View source for Master of Engineering

{{Short description|Academic or professional master's degree in engineering}}
{{Distinguish|Master of Science in Engineering}}
{{redirect-distinguish|MEng|Meng (disambiguation){{!}}Meng}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}

A '''Master of Engineering''' (abbreviated '''MEng''', '''ME''', '''M.E.,''' or '''M.Eng.''') is a [[Professional degree|professional]] [[master's degree]] in the field of [[engineering]].

==International variations==

===Australia===
In [[Australia]], the Master of Engineering degree is a research degree requiring completion of a thesis. Like the [[Master of Philosophy]] (M.Phil.), it is considered a lesser degree than the [[Doctor of Philosophy]] (Ph.D.). It is not to be confused with Master of Engineering Science, Master of Engineering Studies, or Master of Professional Engineering, which are coursework master's degrees. Exceptions are [[Monash University]], which awards a Master of Engineering Science by either research or coursework, the [[University of Melbourne]], which offers a Master of Engineering by coursework,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eng.unimelb.edu.au/|title=Home|first=Tiana|last=Stefanic|date=14 August 2025|website=Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology}}</ref> and the [[University of Tasmania]], which offers a Master of Engineering Science by research.<ref>[http://www.international.utas.edu.au/static/documents/1096_Engineering.pdf University of Tasmania Engineering Course Guide] Accessed 16 September 2009</ref>

===Finland===
There are two distinct degrees in [[Finland]]: a taught university degree (''[[diplomi-insinööri]]'') and a polytechnic master's degree (''[[Insinööri (amk)#The insinööri (ylempi amk) or insinööri (yamk) degree|insinööri (ylempi AMK)]]'').<ref>[https://www.finlex.fi/fi/lainsaadanto/saadoskokoelma/2005/423 Finnish legislation 423/2005 on degrees at Universities of Applied Sciences] Accessed: 21 June 2009</ref> While the [[diplomi-insinööri|former]] is translated as "Master of Science in Technology", the term "Master of Engineering" is predominantly used by [[Universities of Applied Sciences]], which offer master's degree programs to holders of polytechnic bachelor's degrees (''[[insinööri (amk)]]''). As the European [[Bologna process]] directs, in order to get an M.Eng. degree, B.Eng. engineers have to additionally study full-time for one or two years and finalize a master's thesis. Most of the M.Eng. degree programs are taught in [[Finnish language|Finnish]], but some Swedish and English language programs also exist.<ref>[http://www.metropolia.fi/en/studies/masters_degrees/ Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Master's degrees] Accessed: 21 June 2009</ref>

===France===
In [[France]], there are two distinct kinds of Master of Engineering: a master's degree taught in a university and an engineer degree, [[Diplôme d'Ingénieur]], taught in engineering schools, which is a parallel education system of the university, named [[Grande école]]. Master of Engineering and an engineer's degree are both equal in terms of level of education, and generally lead to the same positions. The engineer's title in France is strictly protected and can be used only after a successful graduation from an Engineer School accredited by the state. While a university's master's degree in engineering is a grade that does not give the right to use the Engineer's title, even if the position's level and responsibilities are same. For the same reason, a Bachelor of Engineering does not allow a graduate to be called "Engineer" or to work as an engineer. To work as an engineer requires 5 years of education in a university or an engineering school, and using the title of engineer requires graduation from an engineering school.

===Germany===
In [[Germany]], the local engineer's degrees (Diplomingenieur (Dipl.-Ing.), a first degree after five years of study at a university and Dipl.-Ing. (FH), the engineering degree offered by Fachhochschulen after four years of study) were abolished in most universities and "Fachhochschulen" in 2010 and were replaced by postgraduate master's degrees (M.Sc. and M.Eng.).

The first Master of Engineering courses were introduced in Germany in 2000 as a result of the [[Bologna process]]. This type of master's degree is usually offered by ''[[Fachhochschulen]]'' ([[Universities of Applied Sciences]]) and a few smaller German universities<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.zfuw.uni-kl.de/en/distance-learning-courses/science-engineering/software-engineering-for-embedded-systems/#zielsetzung |title=Software Engineering for Embedded Systems |publisher=www.zfuw.uni-kl.de |language=en|access-date=2017-01-20}}</ref> and is typically a two-year program (Fachhochschulen and universities) with application-oriented coursework and an applied or research thesis.

