New Zealand has a high-quality academic system, which makes it a desirable choice as a study-abroad destination for international students. The Masters in Civil Engineering course is offered by 5 universities in the country, all of which rank among the top 500 Universities in the world. It is a course of 1-1.5 years depending on the university and number of credit points. The starting salary of a civil engineer graduate is 58,823 NZD ( 29 lakhs INR) who are hired by the top engineering companies in the country such as Beca, Aurecon, WSP, etc.

International students wanting to study Masters in New Zealand need to apply for a New Zealand Student Visa.

Masters in Civil Engineering in New Zealand: Highlights

Course Duration 1 - 1.5 years
Course Type Full-time
Academic Requirements Bachelor’s degree with 70-74%
English Proficiency Requirements IELTS/ TOEFL iBT/PTE
Tuition Fees 44,337 NZD (22,11,567 INR)
Average Salary 97,500 NZD (48 lakhs INR)

Top Universities for Masters in Civil Engineering in New Zealand

Masters in Civil Engineering in New Zealand is offered by the top universities in the world, such as The University of Auckland (#87 in QS Ranking 2023). The deadlines for application along with the tuition fees for these universities are mentioned below in the table.

Universities Course Deadlines Tuition Fees (NZD)
University of Auckland Master of Civil Engineering 8 December 2022 48,622
University of Canterbury M.Eng Civil Engineering 9 December 2022 46,000
Massey University Master of Construction 31 October 2022 (Closed) | 1 May 2023 (Semester Two) 39,480
University of Waikato ME - Civil Engineering Applications have not opened 42,310
Auckland University of Technology Master of Construction Management - 45,274

NOTE: The University of Auckland and the University of Canterbury offer a few other courses in related subjects such as Master of Urban Design(Principle), Master of Transportation Engineering, Master of Earthquake Engineering, etc related to structural planning. Interested students can look for the details on the university website.

What is Masters in Civil Engineering in New Zealand?

In New Zealand, Masters in Civil Engineering is a 1 to 1.5 years course. It teaches students how to design, and construct buildings, transportation systems, urban environments, etc. The course inculcates problem-solving skills in students along with improving the living conditions of people. There are various specialisations of this course that help students to focus on a particular field of study.

  1. Construction Engineering
  2. Environmental Engineering
  3. Geotechnical Engineering
  4. Structural Engineering
  5. Transportation Engineering
  6. Water Engineering

The course is also offered in two methods - research and teaching. The research method allows students to incorporate a thesis in their course which can lead them to pursue Ph.D.

Why Study Masters in Civil Engineering in New Zealand?

Besides the top universities in New Zealand, there are various other reasons why international students should choose the country to study Masters in Civil Engineering in New Zealand.

  1. The job market of New Zealand is highly demanding for skilled workers in the field of civil engineering.
  2. There is more than $90 billion worth of construction work that needs to be done in New Zealand over the upcoming 30 years.
  3. The flexible structure of the course allows students to move their degree to a research or professional career.
  4. The country welcomes students from all over the world, leading to a vast cultural diversity and making international students feel at home while being away from their homelands.

Admissions: Masters in Civil Engineering in New Zealand

Applications at New Zealand universities for international students are usually available between February and September. Students can apply for admission either online or through a university agent in their respective home countries.

Eligibility Criteria for Masters in Civil Engineering in New Zealand

The academic requirements and English language proficiency requirements for masters in civil engineering according to the universities is mentioned in the table below:

University Academic Requirements English Language Requirements
University of Auckland Bachelor’s of Engineering (BE) or BE (Hons) with 4.0 GPA IELTS - 6.5 | TOEFL iBT - 90 | PTE - 58
University of Canterbury Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Science with First or Second Class Honours IELTS - 6.5 | TOEFL iBT - 90 | PTE - 58
Massey University 4 Year Bachelor with Honours Degree or Bachelor of Construction (Honors) I Average of B grade IELTS - 6.5 | TOEFL iBT - 90 | PTE - 58
University of Waikato Bachelor's Degree with B in civil engineering IELTS - 6.5 | TOEFL iBT - 90 | PTE - 58
Auckland University of Technology
  • Bachelor’s Degree with a B grade average
  • Relevant Engineering or Managerial work experience
IELTS - 6.5 | TOEFL iBT - 90 | PTE - 58

Additional Requirements for Masters in Civil Engineering in New Zealand

  1. Official Transcripts provided by the previous institutions and universities
  2. Statement of Purpose (SOP)
  3. Work Experience (Optional)
  4. Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
  5. CV/Resume

Cost of Studying Masters in Civil Engineering in New Zealand

The cost of studying abroad can be divided into two categories - tuition, and living expenses. The total cost might vary depending on the university, accommodation, living standards, etc. Given estimates below will give you a rough picture of the expected expenses for pursuing a degree in New Zealand.

