Structural Engineering MSc – 2023 entry
Key information
Start date: September 2023
- Study mode and duration
- Full-time: 1 year
- Part-time: 5 years
- Distance-learning: 5 years
Why choose this course
Structural engineers create the 'bones and muscles' of human-made structures.
Running since 1966, our MSc allows you to choose from a rich and varied selection of specialist structural engineering modules.
You’ll be taught by forward-thinking academics at the top of their games, as well as practising engineers from consultancies, legislator bodies and local authorities. You’ll also benefit from the exceptional facilities we have to offer.
This course is offered as standard full-time study, with part-time and distance learning options available.
What you will study
Our well-established and fully accredited MSc will enable you to develop advanced capabilities in analysis and codified design in the specialised areas of structural engineering, building on the knowledge and skills you’ve acquired from your undergraduate studies.
If you’re a practising engineer engaged in the planning, design and construction of structural engineering works, this course will provide you with an opportunity to update your knowledge of current design practice and become familiar with new developments in codes and methods of analysis.
Distance learning
Surrey is a pioneer in distance learning based MSc courses in civil and environmental engineering and has been offering this option long before the Covid-19 pandemic. This flexible option allows you to study for our distinctive, accredited programme from anywhere in the world, without the need to relocate or give up your existing job.
As a distance learner, you’ll study eight modules and complete a dissertation in your chosen subject (like full-time and part-time students), but you can take up to five years to complete your masters. You’ll be able to access all module materials through our virtual learning environment, SurreyLearn, and arrange to take end-of-module exams at a local university.
Learn more about distance learning programmes (PDF).
Academic support, facilities and equipment
As part of your learning experience, you’ll have at your disposal a wide range of relevant software, including ABAQUS, ANSYS, CRISP, DIANA, Integer SuperSTRESS, LUSAS, MATLAB, PertMaster DRACULA, SAP 2000 and VISSIM.
Facilities
You’ll benefit from a range of highly specialised facilities in our Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. These include our:
- Air Quality Lab
- Centre for Environmental Health and Engineering, a designated World Health Organization collaborating centre for water quality and health
- Geotechnics and Geology Laboratory, recently upgraded with a £450,000 investment
- Materials and Structures Laboratory
- Surrey Advanced Geotechnical Engineering (SAGE) Lab
- Wind tunnel facilities.
Professional recognition
MSc - Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT).
Accredited by CIHT as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer under the provisions of UK-SPEC for candidates that have already acquired a CEng accredited BEng(Hons) undergraduate first degree.
MSc - Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE).
Accredited by IHE as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer under the provisions of UK-SPEC for candidates that have already acquired a CEng accredited BEng(Hons) undergraduate first degree.
MSc - Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).
Accredited by ICE as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer under the provisions of UK-SPEC for candidates that have already acquired a CEng accredited BEng(Hons) undergraduate first degree.
MSc - Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE).
Accredited by IStructE as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer under the provisions of UK-SPEC for candidates that have already acquired a CEng accredited BEng(Hons) undergraduate first degree.
MSc - European Accreditation of Engineering Programmes (EUR-ACE)
This Programme is accredited by the European Accreditation of Engineering Programmes (EUR-ACE)
MSc - The Permanent Way Institution
Accredited as partially meeting the academic requirement for CEng registration: i.e. Bachelors (Honours) degrees accredited as partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). Graduates from these programmes will need to demonstrate 8 additional AHEP Learning Outcomes1 to demonstrate the required underpinning knowledge and understanding for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
Careers and graduate prospects
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University. Our graduates have lifetime access to Surrey Pathfinder, our online portal for appointment and events bookings, jobs, placements and interactive development tools.
Our course will open up a huge range of career opportunities, not only with major consultancies and contractors, but across other sectors such as management and business consultancy.
Recent MSc graduates have been employed by:
- AECOM
- Arcadis
- ARUP
- Blue Engineering
- Fluor
- General Electric Oil and Gas UK
- Jacobs
- Opus
- Rise Consulting Structural Engineering
- SDS Ltd
- Severfield UK
- Symmetrys Limited.
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff. Modules can be either 15, 30, 45, 75 and 120 credits, and additionally for some masters dissertations, 90 credits.
