Masters Degrees in Structural Engineering, United Kingdom

About the course

Structural engineers help to make, shape and maintain the built environment. They are professionals who enjoy innovation, a challenge, opportunities, responsibility and, excitement in a varied and very satisfying career.

The MSc programme in Structural Engineering is designed to attract both international and home students, who wish to pursue their career in civil and structural engineering. To meet the increasing demand for structural engineers to design more safe, economic and environmental friendly buildings, the programme content has specifically been designed to give a thorough grounding on current practice with regards to dealing with structural fire and earthquake resistances and design of carbon neutral buildings.

A particular feature of the course content lies with the emphasis on the performance-based, structural design philosophy. The strong focus on these aspects will appeal to any students who intend to become the next generation of structural engineers after graduation.

Aims

Structural engineering is a profession that provides a tremendous opportunity to make a real difference to people's lives and their environment. In the current century, climate change is an increasingly important issue which needs to be tackled - and the role of the structural engineer in tackling climate change is immense.

To meet these challenges, structural engineers need to combine traditional structural engineering expertise with an understanding of a wide range of issues related to design of zero carbon buildings. There is a significant shortage of structural engineers with the requisite knowledge, skills, and experience to deal efficiently with complex issues for designing structurally sound, elegantly simple and environmentally sustainable buildings. The skills shortage and its effects on the construction industry will be further exacerbated by the huge demand from some rising economic powers.

This new MSc programme has been developed in response to this growing need for graduates aware of current challenges in structural engineering. The primary aim of this programme is to create master’s degree graduates with qualities and transferable skills for demanding employment in the construction and civil engineering sector. The graduates will have the independent learning ability required for continuing professional development and acquiring new skills at the highest level.

Course Content

The programme is currently taken full-time, over 12 months. Each taught module will count for 15 credits, approximating to 150 learning hours. The modules will be taught over the first eight months and during the final four months, students will conduct an individual research project worth 60 credits (Dissertation).

Compulsory Modules:

Nonlinear Structural Analysis & Finite Element Method
Structural Dynamics & Seismic Design
Advanced Construction Materials and Structural Retrofitting Technology
Advanced Reinforced and Prestressed Concrete Design
Advanced Steel Design
Case Studies of Modern Structures and Sustainable Structural Design
Research Methods and Professional Studies
Msc Civil Engineering Dissertation

Optional Modules:

Structural Design for Fire
Foundation, Earthworks and Pavement Design and Construction

Teaching

Our Philosophy

The philosophy behind the teaching and learning strategy we use is largely underpinned by high quality and accessible learning opportunities developing over the years by the University and the College, which are highly acclaimed standards and practices for learning and teaching.

In addition to teaching, the academics staff of this MSc programme are active in research. Teaching is therefore informed by research, giving you the opportunity to learn about the latest developments in structural engineering from leading experts in their chosen fields of specialisation.

Contact between students and academic staff is relatively high at around 20 hours per week initially to assist you in adjusting to university life. As the programme progresses the number of contact hours is steadily reduced as you undertake more project-based work. You will be taught by various approaches that complement each other in achieving the set learning outcomes.

How you will be taught

Lectures: These provide a broad overview of the main concepts and principles you need to understand, give you with a framework on which to build and expand your knowledge on through private studies.
Laboratories: Practical’s are generally two or three-hour sessions in which you can practice your observational and analytical skills, and develop a deeper understanding of theoretical concepts.

Design Studios: In a studio you will work on individual and group projects with guidance from members of staff. You may be required to produce a design or develop a solution to an engineering problem. These sessions allow you to develop your intellectual ability and practice your teamwork skills.

Computer Sessions: These allow for the opportunity to develop knowledge and experience of structural analysis and design software packages and apply them to structural engineering problems. Students have access to computers outside scheduled sessions to allow them to develop their transferable skills and learn at their own pace and time as well.

One-to-one Tutoring: On registration for the course you will be allocated a personal tutor who will be available to provide academic and pastoral support during your time at university. You will get one-to-one supervision on all project work.

Input from Guest Lecturers: Industry practitioners are invited to present lectures on the real structural engineering projects at regular seminars. The seminars are designed to facilitate informal interactions between students and guest lecturers, encouraging student active engagement in the discussions.

Site Visits: Learning from real-world examples is an important part of the course. You will visit sites featuring a range of structural engineering approaches. This exposure will provide you with invaluable experience including opportunities to debate on the real projects.

Assessment

Each of the taught modules is assessed either by formal examination, an assignment, or a balanced combination of two. Methods of assessing assignments include essay, individual/group report, oral presentation and class test.

Information on assignments in terms of the aims, learning outcomes, assessment criteria and submissions requirements are clearly specified at the beginning of the academic year. Detailed feedback on assignments is provided to students to assist them in achieving the required learning outcomes. The research project is assessed by dissertation and oral presentation.

Special Features

Emphasis on safety and sustainability: This MSc programme is distinctive because of its emphasis on building safety and sustainability and disaster mitigation of civil structures – with four taught modules totalling 60 credits. The dissertation projects will also be closely linked to ongoing research in these areas.

Industry support: Brunel has a very active Industrial Liaison Panel, which is immensely supportive of our programmes. The Panel and the companies have also shown keen interest in offering industrial support for the new programme through assistance such as support with project dissertations and site visits.

