MSc Bridge Engineering

Why choose this course

Our Bridge Engineering MSc is the only master's programme in this area in Europe – and one of the very few around the world. Running since the early 1970s, our fully accredited course provides you with the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills in specialist aspects of bridge engineering, including the design of new as well as the management of existing bridges.

This MSc will help you pursue an exciting career as a bridge engineer with a consultancy, specialist contractor or local authority.

Our programme is also fully aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, and it emphasizes sustainability and resilience in civil engineering infrastructure design and assessment.

What you will study

Our MSc in Bridge Engineering is designed to provide you with a solid understanding of bridge analysis, design and management. If you’re a practising bridge engineer, it will enable you to update your existing knowledge and skills and familiarise yourself with new industry-relevant techniques.

This course covers a wide range of modules that address the whole-life analysis of bridges from design through to end-of-life. You’ll also have a choice of optional modules from the areas of:

• Geotechnical engineering
• Infrastructure engineering and management
• Structural engineering
• Water/environmental engineering.

During your studies, you’ll have the chance to visit a bridge site on a field trip (subject to availability), allowing you to experience how your knowledge can be applied outside the classroom.

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 master's. 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.

Professional Recognition

MSc - Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE)

Accredited by the Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE) on behalf of the Engineering Council to fully meet the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

MSc - Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE)

Accredited by the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) on behalf of the Engineering Council to fully meet the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

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. Bachelor (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).

Academic year structure

Our MSc consists of eight modules which you’ll take over two semesters. It also includes a dissertation project in the area of bridge engineering that is completed throughout the academic year.

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 or 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:

Bridge Engineering MSc

Full-time

• Advanced Soil Mechanics
• Durability Of Bridges And Structures
• Energy Geotechnics
• Infrastructure Financing
• Infrastructure Systems, Interdependencies And Resilience
• Prestressed Concrete Bridge Design
• Steel Building Design
• Structural Mechanics & Finite Elements
• Building Information Modelling
• Concrete Building Design
• Deep Foundations And Earth-Retaining Structures
• Earthquake Engineering
• Geographical Information Science And Remote Sensing
• Infrastructure Asset Management
• Nature-Based Solutions In Environmental Engineering
• Soil-structure Interaction
• Steel And Composite Bridge Design
• Sustainability And Infrastructure
• Water Resources Management And Hydraulic Modelling
• Dissertation Project

Part-time

• Advanced Soil Mechanics
• Durability Of Bridges And Structures
• Energy Geotechnics
• Infrastructure Financing
• Infrastructure Systems, Interdependencies And Resilience
• Prestressed Concrete Bridge Design
• Steel Building Design
• Structural Mechanics & Finite Elements
• Building Information Modelling
• Concrete Building Design
• Deep Foundations And Earth-Retaining Structures
• Earthquake Engineering
• Geographical Information Science And Remote Sensing
• Infrastructure Asset Management
• Nature-Based Solutions In Environmental Engineering
• Soil-structure Interaction
• Steel And Composite Bridge Design
• Sustainability And Infrastructure
• Water Resources Management And Hydraulic Modelling
• Dissertation Project

Distance Learning

• Advanced Soil Mechanics
• Durability Of Bridges And Structures
• Energy Geotechnics
• Infrastructure Financing
• Infrastructure Systems, Interdependencies And Resilience
• Prestressed Concrete Bridge Design
• Steel Building Design
• Structural Mechanics & Finite Elements
• Building Information Modelling
• Concrete Building Design
• Deep Foundations And Earth-Retaining Structures
• Earthquake Engineering
• Geographical Information Science And Remote Sensing
• Infrastructure Asset Management
• Nature-Based Solutions In Environmental Engineering
• Soil-structure Interaction
• Steel And Composite Bridge Design
• Sustainability And Infrastructure
• Water Resources Management And Hydraulic Modelling
• Dissertation Project

Timetable

Course timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester.

New students will receive their personalised timetable in Welcome Week, and in subsequent semesters, two weeks 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.

We offer career 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 event bookings, jobs, placements, and interactive development tools.

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. The Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023 found that 93 percent of our postgraduate taught civil engineering students going on to employment or further study.

As a Department, we have an excellent and long-standing employability record. Recent graduates from our Bridge Engineering MSc have been employed by:

• AECOM
• Amey
• Atkins
• Hewson Consulting Engineers
• Mott MacDonald
• Opus International
• Tony Gee and Partners
• Ramboll and Sweco
• WSP.