MSc Civil Engineering and Construction Management

Key information

Our online MSc Civil Engineering and Construction Management equips you with the technical expertise and project leadership skills to deliver complex infrastructure projects on time, on budget and to the highest standards. Study flexibly while you work and gain a qualification recognised across the global construction and civil engineering sectors.

Level: Postgraduate
Delivery type: Self-paced
Degree qualification: MSc
Location: Online
Duration: Flexible
Start date: January, September

Programme overview

Organisations increasingly need engineers who can combine deep technical knowledge with strong construction and project management skills. This MSc places you at the intersection of civil engineering innovation and project leadership, preparing you to deliver major infrastructure in areas such as transport, water, wastewater and energy.

Drawing on the strengths of Heriot-Watt’s internationally recognised Construction Project Management and Civil Engineering provision, the programme blends advanced technical content with practical management tools and methodologies. Delivered fully online, it is ideal for professionals seeking progression, specialisation, or a route into leadership roles – without stepping away from work.

Top 200

Ranked among the top 200 globally for Civil and Structural Engineering (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025).

Industry

Learn from industry. Guided by an Industry Advisory Committee with experts from AECOM, Arup, Atkins, Balfour Beatty, Jacobs and WSP.

Flexible

Complete your MSc fully online and in as little as two and a half years or pace your learning around your career and life.

Gain the skills to manage the full lifecycle of civil engineering projects – from feasibility and design through to delivery and performance. You’ll deepen your technical foundation while building the management capability to coordinate teams, control risk, and drive successful project outcomes in a competitive global market.

By studying this MSc Civil Engineering and Construction Management, you will:

Gain advanced, specialised knowledge of modern civil engineering practice, including project and construction management.
Build transferable problem-solving skills for complex, multidisciplinary environments.
Hone the applied mathematical and analytical skills required by professional engineers.
Design efficient, safe, and sustainable solutions for real-world civil engineering problems.
Apply the latest advances in materials, structures, and project management to lead infrastructure delivery.
Communicate technical solutions, risks, and recommendations clearly to engineers, stakeholders, and the public.

Upcoming application dates

Apply by 15 December to join the upcoming intake starting in January. Study online at your own pace and gain an industry-recognised qualification in sustainable building design.

Apply now

Student experience

Heriot-Watt University is ranked among the top 200 universities in the world for Civil and Structural Engineering (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025). We are also 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for Building (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025) and 1st in Scotland for Construction, Surveying and Planning (Guardian University Guide 2025).

This global recognition reflects the strength of our teaching and research in the built environment, making Heriot-Watt an ideal place to advance your civil engineering and construction management career.

The MSc Civil Engineering and Construction Management is led by Dr Benny Suryanto, an award-winning researcher in advanced concrete materials and structures, including fibre-reinforced and low-carbon concretes. His work has been recognised with multiple international prizes, ensuring your learning is informed by cutting-edge research and industry practice.

Course content

During this programme, you’ll complete eight taught courses and a research dissertation, totalling 180 credits. All courses are delivered online, allowing you to study from anywhere in the world at a pace that suits you.

Optional courses

Foundation Engineering
Sustainability for Construction Professionals
Plastics Analysis of Structure
Advanced Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures
Advanced Design of Steel and Steel-Concrete Composite Structures
Environmental Hydrology and Water Resources
Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering
Finite Element Method: Linear Analysis
Finite Element Method: Nonlinear Analysis
Machine Learning and Programming
Structural Materials
Safety, Risk and Reliability
Urban Drainage Design and Analysis
Water Supply and Drainage for Buildings
Water Supply Systems Analysis
Construction Financial Management
Project Management: Theory and Practice
Project Management: Strategic Issues
Value and Risk Management

Dissertation

Research Dissertation (Civil Engineering)

Study at your own pace

Our flexible online model allows you to study wherever you are in the world, while continuing to work and apply new knowledge in your role. Complete your MSc in as little as 2 and a half years or spread your studies over a longer period to suit your commitments.

Apply now

Our teaching faculty

Programme Lead

Demetrios M. Cotsovos

Fees and funding

Tuition is available on a pay-per-course basis.


Per course	Dissertation	Full programme
£1,570	£2,030	£14,590

Fees apply to courses starting between September 2025 and August 2026. Fees include one assessment attempt and may increase annually. Find out more about our tuition fees.

Funding opportunities

Pay Per Course

All our programmes offer the flexibility to pay course-by-course, allowing you to spread the cost of your tuition over the lifetime of your studies.

20% Alumni Discount

If you are a Heriot-Watt alumnus, you qualify for 20% off your programme fees. For more information on how to claim your alumni discount contact hwonlineapps@hw.ac.uk.

Employer Sponsorship

All our programmes offer the flexibility to pay course-by-course, allowing you to spread the cost of your tuition over the lifetime of your studies.

Entry requirements

We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.

We welcome applications from graduates and professionals with backgrounds in engineering, construction, architecture, project management, or related disciplines.

Standard entry requirements

Minimum 2:2 honours degree (or equivalent) in a cognate or semi-cognate subject, or
Corporate or Chartered membership of a relevant professional institution.

Alternative entry

Candidates without standard qualifications may be considered on the basis of CV and interview at the discretion of the Director of Admissions.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

We are committed to providing study opportunities to applicants who have a wide range of prior experiences and recognise that some students entering our online programme will have completed prior academic study in subjects that align closely to this programme. Where this is the case, students may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Applying for RPL: We can only consider requests for RPL at the time of application to a course of study.
Maximum credits: You may be eligible to be granted exemption for a maximum of 20 credits.
Eligibility: The qualification may be valid for RPL only if gained with the last 5 years. Evidence will need to be provided.
Cost breakdown: The overall cost of your programme will be determined by whether you are awarded RPL for a 20-credit course, in which case you will not be required to register for that course. Programme fees can be found under the fees and funding section.

For more information contact hwonlineapps@hw.ac.uk.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, or your first degree was not taught in English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.

The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.

If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.

Why Heriot-Watt

We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes and 5th in the UK, which means that more of our graduates are employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country. We're also ranked 1st in Scotland for producing CEO and MDs (Novuna Business Cash Flow 2023).

We're Scotland's most international University, with five global campuses and a global community of 60,000 online students and alumni from over 158 countries. Our online programmes are designed and developed by the same faculty who teach on our global campuses - expert academics and leaders in research and innovation who work alongside industry to find solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges.

Together, we shape your future.

Top 200

Ranked among the top 200 globally for Civil and Structural Engineering (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025).

Industry

Strong industry links. Supported by an Industry Advisory Committee of leading engineering firms.

Flexible

Complete your MSc fully online and in as little as two and a half years or pace your learning around your career and life.

Employability

With our flexible model you can earn while you learn, build your CV, and apply new skills right away. Get free access to 500+ industry credentials and dedicated Careers Service support.

£50,000

Lightcast, 2025

84%

of Heriot-Watt graduates in work or further study within 15 months.

1st

in Scotland for Building (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025).