Guest speakers: Our strong contact with industry is also used to invite experienced industry practitioners to come and give talks on specialist topics at regularly organised seminars. The seminars also serve as a platform for student project presentations, which goes to build their confidence level because of the recognition and value their project gains through such dissemination.

Supporting professional development: Under a professional development module, you will be required to actively pursue your personal development planning through continuously recording and record keeping of progress being made throughout the course duration. Personal tutors will offer support to their tutees by regularly checking these records (i.e. a Personal Development Log (PDL) and discussing any relevant issues with the aim of supporting them to find solutions.

Women in Engineering and Computing Programme

Brunel’s Women in Engineering and Computing mentoring scheme provides our female students with invaluable help and support from their industry mentors.

Accreditation

This new course has been designed in close consultation with industry and we are currently in the process of seeking accreditation for it from the major professional institutions (JBM). Related courses in the College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences are already accredited.

To ensure the programme addresses current industry concerns, it was developed in compliance with international standards, using Civil Engineering Body of Knowledge as a guide. The programme also satisfies the requirements of the major civil engineering professional bodies (JBM) as stipulated in their guidelines on coverage given to the teaching of structural engineering.

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The goal of structural engineering is to predict the performance of structures under extreme events. This Masters in Structural Engineering provides you with a range of methods to analyse and design structures with quantifiable reliability over their design life.

Why this programme

◾If you intend to pursue a career in this specialist area of civil and structural engineering, in design consultancies and elsewhere, or if you want to transfer from other engineering disciplines, this programme is designed for you.
◾This programme offers a curriculum that is relevant to the needs of industry, designed to provide the advanced education required for the structural engineers of tomorrow.
◾The goal of structural engineering is to predict the performance of structures. This programme empowers future engineers with a range of methods to analyse and design structures with quantifiable reliability over their design life.
◾The University of Glasgow’s School of Engineering has been delivering engineering education and research for more than 150 years and is the oldest School of Engineering in the UK.

Programme structure

Modes of delivery of the MSc in Structural Engineering include lectures, seminars, tutorials, a group design project and individual projects.

Core courses
◾Advanced structural analysis and dynamics
◾Applied engineering mechanics
◾Computational modelling of nonlinear problems
◾Structural concrete
◾Structural design
◾Advanced soil mechanics
◾Structural engineering preliminary research project
◾Structural engineering review project
◾Structural design project

MSc students undertake an additional individual project.

Industry links and employability

If you intend to pursue a career in this specialist area of civil and structural engineering, in design consultancies and elsewhere, or if you want to transfer from other engineering disciplines, this programme is designed for you. It provides the advanced education required for the structural engineers of tomorrow.

Career prospects

This is a new programme which will be delivered the first time in 2016/17. However, it is a continuation of a former Structural Engineering and Mechanics MSc programme. Graduates from the former Structural Engineering and Mechanics programme have gone on to positions such as:

Graduate Structural Engineer at Wood Group PSN
Research Fellow at Fraunhofer Institute High Speed Dynamics
Graduate Structural Engineer at Wood Group
Graduate Structural Engineer at Design ID
Structure Engineer at Fujian United Benefit Broad Sustainable Building Technology
Structural Engineer-Subsea at a structural engineering company
Real Estate Assistant at Icade
Graduate Structure Engineer at P2ML
Graduate Engineer at Technip
Civil Engineering Technical Engineer at Hongrun Construction Corporation
Subsea Project Engineer at Halliburton
Bid and Building Engineer at Jingzhen Construction and Supervision Co.
Graduate Engineer at Reinertsen.

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Structural engineers help to make, shape and maintain the built environment, from buildings and bridges to water supply systems, power plans and flood defences. They are professionals who enjoy innovation, challenges, opportunities, responsibility and excitement in a varied and very satisfying career. As a profession, structural engineering provides a tremendous opportunity to make a real difference to peoples' lives and their environment.

This programme will equip you with the advanced knowledge and skills to succeed in this challenging industry. You’ll build your knowledge of a range of core topics such as concrete and steel design, structural analysis, design optimisation and how structures are designed and managed in earthquake zones. You’ll also develop your research skills and focus on a specific topic when you complete your own research project.

Taught by leading academics and practitioners, you’ll prepare to face some of the major challenges of the 21st century.

This programme has close links with local and regional industry as well as the Yorkshire branch of the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) – and you’ll benefit from the expertise of our Institute for Resilient Infrastructure and the active research groups across the Faculty of Engineering.

You’ll also benefit from using our specialist facilities, such as bench-top testing facilities to look at the fundamental behaviour of material soils and testing rigs for full-scale structures. We have all the specialist software you’ll need for your programme, and you’ll have access to a dedicated study suite for Masters students.

Accreditation

This degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired a partial CEng accredited undergraduate first degree.

This course is also accredited by EUR-ACE, the European quality label for engineering degree programmes at Bachelor and Master level.

Course content

You’ll study a set of core modules that give you a firm foundation in the key elements of structural engineering. You’ll develop and expand your understanding of structural analysis and foundation engineering, and explore design issues related to key building materials like concrete, steel and composites. From there you’ll explore design optimisation and examine real-life examples.

