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Master of Engineering

The Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) program is suited to students who wish to pursue their engineering education in a preferred area of specialization beyond the undergraduate level, but who do not wish to pursue a thesis research program. Applicants who are considering taking a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in the future should apply for admission to the Master of Applied Science (M.A.Sc.) or Master of Science (M.Sc. in Chemical and Biological Engineering) through the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Typical completion time for full-time Master of Engineering students is 12-16 months.

The Master of Engineering program is administered by the Faculty of Applied Science.

Admission Requirements

Note: Master of Engineering degrees alone do not form an acceptable basis for application to associations of professional engineers in Canada.

Applicants to the Master of Engineering program in all specializations must hold a credential deemed academically equivalent to a four-year bachelor's degree from UBC, in engineering or a related discipline.

The minimum admission requirement for students with degrees from North American institutions is an average of 76% (UBC-equivalency), calculated from senior-level coursework. An applicant with an average less than 76% may be admitted if they have achieved 80% or higher in at least 12 credits (UBC-equivalency) of senior-level coursework, and at least 74% in the remaining senior-level coursework, in the prospective area of study.

The minimum admission requirement for applicants with degrees from outside North America is an overall average of 76% (UBC-equivalency).

For all specializations, relevant professional experience is considered an asset.

Applicants holding a four-year bachelor's degree who do not meet the admissions minimum, but who have had sufficient formal training and relevant professional experience to offset the academic deficiency, may be granted admission on the recommendation of the graduate advisor in the area of specialization and the approval of the Applied Science Dean's office.

For the Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering specialization, applicants must have demonstrated proficiency in the areas of Structural Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics, Automatic Controls and Thermodynamics. Students lacking a background in these subject areas may be required to complete additional coursework.

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must present evidence of competency prior to being extended an offer of admission. Acceptable English language proficiency tests for applicants to graduate studies include the TOEFL, IELTS, and MELAB. The required minimum is determined by the Graduate program office in the area of specialization, but must be at or above the university minimum for graduate-level study.

Students interested in applying to the Master of Engineering program apply through the UBC Graduate Studies Online Application. Lists of the required application documents are available on the respective program websites. Each graduate program office in an area of specialization is responsible for collection and assessment of application documents and issues the offer of admission letter.

Transfer Credit

Courses taken as an Access Studies or non-degree student may be approved for transfer toward a graduate program degree with the permission of the graduate program in the area of specialization.

Consistent with standard transfer credit regulations, students are limited to transferring a maximum of 12 credits or up to 40% of the program credit requirements, whichever is more, toward their master's program. No more than 6 credits of transfer credit may be at the undergraduate level (300-/400-level). In order to be eligible for transfer, the course(s):

  • must be completed with a minimum B standing (UBC-equivalency)
  • must not have been counted toward the completion of another degree or program
  • must have been completed no more than five years prior to the time the student commences the degree program
  • must not be used as a basis for admission to the graduate program

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance is generally not available to students in the Master of Engineering program. Top international students may be eligible to receive an entrance award of up to $2,000 towards tuition. Review each specialization website for specific assistance information.

Program Requirements

The program requires completion of at least 30 credits. In some program areas, minimum requirements may be higher than 30 credits:

  • At least 24 credits must be at the 500-level.
  • A minimum of 18 of the 24 credits must be in the program area at the 500-level, including a project, if required, up to a maximum 6 credits.
  • A maximum of 6 credits may be taken at the 300-/400-level.
  • A maximum of 6 credits of 500-level directed studies courses may be counted toward the program requirements.

Students should consult each specialization website for more information. Each student's coursework must be approved by the graduate program office for that area.

Specializations

Biomedical Engineering

Chemical and Biological Engineering

Civil Engineering

Clean Energy Engineering

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Geological Engineering

Materials Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Mechatronics Design

Mining Engineering 

Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering

Engineering Management

Please note: This sub-specialization is no longer accepting students.

Contact Information

Individual contacts for each program can be found on their respective websites.


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