Civil Infrastructure Engineering

Course overview

This MSc Civil Infrastructure Engineering programme is designed to address the pressing demand for specialised skills in modern civil infrastructure engineering. Tailored for engineers and graduates from related disciplines, this programme empowers professionals to tackle infrastructure challenges.

With hands-on experience and a focus on sustainability, our degree integrates industry insights through an advisory board. Offering practical knowledge and forging strong ties with companies in the West Midlands, our programme ensures graduates are well-prepared to contribute to the evolving landscape of civil infrastructure development and maintenance.

“All of the lecturers were outstanding, they became like friends with great support on the topics studied. The culture and diversity of Aston plays a huge part too. Teamwork is a great way to learn and with such a varied student background you learn a lot off each other.”

John O Sullivan

Design and Development Engineer

Why Civil Infrastructure Engineering at Aston University?

Cutting-edge research

Opportunities to get involved in nationally important and cutting-edge research and development projects.

Facilities

Access to our state-of-art laboratory facilities in highway engineering, material and structures, and the latest industry-standard engineering software packages.

Industry experts

Benefit from guest lecturers from industry experts and on-site visits to high-profile development projects.

Why Study a Postgraduate Degree at Aston University?

Course description

Excel in civil infrastructure challenges. Our MSc programme is designed for engineers and graduates, equipping you with specialised skills, practical knowledge and industry partnerships.

What we will provide
We provide world-class teaching and comprehensive support to all our students. Our access to state-of-the-art labs, encouraging free membership with professional bodies and subscription to various online resources ensure your success in the dynamic engineering landscape.

What you will provide
For this course we are looking for dedicated graduates who have a willingness to engage with problem solving and an inquisitive mind. You must be able to think outside of the box and autonomously, applying the skills you have learnt to take on challenges. This subject area is constantly evolving so it is key to keep up to date.

What skills we teach
With the emphasis on hands-on learning, you will delve into structural analysis, geotechnics and hydraulics, developing your practical expertise in software and computing in engineering. You will engage in interdisciplinary infrastructure planning through project-based modules, cultivating soft skills such as effective communication and teamwork. We encourage critical thinking, problem-solving and adaptability, ensuring you’re well-equipped for the dynamic challenges of modern infrastructure development.

Professional Practice Year
If you meet satisfactory academic performance and have secured a suitable professional experience, you will have the option to be transferred onto our MSc Civil Infrastructure Engineering including Professional Practice programme. 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 the 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.

Career prospects
Previous graduates have gone on to a wide range of successful careers after completing this programme, some of the roles include consultancy, construction project management and civil and structural engineering. Of course, some have chosen to extend their studies and research by continuing to PhD opportunities.

Discover What's Possible with Careers and Placements

You'll find support from our award-winning Careers and Placements Team as you seek your placement. They assist with CVs, applications, and mock interviews. You will be able to engage in industry seminars and networking alongside one to one coaching.

How you will learn

Our MSc Civil Infrastructure Engineering learning experience is a dynamic approach that combines online and face-to-face lectures, seminars and hands-on practical labs. The lab sessions are where you will utilise essential software packages for assignments, applying the theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios. You will have the opportunity to go on site visits, gaining insights into industry and also benefit from guest lectures who will bring their real-world experiences to the classroom.

You will be part of a problem-solving group that will aid in teamwork, critical thinking and adaptability. Through this, you will not only acquire theoretical knowledge but also develop practical skills that are crucial for success in the ever-evolving field of civil infrastructure engineering.

Extra curricula activities

There are many extra curricula activities you can partake in by becoming a student at Aston University, key to this course is a Building Environment Student Society where you can mix with other likeminded students from your area of discipline, as well as over 130 other clubs and societies across the university!

There are also different events that are co-organised by the department which helps you gain key contacts within industry, attend events to network and grow your ties with key business professionals as well as seek important placement opportunities.

What you will learn

Our MSc Civil Infrastructure Engineering programme delivers a robust academic foundation, covering key civil engineering disciplines such as Structures, Highway Engineering, Brides, Geotechniques, Materials, Emerging Technologies and Digital Construction Tools for civil projects.

Taking the Professional Practice route allows you to extend the duration of your master’s 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.

Facilities

Complete your practical work in our brand new, state of art laboratory facilities in highway engineering, materials and structures, and the latest industry-standard engineering software packages.

Our modern campus is equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories, software, and equipment that mirror what you'll encounter in the industry. From the latest design and analysis software to cutting-edge testing facilities, you'll have access to the tools you need to excel in your studies.

Watch our Civil Engineering facilities tour

Discover our state-of-art laboratory facilities in highway engineering, material and structures.

Course objectives

Provides a comprehensive understanding of the knowledge, techniques and skills applicable to complex systems and emerging problems in civil infrastructures.
Provides a comprehensive and advanced grounding in the fundamental principle, critical skills and applicable practices required by the Civil and Infrastructure professionals.
Provides you with 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.
Creates an environment for you to investigate, analyse and reflect on global and future challenges in civil and infrastructure engineering, aiming for equipping them the ability of problem-solving and investigation
Equips you with the transferrable skills including critical thinking, team work, leadership and management to address the evolving challenges in Civil and Infrastructure areas.
Enable you to opt for Professional Placement to enhance your career preparation through a period of structured professional training.

