Why an MSc in Civil Engineering?
A broad grounding
With infrastructure under pressure from climate change, urbanisation, and growing populations, civil engineers have never been more in demand.
Whether you're reinforcing your civil engineering knowledge or bridging disciplines from related fields, this MSc in Structural Engineering equips you to tackle the challenges facing today’s built environment. From transport systems to resilient infrastructure, you’ll work on ideas that matter while learning from experts and benefiting from strong ties to industry.
Cement your expertise and gain the confidence to support, design, and shape the future of our cities and infrastructure with this MSc. This is your blueprint for a meaningful, future-proof career in an ever-evolving global sector.
Master’s course
Our master's in Structural Engineering
Study an engineering degree in the world's first industrial city and build your career in structural engineering.
How you’ll learn
Teaching
Experience a dynamic mix of lectures, lab work, and small-group tutorials led by expert academics. Our hands-on, interactive approach ensures a rich, well-rounded learning experience every week.
Research and self-study
Learning goes beyond the classroom. Each week, you’ll deepen your understanding through group projects, independent research, and self-directed study that build your skills and confidence.
Dissertation project
Your MSc culminates in an in-depth research project exploring a specific question in your field. This may involve lab or workplace investigation, data analysis, or a systematic review, giving you the chance to apply your knowledge in a real-world context.
Where this MSc can take you
Who do our graduates work for?
Our structural engineering graduates go on to work for employers such as:
- Accenture
- Arcadis
- Balfour Beatty
- EDF
- Mott Macdonald
- Network Rail
- WSP
- ... and more.
What do our graduates do?
The roles you can step into upon graduation include:
- Consulting structural engineer
- Design engineer
- Structural engineer
- Project manager
- Sustainability consultant
- Urban designer
- ... and so much more.
Our careers service
At Manchester, we help you shape your next move with purpose. From the moment you join us, you’ll have access to tailored one-to-one career support, employer insight events, and more. No matter what your professional goal is, we’ll help you build the strategy and confidence to stand out in a competitive global job market.
Why Manchester
Leading research and facilities
Study an engineering degree in the world's first industrial city.
- Access cutting-edge facilities for wave flumes, geotechnics centrifuge, materials testing, 3D laser, and more.
- Study within a Russell Group institution ranked 2nd in the UK for Research Power in Engineering.
- Be part of a vibrant research community tackling climate change and sustainability.
Connections and reputation
As the first English university to offer an engineering degree, we’ve continued to lead the way, from computational fluid dynamics to how engineering impacts public policy.
- We’re the most targeted university by top graduate employers, and ranked 4th nationally for Aerospace Engineering.
- Our strong links with industry include Airbus, Rolls-Royce, EADS, Dstl, MBDA, and ESTEC/ESA.
Support for international students
From day one, feel welcomed, supported and set up for success:
- Receive guidance on visas, funding and settling in.
- Access dedicated academic, career and wellbeing support.
- Join a diverse and inclusive campus community with students from 160+ countries.
MSc projects
Examples of current and past projects
Our MSc students conduct their final dissertation across a range of themes, from resilient systems to structures in extreme environments. Below are some research projects they have undertaken as part of their final dissertation:
- The Use of AI-assisted Sensitivity Analysis to Find the Important Factors in Earthquake Damage to Buildings: Applies artificial intelligence to identify key structural vulnerabilities in seismic events.
- Developing a Virtual Deconstruction Demonstrator: Creates a digital tool for simulating and optimising the disassembly of buildings for sustainable reuse.
- Demountable Reinforced Concrete Structure: Explores modular and reusable reinforced concrete designs to improve sustainability and reduce construction waste.
How to apply
Apply for our Structural Engineering MSc course
If you’re interested in applying to the Structural Engineering taught master's at Manchester, here’s what you need to know.
Contact us
Have any questions? Get in touch
Department of Civil Engineering and Management Postgraduate Admissions Team
- Tel: +44 (0)161 275 5300
- Email: pg-mace@manchester.ac.uk