Programme summary for MSc Structural Engineering

About the programme

The programme offers several optional and self-contained modules in the field of Structural Engineering. Different areas, such as structural analysis of building structures and bridges, design in steel and concrete, dynamic analysis of structures, earthquake engineering, soil structure engineering, etc., are covered through the optional modules of this programme.

This programme has been developed from the MSc Programme in Civil Engineering, owing to the wide offer of modules in the area of Structural Engineering. Postgraduate programmes in the field of Civil Engineering and Surveying have been successfully run at the UEL since 1964.

Professional qualifications

This programme is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators. See the full programme specification for details.

The programme can be taken either in a part-time mode, by engineers employed in the UK, or in a full-time mode by either national or overseas engineers. The MSc is offered for full-time students with the possibility of being completed in one calendar year’s duration. The MSc for part-time students has half load during the semesters and, consequently, the length of these studies is doubled. Part-time students require two years to complete the MSc programme.

Enrolment on the programme is possible either in semester A (starting in September, comprising the academic period from September to January) or semester B (starting in February, comprising the academic period from February to May).

Semester C (June-September) is only available for research supervision.

The programme consists of four optional 30-credit modules plus one 60-credit dissertation. The common schedules for MSc students are included below:

Full-time MSc student starting in semester A:

Semester A (1st year): two 30-credit modules

Semester B (1st year): two 30-credit modules

Semester C (1st year) or Semester A (2nd year): 60-credit dissertation

Full-time MSc student starting in semester B:

Semester B (1st year): two 30-credit modules

Semester A (1st year): two 30-credit modules

Semester B (2nd year): 60-credit dissertation

Part-time MSc student starting in semester A:

Semester A (1st year): one 30-credit module

Semester B (1st year): one 30-credit module

Semester A (2nd year): one 30-credit module

Semester B (2nd year): one 30-credit module

Semester C (2nd year) and Semester A (3rd year), or Semesters A and B (3rd year): 60-credit dissertation

Part-time MSc student starting in semester B:

Semester B (1st year): one 30-credit module

Semester A (1st year): one 30-credit module

Semester B (2nd year): one 30-credit module

Semester A (2nd year): one 30-credit module

Semesters B and C (3rd year), or Semesters B and A (3rd year): 60-credit dissertation

The maximum registration period is six years.

Students require one 30-credit module for a Postgraduate Associate Certificate, two 30-credit modules for the PGCert, four 30-credit modules for the PGDip (Intermediate awards) and four 30-credit modules plus a 60-credit Research Dissertation in the area of Structural Engineering for the MSc.

Career opportunities

There is an ongoing global demand for well-qualified structural engineers and this programme will offer a valuable, accredited qualification. There are employment opportunities in local government and private industry.

Support

You may approach staff for help with personal or academic problems either in person or by e-mail. A programme handbook provides all relevant information on the programme and the teaching resources. Your research dissertation is carried out with the help of a web-based guidance notes and a project supervisor.

Admission

BEng (Hons) minimum 2:2 or BSc(Hons) minimum 2:1, both in Civil Engineering
Appropriate professional qualifications such as MICE or MIStructE
Applicants with other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis

In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS Academic 6.0 Overall, with no less than 5.5 in components, or equivalent, is required. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate entry to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes.

Students who apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes, or through an approved articulation agreement. Therefore such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption.