorsed research degree is completed by coursework and a thesis. It aims to provide a research focused learning environment in which students can develop their independent problem solving skills through supervised research.

Study in a number of advanced Engineering courses will provide each student with key technical knowledge to enhance and support their research activities.

The Master of Engineering (ME) includes a thesis of 120 points and up to 45 points of coursework. ME students can complete in 16 months or a maximum of three years full-time. For part-time study the duration can vary between 30 months to four years.

Further study

Students can study a Doctor of Philosophy in Bioengineering, Chemical and Process Engineering, Civil Engineering, Earthquake Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering at UC.

Career opportunities

There is a strong demand for Software Engineering graduates; New Zealand employers have been complaining that they have to look overseas to find sufficiently qualified candidates who combine technical expertise with good communication skills and teamwork ability.

Software engineering is a widely applicable discipline and graduates are not only needed in software production companies, but also in many companies whose products involve significant amounts of software.

Entry criteria

Candidates must normally have completed one of the following:

• Bachelor of Engineering with Honours with first or second class honours
• Bachelor of Science with Honours with first or second class honours, in relevant subjects
• Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering with a GPA of 5 or more.

Students wishing to enrol in postgraduate study must have completed both the academic and non-academic requirements of the prerequisite degree. This includes practical work days, work reports, a workshop training course and a first aid certificate. The programme of study must be approved by the Dean.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 575 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum B+ grade; CAE or CPE score of 176 with a minimum of 169 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 64 and no PTE communicative skills score below 58.