The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes:
Optional modules for Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7
Students need to take all four modules from the Structures Group, a further two modules from the Bridge and the last two modules can be from any group.
Structural Engineering Group:
ENGM042 Steel Building Design
ENGM053 Structural Mechanics & Finite Elements
ENGM041 Concrete Building Design
ENGM054 Earthquake Engineering
Bridge Engineering Group:
ENGM031 Prestressed Concrete Bridge Design
ENGM033 Durability of Bridges & Structures
ENGM032 Steel & Composite Bridge Design
Infrastructure Engineering Group:
ENGM263 Infrastructure Financing
ENGM264 Infrastructure Interdependencies and Resilience
ENGM265 Sustainability and Infrastructure
ENGM266 Infrastructure Asset Management
Water Engineering Group:
ENGM035 Water Treatment
ENGM304 Wastewater Treatment
ENGM055 Applied Chemistry & Microbiology
ENGM057 Water Resources Management and Hydraulic Modelling
ENGM289 Global Challenges in Water and Health
ENGM303 Nature Based Solutions in Environmental Engineering
Geotechnical Engineering Group:
ENGM269 Advanced Soil Mechanics
ENGM270 Energy Geotechnics
ENGM048 Soil-Structure Interaction
ENGM272 Deep Foundations and Earth Retaining Structures
Digital Civil and Environmental Engineering Group:
ENGM281 Building Information Modelling
ENGM285 Geographical Information Science and Remote Sensing
Optional modules for Unstructured (3-5 years) - FHEQ Level 7
Students need to take all four modules from the Structures Group, a further two modules from the Bridge and the last two modules can be from any group.
Structural Engineering Group:
ENGM042 Steel Building Design
ENGM053 Structural Mechanics & Finite Elements
ENGM041 Concrete Building Design
ENGM054 Earthquake Engineering
Bridge Engineering Group:
ENGM031 Prestressed Concrete Bridge Design
ENGM033 Durability of Bridges & Structures
ENGM032 Steel & Composite Bridge Design
Infrastructure Engineering Group:
ENGM263 Infrastructure Financing
ENGM264 Infrastructure Interdependencies and Resilience
ENGM265 Sustainability and Infrastructure
ENGM266 Infrastructure Asset Management
Water Engineering Group:
ENGM035 Water Treatment
ENGM304 Wastewater Treatment
ENGM055 Applied Chemistry & Microbiology
ENGM057 Water Resources Management and Hydraulic Modelling
ENGM289 Global Challenges in Water and Health
ENGM303 Nature Based Solutions in Environmental Engineering
Geotechnical Engineering Group:
ENGM269 Advanced Soil Mechanics
ENGM270 Energy Geotechnics
ENGM048 Soil-Structure Interaction
ENGM272 Deep Foundations and Earth Retaining Structures
Digital Civil and Environmental Engineering Group:
ENGM281 Building Information Modelling
ENGM285 Geographical Information Science and Remote Sensing
Optional modules for Unstructured (3-5 years) DL - FHEQ Level 7
Students need to take all four modules from the Structures Group, a further two modules from the Bridge and the last two modules can be from any group.
Structural Engineering Group:
ENGM042 Steel Building Design
ENGM053 Structural Mechanics & Finite Elements
ENGM041 Concrete Building Design
ENGM054 Earthquake Engineering
Bridge Engineering Group:
ENGM031 Prestressed Concrete Bridge Design
ENGM033 Durability of Bridges & Structures
ENGM032 Steel & Composite Bridge Design
Infrastructure Engineering Group:
ENGM263 Infrastructure Financing
ENGM264 Infrastructure Interdependencies and Resilience
ENGM265 Sustainability and Infrastructure
ENGM266 Infrastructure Asset Management
Water Engineering Group:
ENGM035 Water Treatment
ENGM304 Wastewater Treatment
ENGM055 Applied Chemistry & Microbiology
ENGM057 Water Resources Management and Hydraulic Modelling
ENGM289 Global Challenges in Water and Health
ENGM303 Nature Based Solutions in Environmental Engineering
Geotechnical Engineering Group:
ENGM269 Advanced Soil Mechanics
ENGM270 Energy Geotechnics
ENGM048 Soil-Structure Interaction
ENGM272 Deep Foundations and Earth Retaining Structures
Digital Civil and Environmental Engineering Group:
ENGM281 Building Information Modelling
ENGM285 Geographical Information Science and Remote Sensing
Timetable
Course timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week, details of which can be obtained from the Academic Hive. View our Code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF).