The entry requirement is the successful completion of a bachelor's degree or an equivalent from before the Bologna process, with good marks.

The nine leading German [[technical universities]] (Group of [[TU9]]), like most European universities of technology, prefer awarding the Master of Science degree for completing engineering science studies in a master's program.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.tu9.de/graduate/master.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112233918/http://www.tu9.de/graduate/master.php |archive-date=12 November 2011 |title=TU9.de - englischsprachige Masterkurse - German Institutes of Technology}}</ref>

=== India ===
{{Refimprove|date=June 2025}}
The Master of Engineering (M.E.) is a postgraduate degree in engineering, typically awarded after two years of advanced study. The majority of the engineering colleges in India additionally offer a Master of Technology (MTech), or a postgraduate degree in Engineering that is equivalent to the M.E.. It offers specializations in fields such as Computer Science and Engineering, Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, and Structural Engineering. The M.E. is considered a path to obtain in-depth technical expertise and career advancement in the engineering sector. Those with a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, like a Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Technology, or [[Institution of Engineers (India)|AMIE]] in an engineering discipline, are eligible for admission. Additionally, admission often requires performance in the GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering), though some universities may have their own entrance exams.

An M.E. degree opens doors to advanced roles in industry, academia, or research. Graduates work in sectors like software, telecommunications, automotive, construction, and energy. Many M.E. graduates also pursue a Ph.D. or take up teaching roles.

===New Zealand===
In [[New Zealand]], the Master of Engineering degree is generally a research-based degree requiring completion of a thesis in key universities ([[University of Auckland]], [[University of Canterbury]], etc.).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/future-students/qualifications-and-courses/masters-degrees/master-of-engineering/|title = Master of Engineering}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.engineering.auckland.ac.nz/en/for/futurepostgraduates/fp-study-options/fp-admission-for-masters/master-of-engineering.html|title=Master of Engineering - The University of Auckland|website=www.engineering.auckland.ac.nz}}</ref> Similar to the UK's Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in engineering or technology, it is considered a lesser degree than Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and a higher degree than a coursework master's. It is not to be confused with Master of Engineering Studies, which is a coursework master's degree.

At the [[Auckland University of Technology]] (AUT), this degree can be achieved either by completing a thesis (research pathway) or a combination of coursework and research project (coursework pathway).<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.aut.ac.nz/study-at-aut/study-areas/engineering/postgraduate/master-of-engineering/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140206090700/http://www.aut.ac.nz/study-at-aut/study-areas/engineering/postgraduate/master-of-engineering |archive-date=6 February 2014 |title=Master of Engineering - AUT University}}</ref>

===Slovakia===
[[Faculty of Informatics and Information Technologies|FIIT]] [[Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava|STU]] Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) accreditation<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fiit.stuba.sk/en/news/university-with-accreditation-as-cambridge.html?page_id=5238|title=Slovakia has a university with the same accreditation as Cambridge|author=Zuzana Marušincová|date=February 15, 2018|access-date=July 14, 2019|website=fiit.stuba.sk}}</ref> for two master's degree study programs: Intelligent Software Systems (combined fields of study Software Engineering – major and Artificial Intelligence – secondary) and Internet Technologies (in the field of study Computing Engineering); three bachelor's degree study programs and two doctoral degree study programs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fiit.stuba.sk/en/study-programmes.html?page_id=2090|title=Accredited study programs|date=May 3, 2018|access-date=July 14, 2019|website=fiit.stuba.sk}}</ref>

[[:sk:Fakulta elektrotechniky a informatiky Slovenskej technickej univerzity|FEI]] [[Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava|STU]] Engineering Institute of Electrical Engineering (IEE) accreditation

===United Kingdom===
In the [[United Kingdom]], the Master of Engineering (MEng) is the highest award for undergraduate studies in engineering. It is the standard university-level qualification taken by people wishing to become [[Chartered Engineer (UK)|chartered engineers]] registered with the [[Engineering Council]] (EngC). The MEng degree represents the minimum educational standard required to become a chartered engineer, but there are other equally satisfactory ways to demonstrate this standard, such as the completion of a BEng Honours and a subsequent [[postgraduate diploma]], MA, MSc, or through experiential learning. The UK MEng (undergraduate degree) is typically equivalent to the European [[Diplom|'' Diplom Ingenieur'']] (Dipl.-Ing.) and [[:sv: Civilingenjör|'' Civilingenjör'']] degrees.

