Geotechnical Engineering,MSc

University of Birmingham

United Kingdom, Birmingham

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Home/United Kingdom/Birmingham /University of Birmingham/Geotechnical Engineering,MSc

University of Birmingham

United Kingdom , Birmingham

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Course Work

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Birmingham (Edgbaston)

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 1 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 33,660 / year

Next Intake September-2026

Geotechnical Engineering,MSc

About

Course overview

Help create our infrastructure, maintain our existing assets, make our cities safer and do so more sustainably. Specialise in this branch of engineering and become an in-demand global talent, whether you're a recent graduate or an experienced professional.

You'll learn how to engineer the ground to make sure modern structures like buildings earth dams, roads, railways and bridges are safe to use. From planning and directing investigations, to interpreting results and proposing solutions, this course prepares you to tackle key engineering challenges.

Accredited programme

This degree programme 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).

The MSc Geotechnical Engineering has enhanced my understanding of the behaviour of soil under different loading situations and equipped me with skills to undertake geotechnical analysis and design both analytically and numerically.
Petros
MSc Geotechnical Engineering student

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Course structure

Teaching is typically delivered in self-contained module-blocks (part-time students attend on-campus sessions for approximatly 8 or 9 days per module). You'll develop your research skills while undertaking your individual project. Module-blocks include lectures, a practical, worked-examples/tutorials, as well as time dedicated for independent study. Assessments are completed within the module-block, giving more time in the summer period to focus on the project.

In the autumn term you'll cover several taught modules which focus on the fundamental behaviour of various ground conditions, and you'll be introduced to key approaches to understanding and quantifying these behaviours.

To help you maximise your abilities in the programme, an optional (non-credit bearing) pre-programme of maths and mechanics is offered. This is particularly useful if you have not practiced maths for a while or have not undertaken basic soil mechanic techniques previously.

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Requirements

Entry Requirements

Holders of a Bachelors degree of four years duration from a recognised university in the Saudi Arabia will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a GPA of 3.0/4, 3.75/5 or 75% for 2:1 equivalency or 2.8/4, 3.5/5 or 70% for 2:2 equivalency.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 75% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

English Program Requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.

For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:

TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill

Career

Career opportunities

Get ready to embark on an exciting career as a geotechnical engineer, where you'll master planning and directing ground investigations, interpreting results, and proposing innovative design and construction methods. Our graduates are highly sought after, often securing employment before graduation. You'll find thrilling career opportunities as a specialist geotechnical engineer in both dedicated geotechnical firms and leading general engineering organisations.

"For the past years, Atkins has recruited students from the MSc course at the University of Birmingham. I have found that the MSc course provided the students with a comprehensive and diverse understanding of Geotechnical Engineering, which has allowed the recruits to develop their careers. The course is successful in providing the essential technical aspects in the subject, but also allows a sound practical application of the skills learnt."
Neil Fraser
Divisional Director, Atkins Ltd, Birmingham