Tuition Fees for Masters in Civil Engineering in New Zealand

The tuition fees for masters in civil engineering in New Zealand

University Tuition Fees (NZD) Tuition Fees (INR)
University of Auckland 48,622 24,21,460
University of Canterbury 46,000 22,90,880
Massey University 39,480 19,66,172
University of Waikato 42,310 21,07,111
Auckland University of Technology 45,274 22,54,724

Cost of Living in New Zealand for International Students

The cost of living in New Zealand is quite stiff. Wellington, Auckland, and Queenstown are some of the pretty expensive cities to live in. But living in New Zealand is manageable if you plan your costs wisely. The total living cost is influenced by various factors such as city, rental charges, and travel

Expense Type Average Cost (NZD) Average Cost (INR)
Accommodation 800-950 per month 38,000-46,000
Food 230 per month 11,169
Transport 200-250 per month 9700-12,000
Entertainment 50 per week 2400
Utilities 270-330 per month 13,000-16,000

Scholarships for Masters in Civil Engineering in New Zealand

Pursuing a degree in New Zealand can be expensive due to the high living cost and tuition fees. There are various scholarships available to international students in New Zealand that are offered by the university or the government. The table below contains information on a few popular graduate scholarships for studies in New Zealand.

Scholarship Eligibility Award (NZD)
University of Auckland India High Achievers Scholarship Indian Student with an offer letter from University of Auckland 20,000
Massey University International Postgraduate Excellence Scholarship
  • Full fee-paying
  • Studying full time
  • Have an admission offer or a conditional offer
10,000
Vice Chancellor’s International Excellence Scholarship for India Enrolling for the first time in an undergraduate or postgraduate program at University of Waikato 15,000
AUT International Excellence Scholarship - South Asia
  • Full fee-paying
  • Studying full time
  • Have an admission offer or a conditional offer
  • Enrolling for the first time
5,000

Find out more scholarships to study in New Zealand

Masters in Civil Engineering in New Zealand: Placements

The civil engineering jobs in New Zealand are among the highest paying jobs in the country. Therefore the return on investment for the tuition fees is also huge. Given below in the table are some of the job roles for civil engineering with their annual salaries.

Master in civil engineering in NZ Placementts
Job Role Average Annual Salary (NZD) Average Annual Salary (INR)
Civil Engineer 97,500 48,55,670
Construction Engineer 105,000 52,29,183
Construction Manager 94,881 47,25,239
Environmental Engineer 93,989 46,80,816
Project Engineering Manager 100,000 49,80,174
Site Engineer 97,500 48,55,670

Universities Comparison for Masters in Civil Engineering in New Zealand

Given below is the comparison of the universities offering masters in civil engineering in New Zealand that can help you make a better decision.

Universities Tuition Fees (NZD) Academic Requirements (%) ELP Scores
University of Auckland 48,622 65-69.9% IELTS - 6.5 | TOEFL iBT - 90 | PTE - 58
University of Canterbury 46,000 80-84.9% IELTS - 6.5 | TOEFL iBT - 90 | PTE - 58
Massey University 39,480 70-74.9% IELTS - 6.5 | TOEFL iBT - 90 | PTE - 58
University of Waikato 42,310 70-74.9% IELTS - 6.5 | TOEFL iBT - 90 | PTE - 58
Auckland University of Technology 45,274 70-74.9% IELTS - 6.5 | TOEFL iBT - 90 | PTE - 58

New Zealand is home to a few prestigious universities offering masters in Civil Engineering. High-quality education and the increasing demand for skilled professionals in the field of civil engineering make New Zealand a popular choice of study among international students. Students pursuing masters in civil engineering in New Zealand can not only look forward to the quality education but also to the medical facilities available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques: Is New Zealand good for Masters in Civil Engineering?

Ans: New Zealand welcomes International students from all over the world and is home to some top-ranked universities in the world according to QS Rankings 2023. This is the reason why New Zealand is a good country for Masters in Civil Engineering.

Ques: Are Civil Engineers in demand in New Zealand?

Ans: The demand for civil and construction engineers is very high in New Zealand during this time.

Ques: Can I stay in New Zealand after Masters?

Ans: After completion of master studies in New Zealand, an international student can work for 3 years in the country.

Ques: How much money do Civil Engineers make in New Zealand?

Ans: The average salary of a Civil Engineer in New Zealand is 97,500 NZD ( 48 lakhs INR)per year.

Ques: Can I work while doing a masters in New Zealand?

Ans: An international student can work up to 20 hours per week provided they are studying a 2-year course in full-time study mode.