We place a strong emphasis on applying your knowledge to real-world problems. Over the 2 semesters, you’ll work on your own design project, where you’ll develop, evaluate and recommend concept design solutions to a structural engineering problem and even put together an outline construction programme for the project.

During Semester 1 and 2 but particularly over the summer months, you’ll also develop and apply your research skills to a real-world problem when you complete an independent research project.

Want to find out more about your modules?

Take a look at the Structural Engineering module descriptions for more detail on what you will study.

Course structure

Compulsory modules

• Design and Management of Structures in Earthquake Zones 15 credits
• Advanced Structural Analysis (MSc/PGD) 15 credits
• Design Optimisation - MSc 15 credits
• Advanced Concrete Design (MSc) 15 credits
• Structural Engineering Dissertation 60 credits
• Foundation Engineering (MSc) 15 credits
• Advanced Steel and Composite Design - (MSc) 15 credits
• Structural Engineering Design Project 30 credits

For more information on typical modules, read Structural Engineering MSc(Eng) Full Time in the course catalogue

For more information on typical modules, read Structural Engineering MSc(Eng) Part Time in the course catalogue

Learning and teaching

Our groundbreaking research feeds directly into teaching, and you’ll have regular contact with staff who are at the forefront of their disciplines. You’ll have regular contact with them through lectures, seminars, tutorials, small group work and project meetings.

Independent study is also important to the programme, as you develop your problem-solving and research skills as well as your subject knowledge.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed using a range of techniques including case studies, technical reports, presentations, in-class tests, assignments and exams. Optional modules may also use alternative assessment methods.

Projects

The dissertation project is one of the most satisfying elements of this course. It allows you to apply what you’ve learned to a piece of research focusing on a real-world problem, and it can be used to explore and develop your specific interests.

Recent projects by MSc Structural Engineering students have included:

• Dynamic shear resistance of collar jainted masonry panels
• Performance of reinforced concrete tunnel linings in fire situations
• A comparison of tensile and compressive creep in concrete
• Review of the latest developments in the design and construction of plastic bridges

A proportion of projects are formally linked to industry, and can include spending time at the collaborator’s site over the summer.

Career opportunities

This programme greatly enhances your ability to obtain status as a Chartered Structural Engineer. As a result, you may expect to find employment in the major structural engineering consulting practices, while opportunities also exist with multidisciplinary consulting organisations.

Graduates have gone on to succeed in a range of careers around the world for organisations sucj as Arup, Delf Consulting Engineers (India), G2 Structural Ltd, JN Bentley Ltd, KA Tech Tips Ltd, SkyCon Design & Construction Co. Ltd and Sterling Engineering Consultancy Services among others.

If you are taking the course on a part-time basis, you will return to your existing jobs with enhanced potential for progression.

Careers support

You’ll have access to the wide range of engineering and computing careers resources held by our Employability team in our dedicated Employability Suite. You’ll have the chance to attend industry presentations book appointments with qualified careers consultants and take part in employability workshops. Our annual Engineering and Computing Careers Fairs provide further opportunities to explore your career options with some of the UK’s leading employers.

The University's Careers Centre also provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

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Why take this course?

As large structures dominate our skylines and our infrastructure is of utmost necessity, it is important that we have professionals who are equipped to manage and develop the modern world that we live in.

Our course aims to extend your understanding of the core disciplines of civil engineering and provides an in-depth insight into the current design and construction practices for structural engineering works.

What will I experience?

On this course you can:

Attend lectures and seminars given by practitioners from client, contracting and consulting organisations
Apply your skills to real-life practical problems as part of our partnership schemes with local and global organisations
Opt to study overseas at a variety of European universities through the ERASMUS exchange scheme

What opportunities might ti lead to?

This degree is accredited as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired a Accredited CEng (Partial) BEng (Hons) or an Accredited IEng (Full) BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree.

Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:

Civil engineering
Structural engineering
Construction
Consultancy
Project management

Module Details

The course is divided into three stages, the first two stages are generally taught through formal tuition, with stage three covering independent research in an academic or industrial setting.

You will build upon established fundamental civil/construction engineering and project management principles in order to confidently apply them to a range of complex construction project problems with due regard to the reliability and safety of structural designs.

Here are the units you will study:

Environmental Management for Civil Engineering: This introduces you to the main environmental issues associated with civil engineering projects and how they are considered and mitigated in the Environmental Assessment process.

Civil Engineering Science: In this unit you will study integrated topics of analytical structural analysis, numerical analysis and solving engineering problems. Whilst being an introduction to the finite element method (FEM) and application of FEM software packages, this unit aims to give you the ability to solve engineering problems in the design of real structures.

Structural Engineering Design Project: This unit gives you an opportunity for simulating the design activities of a civil engineering consultancy. Project briefs are typically drawn from the work of professional contacts in the civil engineering industry. You will be required to make professional contacts, obtain advice and guidance, carry out research and conduct site visits outside the University.

Strategic and General Management: You will cover management in the construction industry, and the development of organisational and project strategic direction, taking into account internal and external environments.

Independent Research Project: This covers the generic research framework within which new knowledge is discovered, and involves the practical application of research skills and techniques to a chosen system within the construction industry.

Programme Assessment

Teaching on this course will focus on small lectures, seminars and discussion groups. It will also centre on supporting your independent learning strategies, which tutorials will help to develop.

