Overview
Become the best you can be in the construction industry with an accredited Master’s in Civil Engineering from Coventry University.
Accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators as the educational base for Chartered Civil Engineers and as approved ‘further learning’ for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status, this course provides topical and industry-focused postgraduate education to enhance career opportunities in civil engineering for holders of a CEng accredited Bachelor’s degree.
Coventry offers cutting-edge facilities in our High Performance Engineering Centre, including construction site management simulation. We have excellent industry links and the course is developed and delivered by academic lecturers and guest speakers in collaboration with civil engineering employers, such as Underground Professional Services and Morgan Sindall.
Why Coventry University?
An award-winning university, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible experience. We continue to invest in both our facilities and our innovative approach to education. Our students benefit from industry-relevant teaching, and resources and support designed to help them succeed. These range from our modern library and computing facilities to dedicated careers advice and our impressive Students’ Union activities.
Global ready
An international outlook, with global opportunitiesEmployability
Career-ready graduates, with the skills to succeedStudent experience
All the support you need, in a top student cityAccreditation & Professional Recognition
This course is accredited and recognised by the following bodies:
Chartered Engineer (CEng)
This degree is accredited as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired a partial CEng accredited undergraduate first degree. The accreditation bodies are the following: Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, and the Institute of Highway Engineers. A ‘Technical Route’ is available for holders of Institute of Engineering (IEng) accredited degrees, who wish to obtain Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.
Modules
In more detail...
Ranked in the UK’s top 25 for Civil Engineering in the Guardian University Guide 2017, Coventry has excellent links with employers, many of whom, like Hyder, Arup, MottMacold and Geotechnical Ltd, provide direct input into course development as members of our Civil Engineering and Building Advisory Boards.
You’ll study in our £50m Engineering and Computing building, which features teaching rooms, computer rooms, presentation and conference rooms, desk top PCs on all floors, laboratories, as well as our High Performance Engineering Centre. You’ll get to use industry-standard software, such as MIDAS, Plaxis and ANSYSS, which are widely used by design and consulting engineers.
Many of our members of staff have professional experience in the civil engineering and construction industries, having worked for companies such as Carillion, Hyder and Laing O’Rourke as principal, senior and management engineers. We also have a strong portfolio of industry-related research, ranging from applied technology such instrumentation and measuring to pure innovative research, which ensures you stay abreast of new technologies and emerging issues. In your final year, you also have the opportunity to assist our research with students previously participating in European Union and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSPRC) funded research projects by staff.
This course is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators as the educational base for Chartered Civil Engineers for holders of a CEng accredited Bachelor’s degree. A slightly modified version – the ‘Technical Route’ – is available for holders of Institute of Engineering (IEng) accredited degrees.
- Home to the Coventry University Simulation Centre.
- In-depth modules covering a range of structural concepts to management and contract issues.
- Expert visiting lecture programme which in the past has featured the chairman of Geotechnical Ltd.
- High levels of student satisfaction, 89%, above the sector average of 82% (2016 Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey PTES).
- Study in our state-of-the-art £50m Engineering and Computing building, which features our High Performance Engineering Centre incorporating teaching rooms, computer rooms, presentation and conference rooms, desk top PCs on all floors and laboratories.
Strong portfolio of research with 60% of ‘General Engineering’ research rated as 4* or 3* in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014.
Your main study themes are:
- Soil-structure Interaction: Provides the technical knowledge and skills to develop the analytical, decision-making and critical powers required to solve soil-structure interaction problems with ground engineering, along with the transferrable skills to enable a leading career in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical Engineering).
- Construction Contracts and Law: You will learn to apply one of the main standard forms of construction contracts to real situations. You will also gain some understanding of contract law and negligence as they affect the construction professional together with an awareness of the options for procuring construction projects, including the client and project factors that influence the choice of an appropriate contract strategy.
- Advanced Design Concepts: Extends your previously acquired knowledge of steel and timber structures to enable you to tackle structural designs of greater complexity. You will develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of design techniques for complex steel and timber connections, as well as demonstrate expertise in their application.
- Bridge Engineering: Develops your knowledge and understanding of motorway bridge design and management. We emphasise design and execution for durability as an integrated concept, which links deck design with other bridge components, such as bearings, parapet and drainage system for inspection, corrosion protection and economical fabrication/erection. The design of medium span composite decks is also covered in more detail.
- Computational Mechanics: You will develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of structural vibrations combined with computational methods and modelling techniques, in both statics and dynamics and demonstrate expertise in their usage. These methods will be placed in the context of applications within engineering in general and structural engineering in particular, using finite element analysis techniques.
