Master of Space Engineering

Apply Your Engineering Skills to the Space Sector

The Australian space sector is rapidly expanding and it needs qualified engineers from a range of fields, including mechanical, electrical and aeronautical. UNSW Canberra is home to the largest space capability in the country and our Master of Space Engineering will provide you with the resources you need to apply your engineering skills to space systems.

The course is designed for postgraduate students with appropriate qualifications or extensive professional experience who wish to develop a high-level understanding of the principles and practices of engineering related to space.

World-Class Teaching Facilities

UNSW Canberra has a range of on-site capabilities to enable end-to-end space missions including Australia’s first space mission concurrent engineering design facility. Space facilities also include the Falcon Telescope, a cleanroom, a thermal vacuum chamber laboratory, and satellite ground stations.

Explore our space facilities.

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You can find more information on this degree on the UNSW Handbook.

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Program Structure

Students undertaking the Master of Space Engineering are required to complete 48 Units of Credit (UOC) by completing eight 6-UOC courses from the list in the Handbook entry for the program (see the list in Course Availability below).

In the Master of Space Engineering program, students must complete four core courses and four elective courses. Not all elective courses will be available in a particular year.

The courses in the program may be taken in any order but it is recommended that the four core courses are completed first, followed by the four elective courses.

With the approval of the Program Coordinator, students with an average mark of 65% or higher in four courses may complete a 12-UOC research project in lieu of two elective courses. The project is recommended for those with a strong interest in pursuing original research in a particular area or intending to undertake a higher-level research qualification.

With the approval of the Program Coordinator, students may take up to two elective courses (12 UOC) from other coursework programs.

Research Project

The option of undertaking a research project worth 12 UOC is available to Masters students who obtain a high credit average or better in four courses and is subject to approval by the Program Coordinator. 

The research project can be completed within one session through enrolment in ZEIT8297 Project Report - Systems Engineering (F/T) or spread across two sessions through enrolment in ZEIT8296 Project Report - Systems Engineering (P/T). Completion of either course results in the achievement of 12 UOC.

The project is recommended for those with a strong interest in pursuing original research in a particular area or intending to undertake a higher research degree qualification. Student undertaking the research project (ZEIT8297 or ZEIT8296) are unable to enrol in elective courses from other coursework programs. 

Course Availability

Core		Semester 1 - 2023	Semester 2 - 2023
ZEIT8007	Space Operations	Distance Mode	Not Offered
ZEIT8008	Space Systems Design	Not Offered	Distance Mode
ZEIT8009	Global Navigation Satellite Systems	Not Offered	Distance Mode
ZEIT8012	Space Systems Engineering	Distance Mode	Not Offered

*Please Note: Program rules are subject to change, students need to follow the program rules set out in the UNSW Handbook of the year they were admitted into the program.

Electives		Semester 1 - 2023	Semester 2 - 2023
ZEIT8032	Information Assurance Principles	Not Offered	Distance Mode
ZEIT8219	Satellite Communications	Distance Mode	Not Offered
ZEIT8221	Spaceborne Imaging Technology	Not Offered	Distance Mode
ZEIT8230	Requirements Practice	Distance Mode	Distance Mode
ZEIT8231	Test and Evaluation	Distance Mode	Not Offered
ZEIT8297	Project Report - Systems Engineering F/T*	Distance Mode	Distance Mode
ZEIT8303	Project Management Body of Knowledge	Distance Mode	Distance Mode
ZHSS8504	Space Conflict and Competition	Not Offered	Distance Mode

Entry Requirements

Please refer to the UNSW Handbook for the Entry Requirements.

Recognition for Prior Learning - Professional Development

If you have successfully completed approved professional development courses, you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning towards future study.

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