Transport Engineering, Planning and Management MSc
Our industry accredited MSc will deepen your knowledge and develop advanced skills in planning, management and operation of transport systems.
You are currently viewing course information for entry year:
Start date(s):
- September 2023
- January 2024
Overview
You'll learn from academics engaged in world-leading civil engineering research. Striving to solve problems of global importance. You'll experience our diverse civil engineering research and have access to cutting-edge facilities.
Our MSc programme is for both practising professionals and graduates in:
- civil engineering
- any other engineering disciplines
- maths/ physics
- operation research
- urban/ town or spatial planning
- geography
- economics
- social science
- environmental sciences
You'll:
- develop skills required for a successful career in transport
- learn about the principles of transport planning and travel demand forecasting
- learn about the latest techniques and research in mobility planning
- put learning into practice in your own research project
- establish a responsible attitude towards:
- the needs of society
- the environment
- transport safety considerations
The flexible nature of this programme allows you to specialise in one of two streams:
- Transport Infrastructure and Systems
- Business Management
This programme has two specialist streams:
Transport Infrastructure and Systems stream
You'll focus on the design of transport infrastructure. You'll also engage with road safety including:
- policy and practice
- economics
- planning
You'll gain skills and practical experience that will transfer to a range of careers including:
- design consultancies
- local authorities
This stream will also equip you with the knowledge and skills that underpin effective transport systems. You'll develop an understanding of behaviour and future technology needs.
You'll gain a variety of practical and theoretical skills. These are required to provide a solid grounding for a career in organisations such as:
- consultancies
- local, regional or national planning authorities
- public transport operators
Business Management stream
This stream will allow you to gain knowledge and experience within the science and engineering sector of:
- business development
- planning and enterprise
You'll identify, evaluate and research the viability of a range of business ideas.
You'll learn skills that can be applied to a range of careers including:
- leadership
- planning
- organisational
- interpersonal
- problem-solving
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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 2022-23.
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
You'll learn core skills in:
- information processing
- numeracy
- data collection and analysis
- problem solving
- computer literacy
- teamwork
- communication and presentation
- planning and organisation
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.
Compulsory Modules
- European Study Tour
- Intelligent Transport Systems
- Transport Research Methods
- Public Inquiry into a Transport Scheme
- Transport Modelling and Traffic Flow
- Data Collection and Survey Methods
- Transport Policy and Planning
- MSc Project and Dissertation in Transport Engineering
- Road Safety
- Behavioural Models for Individual Choices
- Technologies for Future Mobility
- Railway Management, Economics and Planning
Individual modules can be taken as Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Compulsory Modules
- European Study Tour
- Intelligent Transport Systems
- Transport Research Methods
- Public Inquiry into a Transport Scheme
- Transport Modelling and Traffic Flow
- Data Collection and Survey Methods
- Transport Policy and Planning
- MSc Project and Dissertation in Transport Engineering
- Design of Transport Infrastructure
- Railway Management, Economics and Planning
- Road Safety
- Technologies for Future Mobility
Individual modules can be taken as Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Compulsory Modules
- European Study Tour
- Intelligent Transport Systems
- Transport Research Methods
- Public Inquiry into a Transport Scheme
- Transport Modelling and Traffic Flow
- Data Collection and Survey Methods
- Transport Policy and Planning
- MSc Project and Dissertation in Transport Engineering
- Design, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Science and Engineering
- Behavioural Models for Individual Choices
- Technologies for Future Mobility
Individual modules can be taken as Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
How you'll learn
We have a multidisciplinary approach to teaching. You'll engage with fellow students across all key civil engineering disciplines. This offers a rich and diverse learning experience.
Our teaching covers a broad range of subjects and typically consists of:
- lectures
- seminars
- practical sessions including:
- transport-related software training
- presentations
- debates
- group work including:
- varied coursework assignments
- surveys
- research activity
- reports
- video production
You'll be taught directly by industry. You'll gain the key technical skills required in the sector allowing you to put theory into practice.
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Aural examination
- Case study
- Computer assessment
- Professional skills assessments
- Oral presentation
- Practical lab report
- Portfolio
- Problem-solving exercises
- Report
- Written examination
- Written exercise
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.
