The Master of Engineering Structures is a specialised postgraduate qualification designed to deepen and extend the technical expertise of qualified engineers in the field of structural design, analysis, and construction. The course is concerned with the design and assessment of high-rise buildings, industrial complexes, bridges, stadiums, sporting and exhibition centres, and other critical infrastructure. Students explore key themes such as structural systems, conceptual design, sustainable design, extreme loading, and advanced analysis techniques — learning how forces such as the weight of a building, its contents, and environmental loads are resisted and transferred through structures to the ground. Subjects typically span concrete structures, steel structures, numerical methods, structural dynamics, disaster-resistant design, and engineering modelling, often with flexibility to pursue electives in infrastructure engineering, engineering management, and environmental systems.

This qualification is aimed at qualified engineers who wish to either advance within their current field or transition into structural engineering from a related discipline such as civil engineering. It prepares graduates for senior roles in structural engineering and related industries including sustainable urban development, construction, mining, transport infrastructure, and government agencies. Typical employers include large engineering consultancies (such as Arup, WSP, Aurecon, AECOM, GHD, and Jacobs), state and federal government infrastructure departments, major construction contractors (such as CIMIC Group, Multiplex, and John Holland), defence contractors, and resources sector companies. The degree typically takes one to two years of full-time study depending on the institution and the student's prior background, and is accredited at the level of Professional Engineer by Engineers Australia, with international recognition under the Washington Accord.

Most Australian providers require applicants to hold a bachelor degree in a relevant engineering discipline, typically structural engineering or civil engineering. Many programs require a four-year bachelor degree (or Bachelor of Engineering with Honours) with a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 65% or equivalent. Where an applicant holds a four-year civil engineering degree, some institutions additionally require either one year of documented relevant professional work experience or evidence that at least 30% of the final year of the undergraduate degree was dedicated to structural engineering subjects. For applicants with a three-year undergraduate degree, a minimum of two to three years of documented relevant work experience post-graduation is typically required to demonstrate professional readiness. Some institutions also accept applicants from cognate fields — such as environmental, mining, or mechanical engineering — particularly where supplementary foundation coursework is completed as part of the program.

English language requirements apply to all international applicants. Most institutions require an IELTS Academic score of at least 6.5 overall (with no individual band below 6.0), or equivalent scores in TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or other accepted tests. Some universities set higher thresholds for postgraduate engineering programs. Credit or advanced standing may be granted to applicants who have completed relevant postgraduate subjects previously, potentially reducing the overall duration of the course. Domestic students should note that meeting minimum published entry requirements does not guarantee selection in competitive programs, and applications are assessed holistically including academic performance, professional experience, and in some cases an interview or personal statement.