Geotechnical Engineering MSc (Eng)

The ground is the greatest area of technical risk in construction — therefore the demand for qualified specialists in geotechnical engineering is ever-growing, both in the UK and internationally.

Our Geotechnical Engineering MSc covers the practical application of geotechnical engineering to reduce construction risk and optimise the design of geotechnical structures to ensure that they are safe, sustainable and resilient.

Understanding this risk is the underlying philosophy of this course. It brings together the expertise you’ll need to address a range of real-world geotechnical problems in industry, including shallow and deep foundations, soil-structure interaction, ground as a source of energy, environmental geotechnics, and slope and ground stabilisation.

You’ll study in the School of Civil Engineering which ranks highly globally and is actively involved in developing ‘internationally excellent’ research — much of which shapes the course.

This means you’ll be learning the latest insights in the field whilst building industry-relevant skills in investigation, characterisation, analysis, design and risk within a business context — all of which are highly sought after in this profession, and transferable across industries.

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, through lectures, seminars, tutorials, small group work and project meetings. Throughout your studies, you’ll also benefit from a structured support system, with a personal tutor who will offer help and advice about your approach to studying and how to become adept at independent learning.

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

Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies: it’s a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the School, your programme and modules.

You can also benefit from support to develop your academic skills, within the curriculum and through online resources, workshops, one-to-one appointments and drop-in sessions.

Programme team

In this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

The Programme Leader, Professor Barry Clarke, is a Professor in Geotechnical Engineering, whose research interests include the role of engineering in society, the education of engineers, characterisation of ground, application of electrokinetics in groundworks, ground as a source of energy, engineering in complex soils and the application of artificial intelligence in construction practice.

In this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Why study at Leeds:

• Graduate from a university ranked in the top 5 in the UK for Civil Engineering, Guardian University Guide 2023, and 44th in the world for Civil and Structural Engineering, QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022, with an MSc that has been accredited by both the Joint Board of Moderators and EUR-ACE.
• Learn the latest innovations in such as energy geotechnics, numerical analysis of coupled flow and adapting geotechnical structures to climate change from the impactful, world-leading research conducted right here in our School which feeds directly into the course.
• Advance your knowledge and skills in critical areas sought after in industry such as engineering, transport infrastructure strategy, ground contamination, energy geotechnics and geotechnical investigation.
• Conduct your own individual investigative project as part of your course and gain industry experience investigating a real-world problem.
• Access research-grade equipment and specialist facilities to enhance your learning.Experience excellent practical and theoretical teaching delivered by a programme team with a wealth of expertise and industry experience across many relevant areas such as engineering in complex soils, electrokinetics and the characterisation of ground.
• Master the most up-to-date practices and techniques recognised in the industry on a course that has been directly informed and advised by the Industrial Advisory Committee and the Institution of Civil Engineers.

You’ll gain in-depth knowledge of geotechnical topics and be trained in relevant field and laboratory techniques for the practice of geotechnical engineering. You’ll develop the skills required to use modern analytical and numerical approaches to solve geotechnical problems such as the design of foundations, slopes, retaining structures, and underground space.

During the first half of the year, you'll cover a range of modules that will develop your skills in geotechnical design and analysis, which will prepare you for the second semester where you'll apply those skills to more advanced topics such as energy and geotechnical structures, transport infrastructure and contaminated land.

You’ll look at topics such as the properties and behaviour of the ground; mathematical and computer models relevant to geotechnical engineering; and advanced design techniques.

Project work

Over the summer months, you’ll work with your supervisor to complete your independent research project which is one of the most satisfying elements of this course. It’s a chance for you to demonstrate the knowledge and skills you’ve gained, focusing on a real-world problem that explores your specific interests and/or relates to your career ambitions.

All our modules also include design projects which are based on real-life case studies.

Example projects for Geotechnical Engineering MSc students have included:

• Dealing with the effects of climate change on transport infrastructure
• Using industrial waste products as a resource in geotechnical engineering
• Analysing underground space for storing carbon and nuclear waste
• Improving geotechnical design by including value as a design parameter

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• MSc Dissertation 60 credits
• Geotechnical Investigation and Characterisation 30 credits
• Energy Geotechnics 15 credits
• Constitutive Models and Numerical Analysis 15 credits
• Transport Infrastructure Strategy 15 credits
• Groundwater Pollution and Contaminated Land 15 credits
• Geotechnical Engineering (MSc) 15 credits
• Foundation Engineering (MSc) 15 credits

Geotechnical engineers are integral throughout the whole process of building structures — from concept to construction. This means the demand worldwide for the expertise you’ll have once you graduate from Leeds is ever-growing, with the potential to take you across the world.

Studying our Geotechnical Engineering MSc degree will equip you with advanced knowledge in all aspects of the field and relevant skill sets sought after by many industries, opening the door to an exciting amount of career opportunities.

Plus, The University of Leeds is in the top five most targeted universities in the UK by graduate recruiters, according to High Fliers’ The Graduate Market in 2022 report.

Geotechnical engineers work for client organisations including major asset owners, international consultants, main contractors and specialist consultants and contractors. The range of specialist skills that geotechnical engineers acquire means that they can develop either as technical experts or managers.