Assessment can take many forms and is geared towards the subject matter in a way that encourages a deeper understanding and allows you to develop your skills. It includes:

Examinations
Coursework
Projects
A dissertation

Student Destinations

In an uncertain and increasingly competitive environment, the civil engineer is required to develop a wide range of skills and abilities to stay abreast of current industrial needs. Therefore, this course is designed to equip you with knowledge, skills and competencies that employers in the construction industry expect. Alongside the technical topics, we will introduce you to commercial and interpersonal skills that illustrate the employment context of construction industry professionals.

From roads and bridges to skyscrapers and airports, as a qualified civil engineer with specialist expertise in the area of structural engineering, your knowledge and skills will be in high demand for a huge variety of large-scale building projects.

Overall, the delivery of this course and its opportunities for you to interact with the industry throughout your studies means the employment rate of our civil engineering graduates is excellent.

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This is an advanced postgraduate course specialising in structural engineering covering advanced structural analysis and design, structural computing simulation and also offering units linked with steel, concrete, timber and other structural designs. It will also provide you with knowledge to design structures under dynamic and earthquake conditions.

The modules taught focus on learning advanced methods and techniques while developing analytic skills across a range of structural engineering topics.

Two modules, Finite Elements and Stress Analysis and Advanced Computing Structural Simulation, focus on learning advanced computing methods and commercial computing software for structures modelling and simulation.

Advanced Structural Analysis and Design and the Masonry and Timber Engineering modules will cover advanced structural theory and designing traditional structures, such as, steel, concrete, masonry and timbers. Earthquake Engineering will cover design of structures in seismic areas and analysis of structures under dynamic loading.

Soil-Structure Engineering will cover interaction of geotechnics and structures as well as foundation structures. Finally, you'll either conduct a structural related research project or a design project.

Accreditation

This degree is accredited by the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Structural Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and the Institute of Highway Engineers on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.

Modules

Teaching techniques include: lectures, workshops, tutorials, laboratories, field trips and IT based blended learning. Visiting lecturers from industry contribute in some modules.

Module descriptions
Advanced structural design
Soil-structure engineering
Finite elements and stress analysis
Masonry and timber engineering
Structural dynamics and earthquake engineering
Advanced computing and structural simulation
Project / dissertation

Please visit the website to see how these modules are assessed

http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/courses/course-finder/structural-engineering-msc#course_tab_modules

Employability

Employment prospects for graduates of Structural Engineering are strong. Successful students will enter into a variety of positions with employers which might include: structural engineer, consultant, project manager, government advisor and researcher.

LSBU Employability Services

LSBU is committed to supporting you develop your employability and succeed in getting a job after you have graduated. Your qualification will certainly help, but in a competitive market you also need to work on your employability, and on your career search. Our Employability Service will support you in developing your skills, finding a job, interview techniques, work experience or an internship, and will help you assess what you need to do to get the job you want at the end of your course. LSBU offers a comprehensive Employability Service, with a range of initiatives to complement your studies, including:

• Direct engagement from employers who come in to interview and talk to students
• Job Shop and on-campus recruitment agencies to help your job search
• Mentoring and work shadowing schemes.

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Our Structural Engineering postgraduate programme is delivered by the Faculty’s own staff, together with practising engineers from consultancies and local authorities.

For practising engineers engaged in the planning, design and construction of structural engineering works, this programme provides an opportunity to update their knowledge of current design practice and to become familiar with developments in codes and methods of analysis.

You will be able to choose from a rich and varied selection of specialist structural engineering subjects. The programme is offered in the standard full-time mode, in addition to part-time and distance learning options.

Graduates from the programme are highly employable and may progress to relevant specialist PhD or EngD research programmes in the field.

Programme structure

This programme is studied full-time over one academic year and part-time or distance learning over two to five academic years. It consists of eight taught modules and a dissertation project.

This degree is accredited as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired an Accredited CEng (Partial) BEng (Hons) or an Accredited IEng (Full) BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree.

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.

Structural Engineering Group Modules

• Steel Building Design
• Spatial Structures
• Structural Mechanics and Finite Elements
• Subsea Engineering
• Concrete Building Design 
• Structural Safety and Reliability
• Earthquake Engineering
• Design of Masonry Structures

Bridge Engineering Group Modules

• Bridge Deck Loading and Analysis
• Prestressed Concrete Bridge Design
• Durability of Bridges and Structures
• Bridge Management
• Steel and Composite Bridge Design
• Long-Span Bridges

Geotechnical Engineering Group Modules

• Advanced Soil Mechanics
• Energy Geotechnics
• Geotechnical Structures
• Soil-Structure Interaction
• Deep Foundations and Earth Retaining Structures

Construction Management Group Modules

• Construction Management and Law
• Construction Organisation
• Project and Risk Management

Infrastructure Engineering Group Modules

• Infrastructure Investment and Financing
• Infrastructure Interdependencies and Resilience
• Infrastructure Asset Management
• Sustainability and Infrastructure

Water and Environmental Engineering Group Modules

• Environmental Health
• Water Treatment
• Wastewater Treatment
• Applied Chemistry and Microbiology
• Pollution Control
• Groundwater Control
• Regulation and Management
• Water Resources

Dissertation

• Dissertation Project

Modes of study

Apart from the usual full-time mode, there are also part-time options. The majority of Bridge, Geotechnical and Structural Engineering modules can be studied by distance learning through the use of an interactive web-based e-learning platform (SurreyLearn).

