Advanced Geotechnical Engineering MSc

What you will study

Our Advanced Geotechnical Engineering MSc will develop your understanding of the principles and theories behind ground engineering, from soil mechanics to site investigation and from advanced soil testing to foundation design. We’ll provide you with the necessary skills to address technological challenges in the geotechnical engineering sector.

You’ll explore a variety of topics, including deep foundations in urban areas, deep water energy resources exploration, field monitoring, foundations for energy infrastructure and major bridges, and tunnelling.

The course covers the following:

• Simple and advanced geotechnical analysis techniques including finite element modelling
• Application of geotechnical engineering codes-of-practice
• Back analysis of collapse of foundations
• Design and construction of foundations for bridges, buildings, offshore structures, tunnels and deep basements in busy cities
• Geotechnical design principles for energy infrastructure projects such as nuclear and geothermal pile systems
• Fundamental soil mechanics and its modelling using numerical approaches
• Testing of soils to obtain design parameters – we use our purpose-built SAGE laboratory (PDF) for teaching
• Dissertation on a geotechnical engineering topic.

Professional recognition

MSc - European Accreditation of Engineering Programmes (EUR-ACE)
This Programme is accredited by the European Accreditation of Engineering Programmes (EUR-ACE)

MSc - Joint Board of Moderators (JBM)
This degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) comprising of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, Institute of Highway Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and the Permanent Way Institution on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the academic requirement for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). To hold accredited qualifications for CEng registration, candidates must also hold a Bachelor (Hons) degree that has been accredited as partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) See www.jbm.org.uk for further information.

*It should be noted that candidates completing the MSc who hold an underpinning accredited Bachelor degree accredited for IEng only or a non-accredited bachelor degree will need to apply for an academic assessment to determine whether they will meet the educational base for CEng registration.

Distance learning

Surrey is a pioneer in distance learning-based MSc courses in civil and environmental engineering. This flexible option allows you to study for our distinctive, accredited programme from anywhere in the world, without the need to relocate or give up your existing job.

As a distance learner, you’ll study eight modules and complete a dissertation in your chosen subject (like full-time and part-time students), but you can take up to five years to complete your masters. You’ll be able to access all module materials through our virtual learning environment, SurreyLearn, and arrange to take end-of-module exams remotely.

Learn more about distance learning programmes (PDF).

Prizes

VJ Tech Prize for Best MSc Student in Advanced Geotechnical Engineering

A prize of £1,000 sponsored by VJ Tech, one of the world’s top geotechnical engineering manufacturers specialising in advanced soil testing equipment for labs. The £1,000 prize may be awarded to an individual student or split between two students displaying the best performance in their MSc.

Keller Prize for Best MSc Project in Advanced Geotechnical Engineering

A prize of £500 sponsored by Keller Group plc, the world’s largest independent ground engineering contractor.

The prize will be awarded to the student(s) with the best dissertation completed as part of our Advanced Geotechnical Engineering MSc. The £500 prize will be awarded on the basis of quality and potential impact, and may be awarded to an individual student or split between a number of students with the best dissertations.

Facilities

Masters students benefit from a range of highly specialised facilities in our School of Sustainability, Civil and Environmental Engineering. These include:

• Air Quality Lab
• Centre for Environmental Health and Engineering, a designated World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for water quality and health
• Geotechnics and Geology Teaching Laboratory
• Materials and Structures Laboratory
• Surrey Advanced Geotechnical Engineering (SAGE) Lab (PDF)
• Wind tunnel facilities.

In addition to our Library and Learning Centre’s extensive resources, our excellent engineering testing facilities can support experiment-based dissertation projects.

IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in each other element.

These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.

If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.