Structural Engineering MSc (Eng)

Course overview

Structural engineers help to make, shape and maintain the built environment, from buildings and bridges to water supply systems, power plants and flood defences. They are professionals who enjoy innovation, challenges, opportunities, responsibility and excitement in a varied and very satisfying career. Working in structural engineering provides a tremendous opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives and their environment.

Our Structural Engineering MSc will equip you with the advanced knowledge and skills to succeed in this challenging industry. You’ll build your understanding of a range of core topics such as concrete and steel design, structural analysis, design optimisation and how structures are designed and managed in earthquake zones. You’ll also develop your research skills and focus on a specific topic when you complete your own research project.

Taught by leading academics and practitioners, you’ll prepare to face some of the significant challenges of the 21st century and have the chance to familiarise yourself with our industry-grade facilities at Leeds so you’re fully equipped to pursue a career in this area when you graduate.

This course also has close links with local and regional industry, as well as the Yorkshire branch of the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) – and you’ll benefit from the expertise of our active research groups across the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences.

Why study at Leeds:

• This Masters degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators.
• Our globally-renowned research conducted right here in our School feeds directly into the course, shaping your learning with the latest thinking in structural engineering.
• Advance your knowledge and skills in critical areas sought after in industry such as engineering, structural engineering design, advanced structural analysis and design and management of structures in earthquake zones.
• Conduct your own individual research project as part of your course and gain industry experience in researching and delivering a project that focuses on a real-world problem and explores your specific interests and career ambitions.
• Access industry-relevant facilities including bench-top testing facilities, testing rigs, specialist software and a dedicated study suite for Masters students.
• Experience excellent practical and theoretical teaching delivered by a programme team with a wealth of expertise and industrial experience, and who are actively engaged in cutting-edge research as part of the Materials and Structures, Cities, Infrastructure and Energy, Leeds Institute for Data Analytics and Robotics@Leeds research groups.
• Enhance your career prospects and join our successful alumni who have pursued careers in engineering and are now working with reputable corporations worldwide.
• This course offers flexible study options where you can study full-time over 12 months or part-time over 24 months.

Accreditation

Joint Board of Moderators

Course details

You’ll study a set of core modules that give you a firm foundation in the key elements of structural engineering.

You’ll develop and expand your understanding of structural analysis and foundation engineering whilst exploring design issues related to key building materials like concrete, steel and composites. From there, you’ll learn design optimisation and examine real-life examples.

Course Structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

Most courses consist of compulsory and optional modules. There may be some optional modules omitted below. This is because they are currently being refreshed to make sure students have the best possible experience. Before you enter each year, full details of all modules for that year will be provided.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Structural Engineering MSc (Eng) in the course catalogue

Compulsory modules

Advanced Concrete Design (MSc) – 15 credits

You'll investigate the importance of the Serviceability Limit State in the design of reinforced concrete structures, particularly when the load is an indirect load. You'll focus on the link between the performance of reinforced concrete structures at both limit state designs and material performance.

Advanced Steel and Composite Design – (MSc) – 15 credits

Introduces the concepts of advanced steel design and composite construction, and their applications in engineering. Provides a basic means for the design and analysis of steel and composite structures and familiarises students with a range of typical processing techniques.

Advanced Structural Analysis (MSc/PGD) – 15 credits

Covers the latest developments, particularly the applications of computational methods in structural analysis. The review of fundamental principles of structural analysis will bring students with various knowledge backgrounds to a common level.

Design and Management of Structures in Earthquake Zones – 15 credits

Covers the fundamentals of structural dynamics and earthquake engineering, including finite elements in applied dynamics, application of engineering dynamics in practical engineering situations, evaluation criteria for earthquake-damaged structures and current retrofitting methods.

Design Optimisation (MSc) – 15 credits

Provides an understanding of the scientific principles of design optimisation and the ability to arrive at an improved design for an engineering system that satisfies given requirements.

Foundation Engineering (MSc) – 15 credits

Learn about the behaviour of soil to cover the range of foundations available for structures, including shallow foundations such as strip, pad and raft foundations, deep foundations such as caissons, shafts and piles; and composite foundations such as piled rafts and ground improvement.