Distance learning

This programme can be studied via distance learning, which allows a high level of flexibility and enables you to study alongside other commitments you may have. Get further information about the details of our distance learning programme.

Academic support, facilities and equipment

As part of your learning experience, you will have at your disposal a wide range of relevant software, including ANSYS, ABAQUS, DIANA, SAP 2000, Integer SuperSTRESS, LUSAS, CRISP, MATLAB, PertMaster DRACULA and VISSIM.

Educational aims of the programme

The programme aims to provide graduates with:

• A comprehensive understanding of engineering mechanics for structural analysis
• The ability to select and apply the most appropriate analysis methodology for problems in structural engineering including advanced and new methods
• The ability to design structures in a variety of construction materials
• A working knowledge of the key UK and European standards and codes of practice associated with the design, analysis and construction of civil engineering structures and the ability to interpret and apply these to both familiar and unfamiliar problems
• The necessary technical further learning towards fulfilling the educational base for the professional qualification of Chartered Engineer.

Global opportunities

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.

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The programme is designed for graduates and professionals involved in the civil engineering, structural engineering and construction sectors who wish to deepen and broaden their technical knowledge and understanding of specialised areas of civil and structural engineering.

Course details

You enhance your technical skills in various core areas of civil engineering that are in demand in the construction industry, such as advanced geotechnics and river and coastal engineering. 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. The programme structure is divided into a combination of 10 and 20-credit taught modules, delivered over two semesters. By successfully completing these modules, you proceed to a 60-credit research project.

Starting salaries for new graduate civil and structural engineers can reach £32,000, increasing to £70,000 when a senior level is reached (prospects.ac.uk, 2015).

Professional accreditation

Our MSc Civil and Structural Engineering is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (representing the ICE, IStructE, IHE and CIHT) as a technical master's. This means it meets the requirements for further learning for Chartered Engineer (CEng) under the provisions of UK-SPEC for candidates who have already acquired a CEng-accredited BEng (Hons) undergraduate first degree.

By completing this professionally accredited MSc you benefit from an easier route to professional membership or chartered status. It also helps improve your job prospects, enhancing your career and earning potential. Some companies show preference for graduates who possess a professionally accredited qualification.

The Joint Board of Moderators represents the following four professional bodies:
-Institution of Civil Engineers
-Institution of Structural Engineers
-Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation
-Institute of Highway Engineers

What you study

For the Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) award you must successfully complete 120 credits of taught modules. 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

Core modules
-Advanced Geotechnics
-Advanced Project Planning and Visualisation
-Advanced Structural Analysis with Dynamics
-Advanced Structural Design
-Advanced Structural Engineering
-Practical Health and Safety Skills
-Research and Study Skills
-River and Coastal Engineering

MSc only
-Research Project

Modules offered may vary.

Teaching

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.

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.

Employability

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.

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This MSc offers you the knowledge and expertise for a career as a consulting structural engineer within this specialist professional area of civil engineering. It is designed to provide specialist postgraduate professional development across the areas of steel, concrete and timber design, structural dynamics, and structural mechanics. It will provide you with a sound scientific, technical and commercial understanding of structural engineering issues and practice, while training you in engineering research methods in order to develop a range of related transferable skills. It will cover the diverse nature of structural engineering through the integration of knowledge from mechanics, materials, structural analysis and structural design. You will gain new advanced level skills in engineering theory and practice related to the management of structural engineering challenges.

Distinctive features:

• The employment record of graduates is excellent, with the majority of graduates joining engineering consultancies.

• The MSc in Structural Engineering is accredited by the ICE, IStructE, IHT and IHIE as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer under the provisions of UK-SPEC for intakes 2014-2018 inclusive, for candidates that have already acquired a CEng accredited BEng (Hons) undergraduate first degree or an IEng accredited BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree.

• You will be learning in a research-led teaching institution taught by staff rated in the highest possible category by independent Government assessment.

• It will give you the opportunity to work in facilities commensurate with a top-class research unit.

• Available as 1 year full-time study or 3 years part-time study which provides the flexibility for you to continue working and study at the same time.

Structure

The programme is presented as a one-year full-time Master's level programme, and is also available in part-time mode over three years.

The programme is presented in two stages:

• In Stage 1 you will follow taught modules to the value of 120 credits, with a limited amount of choice between option modules.
• Stage 2 consists of a Dissertation module worth 60 credits.

Summative assessment is undertaken at the end of each stage (or each year if part-time).

For a list of modules for the FULL-TIME route, please see website:

http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught/courses/course/structural-engineering-msc

For a list of the modules for the PART-TIME route, please see website:

http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught/courses/course/structural-engineering-msc-part-time

Teaching

A wide range of teaching styles will be used to deliver the diverse material forming the curriculum of the programme. You will attend lectures and participate in examples classes. All students must complete 120 credits in Stage 1 in order to progress to the dissertation, for which they are allocated a supervisor from among the teaching staff. Dissertation topics are normally chosen from a range of project titles proposed by academic staff, usually in areas of current research interest, although you are encouraged to put forward your own project ideas.

