Introduction
Key information
Start date: February 2021; October 2021
Full-time: 1 year
Part-time: 5 years
Distance-learning: 5 years
Why choose this course
Geotechnical engineering – the mechanics of the earth’s materials – is a sector with a huge global skills shortage, meaning that well-trained geotechnical engineers are in high demand.
Our Advanced Geotechnical Engineering MSc will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue an exciting career in the geotechnical engineering sector, including offshore and earthquake geotechnics.
You’ll be taught in highly specialised facilities such as our geotechnical lab, which has recently benefitted from a £450,000 investment, by academics who are leaders in their field. Throughout your course, you’ll also benefit from the expert knowledge of specialist guest speakers, including visiting academics and engineers working in the industry.
What you will study
Our MSc Advanced Geotechnical Engineering will develop your understanding of the principles and theories behind ground engineering, from soil mechanics to site investigation, advanced soil testing and foundation design. We’ll provide you with the necessary skills to address technological challenges in the geotechnical engineering sector.
You’ll explore topics including deep foundations in urban areas, tunnelling, foundations for energy infrastructure and major bridges, deepwater energy resources exploration and field monitoring.
You’ll also have the opportunity to work on a research project, enabling you to acquire, analyse and critically evaluate data, then draw valid conclusions from it. It will test your understanding of scientific methodology, and allow you to graduate as a confident and capable geotechnical engineer.
The course covers the following:
Fundamental soil mechanics and its modelling using numerical approaches
Testing of soils for obtaining design parameters – we use our purpose-built SAGE laboratory for teaching
Analysis techniques: Simplified (Spreadsheet-based); Standard (code-based methods or simple software); Advanced (Finite Element Method)
Design and construction of foundations for bridges, buildings, offshore structures, tunnels and deep basements in busy cities
Dissertation on a geotechnical topic
Back analysis of the collapse of foundations
Academic support, facilities and equipment
Your modules will be taught by our academics who are experts in the geotechnical area. Some lectures on this course will also be delivered by visiting academics and practising engineers from industry, giving you invaluable industry insight and adding another dimension to your learning.
You’ll be allocated a personal tutor to guide and support you during your time at Surrey. You can expect a varied, stimulating and rewarding student experience, and you’ll receive all the support you need to progress your learning.
In addition to our Library and Learning Centre’s extensive resources, our excellent engineering testing facilities can support experimentally based dissertation projects.
Facilities
Masters students benefit from a range of highly specialised facilities in the Department of Civil Engineering, including:
Geotechnics and Geology Laboratory, recently upgraded with a £450,000 investment
Materials and Structures Laboratory
SAGE (Surrey Advanced Geotechnical Engineering) Lab
Centre for Environmental Health and Engineering, which collaborates with the World Health Organization to address global water quality issues
Wind tunnel facilities
Air Quality Lab
Study and work abroad
There may be opportunities to acquire valuable European experience by working or conducting research abroad during your degree or shortly afterwards. It is possible to do this in the summer period with an Erasmus+ grant working on your dissertation or as a recent graduate. In order to qualify your Erasmus+ traineeship must be a minimum of two months.
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)
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 master's courses in civil engineering 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 Atkins, A-squared Studio, WSP, AECOM, Amey, Highways England, Mott MacDonald, Laing O’Rourke, ARUP, Arcadis, Fluor, Capita Real Estate and Infrastructure, and Peter Brett Associates.
Entry requirements
A minimum of 50 per cent in a UK honours degree in Civil Engineering (or Geology, Engineering Geology and other allied 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.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in each other element.
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.
Fees
Start date: February 2021
Full-time - 1 year
UK/EU: £10,300
Overseas: £21,000
Part-time - 5 years/ Distance-learning - 5 years
UK/EU: £1,100*
Overseas: £2,300*
Start date: October 2021
Full-time - 1 year
UK: £10,600
Overseas: £21,700
Part-time - 5 years/ Distance-learning - 5 years
UK: £1,200*
Overseas: £2,400*
* per 15 credits