The course can be studied on a one-year full-time basis or over two years part-time. Tuition is in one-week intensive blocks, with three weeks' gap in between blocks for individual research and study. For part-time students the blocks are spread over two years rather than one.
You will also be given training in research methods to prepare you for the Integrated Project and individual Research Project.
For full-time students, the Integrated Project is normally team-based and investigates a real engineering problem. In the past, students have revaluated the £55-60 million projects at the Coventry A45/A46 By-pass and the I54 Wolverhampton Junction Technopark. For part-time students, the project is chosen to specifically link their work with their studies. For example, one student employed by Staffordshire County Council chose a current work project, the Stafford Western Access Route.
Partners such as Underground Professional Services, currently involved in HS2 rail projects, often suggest research topics for our MSc students. For example, one such project is on the method of monitoring strength gain in sprayed concrete at the tunnel’s crown, comparing thermal imaging (SMUTI) and penetrometer methods.
You will attend Midlands Structural Engineers and Geotechnical Engineers workshops, visit constructions sites, such the Coventry A45/A46 by-pass, and design offices, which are organised in conjunction with industry partners. You will also be invited to special visiting researcher seminars and talks.
Teaching methods include: lectures, tutorials, practical work, laboratory exercises and online sessions.
Assessment includes examinations, written tests, computer modelling work, your thesis and coursework, consisting of analysis and evaluation of a number of laboratory exercises, case study assignments and projects.
An estimated percentage breakdown of your final grade assessment is as follows:
- Coursework: 55%
- Formal examinations: 30%
- Dissertation/project: 10%
- Practical work: 5%
On completion, you will have knowledge of:
- The application of systems theory to the management of projects in the construction industry.• The regulatory and legal framework within which the construction industry operates.
- Procurement systems, safety and health, environmental principles and legislation applied to the construction industry.
On completion, you will be able to:
- Analyse and solve civil engineering problems of an advanced technical and managerial nature, with sound judgement.
- Apply research methodologies to analyse, interpret and present information including appropriate use of information technology.
- Apply project management principles to civil engineering projects.
- Develop appropriate procurement systems for a range of construction scenarios.
- Apply and use engineering modelling systems.
- Apply and use structural analysis and design simulation tools, such as Finite Element Analysis (FEA) numerical modelling, to solve complex engineering problems.
- Plan and carry out laboratory exercises for the testing of materials and structures.
In a typical teaching week, you will have a minimum of 35 ‘contact’ hours of teaching.
In addition, you will be expected to undertake a further 20 hours of self-directed study each week, eg. working on course assignments.
Global ready
Did you know we help more students travel internationally than any other UK university according to data from the experts in higher education data and analysis, HESA?
In 2016/17, we were able to provide a total of 3,482 student experiences abroad that lasted at least five days.
Much of this travel is made possible through our Global Leaders Programme, which enables students to prepare for the challenges of the global employment market, as well as strengthening and developing their broader personal and professional skills.
Explore our international experiences1st for
international experiences
Sending more students overseas than any other UK uni (HESA 2016/17)
3,482
Student experiences
The number of student trips abroad for at least 5 days in 2016/17
12,000
and counting
The number of students we’ve helped travel internationally so far
12
global programmes
As well as trips, we offer other opportunities like language courses
Entry Requirements
Tuition Fees
We pride ourselves on offering competitive tuition fees which we review on an annual basis and offer a wide range of scholarships to support students with their studies. Course fees are calculated on the basis of what it costs to teach each course and we aim for total financial transparency.
Career prospects
The civil engineering sector is one of the largest employers in the UK and demand is strong for civil engineering graduates.
This course is ideal for those seeking deeper and more specialist knowledge in a broad range of subjects for employment within the public and private sector as graduate engineers or if you wish to pursue an academic or research-orientated career.
The course will keep you up-to-date with current events and the latest, leading-edge industry innovations through opportunities to visit facilities and hear from leading industry figures. These visits are a great way to interact with potential employers and recently have included I54 Wolverhampton Junction Technopark.
As a postgraduate student, you also receive support from our award-winning Faculty careers service, EEC Futures, which won the ‘Best Placement Service in the UK’ award at the National Undergraduate Employability Awards in 2015 and 2016.
Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The University’s Careers and Employability team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career.
Where our graduates work
Many of our graduates have gone on to work as Graduate Engineers in Consultancy, Design or Contractor jobs for companies such as Hyder, Aecom, Morgan Sindall.
Disclaimer
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the University. The Contract will detail your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and will contain the obligations that the University will owe to you. The 18/19 PG Contract will be published shortly.
