Master of Engineering (Water Resources Management)

Learn water and environmental engineering theories to support our all-important waterways, resources and infrastructure.

In this degree you will develop the skills specific to the water sector of civil engineering.

In this degree you’ll develop sophisticated skills in engineering research methods and project management which you will use on a major civil engineering design project, with industry representatives as your clients.

You will also complete a master thesis.

Graduate career-ready by completing the UniSA STEM Professional Practice Program and gain at least 450 hours of skills and competencies through a range of engagement activities such as placements, internships, guest lectures, industry panels, site visits, networking and events.

If you already have qualifications in civil engineering, you could be eligible for Advanced Standing and complete this degree in less than two years.

If you decide to exit this degree having successfully completed the first year, you will receive a graduate diploma qualification.

Entry requirements

Applicants who have successfully completed a Bachelor degree in civil engineering, or a Graduate Certificate in civil engineering, are eligible to enter the program with 0.5 EFTSL Advanced Standing and complete the program in 1.5 years of full time study or equivalent part time study.

Applicants who have successfully completed an Honours degree in civil engineering, or a Graduate Diploma in civil engineering, are eligible to enter the program with 1.0 EFTSL Advanced Standing and complete the program in 1 year of full time study or equivalent part time study.

You will learn advanced water and environmental engineering, developing the skills to:

• apply and synthesise water and environmental engineering theories in solving practical cases
• create and design models to be used in areas such as water resources and water quality management
• adapt hydro-environmental data analysis methods at advanced level
• integrate modelling technology and consolidate GIS applications in forming comprehensive water resources management systems
• develop advanced skills to communicate with water and environmental related professionals

Also key to the degree is the development and application of research methods and skills. These will be invaluable when you begin work on your master thesis.

Our UniSA STEM Professional Practice Program allows you to apply the skills and knowledge you've acquired throughout your degree in real-world settings.

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums. So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.

Your studies at UniSA will incorporate both practical, professionally-focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

UniSA collaborates with over 2,500 companies worldwide to ensure our degrees remain relevant and connected to industry. As part of all engineering degrees UniSA students participate in our UniSA STEM Professional Practice Program. The UniSA STEM Professional Practice Program gives you the opportunity during your studies to gain hands on experience and create industry connections. In-industry work placements and internships enhance the employability skills of our graduates.

You will benefit from our partnerships with industries, local councils, governments, communities and other research organisations are addressing the knowledge gaps and problems of our natural and built environments.

We also host regular University-wide employee master classes and employment expos, and alumni events in Australia and overseas.

Your career

There are a wide range of career options for highly qualified engineers, with employment opportunities in engineering consulting firms, construction companies, and local, state and federal government. You could consider:

• engineering project manager: ensuring projects are completed according to project plans; managing project team resources; scheduling, preparation and resource forecasting for engineering and other technical activities; managing vendors and suppliers
• engineering operations manager: supervising and leading teams of engineers, scientists and technicians who work on projects; overseeing production and quality control; directing operations, testing and maintenance; planning and scheduling, client consulting, budgetary responsibilities
• water resources engineer: designing pump systems, pipelines and treatment plants for handling wastewater; working on flood control projects and mapping out drainage systems for dealing with water flow; working on fresh water supply systems, such as for drinking water

You could also continue with a PhD through one of our dynamic research concentrations.

Applying to study with us:

• go to the top of this page and make note of the relevant SATAC code (see below) then click Apply
• you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

You may be eligible for Advanced Standing and complete the requirements of this qualification in less than 2 years. Please see entry requirements for further details. When applying through SATAC, please refer to the codes below. If you are uncertain about your eligibility for Advanced Standing, please include more than one SATAC code in your list of application preferences.

• 2 years - SATAC CODE 4CM162
• 1.5 year - SATAC CODE 4CM161
• 1 year - SATAC CODE 4CM160

If you already have qualifications in civil engineering, you could be eligible for Advanced Standing and complete this degree in less than two years.

Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, tech zones, and areas that simulate real work environments. You’ll also find student gyms and campus sport activities to keep you active. We also offer flexible study options, with online resources available for accessing lecture recordings, virtual classrooms, library resources and learning support.

Adelaide has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, a perfect location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Our student support services can make your life at university easier. We provide a full range of support services including academic and personal counselling. You can also access a range of services through our students association, USASA. When you become a UniSA student you can contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and any other questions you might have.

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.