Transport Engineering, Planning and Management MSc

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

 

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

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

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.

Course content changes

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.

Transport systems planning stream modules

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).

Infrastructure stream modules

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).

Business management stream modules

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

Delivery and teaching methods

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.

Assessment methods

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

Student support

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.

Our staff

Professor Elisabetta Cherchi

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

 

Roger Bird

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 Phil Blythe

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. Duo Li

Senior Lecturer Transport Engineering

Areas of expertise:

• Urban mobility data computing
• Motorway traffic flow control and management
• Digital twins for smart transport
• Resilience and sustainability in transport systems
• Connected, Autonomous, Shared, and Electric (CASE) transport modelling and operations
• Data-centric approaches in transportation

 

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.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

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 2024 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

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:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

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.

Funding deadlines

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

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INTO International Pre-Master's - Pathway course

Our Business and Humanities Pre-Master's will prepare you for Master's study at Newcastle. If you're successful then you're guaranteed a place on this Master's course. 

• Business and Humanities Pre-Master's

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.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events