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.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
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
Estimated student contribution amount per 1.0 EFTSL (48 units) in 2026: $9,537 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
Commonwealth-supported students are charged a portion of the cost of their higher education through a student contribution. Where the duration of the program is less than one year, the total cost of the program is displayed.
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)
A Commonwealth Supported Place is a higher education place where the Australian Government subsidises your fees so that you only pay a portion through a student contribution amount.
The amount of student contribution you’ll pay depends on:
- Number of courses you are enrolled in.
- Unit value of courses.
- Funding cluster your courses fall under.
A HECS-HELP loan allows students to borrow from the Australian Government to cover some or all of their student contribution. To be eligible for HECS-HELP, you must be studying in a Commonwealth Supported Place.