Civil Infrastructure Engineering (including Professional Practice) MSc

The enormous challenge of managing large stockpiles of existing aged infrastructures and the development of the next generation of new infrastructures, together with the need for sustainable infrastructure development and ensuring the resiliency against climate change, have placed engineers in a unique position to develop and apply multidisciplinary skills for a holistic solution.

This unique programme will equip our graduates with the necessary skills, creativity and system thinking in a collaborative way so that they are ready to tackle this challenge.

The shortfall of specialist engineering graduates, and the skill gap required for our modern civil infrastructure engineering which differs from the skills of conventional civil engineering, creates the ideal scenario for this MSc course.

The course will enable engineers employed in the civil engineering industry and graduates from engineering programmes across the UK and abroad to acquire the leading-edge knowledge required to face the challenges of civil infrastructure development and maintenance.

The content of the programme will build on the existing knowledge of civil engineers and engineering graduates of relevant disciplines to bridge the skills gap required to join the civil infrastructure engineering industry.

The programme is suitable for BSc (Hons) and BEng (Hons) undergraduate students in related subject areas, aspiring to progress to study a technical postgraduate programme. It is also suitable for professionals in related construction industries aspiring to reach a senior management position.

What you’ll learn

The programme provides a strong academic background in a broad range of civil engineering topics including Structures, Highway Engineering, Bridges, Geotechniques, Materials, Hydraulics, Emerging Technologies and Digital Construction Tools for civil engineering and infrastructure projects.

The course will equip practitioners with the necessary theoretical knowledge and skills applicable to complex systems and emerging problems in civil infrastructures.

Learners will gain a comprehensive and advanced grounding in the fundamental principle, critical skills and applicable practices required by the Civil and Infrastructure professionals.

The aim of the course is to provide cutting-edge specialist knowledge in Civil engineering and infrastructure.

Accreditation

Currently this programme is not accredited. Accreditation will be sought from the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) which represents The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT), the Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE) and The Permanent Way Institution (PWI).

Core module

• Advanced Structural Engineering 
• Digital Engineering and Smart Construction 
• Water and Wastewater Engineering 
• Monitoring and Management of Civil Infrastructure 
• Advanced Geotechnics 
• Infrastructure Engineering and Inter-disciplinary Design 
• Advanced Construction Material 
• Research Methods 
• Dissertation

If you have any questions about the application process please get in touch with our postgraduate admissions team:

Email: pgadmissions@aston.ac.uk

Call: 0121 204 3200 (Please note this line is open Monday-Friday between 10am-4pm)

Please click here for guidance on completing the postgraduate application. 

Entry requirements 

• A 2:2 (or above) UK Honours degree, or equivalent internationally recognised qualification, in an Engineering, Science or technology subject. Other qualifications and relevant experience will be assessed on an individual basis.

As well as:

• Two professional references – at least one must be from an academic referee
•  A completed application form.

International Students

An official academic transcript, with an official English translation, of your university grades to date Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification. Find out more about our English language requirements.

• Pre-sessional English language programmes are available for good applicants whose English qualification falls just short of these requirements.
• For more information about qualifications, view our Aston in your country webpage.
• Information on visas for international students

For International Students intending to do a foundation year. Click here to find out more.

 

Extensive work experience

We recognise the value of extensive professional experience. If you do not have the academic qualifications but have extensive and relevant professional experience and a proven ability to succeed, we would welcome your application.

The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this course for the most commonly offered qualifications. Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire with the relevant admissions teams prior to application whether or not their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor. 

Learning will be through a combination of lectures and practical projects.

Teaching will take place in the newly refurbished 450m2 civil engineering labs that has been equipped with state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities, ready for learners to undertake practical experiments, and their research project.

You’ll be assessed through a combination of written and oral examinations, class tests, individual and group coursework, projects, presentations, and practical assessments.

Professional Practice

The difference between this course and the MSc Civil Infrastructure Engineering course is that this one features a professional placement.

Taking the Professional Practice route allows you to extend the duration of your Masters to 22 months and gain valuable working experience to support your career aspirations. The placement commences after completion of your MSc dissertation and can be paid work. study abroad exchanges or unpaid research projects or even a mix of these options. You will return to Aston the following May for an intensive period on campus to draw all your learning together and finalise the assessments.

Although you are responsible for finding your placement, you will have access to the support of our award-winning Careers and Placements Team, who have helped so many of our students to secure placement and work opportunities, including by providing CV and application preparation, and practice interviews. In addition, you will participate in a programme of activities within the School designed to develop your personal and professional skills such as industry seminars and networking activities. Opportunities for one-to-one coaching and mentoring will also support your learning journey and help you become more work-ready.

UK postgraduate loans are now open

If you’re starting a masters course on or after 1 August 2021, you can apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,570 to help with course fees and living costs.

Scholarships

 At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs. Find out more about our UK student scholarships here. Find out more about our international student scholarships here.

Cost shouldn't limit your career aspirations, which is why we are delighted to offer all Aston University graduates (including exchange students) a 20% loyalty scholarship in standard taught MA, MSc and Full-time MBA course fees. As an Aston University graduate, you will automatically qualify. For more information visit our webpage.

Our Civil Infrastructure Engineering masters course equips our graduates to become future civil and infrastructure professionals with transferrable skills including critical thinking, teamwork, leadership and management to address the evolving challenges in Civil and Infrastructure areas.

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our postgraduate programmes. Students from over 120 different countries chose to study with us every year and Aston is not only a great place to study, based in the centre of Birmingham it’s also a great place to live.

Post-study work visa

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new immigration route which will enable international students to remain in the UK for two years after they have completed their studies to find work. The new post-study work visa will apply to international students starting undergraduate and postgraduate courses from 2020. More information on post-work visas.

Why study Civil Infrastructure Engineering at Aston? 

This course will provide the opportunity to obtain extensive industrial experience and to reflect on the leading-edge techniques and practices, being used by civil engineers within infrastructure engineering.  

What will I be doing on the Civil Infrastructure Engineering course at Aston? 

The programme provides a strong academic background in a broad range of civil engineering topics including Structures, Highway Engineering, Bridges, Geotechniques, Materials, Hydraulics, Emerging Technologies and Digital Construction Tools for civil engineering and infrastructure projects.

The course will equip practitioners with the necessary theoretical knowledge and skills applicable to complex systems and emerging problems in civil infrastructures.

Learners will gain a comprehensive and advanced grounding in the fundamental principle, critical skills and applicable practices required by the Civil and Infrastructure professionals.

The aim of the course is to provide cutting-edge specialist knowledge in Civil engineering and infrastructure.

How does this course differ from the MSc Civil Infrastructure Engineering course?

This version of this course with professional practice features the opportunity to undertake a work placement during your time studying at Aston, however, the MSc Civil Infrastructure Engineering course that doesn’t include a professional practice does not include a work placement opportunity as part of the course.