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.  

Degree type

Postgraduate coursework

Duration

1 year full-time

Commencing terms

Semester 1, Semester 2

Program code

8622

Delivery mode

Online

Overview

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.  

Find out more

For more information on this degree, see the UNSW Handbook.

  • 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. 

  • 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.  

  • Core courses

    Code Course Semester 1 - 2024 Semester 2 - 2024
    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 Management Distance Mode Not Offered

     

    Electives

    Code Course Semester 1 - 2024 Semester 2 - 2024
    ZEIT8032 Information Assurance Principles Not Offered Distance Mode
    ZEIT8200 Model Based Systems Engineering Not Offered Distance Mode
    ZEIT8219 Satellite Communications Distance Mode Not Offered
    ZEIT8220 Space Propulsion Not Offered Distance Mode
    ZEIT8221 Spaceborne Imaging Technology Not Offered Distance Mode
    ZEIT8230 Requirements Practice  Not Offered Distance Mode
    ZEIT8231 Test and Evaluation  Distance Mode Not Offered
    ZEIT8303 Project Management Body of Knowledge Distance Mode Distance Mode
    ZEIT8601 Applied Machine Learning Not Offered Distance Mode
    ZHSS8504 Space Conflict and Competition Not Offered Distance Mode
  • For information regarding entry requirements, please refer to the UNSW Handbook

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

    Find out more

Key contacts

Program Coordinator
Dr George Bowden
E: g.bowden@adfa.edu.au

Student Enquiries
E:
sas@adfa.edu.au
T: +61 2 5114 5000