Universities are free to set their own entry requirements. Some universities, such as [[University of Oxford|Oxford]], [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge]], and some courses at [[Imperial College London|Imperial]], only admit students to study for the MEng degree. (Their courses usually allow a student to leave with a bachelor's degree after three years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.engc.org.uk/resources-and-guidance/education-and-skills/higher-education-programmes/|title=Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (AHEP)|website=www.engc.org.uk}}</ref>) Other universities, such as the [[University of Greenwich]], [[University of Surrey]], [[Coventry University]], [[Brunel University]] and [[Swansea University]], admit students to read for BEng Honours and MEng courses and allow students to change between the two during the early years of the course. The [[Open University]] offers the MEng degree as a postgraduate qualification, but requires students to complete its course within four years of completing a BEng Honours degree.

Requirements for professional registration as an [[Incorporated Engineer]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.engc.org.uk/professional-registration/the-professional-titles/incorporated-engineer/|title=Engineering Council|website=www.engc.org.uk}}</ref> or a Chartered Engineer<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.engc.org.uk/professional-registration/the-professional-titles/chartered-engineer|title=Engineering Council|website=www.engc.org.uk}}</ref> are based on a standard of professional competence and commitment, as set out in the professional standard UK-SPEC. Individuals generally develop these through education and working experience.

====History====
Since its introduction, the MEng has become the degree of choice for most undergraduate engineers, as was intended. The most common exception to this is international students who, because of the substantially higher fees they are charged, sometimes opt to take the traditional BEng/BSc route where that is available{{Citation needed|date=December 2009}}. Most of the [[Engineering society#United Kingdom|engineering institutions]] have now made an MEng the minimum academic standard necessary to become a Chartered Engineer. Students who graduated before the changes in the rules will still be allowed to use their bachelor's degree for this purpose and those who have earned a bachelor's degree since the changes can usually take some additional courses (known as 'further learning') over time to reach an equivalent standard to the MEng Some older universities such as [[Durham University|Durham]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dur.ac.uk/ecs/ecs_prospective_students/undergraduate/degrees/engineering/|title=Engineering and Computing Science - Durham University|website=www.dur.ac.uk}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=August 2016}} allow students to obtain the BEng degree after the third year before continuing to the fourth year.

===United States===
In the [[United States]], the Master of Engineering degree is generally a professional degree offered as a coursework-based alternative to the traditional research-based Master of Science. It is typically a one-year program, entered after the completion of a 4-year bachelor's degree, and many universities allow students to choose between the Master of Engineering and the Master of Science.

The Master of Engineering degree is offered at many leading universities in the United States on either a full-time or part-time (weekends or evenings) basis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gordon.tufts.edu/programs/m-s-in-engineering-management/academic-calendar/weekend|title=Flexible Schedule - Gordon Institute at Tufts University|website=tufts.edu}}</ref>

Some MEng degree programs require a scholarly project in addition to coursework. They require additional courses beyond those required for Master of Science students in order to better prepare students for professional careers. Some of them highly encourage students to participate in collaborative consulting projects.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gordon.tufts.edu/programs/m-s-in-engineering-management/program-structure#tabs|title=MSEM Curriculum - Gordon Institute|website=tufts.edu|access-date=13 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223181030/http://gordon.tufts.edu/programs/m-s-in-engineering-management/program-structure#tabs|archive-date=23 December 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> These courses may include topics such as business fundamentals, management, and leadership.<ref>Master of Engineering, Duke University, http://meng.pratt.duke.edu/</ref>

==See also==
* [[British degree abbreviations]]
* [[Doctor of Engineering]]
* [[Engineering education]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Academic degrees}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Master of Engineering}}
[[Category:Master's degrees|Engineering, Master of]]
[[Category:Engineering education]]