Civil Engineering

Mode of attendance: Full-time

Duration: 1 year

Start dates: September & January

Course overview

The MSc Civil Engineering programme is ideal if you would like to broaden and deepen your technical knowledge of specialised civil engineering areas and develop a wider perspective and understanding of the issues facing the civil engineering industries. It provides a distinctive educational platform to encourage the development of articulate, numerate, literate, imaginative, versatile, confident and inquisitive postgraduates who are able to link the theoretical with the practical.

The course is designed for those who have already graduated with a civil engineering or engineering-related degree. Successful completion of the MSc is designed to provide the educational base for progression to Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.

About the course

The postgraduate diploma takes two years to study part-time and may run in parallel with gaining the experience and initial professional development necessary before the Chartered Professional Review. An additional period of study, usually up to one year, would allow completion of the MSc Civil Engineering. Alternatively the MSc may be completed in one year of full-time study.

The course has a modular structure, the modules being grouped into postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma and master of science degree. Each part comprises 60 credits at master's level (HE7).

What you will learn

You will obtain advanced analytical skills in your chosen subject areas. You will have the opportunity to learn to design steel and concrete framed structures using modern structural analysis software, use advanced theory for the design and implementation of geotechnical works, apply advanced hydraulic concepts and model hydraulic systems, learn about advanced materials technologies and use advanced techniques to model transport and other systems. You will develop skills in project management and can choose whether you want to learn about environmental management or construction law and sustainable procurement.

In structures, you will also learn to assess existing buildings and design adaptations and apply the stiffness matrix method to analyse two-dimensional structures. In geotechnical engineering you will design earthworks, and slope and retaining walls. In hydraulics you will study open channel and pipe flow and urban pollution management. In materials you will learn about special concretes and sustainability and materials repair and rehabilitation. In transport you will apply linear programming and queuing theory to practical problems.

What you will study

PgCert: To gain the postgraduate certificate you should choose four of the following optional modules:

• Advanced Structural Analysis (15 credits);
• Appraisal and Re-use of Old Buildings (15 credits);
• Geotechnical Engineering (15 credits);
• Geotechnical Modelling and Analysis (15 credits);
• Urban Drainage Systems (15 credits);
• Concrete Technology and Sustainability (15 credits);
• Assessment and Repair of Concrete Structures (15 credits);
• Transport Analysis (15 credits).

PgDip: To gain the postgraduate diploma you must complete six of the postgraduate certificate modules listed above, as well as one of the following modules:

• Project Management (30 credits);
• Construction Law and Sustainable Procurement (30 credits);
• Environmental Management (30 credits).

MSc: To be awarded the MSc you must complete all the modules necessary for the postgraduate diploma, plus the following module:

• Dissertation (60 credits).

The dissertation is a major piece of work that will develop your creative, analytical, organisational and presentation abilities and give you the opportunity to extend your in-depth knowledge in your area of specialisation.

Special features

Courses at the University of Bolton are practically oriented with significant industry focus and all our teaching staff combine academic excellence with industry experience. Real and current project work, being worked on by the teaching team, is used in some of the assignments.

The expert teaching staff in the School of the Built Environment and Engineering offer small learning groups and individual support throughout your course.

Careers and professional development

The employment record of our graduates is excellent. Many of our graduates have joined engineering consultancies while others have chosen to undertake further study towards a research degree.

On graduation you will also become a member of the University's alumni association. You will be a lifelong member of the University's community, able to access careers information and guidance, the library and professional periodicals, as well as a range of other facilities.

Professional recognition

Successful completion of the master's programme is designed to provide the educational base for progression to Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.

Entry requirements

Normally, you should be in permanent employment in the construction industry, utilities or public services sector and have your employer's support for undertaking the course. International students should demonstrate support from a sponsoring body.

You should also hold at least an upper second class honours degree (2.1) in civil engineering. Applicants with a lower second class honours degree (2.2) in civil engineering will be considered only exceptionally and in discussion with their employer. Applicants with other qualifications equivalent to the above that are deemed acceptable to the school will be considered.

If you have not studied your previous qualifications in English a TOEFL score of at least 575 (written)/230 (computer-based) or an academic IELTS score of at least 6.5 will be required.

You should have passed final level units in structures, hydraulics and soil mechanics in your civil engineering honours degree. Students with an inadequate grasp of these subjects may be asked to undertake appropriate balancing studies before entry.

You must attend for interview. If you are an international applicant your interview may be conducted over the telephone.

How to apply

Please apply directly to the University of Bolton using the standard application form.

Please visit our 'how to apply for a taught postgraduate course' web page for details.

Further Information

For an informal discussion and further details about the course please contact:

Dr John Parkin (Programme Leader)
Tel: +44 (0)1204 903027
E-mail:J.Parkin@bolton.ac.uk

Lisa Hughes (Programme Administrator)
Tel: +44 (0)1204 903657
Email:L.Hughes@bolton.ac.uk

For general information about the university and how to apply please contact:

Enquiry Team (Student Services)
Tel: +44 (0)1204 903903
Email: enquiries@bolton.ac.uk