MSc Structural Engineering / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course description

Structural engineering is the foundation of our built environment, and in the age of climate change and urbanisation, innovation in this specialisation has never been more important.

Taught across eight course units, each worth 15 credits, combined with a research dissertation worth 60 credits, you will cover advanced aspects of theory and design - looking at both the static and dynamic behaviour of structures in steel and concrete.

Specialist, topical elements covered include studying the behaviours of structural designs against extreme loading, including both fire and earthquakes - brought to you by internationally leading researchers and engineers. You will also explore an introduction to finate element modelling, experimental work, and research methods.

Within both the discipline of Civil Engineering and the wider School of Engineering, our experts focus in on a broad range of research areas and have a wide spread of professional, real-time experience in industry.

In addition to the world-class teaching, you will be learn in our world-class facilities - the Engineering and Materials Building . This space is the largest dedicated engineering building in the UK, and home to excellent equipment to enable you to supplement your theoretical learning with hands-on work.

Teaching and learning

Traditional lecture and tutorial-based teaching is supported by well-equipped laboratories for demonstrations and for experimental work and all taught units are also supported within a modern e-learning environment.  Dissertation research provides our students with training in research by investigating a novel and complex problem under the personal supervision of a MACE academic experienced in supervision for higher research degrees. Our teaching and learning philosophy involves teaching our students advanced techniques and supporting them to apply their knowledge to solve problems both in a research context and in industry when they graduate from The University of Manchester.

Course unit list

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Experimental Methods (MSc Structural Engineering) AERO61021 15 Mandatory
Dissertation CIVL60000 60 Mandatory
Advanced Structural Analysis CIVL60012 15 Mandatory
Principles of Structural Engineering Design CIVL60031 15 Mandatory
Earthquake Engineering CIVL60912 15 Mandatory
Practice of Structural Engineering Design CIVL63052 15 Mandatory
Fire Engineering CIVL64042 15 Mandatory
Research Methods MECH60041 15 Mandatory
Finite Elements MECH60561 15 Mandatory

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk