Geotechnical Engineering MSc
Our MSc will give you the specialist knowledge and training to prepare you for professional practice, meeting the national and international demand for geotechnical engineers.
You are currently viewing course information for entry year:
Start date(s):
- September 2024
Overview
Our MSc gives you an in-depth understanding of geotechnical engineering. It covers topics associated with:
- the engineering behaviour of soils and rocks
- geotechnical design
- site investigation and testing
- construction practice
Advanced geotechnical specialisms are also taught. These include the application of state-of-the art computational tools in design and the engineering of specialist earth structures such as tailing dams.
Our Geotechnical Engineering master's is for both practising professionals and new graduates in:
- earth sciences
- civil engineering
- geological science
- geology
- geophysics
- maths
- physics
This course meets the growing need for skilled geotechnical engineers in:
- construction
- environmental sector
- energy industries
It highlights cutting-edge technologies in geotechnical engineering and provides an understanding of:
- design and construction
- project management and health and safety
- sustainability and environmental impact
READ MORE
Important information
We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you'll learn
The course provides you with an advanced knowledge and understanding of:
- soil mechanics and ground characterisation
- key aspects of geotechnical design, such as foundations and slopes
- ground engineering practice and professional skills
- design of reinforced slopes, retaining structures and tailing dams
- applied rock engineering
- engineering geology principles and applications
- soils and rocks and their engineering properties
- site investigation, testing, interpretation and reporting processes
- construction practice and awareness of safe operation
- application of mathematical methods and computational tools
The course covers a broad range of topics and is taught by expert staff based in the School of Engineering.
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
How you'll learn
You'll study compulsory modules plus optional modules, delivered through a diverse and multidisciplinary approach. The teaching methods on the course typically include:
- formal lectures
- tutorials
- seminars
- open learning
- group projects
- computing workshops
- laboratory work
- fieldwork
- site visits
Newcastle University's Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering delivers a range of CPD modules related to geotechnical engineering.
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Design or creative project
- Dissertation
- Professional skills assessments
- Oral examination
- Report
- Written examination
- Written exercise
Group project
There are various modules in which you'll be grouped together to work on a practical engineering problem. Your communication and teamwork skills will be enhanced by working with a multidisciplinary team. You'll benefit from a broad spectrum of geotechnical geological/engineering perspectives.
Dissertation
You'll put your specialist skills, knowledge, and understanding into practice by undertaking a significant individual research project and written dissertation. This may be theoretical, experimental or the development of a computational model of a geotechnical structure.
Recent examples include:
- seismic analysis of monopile foundations for offshore wind turbines
- the effect of slope geometry on the development of desiccation cracking in clay embankments
- investigating the hydrological performance of SuDS and Green Infrastructure
Your project might involve you working within one of the School's world-class research groups. Alternatively, you might work in collaboration with an industrial partner to help develop new ideas and approaches, such as:
- Network Rail
- Arup
- Belfour Beatty
- Cundall
You'll be supervised throughout your project by an experienced academic. Your supervisor will provide advice on the approaches and methods that are best suited to your research problem. For your collection/analysis of data, they will help guide you to producing a well-written dissertation.
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Reader in Computational Geomechanics
Areas of Expertise:
- constitutive modelling
- numerical methods
- performance-based design
Professor Stefano Utili
Professor of Geotechnical Engineering
Areas of Expertise:
- geotechnics
- slope and tailing dam assessment
- discrete element modelling
Professor Stephanie Glendinning
Professor of Civil Engineering
Areas of Expertise:
- infrastructure resilience
- Urban Laboratory
- sustainable development
Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering
Areas of Expertise:
- geotechnics and engineering geology
- multi-phase analysis
- Hygro-Thermal-Mechanical modelling
Dr Agostino Bruno
Lecturer in Geotechnical Engineering
Areas of Expertise:
- unsaturated soil mechanics
- laboratory testing
- constitutive modelling
Dr Sadegh Nadimi
Lecturer in Geotechnical Engineering
Areas of Expertise:
- image-based Geotechnics
- contact mechanics
- particulate media
Dr Jean Hall
Lecturer in Engineering Geology
Areas of Expertise:
- engineering geology
- rock engineering
- ground gas in the near surface
Dr Ross Stirling
Lecturer in Geotechnical Infrastructure
Areas of Expertise:
- geotechnics
- numerical modelling of desiccation cracking
- slope monitoring
Your development
Professional skills
Once you have graduated you'll be able to:
- identify, generate and interpret data relevant to an engineering scenario
- employ numerical methods for modelling and analysing problems
- select and apply ideas, concepts and data to generate innovative designs
- evaluate the quality of data through testing and measurement equipment in field and lab
- present and summarise data and critically appraise its significance, using numerical techniques
- formulate and test key hypotheses using logical and consistent quantitative or qualitative arguments
Our degree programmes are shaped by our strong engagement with industry. They have been developed to equip you with the professional and technical skills, crucial in industry.
Your future
Graduate destinations
We'll prepare you for a wide range of careers across the globe in construction, environmental and energy sectors. Some graduate destinations include:
- specialist geotechnical consultancies and contractors
- global engineering firms
- geoenvironmental consultancies
- offshore engineering services
- international classification societies
Our close industry links and strong graduate community have seen graduates go on to destinations including:
- AECOM
- Arup
- Cundall
- Jacobs
- Milestone
- PTV
- Systra
This course also provides a route into PhD level study.
Industry links
Our close links with industry and our graduates will also provide you with a network, allowing you to enhance your employability.
You'll benefit from:
- industry guest lectures
- study tours
- site visits
- projects
- placements and employment opportunities (with added support from our Careers Service)
Recent contributors to the MSc programme include engineers from:
- Arup
- Balfour Beatty
- Buro Happold
- Subsea 7
- Cundall
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
The School of Engineering has an exceptional range of laboratories equipped with a wide range of analytical instrumentation. These support our research, teaching and contract research projects.
Find out more about our Geotechnics and Structures Research Laboratories.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)
If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.
What you're paying for
Tuition fees include the costs of:
- matriculation
- registration
- tuition (or supervision)
- library access
- examination
- re-examination
- graduation
Find out more about:
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.
You can check this in the How to apply section.
If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.
For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.
Search for funding
Find funding available for your course
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
Download our admissions policy (PDF: 201KB)
Other policies related to admissions
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course
How to apply
Using the application portal
The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.
You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.
If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.
Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.
Apply Online
Open days and events
You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year including:
- campus tours
- on-campus open days
- virtual open days
- webinars
Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually
Overseas events
We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.
Get in touch
Questions about this course?
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
School of Engineering
School Admissions Team
Email: soe.admissions@ncl.ac.uk
Online
For more general enquiries you could also complete our online enquiry form.
Live chat
Our Ncl chatbot might be able to give you an answer straight away. If not, it’ll direct you to someone who can help.
You'll find our Ncl chatbot in the bottom right of this page.
Keep updated
We regularly send email updates and extra information about the University.
Receive regular updates by email
Chat to a student
Chat online with current students with our Unibuddy platform.