Course Overview
Advance your engineering expertise with our Master of Engineering – Applied Research (Industrial Automation), combining cutting-edge research skills and practical problem-solving to drive innovation in real-world engineering challenges. This Master is a two-year postgraduate degree for engineers seeking to advance their expertise in emerging automation technologies and industrial data systems.
Not sure if this is the right course for you? Check out other Postgraduate Engineering Study Options at EIT.
Program benefits:
- Build Advanced Research Expertise – Master rigorous applied methodologies to investigate and solve complex engineering challenges.
- Drive Innovation in Industry – Develop and implement engineering solutions that enhance performance, safety, and efficiency.
- Strengthen Technical Leadership Skills – Cultivate advanced analytical, decision-making, and communication skills for senior engineering roles.
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Apply advanced automation, control, and instrumentation principles to the design and optimization of industrial systems.
- Evaluate and implement emerging automation technologies to improve system performance, reliability, and safety.
- Design and conduct applied engineering research that tackles complex, real-world problems using rigorous methodologies.
- Develop and assess advanced technical solutions by integrating scientific and engineering principles.
- Communicate research outcomes effectively and collaborate ethically within multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Program Details
The program combines advanced coursework with a major research project that addresses real-world engineering challenges, driving innovation and improving smart and data-driven manufacturing practices. Students will explore applied research methodologies to tackle contemporary engineering problems, with opportunities to investigate emerging technologies and innovative solutions. With guidance from experienced supervisors, students will develop advanced analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills essential for leadership roles in the automation, manufacturing, and engineering consulting sectors.
The Master of Engineering – Applied Research comprises of 48 credit points and is designed to be completed over two years full-time (or part-time equivalent).
Students must complete 18 credit points by coursework (6 units) and the research component, which is equivalent to 30 credit points.
The second year is dedicated to the research component. Students complete two research units that support the development and execution of their research project. Drawing on the knowledge and research training gained in Year 1; students produce a thesis at AQF Level 9. The thesis must demonstrate a significant and original contribution to knowledge within the context of professional engineering practice. Research topics are encouraged to align with emerging technologies and areas of innovation.
Academic supervision is an integral component of the program.
The research component represents approximately 60% of the total program workload.
Note: units may be completed in a different order depending on individual circumstances, pre-requisites and unit availability.
Year One
| Unit Code | Unit Name | Research or Coursework | Credit Points |
| MIA500A | Industrial Automation Introduction | Coursework | 3 |
| MIA502A | Programmable Logic Controllers | Coursework | 3 |
| MIA503A | Industrial Process Control Systems | Coursework | 3 |
| MXX601 | Engineering Practice and Key Research Methods | Research | 3 |
| MER600 | Master’s Research Project – Proposal | Research | 3 |
| MER602 | Technology Evaluation and Intellectual Property | Coursework | 3 |
| MIA – Online | Elective Unit from the MIA coursework stream (Level 5) | Coursework | 3 |
| MIA – Online | Elective Unit from the MIA coursework stream (Level 6) | Coursework | 3 |
Year Two
| Unit Code | Unit Name | Research or Coursework | Credit Points |
| MER701 | Master’s Research Project – Research Implementation | Research | 12 |
| MER702 | Master’s Research Thesis | Research | 12 |
Additional Mandatory Units
| Unit Code | Unit Name | ||
| MXX001 | Professional Practice Hands-on Workshop | ||
| MXX510 | Professional Experience |
Work-Integrated Learning
EIT’s Master of Engineering programs require students to undertake 240 hours of paid or unpaid professional work-integrated learning. This can incorporate paid or unpaid internships, site visits, contributing to industry projects, and networking activities. In undertaking an internship, students will interact with employees and become exposed to organizational policy and culture. You will familiarize yourself with organizational communication procedures, a variety of engineering disciplines, and obtain insight and practical aptitude in projects from the planning phase to completion. If you already have some work experience in the relevant engineering field, you may apply to have credit granted by
completing the associated recognition of prior learning form.
- Automation Engineer
- Control Systems Engineer
- PLC / SCADA Engineer
- Instrumentation Engineer
- Industrial Systems Engineer
Graduates of the Master of Engineering – Applied Research can:
- Plan, justify and execute an applied engineering research project addressing a complex real-world problem.
- Apply appropriate research methodologies, tools, and ethical, safety and privacy standards in the conduct of applied engineering investigations.
- Critically evaluate relevant literature to justify the research problem, approach, and contribution to engineering practice.
- Synthesize advanced scientific, computational, and engineering principles to design and evaluate solutions to complex engineering problems.
- Communicate complex engineering concepts, methodologies, and research findings effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Engage in self-directed learning and reflective practice to support ongoing professional development.