Assessment

Achievement of learning outcomes in the majority of modules is assessed by a combination of coursework assignments, plus University examinations set in January or May. Examinations count for 60%–70% of assessment in Stage 1 of the programme, depending on the options chosen, the remainder being largely project work and pieces of coursework.

Award of an MSc requires successful completion of Stage 2, the Dissertation, with a mark of 50% or higher. Candidates achieving a 70% average may be awarded a Distinction. Candidates achieving a 60% average may be awarded a Merit. Candidates failing to qualify for an MSc may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma for 120 credits in Stage 1. Candidates failing to complete the 120 credits required for Stage 1 may still be eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Certificate for the achievement of at least 60 credits.

Career prospects

This course's graduate employment record is excellent, with the majority of graduates joining engineering consultancies.

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The University of South Wales Civil & Structural Engineering MSc is a taught postgraduate course offering full-time and part-time pathways.

Students complete a sequence of optional and compulsory modules, plus a final dissertation, before graduating with the 180 credit Master of Science degree.

This degree is your opportunity to establish or consolidate your career as a civil or structural design engineer. The course is accredited for the Further Learning Programme (formerly ‘Matching Sections’) at Chartered Engineer (CEng) level by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT), and the Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE).

There is also an opportunity for working professionals to progress towards CEng status through a tailor-made route. This will help you accelerate to the remaining steps of CEng status by working with your employer in the process. This is a unique feature of a Masters course and significantly reduces the period required to achieve Chartered status.

To provide the latest specialist knowledge and technical competence, all design-related modules are taught in accordance with the new structural Eurocodes. As well as developing your analytical and problem-solving skills, tuition covers project planning and contract management. The course is also underpinned by research into areas such as the use of novel and sustainable environmentally-friendly materials, geotechnics and structural modelling.

See the website http://courses.southwales.ac.uk/courses/577-msc-civil-and-structural-engineering

What you will study

You will study the following modules:

- Advanced Civil Engineering Materials

- Integrative Project Planning and Management

- Geo-environmental Engineering

- Advanced Structural Analysis and Structural Concrete Design

- Further Advanced Structural Analysis and Steel/Composite Design

- Dissertation

Optional modules include:

- Seismic Analysis and Design to Eurocodes*

- Structural Timber and Masonry Design to Eurocodes*

- Further Finite Element Analysis*

- Non-Destructive Testing*

*10 credit module

Learning and teaching methods

The course is delivered in three major blocks that offer an intensive but flexible learning pattern, with two entry opportunities for applicants each year – February and September. You will learn through lectures, tutorials and seminars, as well as guest lectures and seminars with prominent industry experts. You will complete a research project using our excellent laboratory facilities and a dissertation on a chosen topic of interest.

Work Experience and Employment Prospects

On completion of this course, you will be able to develop a career as a structural engineer, technical manager, or research and development manager. These roles can be with leading international consultancies, contractors, national and local consulting companies, as well as international research and government organisations.

Assessment methods

Some modules are assessed through coursework, others by a combination of design projects and a formal examination. If you want to continue working in industry, you can apply to study individual modules as short courses on a day-release or block-delivery basis.

Facilities

The University of South Wales has excellent facilities, and is committed to investment and refurbishment. We’ve just completed a £130m investment programme in new buildings and facilities, including significant investment in the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science. The University has also announced a further investment of £28m ensure that you’re using equipment and software that is state-of-the-art and industry-standard, we continually evaluate our labs and teaching spaces and regularly re-fit and re-equip them. A recent refurbishment of a number of our Civil and Mechanical Engineering labs is part of this programme of continuous enhancement of our facilities.

Accreditations

The MSc Civil and Structural Engineering is accredited as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired an Accredited CEng (Partial) BEng (Hons) undergraduate first degree*. See http://www.jbm.org.uk for further information.

* It should be noted that candidates completing the MSc who hold an underpinning accredited IEng degree or a non-accredited bachelor degree will need to apply for an academic assessment to determine whether they will meet the educational base for CEng registration.

Applications

Apply directly to the University if you are applying for a part-time, professional or postgraduate course, an Erasmus/Exchange programme, the Legal Practice (part-time) course, to top up your Foundation Degree or HND, or to transfer to USW from another institution.  

Funding

The following postgraduate funding may be available to study the Civil & Structural Engineering MSc at The University of South Wales.

UK postgraduate loans:

• English Postgraduate Loans – Offering up to £10,280 for eligible UK or EU students ordinarily resident in England.
• Welsh Postgraduate Loans – Offering up to £10,280 for eligible UK or EU students ordinarily resident in Wales, or EU students moving to Wales to study.
• Scottish Postgraduate Loans – Offering up to £10,000 for eligible UK or EU students ordinarily resident in Scotland.
• Northern Irish Postgraduate Loans – Offering up to £5,500 for eligible UK or EU students ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland.

Erasmus funding:

• Erasmus Masters Loans – Offering up to €18,000 for eligible students to study a Masters abroad.

Funding from FindAMasters:

• FindAMasters Scholarships – Offering up to £5,000 to new UK, EU and international postgraduates.

