Adelaide University
Master of Engineering (Systems)
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
- Course Type: Master's
Become a systems engineer and turn complex global challenges into lasting solutions.
Course overview
This program is designed to expand your skills beyond fundamental engineering, qualifying you to integrate and improve systems across sectors. You’ll contribute unique insights and evidence-driven judgements to create solutions on a grand scale.
Explore advanced engineering practices, with consideration for stakeholder requirements, concept generation, ergonomics and safety, along with life cycle management and sustainability. With a strong understanding of principles in design testing and modelling, you will develop your professional practice with collaborative case studies and industry research.
Take your knowledge to new depths and select from multiple elective specialities in robotics, renewable energy or submarine design. Examine real-world industry challenges with practical guidance as you undertake a work placement in your field of choice.
Graduates are prepared to meet the rapidly escalating need for engineers with industry awareness and practical skills. With your unique breadth and depth of knowledge in cross-disciplinary system interactions, you will become a highly flexible, essential industry leader.
Key features
- Learn advanced skills in testing and evaluation, integrated logistics support and effective design practice.
- Explore real case studies with collaborative research projects and acting industry clients.
- Use cutting-edge software to explore model-based engineering, simulating and predicting performance.
- Build your skills in data analytics, critical thinking and problem solving.
- Choose from specialist courses including robotics, defence leadership, submarine and shipbuilding, carbon capture and renewable energy.
- Gain real-world industry experience to set you up for the next step in your career.
Key facts
July, 2026
What you will study
Students must complete 96 units comprising:
- 66 units for all core courses.
- 12 units for all work-integrated learning.
- 18 units for electives.
Unless otherwise indicated, each course is worth six units.
Complete 66 units for all of the following:
- Model-Based Systems Engineering
- Professional Engineering Management
- Engineering Data Analytics
- Engineering Systems Design Project
- Systems Design and Integration
- Integrated Logistics Support
- Master's Engineering Research Project A
- Master's Engineering Research Project B (12 units)
- Principles of Test and Evaluation
- Principles of Systems Engineering
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
To be eligible, an applicant must have achieved the following minimum entry requirements and demonstrate they fulfil any prerequisite and essential criteria for admission. In cases where there are more eligible applicants than available places, admission will be competitive with ranks based on the entry criteria.
A completed bachelor's honours (AQF level 8) degree or equivalent in engineering from a recognised higher education institution.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Adelaide University is committed to recognising the contribution of students’ prior learning towards their program requirements.
Credit may be granted for formal, informal and non-formal learning, with guidance on eligibility provided to prospective students in a clear, transparent and publicly available credit framework.
Credit determinations will be:
- Evidence-based, equitable and transparent.
- Academically sound.
- Applied consistently, fairly and subject to review.
Credit will be granted for prior learning that is relevant and equivalent to the learning required for the courses for which credit is sought.
Credit will only be granted if it:
- Maintains the credibility and integrity of the program for which credit is sought.
- Does not contravene the conditions of the program’s professional accreditation.
- Does not disadvantage the student’s ability to achieve the expected course or program learning outcomes.
For more information, contact the university or visit its website.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
As a systems engineer, you will have access to a vast range of industries. You could explore:
- Clean Energy and Sustainability
- Transport and Infrastructure
- Aerospace or Maritime Engineering
- The Defence Force
- Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
- Industrial Manufacturing and Mining
- Electronics, AI and Software Development
- Consulting, Networking and Management
You could be at the forefront of the renewable energy transition and design a new solar power system, ensuring its effective integration with other energy sources. Understanding the role of other specialist engineers, you could work collaboratively to anticipate and prevent safety risks for a national defence submarine or you could implement new workflows across public hospitals and improve resource allocation to help healthcare workers save lives.
Other roles you would be qualified for include:
- Systems Integration Engineer
- Requirements Engineer
- Systems Analyst
- Project Manager
- Systems Architect
- Engineering Consultant
- Systems Engineering Manager
Fees and CSP
Fee information not provided.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Student fees may vary in accordance with:
- The number of courses studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of courses.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per the course you're enrolled in.
- Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.