Modules

Modules and learning outcomes

Taught stage modules

In the taught stage, you will study the following core module:

Module Title	Credits
Advanced Structural Engineering	15
Digital Engineering and Smart Construction	15
Water and Wastewater Engineering	15
Monitoring and Management of Civil Infrastructure	15
Advanced Geotechnics	15
Infrastructure Engineering and Inter-disciplinary Design	15
Advanced Construction Material	15
Research Methods	15
Total	120

Dissertation stage modules

Module Title	Credits
Dissertation	60
Total	60

Programme outcomes

On successful completion of both the taught and dissertation stage, you will be able to:

Devise and sustain a comprehensive knowledge a comprehensive knowledge of advanced engineering mathematics, engineering physics, applied sciences, technological and computational modelling techniques to advanced topics in civil engineering and the built environment.
Integrate knowledge from a wide range of core civil engineering branches (e.g. Structures, Geotechnics, Materials, Hydraulics/Water, and Transportation), within and beyond engineering, and critically evaluate and apply that knowledge in civil engineering and infrastructure projects.
Describe and explain the engineering principles and techniques underpinning the solutions to engineering problems and processes within civil infrastructure areas.
Identify and characterise the engineering properties and performance of the components and the systems of a variety of civil infrastructures, including the implementation in the infrastructure design, selection, construction and maintenance.
Draw heavily on current quantitative and computational methods in practice with knowledge of their limitations, extract and evaluate data, and apply civil engineering analysis and design techniques for the solution of various infrastructure problems and case studies.
Integrate and apply advanced problem-solving skills, technical knowledge and practical or laboratory skills to develop rigorous and creative solutions for all aspects of the problem in civil and infrastructure engineering.
Evaluate civil engineering activities, identify risk issues, including health & safety, environmental and commercial risk in the built environment.
Plan, manage and evaluate a complex research project including both technical progress and non-technical issues, such as contract, intellectual property, communication, dissemination.
Successfully complete the work placement and communicate how the work placement has enhanced the student’s employability skills and awareness of professional practice, related to their chosen career pathway.

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:

One professional reference
A completed application form.

See international student information below for international equivalent information.

International students

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

Qualifications in your country

For details of equivalent qualifications in your country, use our area pages below:

English language requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.

English language requirements

How to apply

Aston University provides a range of opportunities for international students to join our community and study on our campus. A key part of our strategy is our relationships with teaching partners, providing multiple pathways to Aston.

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and, as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability. Our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Find out more about applying

Post-study work visa

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new Graduate Immigration Route which enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after you complete your studies to find work. This new post-study work visa applies to international students completing full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Graduate Immigration Route

Pathway Programmes

If you don’t meet our entry requirements, we have a range of pathway programmes offered by our partner, ONCAMPUS Aston, which you can complete to progress onto one of our degrees.

Masters Foundation programmes

If you don’t meet our entry requirements, we have a range of pathway programmes offered by our partner, ONCAMPUS Aston, which you can complete to progress onto one of our degrees.

Speak to our Admissions Team

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 09.30am-4.30pm)

Read our guide to applying

Fees and scholarships

Course fees

UK students
(2024/25)

Annual tuition fees:

£11,150

International students
(2024/25)

Annual tuition fees:

£21,500

More information on fees

The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be charged the same tuition rates as UK students.

Tuition fees for students are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. Any such increase shall always be in accordance with the law. When undertaking a placement year, a placement year fee applies.

More information on fees

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.

Explore scholarships for UK students

Explore scholarships for international students

Assessment

You will be assessed through various methods such as exams, both closed and open book to assess theoretical understanding. Coursework includes individual and group assignments, projects and case studies. This varied approach is to ensure a well-rounded assessment, measuring theoretical knowledge, practical skills and effective teamwork.

Career prospects

Our Civil Infrastructure Engineering programme prepares graduates to emerge as skills professions, equipped with transferrable abilities such as critical thinking, teamwork, leadership and management. Alumni of this programme have achieved diverse career successes, securing roles like consultancy, construction companies, government agencies and construction project management. Many graduates have opted to further their academic journey, pursuing PhD opportunities to delve deeper into research and advanced studies. The programme's versatile curriculum and practical approach prepare individuals for various professional paths.

Be part of our community

Once you have joined us at Aston University, you’ll always be part of our community, even beyond graduation.

Alumni services

Frequently asked questions

Why should international students choose Aston University?

Study at Aston University and you will be part of a multi-cultural community located at the heart of the dynamic city of Birmingham. Our courses are practical, inspired by industry and many have internationally recognised accreditations. Renowned for our employability prospects and connections to business and industry, we provide outstanding career support, advice and placement opportunities.

For those interested in working in the UK after they have graduated, the UK Government has created a new post-study work visa.

Is Birmingham a good place to study?

Our campus is based in the centre of Birmingham, the youngest major city in Europe and a great place to live, work and study.

Great music and entertainment with a vibrant nightlife. Bars, clubs, pubs, live music, festivals, concerts. Whatever your tastes, there's something here for everyone.
Fantastic food. Birmingham's diverse community means you can try anything from the famous Balti triangle, the Chinese Quarter, high street chains, halal and vegan food, and Michelin-star dining.
World-class shopping. The Bullring and Grand Central is a shopper's paradise. From the world's biggest Primark to luxury brands at the Mailbox.
Arts and culture. Museums, galleries, theatres, concerts and Birmingham's art collection is as wide as it is impressive - not to be missed.
Green, open spaces. One of the greenest cities in Europe, Birmingham has hundreds of publicly accessible parks and green spaces across the city.
Sporting action. Birmingham has some of the most exciting venues for watching or participating in sport in the UK.

Discover Birmingham