MSc Geotechnical Engineering

Our Geotechnical Engineering Masters/MSc is designed for recent graduates or experienced professionals, The program is ideal for civil engineers and geologists seeking to extend their professional scope or specialize in geotechnical engineering.

The long-term performance of the structure must be predicted, and instruments may have to be installed to check the prediction. This needs a sound knowledge of engineering geology, soil and rock mechanics, current civil engineering design, and construction management and practice.

Our Geotechnical Engineering Masters/MSc program is designed to support high-level training and enhance both your technical and managerial skills. With an excellent reputation across the industry, the course focuses on essential aspects of the subject, including physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of soils and rocks; ground investigation; field and laboratory testing; engineering geology and site investigation; analysis, design and construction of foundations, retaining walls, tunnels, embankments, and slopes including methods of ground reinforcement and improvement.

You will develop a sound knowledge of soil and rock mechanics, current civil engineering design, and construction management and practice. The research project allows for a detailed study into a particular area of geotechnical engineering and can focus on laboratory testing, numerical modeling, or management of geotechnical processes/applications.

This will support your career as a geotechnical engineer, enabling you to plan and direct ground investigations and laboratory testing, giving you the basis for interpreting results and proposing the optimum methods of design and construction.

This course is offered in both full-time and part-time modes

• Master's degree/MSc: 12 months full-time, 24-36 months part-time
• Postgraduate Diploma: 10 months full-time, 24-36 months part-time
• Postgraduate Certificate: 10 months full-time, 24-36 months part-time

Accredited degree

This degree program is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) comprising the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Structural Engineers, the Institute of Highway Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, and the Permanent Way Institution on behalf of the Engineering Council, as meeting the academic requirement for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Why study Geotechnical Engineering Masters at Birmingham?

• Why study this course at Birmingham?... In short, we offer two master's courses in Geotechnical Engineering that provide flexibility, broad subject coverage, high-quality delivery, and excellent job prospects on graduation. One course allows a full development of all the important technical aspects associated with Geotechnical Engineering while the other course builds on a strong technical core and yet allows new developments in management practice to be covered. Our courses are ideally suited to recent graduates or those seeking to boost their career prospects.
• Study in our new state-of-the-art School of Engineering building which includes a 179-capacity Design Centre and 160 drop-in study spaces throughout the building providing flexible learning.
• Birmingham has been providing a highly respected master's course in geotechnical engineering for more than 50 years now and has built up an excellent reputation for providing the graduate's industry needs.
• Our courses are continually updated to meet the ever-changing environment faced by geotechnical engineering, underpinned by excellence in research with strong links from industry. Graduates often secure employment long before they graduate or use it as a stepping stone in their career development.

Modules

This course consists of 180 credits. This comprises a 60-credit individual research project plus 120 credits in taught learning.

Core modules

• Advanced Project - 60 credits

• Analytical Approaches in Geotechnics - 20 credits

• Geotechnical Assets (Creation and Management) - 20 credits

• Ground Investigation (for Geotechnical Engineering) - 20 credits

• Numerical Approaches and Design in Geotechnics - 20 credits

• Professional Skills for Geotechnical Engineering - 20 credits

• Soil Mechanics - 20 credits

Please note: The modules listed on the website for this program are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Graduates are held in high regard by the geotechnical and related industry, and often secure employment before they graduate. They often join a specialist geotechnical engineering company or a general engineering organisation, as a specialist engineer in this area.

Many of the most senior positions in the industry are filled by graduates of this programme and industry prizes are regularly awarded to graduates.

University Careers Network

Preparation for your career should be one of the first things you think about as you start university. Whether you have a clear idea of where your future aspirations lie or want to consider the broad range of opportunities available once you have a Birmingham degree, our Careers Network can help you achieve your goal.

Our unique careers guidance service is tailored to your academic subject area, offering a specialised team (in each of the five academic colleges) who can give you expert advice. Our team sources exclusive work experience opportunities to help you stand out amongst the competition, with mentoring, global internships and placements available to you. Once you have a career in your sights, one-to-one support with CVs and job applications will help give you the edge.

• 1 year full-time, or on a part-time basis typically over
• 24–36 months