- Apply advanced collaborative and ethical practices to work effectively within cross-disciplinary teams and organizational contexts
The entry criteria include academic qualification requirements and some research experience:
Academic Qualification Requirements
Pathway A: 3-Year Bachelor Degree
- Degree duration: Minimum 3 years (AQF7 equivalent or recognized international equivalent)
- Academic performance:
- WAM ≥ 75%, OR
- GPA ≥ 3.0 / 4.0
- Discipline: Relevant engineering or closely related field
Pathway B: 4-Year Bachelor Degree
- Degree duration: Minimum 4 years (AQF8 equivalent or recognized international equivalent), including both Washington Accord and non-WA degrees.
- Academic performance:
- WAM ≥ 65%, OR
- GPA ≥ 2.0 / 4.0
- Discipline: Relevant engineering or closely related field
Pathway C: Master’s Degree (Coursework)
- Qualification: Master’s degree by coursework (AQF9 or equivalent) in engineering or a closely related field.
- Academic performance: Pass overall (minimum institutional requirement)
Research Component Requirement
- Applicants must demonstrate prior exposure to structured research equivalent to:
- ≥10% of the overall program, OR
- ≥25% of the final year
This requirement will not be waived.
- A research component is only considered sufficient where it includes:
- Defined problem or research questions
- Use of methodology (analytical, experimental, simulation or design based)
- Evidence of analysis and evaluation
- Documented outcome in a written report
- Where a formal thesis is not preset, applicants must provide evidence through:
- Unit outlines or course handbook
- Project or technical reports
- Supplementary portfolio
Generic transcript entries such as “Project”, “Practical”, or “Training” must not be assumed to meet the requirement without supporting documentation.
Evidence required for Supplementary Portfolio
- Applicants who do not meet the formal research component requirement may be considered via a supplementary portfolio demonstrating equivalent research capability.
- Applicants must provide at least 1 – 2 substantial pieces of evidence.
- Each submission must demonstrate:
- Problem definition
- Methodology or approach
- Analytical component (e.g. calculations, modelling, evaluation)
- Results and conclusions
- Written documentation
- Acceptable evidence includes:
- Final-year or capstone project reports
- Technical research or investigation reports
- Engineering design projects with analytical depth
- Simulation/modelling studies with documented methodology
- Industry-based technical reports (e.g. feasibility studies, root cause analysis)
- The following are not sufficient on their own:
- CVs or resumes
- Internship certificates
- Project titles without supporting documentation
- Software usage without explanation of methodology
- Descriptive work without analysis
Industry experience will only be considered where supported by documented technical outputs demonstrating structured inquiry. Where the quality of evidence is unclear, applications must be referred to the Academic Team prior to any admission decision.
AND
6. An appropriate level of English Language Proficiency equivalent to an English pass level in an Australian Senior Certificate of Education, or an IELTS score of 6.0 (with no individual band less than 6.0), or equivalent as outlined in the EIT Admissions Policy.
Please note: Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry to our programs. Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Please check the Documentation Guidelines for your application.
Our Program Leaders are Dr Igor Shufrin and Dr Arti Siddhpura.
The course is delivered by experienced engineers, technical experts and academicians from around the world. Many have tackled real-world engineering challenges and brought practical, applied knowledge into this course.
We draw from a global pool of lecturers across our organization. Explore our full team of expert educators on the Instructors & Lecturers page.
Please note: Not all lecturers and instructors listed on this page will teach every course. The team teaching your course will be confirmed as part of your course enrolment.
For full current fees in your country go to the drop down filter at the top of this page or visit the Fees page.
Payment Methods
Learn more about payment methods, including payment terms & conditions and additional non-tuition fees.
The program is accredited by EIT under its Self-Accrediting Authority granted by TEQSA.
This course is classified as Level 9 under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
Students should satisfy themselves through their own research with their local accreditation before commencing the program.
This course may use the following software:
- VPLabs
- Codesys
- Realterm
- Modbus (Serial and TCP)
- Wireshark
- OPC
- Open PHA™ – Kenexis
- Numpy
- Scikit-learn
- Statsmodels, Tensorflow
- Factory Talk View Studio
- mod_RSsim
- WinTr from
- PowerFactory
- MATLAB/Simulink
- LabView
Due to ongoing unit and course reviews, software may change from the list provided. Learn more about the Practical Learning at EIT here
Potential job roles include (but not restricted to) engineering positions in the following areas of expertise:
- Industrial Digitalization Engineer
- Robotics & Smart Manufacturing Engineer
- Industrial Data & Systems Optimization Engineer
- Industrial AI & Process Automation Engineer
Our master’s degrees take two years to complete full-time on-campus, and longer for those studying part-time. You will spend approximately 10 hours per week, per unit, learning the program material, completing assessments and attending tutorials. After enrolment the maximum time allowed to complete all units is 5 years.
Application Deadline:
You must submit your application at least four weeks before the start date to be considered for your desired intake.
Census Date:
A census date is the date at which an enrolment is considered to be final. Any withdrawal you make after the study period census date will incur an academic penalty (for example, a fail grade) and a financial penalty (for example, no refund of your student contribution or tuition fees). See our census dates.
Any student has a right to appeal a decision of the Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) or any member of the institute’s staff. EIT has a comprehensive Policy on Appeals and Grievances to assist students.
