Master of Engineering (MEng)

MEng Civil and Structural Engineering

Pave the way for your future in built environment, one of the most sought-after and crucial sectors in ever our ever-changing world.

  • Duration: 4 years
  • Year of entry: 2025
  • UCAS course code: H220 / Institution code: M20
  • Key features:
  • Scholarships available
  • Field trips
  • Accredited course

Full entry requirementsHow to apply

Fees and funding

Fees

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £34,000 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

Additional expenses

There is a compulsory field course for Civil Engineering students which incurs a subsidised fee* (approx. £100) that contributes to travel, accommodation and subsistence. You are expected to bring your own wet weather clothing and footwear.

The exact cost and dates of the trip are confirmed at the start of your second year.

* In accordance with current University policy, this fee is restricted to be not more than 1% of the annual tuition fee of the course

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

On this course, you can apply for a QUEST undergraduate scholarship. This provides up to £8,000 over the course of your study, paid work placements every summer, and the potential for a full-time job with a leading civil engineering or construction company when you graduate.

The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.

For information about scholarships and bursaries please see our undergraduate fees pages and check the Department's funding pages.

Course unit details:
Advanced Structural Analysis

Course unit fact file
Unit code CIVL40012
Credit rating 15
Unit level Level 4
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

This module will focus on structural concepts and structural dynamics. Structural concepts from theory to practice will emphasise on qualitative and intuitive analysis techniques. Much of the contents are based on the newly published book, Understanding and Using Structural Concepts, written by one of the two lecturers. Correct modelling will be demonstrated through plane problems. The other half of the module will deal with structural dynamics covering theoretical fundamentals to practical applications using a quantified approach. Students will use theoretical calculations, computational analysis and qualitative analysis techniques. This module will equip students with advanced structural knowledge to produce engineering solutions to real structural problems.

Aims

For students to gain an enhanced understanding of structural concepts and their applications, from structural elements to whole structures and from theory to application.

For students to understand plane problems and appropriate correct FE modelling of plane problems.

For students to understand the fundamentals of structural dynamics and the analysis of simple structures subjected to static and dynamic loads and to receive guidance on their applications.

Syllabus

The unit consists of 3 themes: Structural Concepts, FEM for Plane Problems and Structural Dynamics. These are supported by a 3 hrs lecture/tutorial/laboratory workshop per week for 12 weeks including 28 lectures, 6 tutorials and a 2 hrs computing laboratory workshop.

Structural concepts - Dr Tianjian Ji:
Structural concepts and tutorial (6 Hrs)

FEM for plane problems - Dr Tianjian Ji:
Definition of plane problems, behaviour of typical finite elements for plane problems solution of equilibrium equations using the FE methods, FE modelling, Application of FE methods in engineering practice, modelling errors and accuracy in linear problems, tutorial, revision(10 Hrs)
Use of LUSAS for analysing plane problems under static loads. (2 Hrs)

Structural Dynamics- Dr Jack Wu:
Dynamics of single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) systems (9 Hrs)
Free vibration; circular and natural frequencies; damping; logarithmic decrement; harmonic forced vibrations; resonance; Impulse.
Dynamics of multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) systems (6 Hrs)
Stiffness, mass and damping matrices; normal modes and orthogonality; coupling and de-coupling of the equation of motion; simplification and condensation; modal analysis and superposition method.
Dynamics of distributed-parameter systems (3 Hrs)
Partial differential equations in beam flexure; B.C. and initial conditions; dynamic response.

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written exam 80%
Report 20%

Feedback methods

In addition to normal feedback, a one-hour tutorial will be provided to give feedback to the first piece of coursework.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
eAssessment 15
Lectures 26
Project supervision 15
Tutorials 10
Independent study hours
Independent study 84

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Zhang-Jian Wu Unit coordinator

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