MSc Civil Engineering with Industry Placement (2 years)
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Key information
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Mode of delivery
- On-campus
- Delivery type
- Full-time
- Start date
- September
- Duration
- 2 years
- Qualification
- MSc
Contact
Contact our enquiries team
Contact usOverview
Civil and Structural Engineering at Heriot-Watt is ranked in the top 150 universities in the world, top 18 in the UK and 2nd in Scotland (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021).
Modern civil engineering professionals often require an extensive understanding of construction management due to the strategic benefits it can bring to both individuals and project teams. Civil and Structural Engineering at Heriot-Watt is ranked in the top 150 universities in the world, top 18 in the UK and 2nd in Scotland (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021).
As the industry becomes more competitive, organisations and their clients are increasingly demanding the combined time, cost and quality assurances that good project management practice provides. Furthermore, the industry now recognises that there is a need for engineers to gain specialist technical knowledge which compliments their academic and professional background.
To enhance your career prospects and international experience, we are now offering our standard one year Civil Engineering and Construction Management Masters over two years through offering a 'with Industry Placement' alternative.
This 'with Industry Placement' option offers a practical experiential element over the traditional one-year degree structure, allowing you to reflect on theory and practice.
Programme duration
This alternative 'with Industry Placement' degree is offered over two years. The taught part of the programme is the same as its standard Civil Engineering and Construction Management Masters counterpart.
The Industry Placement is undertaken between the taught part of the programme and the research dissertation. If you cannot or decide not to do the placement option, then you will revert to the standard programme.
Industry placement
Although, the responsibility of finding a suitable placement lies with you, to support you, we are partnering with civil engineering and construction industry professionals and will provide advice on recruiters who offer placement opportunities. You will also have access to the University's award winning Careers Service.
September 2024 entry
The deadline for applications from UK students is 30 August 2024. For EU and overseas applicants, we guarantee to consider applications submitted by 2 August 2024.
Course content
Year 1
Eight taught courses, all optional - (plus Research Dissertation for MSc). Students must select a minimum of five technical options and a minimum of two non-technical (NT) options.
Semester 1
Optional courses
- Sustainability for Construction Professionals (NT)
- 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
- Project Management: Theory and Practice (NT)
- Value and Risk Management (NT)
Semester 2
Optional courses
- Plastic Analysis of Structures
- Advanced Design Of Steel And Steel-Concrete Composite Structures
- Finite Element Method Nonlinear Analysis
- Foundation Engineering
- River Flow and Flood Modelling
- Safety, Risk and Reliability
- Urban Drainage and Water Supply
- Water and Wastewater Treatment
- Construction Financial Management (NT)
- Project Management: Strategic Issues (NT)
Semester 3
Research Dissertation (Civil Engineering)
MSc students are also required to submit a research dissertation, the research topic normally aligns with the research interests of the staff in the School but can be tailored to suit the interests of the student or student's employer. Distance learning and part time students are encouraged to suggest project topics based on their own work experience.
Assessment
In the MSc marks are gathered from a combination of examination and project work – overall 66% examination and 33% project work. Students are supported and guided by coursework to prepare them for taught course examination assessments.
Additional information
The MSc course consists of 8 taught courses and a dissertation. To progress to the dissertation an average mark of 50% or higher and no course marks below 40% is required in the taught courses.
The Postgraduate Diploma course consists of the same taught courses but does not continue to the dissertation phase. PG Diploma students must achieve an average mark of 40% or more and have no marks below 35%. PG Diploma students may choose to transfer to the MSc cohort if they meet the MSc progression standards stated above.
Year 2
The Industry Placement
As the placement is credit bearing, to progress onto the placement year you will need to reach the designated attainment status beforehand. If you can progress onto the placement year and do not secure a placement with industry, we will either offer a University based placement (working on an ongoing research project) if possible or transfer you to our standard 1-year Civil Engineering and Construction Management counterpart (without placement). We will support students in finding industry placements and help them get in touch with industry partners.
