Key information
- Level
- Postgraduate Taught
- Delivery type
- Full Time, Part Time
- Degree qualification
- MSc
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 1 year
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September, January
- Next intake
- September
The MSc Civil Engineering and Construction Management equips professionals with the ability to strategically balance time, cost, and quality in complex projects while deepening expertise in civil and structural engineering, applied mathematics, and sustainability.
It develops essential skills in project planning, risk management, quality assurance, leadership, and communication, alongside specialist technical knowledge, offering an accredited route to Chartered Engineer status.
By combining construction management with advanced engineering practice, the programme prepares graduates for diverse technical and managerial careers across construction, transport, and water infrastructure industries worldwide.
The Future Shapers scholarship
The Future Shapers scholarship is looking for students who want to use research to create solutions to solve major global challenges. This has been established for 2026 by one of our generous donors and is a testament to the talent and world-shaping potential of our University's students and researchers. We are offering 12 scholarships across our 4 research areas, worth 50%, 75% and 100% of your tuition fee respectively.
Apply nowYour student experience
Your learning will be informed by the expertise of our research-active civil and structural engineers, construction professionals, industry-leaders, and academics.
96% of Heriot-Watt University’s engineering research was classed as world-leading in the REF 2021 review, which ranked us 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for engineering research through a joint submission with the University of Edinburgh.
Our MSc Civil Engineering and Construction Management programme is directly informed by the world class research carried out by Heriot-Watt’s Institute of Sustainable Built Environment (ISBE) which sits within the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society (EGIS).
EGIS is one of the United Kingdom’s leading institutions for multidisciplinary research and teaching in areas critical to economic development and societal equity. The institute’s academic team conduct high-value and high-impact research on fields covering sustainability, digital innovation, design, and management of the built environment. The research relevance of this undergraduate programme ensures your studies remain innovative and industry focused.
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
Year 1
Optional September
- Sustainability for Construction Professionals
- Advanced Design Of Reinforced Concrete Structures
- Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering
- Structural Materials
- Water Supply and Drainage for Buildings
- Finite Element Method Linear Analysis
- Structural Element Design
- Geotechnics B- Geotechnical Applications
- Climate Change, Sustainability and Adaptation
- Project Management: Theory and Practice
- Value and Risk Management
Optional January
- Plastic Analysis of Structures
- Sustainable and Intelligent Buildings
- Advanced Design Of Steel And Steel-Concrete Composite Structures
- Machine Learning and Programming
- Finite Element Method Nonlinear Analysis
- Foundation Engineering
- Safety, Risk and Reliability
- Water and Wastewater Treatment
- Construction Financial Management
- Project Management: Strategic Issues
Mandatory May
- Research Dissertation (Civil Engineering)
January Intake - Edinburgh
Year 1
Optional January
- Plastic Analysis of Structures
- Advanced Design Of Steel And Steel-Concrete Composite Structures
- Foundation Engineering
- Finite Element Method Nonlinear Analysis
- Safety, Risk and Reliability
- Water and Wastewater Treatment
- Project Management: Strategic Issues
- Machine Learning and Programming
- Sustainable and Intelligent Buildings
- Construction Financial Management
Optional September
- Sustainability for Construction Professionals
- Advanced Design Of Reinforced Concrete Structures
- Climate Change, Sustainability and Adaptation
- Value and Risk Management
- Project Management: Theory and Practice
- Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering
- Structural Element Design
- Geotechnics B- Geotechnical Applications
- Water Supply and Drainage for Buildings
- Finite Element Method Linear Analysis
- Structural Materials
Mandatory Second January
- Research Dissertation (Civil Engineering)
Disclaimer
The courses mentioned above may change between now and the time that you study. For more information, please view our Terms and Conditions.
Student testimonials
Muse's story
Graduate, Civil Engineering and Construction Management MSc
I studied a Masters in Civil Engineering and Construction Management, which followed naturally from my Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. Studying for a Masters helped build upon my existing skills and I’m very proud to be graduating with a postgraduate diploma.See more
Graduate testimonial
My time at Heriot-Watt University was truly transformational - not just professionally, but personally as well. What I enjoyed the most was the international environment and the way it nurtured both technical knowledge and global thinking. The university didn't just teach engineering - it made me think like an engineer. I would recommend studying at Heriot-Watt University not just because of the academics or employability - those are excellent, no doubt - but because of something far more personal: it teaches you how to belong, even when you're far from home.
Fees and funding
| Status | Full Time | Part Time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | £12,584 | £6,292 |
| International | £26,296 | £13,148 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
Scholarships and bursaries
Postgraduate scholarships and bursaries
We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Year 1
A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree or non-UK equivalent with evidence of understanding subjects such as water, structures, geotechnics or materials. Degree must also include some numeracy.
Degrees with elements of construction may be considered with evidence of mathematical, numerical or engineering content.
We may consider applicants with relevant industry experience based on their CV. Admission via this route will be at the discretion of the Director of Recruitment or the relevant Programme Leader based on your CV.
We welcome applications from international students and accept qualifications from around the world. Please refer to the entry requirements for your country for more details.
English language requirements
If your first language is not 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.
Please see our detailed English language requirements.
Why Heriot-Watt
We have been producing career-ready graduates since 1821. With our roots as the world’s first Mechanics Institute, Heriot-Watt is a pioneering university with a global reach.
At Heriot-Watt, learning goes beyond the lecture theatre. We tackle real world challenges through extraordinary research – from climate change to protecting our oceans, to advancing life-saving medical breakthroughs and shaping the next generation of AI. We are also committed to developing forward-thinking design and sustainable business practices that impact industries worldwide. On our campuses you’ll find some of the world’s most advanced facilities, while our strong industry links set you up for career success. This is why almost 90% of our graduates are in employment or further education (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024).
Student life
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