The Advanced Geotechnical Engineering MSc will nurture and develop your understanding of the principles and theories behind ground engineering.
Topics include deep foundations in urban areas, tunnelling, foundations for energy infrastructure, deep water energy resources exploration and field monitoring.
During your studies you will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge and practical understanding of scientific methodology you have acquired on a research project under the guidance and advice of an experienced supervisor.
This will help you develop the skills to acquire, analyse, and critically evaluate data, and then draw valid, defendable conclusions that can withstand professional scrutiny.
Graduates are highly employable, and may progress to relevant specialist PhD or EngD research programmes in the field.
This programme is studied over one academic year (full-time) and between two and five academic years (part-time or distance learning). It consists of eight taught modules and a dissertation.
On successful completion of this MSc programme students will be deemed to have completed the further learning necessary to combine with a suitable BEng (Hons) degree fulfilling the academic base for the professional qualification of Chartered Engineer.
Example module listing
The following modules are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that not all modules described are compulsory and may be subject to teaching availability and/or student demand.
Geotechnical Engineering Group Modules
Selected Structural Engineering Group Modules
Selected Construction Management Group Modules
Selected Infrastructure Engineering Group Modules
Selected Water and Environmental Engineering Group Modules
Students must choose eight modules from those listed above. For the main and subsidiary awards there are restrictions on the choice of modules within each module group. These are outlined in the table above.
The programme aims to provide graduates with:
We often give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their degrees by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities.
In addition to the hugely enjoyable and satisfying experience, time spent abroad adds a distinctive element to your CV.
Learn more about opportunities that might be available for this particular programme by using our student exchanges search tool.
Modules are taught by academic members in the geotechnical area, and some lectures for the Advanced Geotechnical Engineering MSc will be delivered by visiting academics and practicing engineers from industry.
You will also be allocated a personal tutor to guide you during your time with us at the University. You can expect a varied, stimulating and rewarding time here and will receive all the support you need to progress your learning.
In addition to the University Library and Learning Centre’s extensive resources, our excellent testing facilities can support experimentally based MSc dissertation projects.
VJ Tech Prize for Best MSc Student in Advanced Geotechnical Engineering
A prize of £1,000, sponsored by VJ Tech, one of the world’s top geotechnical engineering manufacturers specialising in advanced soil testing equipment for labs.
The prize will be awarded to the best performing student(s) on the MSc Advanced Geotechnical Engineering based on module results and overall performance during the programme.
The £1,000 may be awarded to an individual student or split between two students displaying the best performance in their MSc programme.
Keller Prize for Best MSc Project in Advanced Geotechnical Engineering
A prize of £500 sponsored by Keller Group plc, the world’s largest independent ground engineering contractor.
The prize will be awarded to the student(s) with the best MSc Dissertation completed as part of the MSc Advanced Geotechnical Engineering, as defined by the course leader according to the module results and potential impact of the output of the individual project.
The £500 may be awarded to an individual student or split between a number of students displaying the best performance in their MSc Dissertations.
The only degree programme of its kind in Central Europe: In the English language master's programme Geotechnical and Hydraulic Engineering at TU Graz, you profit from a combination of two disciplines - geotechnical engineering and hydraulic engineering. You learn in a practical manner, participating in practice sessions in the laboratory and on-site, and taking part in field trips. For example, you pilot hydraulic projects in Austria’s largest water laboratory.
Georg M. Ausweger, master's degree student in Geotechnical and Hydraulic Engineering:
The tasks in our area are unique - in many different respects. To be able to solve them, you need solid specialist knowledge and the ability to apply an innovative approach. These fundamental aspects are taught well in the degree programme, and can even be applied by students during their internships, made possible by the teachers’ good connections to the industry.
Students acquire a solid knowledge of geology, soil mechanics, foundation engineering, rock mechanics, tunnelling, hydraulics and structural hydraulic engineering.
Core areas
Students choose from one of the following specialisations:
For the individual courses, please see the semester plan.
Please note: From 23 May 2017 we are not making any further offers on this course (starting in September) due to a high demand. However, you can still submit an application for review. If you meet the usual entry requirements, we will hold your application until we can assess whether further places can be offered. This will likely be the end of July-early August 2017 when we can be more confident of numbers. Please contact our [email protected] if you have any questions.
This course provides concentrated one-year training in engineering geology and related geotechnical subjects to prepare you for professional practice in engineering geology and geotechnical engineering.
It gives you a grounding in the application of geological principles to a wide range of fields appropriate to civil and mining engineering.
Studying engineering geology will provide you with excellent job opportunities as a result of high calibre academic training, as well as the development of strong skills in terms of both critical and independent thought and team work.
Most of our graduates join environmental consulting companies and consulting engineers, while others go on to PhD studies.
Engineering Geologists
Engineering Geologists are found worldwide working on a wide range of problems, from foundation and mine design to the assessment of seismic and landslide risk.
Their understanding of how groundwater and pollutants travel through the ground may impact on the safe design and construction of excavations and waste disposal sites.
They use geological and geomorphological mapping to identify geological hazards and allow for safe development. Their understanding of the ground and how it responds to static and dynamic loads can influence safe and sustainable siting and design of engineering structures.
It is vital that we design and build in a manner which is safe, environmentally friendly, cost effective and sensitive to climate change.
Engineering geologists, with a unique understanding of the ground, and a broad appreciation of rates of geological processes over engineering time, are intimately involved in this process.
Course highlights:
Benefit from our strong connections with industry:
When you choose a degree with accredited status, you can be assured that the teaching is of the highest standard. The quality and relevance of our teaching has been recognised by an independent body of academics and industrialists through our Geological Society of London Professional Accreditation.
If you have an appropriate degree, our Geological Society accreditation will reduce the amount of experience required for you to reach Chartered Geologist (CGeol) status, an important career step in Geoscience.
Our designation as a “Technical MSc” through Engineering Council means that if you have already acquired an Accredited CEng (Partial) BEng(Hons) or an Accredited IEng (Full) BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree, the degree is accredited as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng). In addition the degree is also an accredited European Engineering degree.
You will take 2 terms of lectures (class and computer-based practical work) and laboratory classes, followed by approximately 4 months of individual work, leading to the submission of a dissertation. You will also take part in supervised fieldtrips and ground investigation and construction site visits.
You can also study this course part-time. Please contact the [email protected] if you are already working within the industry, we can discuss possible routes to allow continued employment.
Compulsory modules
You will be taught via lectures, individual and group class-based practicals, laboratory practicals, field courses and independent project work.
Facilities
You will be assessed on your written and oral assignments, field-based assessments and exams, as well as seminars and a dissertation project.
Sustainability, Earth and Atmospheric Science Masters Degrees - School of Earth and Environment
The Thouron Award - Typically, 6 to 10 awards are made each year to British graduates. Each award provides funding in excess of US$90,000 per year
