AU · Master's
University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)
Master of Engineering Science (Civil Engineering)
University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)
Course Overview
UNSW's Master of Engineering Science with a Civil Engineering specialisation is a 2-year coursework master's accredited by Engineers Australia — meaning Sri Lankan graduates can pursue chartered status (CPEng) and registration on the National Engineering Register without re-credentialing. UNSW is ranked top 50 globally for Civil & Structural Engineering (QS 2025) and runs the largest engineering faculty in Australia.
You pick from structural, geotechnical, transport, water, or construction management streams. The program includes a capstone industry project — recent partners include Arup, AECOM, WSP, Laing O'Rourke, and Transport for NSW. With Australia's infrastructure pipeline (Sydney Metro, Western Sydney Airport, Snowy 2.0) running through to 2030+, civil engineers are in active demand and the role is on the Core Skills Occupation List.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Recognised 4-year bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related discipline with a WAM of 65%+ (credit average).
- check_circle Applicants with a non-cognate 3-year engineering degree may be directed to a longer stream.
- check_circle No GRE required.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 6.5 Overall (min 6.0 in each section).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 90 Overall (min 23 Writing, 22 Speaking, 22 Reading, 22 Listening).
- check_circle PTE Academic: 64 Overall (min 54 in each section).
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (AUD) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (Year 1) | AUD 56,200 | Rs. 11,802,000 |
| Tuition Fee (Year 2) | AUD 56,200 | Rs. 11,802,000 |
| Living Expenses (Sydney, 24 months) | AUD 59,420 | Rs. 12,478,000 |
| Total Programme Investment | AUD 171,820 | Rs. 36,082,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Civil engineering is on Australia's Core Skills Occupation List — UNSW graduates qualify for the 485 Temporary Graduate Visa (2 years) and have a clear pathway to the 189 / 190 skilled migration streams. Recent graduates have joined Arup, AECOM, WSP, Aurecon, Laing O'Rourke, Transport for NSW, and John Holland, with starting salaries around AUD 85,000 and rapid progression to AUD 120,000+ within 5 years.
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