Fees

Full Time (UK / EU): £6,000

Full Time (international): £12,600

Part Time (UK /EU): £670 per 20 credit 

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This Masters (MSc) and PG diploma postgraduate degree course in Structural Engineering and Practice is offered to civil engineering and mechanical engineering related graduates wishing to study structural engineering within a civil engineering context. This programme offers the opportunity to widen knowledge in the area of Structural Engineering by including structural engineering practice, wind engineering, structural behaviour (both static and seismic), geotechnical engineering and industrial research topics.

This opens up a wide range of career opportunities, as many of the techniques are applicable both within and outside the civil engineering design and construction industry.

This programme provides a solid basis for a career in structural engineering. Comprising lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, coursework, group project work and site visits, the development of personal, interpersonal and project management skills, and provides a fundamental understanding of the social, economic, resource management and legal frameworks within which civil engineering projects take place.

About the School of Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering is the key to many of the issues affecting our lives today. Civil Engineers solve problems, design, build and maintain our living and working spaces. You might design a new stadium, work on a local by-pass or railway line, assess a damaged structure, provide immediate and safe drinking water to a refugee camp, or manage a multi-million pound construction project.
We tackle the problems faced by society today: we aim to develop the knowledge and tools to build the communities of the future. Many of our projects have already had a significant impact on society; the impact of others will be felt by generations to come.
The performance of Civil Engineering in the Research Excellence Framework (REF), the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions, has shown that the majority of its research was rated as internationally excellent.
We work closely with industry, charities and research councils to encourage innovative thinking which has an impact on our lives. As a result we are proud of our heritage of internationally-recognised, multidisciplinary research in a stimulating research environment.

Funding and Scholarships

There are many ways to finance your postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham. To see what funding and scholarships are available, please visit: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/funding

Open Days

Explore postgraduate study at Birmingham at our on-campus open days.
Register to attend at: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/visit

Virtual Open Days

If you can’t make it to one of our on-campus open days, our virtual open days run regularly throughout the year. For more information, please visit: http://www.pg.bham.ac.uk

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Innovative design allows more interesting and functional architecture but challenges traditional concepts of fire safety. To respond to these demands takes specialist knowledge and advanced skills in engineering analysis.

This programme covers the fundamentals of fire science, including laboratory classes, fire safety engineering and relevant structural engineering topics, such as finite element methods.

You will gain knowledge of the critical issues in structural fire safety engineering, and an understanding of relevant fire and structural behaviours.

You will become familiar with performance-based approaches to design and have an awareness of the capabilities – and limitations – of relevant advanced modelling methods for structures and fire.

This programme is fully accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM)

• Joint Board of Moderators (JBM)

Facilities

Our Building Research Establishment (BRE) Centre for Fire Safety Engineering hosts bespoke equipment to support groundbreaking research and teaching, with combined thermal and mechanical loading and use of the latest image analysis techniques.

Programme structure

This programme is run over 12 months, with two semesters of taught courses followed by a research project leading to a masters thesis.

Semester 1 courses

• Fire Science and Fire Dynamics
• State-of-the-Art Review in Fire Safety Engineering
• Structural Design for Fire
• Finite Element Analysis for Solids
• Thin-Walled Members and Stability

Semester 2 courses

• Pre-Dissertation Project in Fire Safety Engineering
• Fire Science Laboratory
• Fire Safety Engineering Analysis and Design
• The Finite Element Method
• Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering

Career opportunities

Internationally, there is great demand for graduates in this field, with expertise in structural fire safety engineering particularly sought after as performance-based design expands. All of our previous graduates are in relevant employment, with the majority working in fire teams at engineering consultancies.

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Today, structural engineering is more than just design. Expert consultants are needed globally with a complete skill set; the ability to design, manage and maintain structures, but also to enable existing civil infrastructure to operate under changing loading and environment.

This programme will provide you with a solid understanding of the whole process of structural design, analysis and operation. You will discover how to design and manage the dynamic behaviour of structures using state of the art hardware and software for performance assessment, measurement, and instrumentation to withstand normal and extreme operational loads.

The programme is taught by our internationally leading academic team with expertise in structural performance analysis and health monitoring, structural dynamics, control, infrastructure management, systems and informatics.

Successful graduates will be equipped with specialist skills increasingly demanded by employing infrastructure consultants, contractors, operators, and government agencies and can expect to progress into international senior level positions in civil, construction and environmental industries.

Programme Structure

This programme is modular and flexible and consists of nine core engineering modules.

Core modules

The core modules can include; Structural Design; Software Modelling; Conceptual Design of Buildings; Conceptual Design of Bridges; Active and Passive Structural Control; Vibration Engineering; Structural Health and Performance Monitoring; Introduction to Earthquake Engineering and Structural Engineering Dissertation

The modules listed here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand

Teaching and assessment

The programme is delivered through a mix of lectures, seminars, tutorials, industrial presentations, case studies, industry visits, computer simulations, project work and a dissertation. It has particular value in developing transferable skills development including management skills, communication skills, computational techniques, data handling and analysis, problem solving, decision making and research methodology. Many of these skills will be addressed within an industrial and commercial context.

