Transport Studies

Mode of attendance: Full-time

Duration: 1 year

Start dates: September

Course overview

Postgraduate study at the University of Bolton gives you the edge in a fast moving marketplace. Our MSc in Transport Studies encourages the development of knowledgeable, intellectual, inquisitive, imaginative, enthusiastic and confident professionals who are able to see and understand complex dilemmas and problems within the transport industry. Could this be you? If you have already graduated with an appropriate degree and have transport-related experience, or have an interest in one of the many areas of transport, this course meets your needs.

After completing the course you will be capable of producing realistic solutions to the current problems being encountered by the numerous stakeholders within the transport industry.

About the course

The MSc in Transport Studies is designed to provide professional academic learning for the diverse industry of transport. This challenging and rewarding programme is intended to provide a distinctive educational platform to encourage the development of articulate, numerate, literate, imaginative, versatile, confident and inquisitive postgraduates – to enable you to see relationships within what you have learned; as well as being able to perceive your field of study in a broader perspective.

This programme will enable you to develop and increase your knowledge, competence and expertise in the general area of transport. It will provide a coherent and useful education experience together with practical skills leading to the award of postgraduate certificate (PgCert), postgraduate diploma (PgDip), or the degree of master of science (MSc).

What you will learn

Transport has an impact upon many various industries and as a result, creates a vast range of transport scenarios and dilemmas. The focus of the learning outcomes is to develop your rich, deep, critical insight into the many facets of the global industry.

You will have the opportunity to develop and sustain an enquiring and enthusiastic attitude towards transport and to develop your ability to analyse, adapt, conceptualise, and to theoretically and experimentally evaluate techniques in your work. In addition you will develop high level critical evaluation skills, evaluating current literature and using it to solve problems in transport with a high degree of proficiency. By producing a relevant dissertation, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate and apply the abilities and skills you have acquired by tackling real problems within the transport industry which are sufficiently demanding to form the intellectual challenge required for this level of higher degree. The formulation and production of the dissertation also enables you to display enhanced report-writing skills.

On completion of the MSc in Transport Studies you will have developed a systematic understanding and critical awareness of current transport problems, as well as detailed understanding of the accessibility issues that lead to social, physical and economic barriers for disabled people in terms of being able to access public transport.

You will have gained a comprehensive understanding of the techniques applicable to your own research, and demonstrate originality in the application of your knowledge. You will have a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline, as well as a deep conceptual understanding of the techniques and methodologies employed by researchers in transport studies. You will be able to critically evaluate current research in your transport discipline, and where appropriate, propose new hypotheses.

What you will study

You will study the following modules:

• Transport Studies (30 credits);
• Inclusive Transport (30 credits);
• Transport Safety and Security (30 credits);
• Research Methods (30 credits);
• Dissertation (60 credits).

For the postgraduate certificate, you must successfully complete two modules (60 credits). For the postgraduate diploma, you must successfully complete four modules (120 credits). For the MSc, you must successfully complete four modules and a dissertation (180 credits).

The Transport Studies module covers a wide range of content. Some typical examples of the content are: transport policies, the environment, ethics, technology, alternative transport, supply chain, transport planning, software applications, energy sources and transport construction/design.

Some typical examples of the content of the Transport Safety and Security module are: health and safety regulations relating to transport; road travel safety; legislative history and aggregate data comparisons; accident investigation and safety audit methodologies; vehicle design for safety; crash testing methodologies; railway operation and air passenger safety.

Some typical examples of the content of the Inclusive Transport module are: transport policy, the role of the voluntary sector, performance measures of inclusive transport, impacts of demographic shifts, issues which constrain the use of transport, mobility barriers, attitude studies, independent travel, technology and its impact, unmet travel needs and social inclusion.

Special features

The programme builds upon the school’s research strengths in the areas of accident investigation and inclusive design.

The expert teaching staff offer small learning groups and individual support throughout your course.

Careers and professional development

The transport industry is striving to achieve a significant skills development and the course has been designed with this initiative in mind. There is evidence from the various Institutes within the transport sector that the master's course will be viewed as professional development, enhancing your current and future career prospects.

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

A member of a professional body such as the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) is expected to make a commitment to ensure that the knowledge and skills gained in order to qualify for membership are systematically maintained at a suitable level. A commitment to acquiring new knowledge, skills or competencies to equip for the future is also expected. This applies to members of all grades and is increasingly valued by employers.

Professional development is about maintaining and improving standards of competence and professionalism. It puts emphasis on the individual taking responsibility for developing and directing their own career. The MSc Transport Studies is designed to accommodate the requirements of such professional development demands.

This course is also recognised as a significant professional development by the Society of Operations Engineer Institute of Road Transport Engineers (SOE IRTE) which is active in promoting the image and the skills base of the industry

Entry requirements

You should have at least an upper second class honours degree (2.1), or equivalent, in a transport-related subject.

If you have a lower second class honours degree (2.2), or equivalent, in a transport-related subject, combined with appropriate experience, your application 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.

We are more than happy to have an informal chat with you about this course, either over the phone or in person. If you wish to meet in person please contact the programme leader to arrange a mutually convenient time. (While we reserve the right to interview it is not our usual practice for this course.)

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:

Jim England (Programme Leader)
Tel: +44 (0)1204 903062
E-mail:J.England@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