Civil Engineering MSc

Overview

Are you ready to help shape the future of civil engineering and lead the transformation of tomorrow's infrastructure?

This master’s programme blends practical experience with advanced theoretical training. We'll equip you with the skills, insight, and confidence to take the next step in your career and become an engineer of the future.

This course is designed for graduates with a background in civil or structural engineering. You'll focus on the technical, digital, and management expertise needed to lead complex infrastructure projects. You'll address critical focus areas in today’s civil engineering landscape, including:

• sustainability
• climate resilience
• digitalisation
• water security

You’ll study a wide range of topics, from infrastructure design and construction management to sustainability and digital engineering. You’ll also develop key professional skills in communication, industrial practice, and data analysis.

In Semester 2, you’ll choose a specialist stream in structural, geotechnical, or water engineering. This course concludes with a major individual research project, giving you the chance to apply your learning to real-world engineering challenges.

You’ll graduate as a well-rounded engineer, ready to pursue roles across the sector.

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 2025-26.

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 develop: 

• advanced engineering knowledge to provide sustainable solutions to real-world problems 
• strong skills in digital tools, data analysis, and construction management 
• effective communication and teamwork skills 
• the ability to critically evaluate engineering challenges 
• independent research and project management capabilities 
• capabilities in systems thinking, ethical decision-making and inclusive leadership 

You’ll also have the flexibility to specialise in an area aligned to your career aspirations. 

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.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

Civil Engineering MSc modules

All candidates will take the following compulsory modules:

Compulsory modules	Credits
MSc Project and Dissertation	60
Data Analysis and Geographic Information Systems	20
Industry, Sustainable Systems and Professionalism	20
Construction Project Management	20
Advanced Modelling for Civil Engineering	20

 

All candidates will take one of the following optional module streams totalling 40 credits:

(i) Structural Engineering

Optional modules	Credits
Sustainable Construction Practice	20
Specialist Structures	20

(ii) Geotechnical Engineering

Optional modules	Credits
Sustainable Construction Practice	20
Advanced Geotechnical Design	20

(iii) Water Resources Engineering

Optional modules	Credits
State of the Art Modelling for Flooding and Water Management	20
Water Resources Modelling and Management	20

Please note: Some modules are currently listed as inactive. These modules will be active for students starting the programme in September 2026.

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

You’ll be taught using a range of methods, including:

• lectures  
• seminars  
• practical lab/workshop sessions  
• group work 

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Case study
• Computer assessment
• Design or creative project
• Dissertation
• Lab exercise
• Practical lab report
• Portfolio
• Problem-solving exercises
• Written examination

Additional assessment information

You’ll complete a 60-credit independent research project, which gives you the opportunity to explore a topic of personal or professional interest. This includes a written dissertation and may involve collaboration with industry. 

Support

You’ll receive one-to-one academic guidance via a personal tutor and a dedicated dissertation supervisor. Tutors are available during office hours and you’ll benefit from a supportive research environment throughout the course. 

Our staff

Your teaching will be led by experts in their fields, including: 

Professor Mohamad Kassem specialises in: 

• Construction Management 
• The Data-Centric Urban Environment 
• Public Policy: Infrastructure and Climate Change 
• Digital Engineering and Analytics 

Professor Mohamed Rouainia specialises in: 

• Geomechanics 
• Soil Modelling and Numerical Methods  
• Pipeline Engineering 
• Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology 

Professor Sean Wilkinson specialises in: 

• Steel and Concrete Structures 
• Seismic Resistant Design 
• Design of Sustainable Engineering Systems 

Professor Hayley Fowler specialises in: 

• Climate change impacts and adaptation 
• Hydrology and water resources 
• Extreme rainfall and flooding 

Professor Stefano Utili specialises in: 

• Numerical methods for Geotechnics 
• Sustainable mining and tailing dam assessment 
• Landslide hazard assessment

Your development

You’ll develop a broad skill set that will prepare you for real-world challenges and leadership roles in your field, including:

Professional skills 

• leadership and management 
• communication and presentation 
• project planning 

Research skills 

• literature review and critical analysis 
• independent project design 
• technical writing 

Practical skills 

• experimental design and testing 
• digital modelling, data analysis and software use 
• sustainability and systems thinking 

You’ll also gain cutting-edge industry insight through guest speakers and project input. 

Your future

Further study 

This course supports a route into PhD-level study in civil engineering and related fields. 

Careers 

The course prepares you for a wide range of job roles such as:

• Civil or Structural Engineer 
• Infrastructure Consultant 
• Project or Design Engineer 
• Engineering management roles 

Graduate destinations 

You’ll have the skills to work in diverse areas, including infrastructure, construction, water resources, consultancy, and engineering finance. 

Our Civil Engineering MEng graduates have gone on to work at companies including:

• Cundall 
• Arup 
• AtkinsRéalis 
• Mott MacDonald 
• Jacobs 
• AECOM 
• Stantec 

The practical, analytical, problem-solving and professional skills developed on the programme mean you'll also be highly employable in related sectors such as sustainable mining, energy and renewables, as well as more diverse industries, including banking and management. 

Industry/business links 

We work closely with leading engineering organisations such as: 

• Multi-national engineering consultancies 
• Arup 
• Jacobs 
• Mott MacDonald 
• Stantec 
• AECOM 
• NetworkRail 
• BAM Nutall 
• Keir 
• Cundall 
• Royal Haskoning 

The regional office of the Institution of Civil Engineers is also located on campus in our Cassie building. These industry links inform our teaching and support mentoring, project collaboration, and networking. 

Our Careers Service

Our Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. 

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

Based within Newcastle’s integrated School of Engineering, you’ll have access to specialist labs, equipment and workshops used across all engineering disciplines, including: 

• Heavy Structures Lab 
• Geotechnical and Materials Labs 
• Novak Hydraulic Lab 
• Makerspace for prototyping and innovation 
• High-performance computing systems 
• Analytical facilities 
• Bio-labs 
• National Green Infrastructure Facility 
• Urban Observatory 

These facilities support hands-on learning, your specialist stream, and your individual project. 

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and 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. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database. 

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

Select your country

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  

Additional information

This course is designed for both recent engineering graduates and practicing engineers looking to advance their skills and progress their careers. The programme reflects the future of civil engineering, with a strong focus on digital skills, interdisciplinary working, and sustainability. You’ll be equipped to contribute to resilient infrastructure systems that address global challenges such as climate change, water security, and sustainable urban development. 

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