A world-class laboratory

The MSc Structural Engineering programme will take advantage of a cutting edge laboratory, with state of the art measurement and testing technology. This purpose-built teaching and research facility is dedicated to better understanding structural performance including in-situ testing and monitoring of prototype and real life structures. Featuring;
• Unique and reconfigurable prototype floor or footbridge structure weighing up to 15 tonnes
• Instruments capable of measuring static and dynamic structural movements from meter to nanometer
• Ambient and forced vibration testing, facilities including equipment and software
• Vibration control systems
• Individual and group human motion tracking and measurement systems
• Motion capture facilities

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This programme enables you to focus on developing your technical engineering skills, as well as your management skills

Today, structural engineering is more than just design. Expert consultants are needed globally with a complete skill set; the ability to design, manage and maintain structures, but also to enable existing civil infrastructure to operate under changing loading and environment.

Alongside the core engineering modules, you will also study two management modules taught by the Business School which will help you develop transferable professional management skills that will enhance your study experience and improve your career prospects.

This programme will provide you with a solid understanding of the whole process of structural design, analysis and operation. You will discover how to design and manage the dynamic behaviour of structures using state of the art hardware and software for performance assessment, measurement, and instrumentation to withstand normal and extreme operational loads.

The programme is taught by our internationally leading academic team with expertise in structural performance analysis and health monitoring, structural dynamics, control, infrastructure management, systems and informatics.

Successful graduates will be equipped with specialist skills increasingly demanded by employing infrastructure consultants, contractors, operators, and government agencies and can expect to progress into international senior level positions in civil, construction and environmental industries.

Programme Structure

This programme is modular and flexible and consists of eight core engineering modules and one option module.

Core modules

The core modules can include; Structural Design; Software Modelling; Conceptual Design of Buildings; Conceptual Design of Bridges; Active and Passive Structural Control; Vibration Engineering; Management Concepts and Structural Engineering Dissertation

Optional modules

Some examples of the optional modules are Strategic Innovation Management and Strategy.

The modules listed here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand

Teaching and assessment

The programme is delivered through a mix of lectures, seminars, tutorials, industrial presentations, case studies, industry visits, computer simulations, project work and a dissertation. It has particular value in developing transferable skills development including management skills, communication skills, computational techniques, data handling and analysis, problem solving, decision making and research methodology. Many of these skills will be addressed within an industrial and commercial context.

A world-class laboratory

The MSc Structural Engineering programme will take advantage of a cutting edge laboratory, with state of the art measurement and testing technology. This purpose-built teaching and research facility is dedicated to better understanding structural performance including in-situ testing and monitoring of prototype and real life structures. Featuring;
• Unique and reconfigurable prototype floor or footbridge structure weighing up to 15 tonnes
• Instruments capable of measuring static and dynamic structural movements from meter to nanometer
• Ambient and forced vibration testing, facilities including equipment and software
• Vibration control systems
• Individual and group human motion tracking and measurement systems
• Motion capture facilities

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This course is aimed at graduates with an honours degree or relevant professional experience who want to develop their understanding and skills as structural engineers.

Key benefits:

• The emphasis is on current methodology and practice
• You will be well equipped to meet the challenges of the modern structural engineering industry
• Meets the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng)

Visit the website: http://www.salford.ac.uk/pgt-courses/structural-engineering

Suitable for

Suitable for engineering graduates who want to specialise in structural engineering.

You may be working in industry and want to formalise your training or you may be a recent graduate and wish to gain extra qualifications to help you stand out in the jobs market or enter your engineering career at a higher level.

Programme details

The course meets the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired an Accredited CEng (Partial) BEng (Hons) or an Accredited Eng (Full) BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree. See http://www.jbm.org.uk for further information.

Format

The course is delivered via a combination of lectures, tutorials, design projects, computing sessions and laboratory demonstrations. You will be encouraged to attend meetings of the professional institutions, where relevant topics are being discussed. Where possible, pertinent site visits and guest lectures will be organised.

Semester 1

• Introduction to Design with Computer Applications (30 credits)
• Seismic Engineering and Practical Applications of Finite Element Analysis (30 credits)

Semester 2

• Further Design with Applications to Building Structures (30 credits)
• Bridge Engineering (30 credits)
• MSc Dissertation (60 credits)

Assessment

Coursework 42%, Examination 47% and Dissertation 11%.

Career Prospects

Graduates of this course will be well equipped to meet the challenges of the modern structural engineering industry. They may occupy pivotal appointments in prestigious building schemes and the prospect of a challenging career to provide and protect the infrastructure that underpins society.

Graduates might typically work as a structural engineer in a design office or for an engineering consultancy.

How to apply: http://www.salford.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/applying

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Structural engineers are required to design structures to be safe for their users and to successfully fulfill the function for which they have been designed for. This course allows for specialisation in the field of structural engineering. An introduction into the broader civil engineering subjects will be followed by a choice of specialised optional modules on your chosen theme.

The course will concentrate on the technical knowledge and skills that are most relevant to the field of structural engineering for the award of MSc in Civil Engineering: Structural Engineering.

Students will develop:
the ability to communicate ideas effectively in written reports, verbally and by means of presentations to groups
the ability to exercise original thought
the ability to plan and undertake an individual project
interpersonal, communication and professional skills

Previous projects have included:
Wind tunnel testing for tall buildings
Base isolation for reducing ground-borne vibration
The effect on ordinary and high strength concrete columns when introducing bar chip polypropylene fibres

Scholarship information can be found at http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/graduateschool/funding/index.aspx

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