Go Global
Some of our Postgraduate Taught Masters Programmes are eligible for Inter-Campus Transfer. Please contact studywithus@hw.ac.uk for further information.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Year 1
| Status [footnote 1] | Full-time |
|---|---|
| UK | 10600 |
| Overseas [footnote 2] | 24496 |
Additional fee information
Fees are payable for each year of this degree.
Year 2 (Industry placement)
UK and overseas: £3,000
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.
View our full range of postgraduate scholarships.
Entry requirements
Entry
Masters (MSc) level entry applicants must have one of the following:
- Minimum of 2:2 honours degree or equivalent academic qualification in a related subject area
- For postgraduate conversion courses, non-related degrees will be considered
- Corporate (or chartered) membership of relevant professional institutions will also be considered
PG Diploma level entry applicants must have an ordinary degree in a related subject area and relevant post qualification industry experience.
Candidates who do not meet the above entry requirements or have no formal academic qualifications will be considered individually based on their CV and possibly interview. Admission via this route will be at the discretion of the Director of Recruitment.
Recognition of Prior Learning
We are committed to providing study opportunities to applicants who have a wide range of prior experiences through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). For more information on RPL, please contact the Admissions Team (studywithus@hw.ac.uk) ahead of application. We can only consider requests for RPL at the time of application to a course of study.
English language requirements
If English is not the applicant's first language a minimum of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent is required with all elements passed at 6.0 or above. Please refer to English language requirements for further details.
Some applicants may be asked for alternative evidence in line with UKVI recognised English speaking countries. Applicants who have previously successfully completed courses delivered in the medium of English language may be considered and will be required to provide documentary evidence of this. Examples would be secondary school education or undergraduate degree. A minimum of at least one year of full time study (or equivalent) in the medium of English language will be required.
All evidence of English language needs to be dated within two years of the commencement of study.
We also offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement prior to starting your master's programme:
- 20 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with no skill lower than 4.5)
- 14 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with minimum of 5.0 in writing and no skill lower than 4.5)
- 10 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.0)
- 6 weeks English (for IELTS 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.5)
Why Heriot-Watt?
Ranking (Civil Engineering, The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)
We are ranked 3rd in Scotland and top 15 in the UK for Civil Engineering by The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024
Ranking (Civil Engineering, Guardian Good University Guide 2023)
We're ranked 3rd in Scotland and 14th in the UK for Civil Engineering by the Guardian Good University Guide 2023.
Ranking (Civil Engineering, Complete University Guide 2023)
We are ranked 3rd in Scotland and 18th in the UK for Civil Engineering by The Complete University Guide 2023.
Civil Engineering Society
The Heriot-Watt University Civil Engineering Society is a student group that arranges social events, technical talks, nights out, attendance at careers fairs as well as the Civil Engineering Graduate Ball.
Clubs and activities
At Heriot-Watt we have an extensive programme of over 90 sports clubs and societies to get involved in. You can try as many as you like or start one of your own!
Edinburgh campus accommodation
Living on our beautiful Edinburgh campus is a great way to meet others from all over the world. Our student accommodation is within easy reach of the teaching buildings, sports facilities, catering venues and the Student Union
Edinburgh Campus facilities
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Health and wellbeing
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Heriot-Watt Student Union
There's more to university life than simply getting your degree, and Heriot-Watt University Student Union is all about helping you to have the best possible experience while you study here.
Living in Edinburgh
Historic and beautiful, a cultural capital that fuels the senses whether you love the arts or nature, nightlife or study life, Edinburgh is stimulating and inspirational and never, ever boring.
Sport facilities
Oriam, Scotland Sports Performance Centre offers state-of-the-art sports facilities, for all levels of sport and ability
Your career
Employers around the world actively seek out our graduates because they are work-ready. All our degrees are career-focused and relevant to the needs of industry. Around 95% of our students are in employment or further study within six months of graduating.