Professor of Transport
Degree Programme Director
Areas of expertise:
- discrete choice analysis
- microeconomic derivation of behavioural models and bounded rationality (integration with psychology and social effects)
- decision-making process, preference formation and dynamic evolution, the effect of habit/inertia
- data collection (revealed and stated preference data, short and long panel data, focus groups, real and virtual experiments)
- project evaluation (user benefits)
Professor Margaret Carol Bell CBE
Science City Professor of Transport and the Environment
Areas of expertise:
- traffic and environment monitoring
- traffic modelling management
- traffic control
Senior Lecturer in Highway Engineering
Areas of expertise:
- highway geometry, design standards, safety and consistency
- cycle behaviour and infrastructure design
- road pavement materials, construction and environmental LCA
- traffic management at highway incidents
Professor of Transport
Chief Scientific Adviser for the Department for Transport (DfT)
Areas of expertise:
- Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)
- electromobility
- connected and autonomous vehicles
- Smart Cities, Big Data and Internet of Things
Dr Dilum Dissanayake
Lecturer in Transport Modelling, Planning and Management
Areas of expertise:
- travel behaviour analysis with attention to behaviour change:
- sustainable mobility
- shared mobility
- electric mobility
- travel demand modelling and forecasting:
- investigating transport user choices on modes and routes
- road user safety:
- child pedestrians
- driver and pedestrian perceptions on road safety
- traffic incident analysis
- developing country research:
- both road safety
- travel behaviour
- transport policy
- transport modelling applications:
- applications of discrete choice modelling methods (RP, SP and RP_SP)
- data factoring and clustering approaches
- Structural Equations Modelling
- Generalised Linear Modelling
- Hazard Based Duration Modelling
- Bayesian Networks
Dr Paul Goodman
Lecturer in Intelligent Transport Systems
Areas of expertise:
- intelligent transport systems
- road traffic and environmental pollution
- Noise, Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases modelling
Lecturer in Transport Studies
Areas of expertise:
- traffic management and road safety
- technologies for sustainable transport
- sustainable design education in civil engineering
Your development
Throughout this degree you'll:
- gain an understanding of transport policy and systems being used and developed in other countries
- increase your key knowledge of ITS systems and their:
- function
- application
- benefits
- identify models to simulate individual choices and forecast how individuals make decisions
- develop advanced methodological skills related to transport demand modelling and forecasting using key software
- become aware of the legislation and procedures affecting the approval of transport schemes
- hone your ability to collect the relevant data for:
- understanding
- modelling
- planning consumer behaviour
- develop transport research methods that will allow you to undertake a project and dissertation in transport engineering
Depending on your chosen stream and modules, you'll enhance your career prospects by gaining key skills in:
- project and planning
- business enterprise
- future technologies
- behavioural analyses
Your future
Graduate destinations
This is a vocationally focused MSc. You'll prepare for a wide range of careers worldwide, such as:
- transport engineering
- civil engineering
- other engineering sectors
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.
Hear from one of our recent graduates, Mary.
Industrial links
We have strong industrial links. Our degree programmes are shaped by industry and government policy. You'll typically benefit from this engagement through:
- industry guest lectures
- study tours
- site visits
- projects
- Careers Service support
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 living laboratories and facilities. Our dedicated facilities will support your studies and enhance your learning experience. These include:
- Student Common Room: Based in the Cassie Building, this resource facility and study space is perfect for group working
- ISAAC Computer Cluster: Also based in the Cassie Building, this facility is equipped with state-of-the-art IT facilities
- The Urban Observatory: Newcastle University is home to the largest set of publicly available real-time urban data in the UK. This allows you to access specific sensor data in geographic areas to support their research
- DriveLAB: A state-of-the-art driving simulator and testing facility in a virtual environment. This supports research and learning in ITS systems, in-vehicle technologies and driver behaviour
- Urban Traffic Management Centre (UTMC): A real-time facility in the University. It's managed in collaboration with the North East councils to monitor the city's traffic and infrastructure supporting transport research and learning
Stephenson Building
The Stephenson Building is a £110 million investment in world-class education, research and collaboration across Engineering. It’s a place for future engineers, researchers and designers to collaborate and tackle global challenges, together.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2023 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
Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.
Find out more about:
- additional costs
- living costs
- tuition fees, including how to pay them and available discounts
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 2023 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
INTO International Graduate Diploma - Pathway courses
Our Business and Humanities Graduate Diplomas will prepare you for Master's study at Newcastle. If you're successful then you're guaranteed a place on this Master's course. Depending on your level of English, you can choose from:
How to apply
Using the application portal
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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
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