Structural Engineering Design Project – 30 credits

We place a strong emphasis on applying your knowledge to real-world problems. Over the two semesters, you’ll work on your own design project, where you’ll develop, evaluate and recommend concept design solutions to a structural engineering problem that meets the requirements of a site-specific client’s brief. The results of the design activity are presented in the form of a written report and drawings, with supporting calculations and, where applicable, computational output.

MSc Dissertation – 60 credits

During semester 1 and 2 — but particularly over the summer months — you’ll also develop and apply your research skills to a real-world problem and complete an independent research project.

The dissertation project is one of the most satisfying elements of this course. It allows you to apply what you’ve learned to a piece of research focusing on a real-world problem, and it can be used to explore and develop your specific interests.

Recent projects by Structural Engineering MSc (Eng) students have included:

• Dynamic shear resistance of collar-jointed masonry panels
• Performance of reinforced concrete tunnel linings in fire situations
• Comparisons of tensile and compressive creep in concrete
• Review of the latest developments in the design and construction of carbon composite bridges
• Structural health monitoring of full-scale bridges
• Dynamic performance of grandstands under various spectator actions
• Identification of soil-structure interaction within earthquake response data from real tunnels
• Characterisation of low-carbon concrete for next-generation sustainable infrastructures

A proportion of projects are formally linked to industry and can include spending time at the collaborator’s site over the summer.

Part-time study options

This course is also available to study part-time over 24 months. Please get in touch with our admissions team to discuss part-time study options.

Learning and teaching

Our groundbreaking research feeds directly into teaching, and you’ll be taught by staff who are at the forefront of their disciplines. You’ll have regular contact with the team through lectures, seminars, tutorials, small group work and project meetings.

Throughout your studies, you’ll also benefit from a structured support system, with a personal tutor who will offer help and advice about your approach to studying and how to become adept at independent learning.

Independent study is also important to the programme, as you develop your problem-solving and research skills as well as your subject knowledge.

Specialist facilities

You’ll have access to our specialist facilities, such as bench-top testing facilities to look at the fundamental behaviour of material soils and testing rigs for full-scale structures. We have all the specialist software you’ll need for your programme. Plus, you’ll have access to a dedicated study suite for Masters students.

Programme team

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed using a range of techniques including case studies, technical reports, presentations, in-class tests, assignments and exams.

Applying

Entry requirements

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Civil Engineering (6 weeks) and Language for Science: Civil Engineering  (10 weeks).

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Application deadlines

Please read our How to Apply page for full details, including application deadlines and what to include with your application.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

30 June 2025 – International applicants

12 September 2025 – UK applicants

Click below to access the University’s online application system and find out more about the application process.

If you're still unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

This course is taught by

School of Civil Engineering

Contact us

Postgraduate Admissions Team

Email: pgcivil@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £14,500 (Total)

International: £33,000 (Total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Career opportunities

Structural engineering is one of the oldest professions in industry, however, the demand for skilled engineers will only continue to grow as large corporations in areas like construction and architecture will always need the expertise you’ll gain on this course to design, renovate and build.

From designing large-scale constructions like bridges or buildings to making alterations and extensions on existing properties or structures — the career opportunities with the skill set you’ll graduate with are exciting, rewarding and far-reaching across the globe.

This programme will also greatly enhance your ability to obtain status as a Chartered Structural Engineer which will give you the edge employers in industry are looking for.

Plus, the University of Leeds is in the top 5 most targeted universities in the UK by graduate recruiters, according to High Fliers’ The Graduate Market in 2024 report.

Our graduates from this course have secured positions at companies such as:

• Civil and Structural Engineer, Cheng & Ling Architect & Engineering
• Structural Engineer, Angkasa Consulting Services Sdn Bhd (ACSSB)
• Graduate Structural Engineer, Mason Clark Associates
• Bridge Design Engineer, DELF Consulting Engineers (India) Pvt. Ltd.
• Site Engineer, Ministry of Works and Transport
• Design Engineer, Kier Group
• Senior Process Engineer, Syngenta
• Structural Engineer, ARUP
• Graduate Civil Engineer, Capita Real Estate and Infrastructure
• Engineer, Skelly and Couch Ltd.
• Graduate Bridge Engineer, WSP

Careers support