Course overview
You enhance your technical skills in various core areas of civil engineering that are in demand in the construction industry, such as advanced structural design, advanced geotechnics, and water and wastewater treatment processes. You also further develop your conceptual understanding of critical aspects of structural engineering, such as advanced structural analysis and design, and become familiar with complex analysis and design techniques, modelling the causes and solutions of problems involving the real behaviour of structures. You also acquire an advanced knowledge and understanding of the design of structures under dynamic and earthquake conditions. Advanced project planning and visualisation methods, such as building information modelling, are also integrated into the course. The 60-credit dissertation gives you the opportunity to conduct a supervised research project developing original knowledge in a specific area of civil or structural engineering.
Course details
For an MSc award you must successfully complete 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit master's research project.
Examples of past MSc research projects include:
- Shear strength of composite and non-composite steel beam and concrete slab construction
- Investigation into the self-healing capability of bacterial concrete
- A review of the use of smart materials and technologies in cable stayed bridge construction
- FRP and its use as structural components
- Non-linear modelling of ground performance under seismic conditions
Course structure
Core modules
You develop geotechnical concepts and techniques and learn about new methods of analysis. You apply techniques in geotechnical design and critically investigate the role of geotechnics in the civil engineering design process
You learn through formal lecturers and take part in discussions of techniques and analysis. Case studies investigate the applicability of techniques and the impact of the geotechnical process on the project and the environment. Discussion of the effectiveness of various methodologies and approaches take place in seminars.
The module will be assessed by a design report and an end examination.
Advanced Project Planning and Visualisation
In this module you explore engineering project planning problems and solutions and learn to develop knowledge in emerging technologies used in advanced project planning. You develop planning skills and knowledge of the key concepts and tools used in traditional and advanced project planning. In particular, you familiarise with: principles of project planning, multi-constraints project planning techniques, and advanced 4D visualisation techniques.
Advanced Structural Analysis with Dynamics
You develop your knowledge and understanding of structural analysis and design and are introduced to new methods of analysis. You apply complex analysis and design techniques, including static and dynamic analysis methods, to model the causes and solutions of problems involving the real behaviour of structures.
Formal lectures include interaction to discuss and critically evaluate the theoretical principles of core course material and its application to problem solving and design. Tutorials allow you to apply and develop the course material. Case studies are used to demonstrate application and effectiveness of analysis and design techniques. Your assessment is a technical report and an end examination.
You advance your knowledge and understanding of structural design, introducing new methods of design. You apply complex design techniques, modelling the causes and solutions of problems involving the real behaviour of structures. Formal lectures include your interaction to discuss and critically evaluate the theoretical principles of core course material and its application to problem solving and design. Tutorials allow the application and development of the course material. Case studies are used to demonstrate application and effectiveness of design techniques. Assessment is a technical report and an end examination.
You investigate an area of engineering and work independently to a level recognised to be at the forefront of the discipline. The topic can be in the form of a research project or a design project. Key skills in research and in knowledge application and creation will be developed through keynote lectures and self-managed independent study. You are required to demonstrate the capacity for a comprehensive and objective analysis, and for developing innovative and constructive proposals for the solution to the project topic.
You will investigate how the role of the engineer is becoming more focused on serving society as well as industry and to recognise the impact of engineers’ decisions on society and the environment.
As engineers of the future, you will need to have a sustainable worldview, acknowledging international, cultural, and diversity issues in society. In addition, you will also be expected to solve complex problems with consideration for multi-perspective views, long-term effects, risk, and the impacts of decisions on society.
This module will examine the key topics surrounding sustainability in the context of engineering applications across a range of disciplines and key future challenges such as energy, transport, and construction.
The subjects will be taught through a combination of lectures and seminars. Lectures will develop key concepts and knowledge. Seminars will allow more focused examinations of important issues and approaches.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Processes
You develop an understanding of the water and wastewater treatment processes and allows you to apply them in an engineering context. Relevant current and future challenges associated with the water sector are discussed to increase your awareness and help you propose potential solutions.
Lectures deliver the theoretical knowledge of water and wastewater treatment processes and the associated challenges within the water-energy nexus. The seminars enable the application of theoretical knowledge to design problems.
Case studies from research and industrial sources will investigate the applicability and effectiveness of the course materials and highlight the potential opportunities and challenges.
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
You learn through lectures, tutorials and practical sessions. Lectures provide the theoretical underpinning, while practical sessions give you the opportunity to put theory into practice, applying your knowledge to specific problems.
Tutorials and seminars provide a context for interactive learning and allow you to explore relevant topics in depth. Some of the modules require using specialised technical software and practical computer-based sessions are timetabled.
In addition to the taught sessions, you undertake a substantive MSc research project.
How you are assessed
Assessment varies from module to module. The assessment methodology could include in-course assignments, presentations or formal examinations. For your MSc project, you prepare a dissertation.
Entry requirements
You need a first degree in civil engineering, structural engineering or relevant engineering discipline equivalent to at least a UK second class (2.2) honours degree.
Students with a degree awarded outside the UK must also meet the University's minimum English language requirements.
International applicants who need a student visa to study in the UK should check our web pages on UKVI-compliant English language requirements. The University also provides pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet the minimum English language requirement.
Non-UK students must also meet the University's minimum English language requirements.
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements
International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting Your Country
Employability
Career opportunities
The course will equip you with the relevant technical and transferrable skills to pursue a career as a civil/structural engineer or technical manager with leading multidisciplinary consultancies, contractors, as well as research and government organisations.
Information for international applicants
Qualifications
International applicants - find out what qualifications you need by selecting your country below.
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Useful information
Visit our international pages for useful information for non-UK students and applicants.
MSc Civil and Structural Engineering