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Entry requirements
A minimum of a 2:2 UK honours degree in civil engineering (or mechanical, aerospace, offshore, biomedical engineering, naval architecture or other related engineering subjects), or equivalent recognised international degree.
Applicants will be considered on an individual basis, based on strength in specific subjects related to the MSc programme and/or professional experience.
Do I meet the requirements for this course?
We require you to submit a full application so that we can formally assess whether you meet the criteria published. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide an outcome based on an enquiry (via email, webform enquiry, phone or live chat).
International entry requirements by country
Other international qualifications
If you are an international student and you don’t meet the entry requirements to this degree, you can apply for a Pre-Masters Programme at the Surrey International Study Centre. Upon successful completion, you can progress to this masters degree at the University of Surrey.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in each other element.
View the other English language qualifications that we accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Credit transfer
The University of Surrey recognises that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts. If your experience exceeds the typical requirements for entry to the programme, a process called recognition of prior learning (RPL) may allow you to enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience. If you can demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for specific modules through your previous learning, it may be possible to exempt you from those modules, and for you to be awarded credit based on your previous qualifications/experience. There are restrictions on RPL for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims.
In some cases, prior knowledge and skills may allow applicants to join the start of a course without meeting the formal entry requirements.
Please see our code transfer and recognition of prior learning guide (PDF) and recognition of prior learning and prior credit web page for further information. Please email Admissions (admissions@surrey.ac.uk) with any queries.
Fees per year
Start date: September 2023
Full-time - 1 year
- UK
- £10,900
- Overseas
- £23,900
Part-time - 5 years
- UK
- £1,200
- Overseas
- £2,700
Distance-learning - 5 years
- UK
- £1,200
- Overseas
- £2,700
Please note:
- These fees apply to students commencing study in the academic year 2023-24 only. Fees for new starters are reviewed annually
- If you are on an unstructured self-paced part-time course, the fee shown is per 15 credits for the 2023-24 academic year
- Annual fees will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements.
Payment schedule
- Students in receipt of a tuition fee loan: Will have their fees paid by the Student Loans Company in line with their schedule
- International students, or UK/EU students who have not taken out a tuition fee loan: Are required to pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be early October of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
The exact date(s) will be detailed on invoices. Students on certain part-time programmes, where fees are paid on a modular or stage basis, are not eligible to pay their fees by instalment.
- If you are sponsored: You will provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of your study.
Funding
You may be able to borrow money to help pay your tuition fees and support you with your living costs. Find out more about postgraduate student finance.
Apply online
To apply online first select the course you'd like to apply for then log in.
1. Select your course
Select the course you wish to apply for.
2. Sign in
To apply online sign in or create an account.
Course | Status |
|---|---|
Structural Engineering MSc Full-time, 12 months, September 2023 | Applications open Closing date: Monday 3 July 2023 |
Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready. | |
Structural Engineering MSc Part-time, 60 months, September 2023 | Applications open Closing date: Monday 3 July 2023 |
Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready. | |
Structural Engineering MSc Distance-learning, 60 months, September 2023 | Applications open Closing date: Monday 3 July 2023 |
Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready. | |
Admission information
Our postgraduate admissions policy* provides the basis for admissions practice across the University and gives a framework for how we encourage, consider applications and admit students. You can also read our postgraduate applicant guidance.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our Charter, Statutes, Ordinances, Policies, Regulations and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions and our registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2022/2023 academic year as a guide as to what to expect.
Please note: the offer terms and conditions and registration terms and conditions which you will be asked to agree to may be different from those detailed in the examples. Our offer terms and conditions will generally be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will be available at the start of each academic year and will vary to take into account specifics of your course and changes for the specific academic year.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing but changes (for example, to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.
Contact details
Campus location
Stag HillStag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
University of Surrey Admissions
- Phone: +44 (0)1483 682222
Address
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH