Engineering Geology MSc

Our Engineering Geology MSc provides you with the knowledge and skills required to embark upon a career in an industry which could see you working worldwide on a wide range of problems from sustainable infrastructure design to the assessment of environmental and geological risk.

As an engineering geologist your understanding of how groundwater and pollutants travel through the ground may impact on the safe design and construction of excavations and waste disposal sites. You may use geological and geomorphological mapping to identify geological hazards and allow for safe development. Or perhaps you could influence safe and sustainable siting and design of engineering structures through an understanding of the ground and how it responds to static and dynamic loads or a changing climate.

Engineering geologists, with a unique understanding of the ground, and a broad appreciation of geological processes over engineering time, are intimately involved in all construction and infrastructure projects.

Established over 50 years ago, our Engineering Geology MSc, has strong links with industrial partners who are actively involved in ensuring course content is up-to-date and industry relevant.

Engineering Geology is the largest employment sector of professional geoscientists, and our graduates can be found all across the world working in various sectors within the industry, finding solutions to a wide range of problems.

Course highlights

• This MSc is taught by the School of Earth and Environment, in partnership with the School of Civil Engineering, and will give you a grounding in the application of geological principles to a wide range of fields appropriate to ground, civil, environmental and mining engineering.

• Complete a significant individual dissertation project often involving organisations outside the University such as consulting engineers, civil engineering contractors and the British Geological Survey.

• Our School is home to world-class research, teaching and laboratory facilities, giving you access to dedicated masters computing facilities and the RMEGG laboratories.

• The University regularly hosts the Yorkshire Geotechnical Group (Institution of Civil Engineers) and is involved with the Yorkshire Regional Group of the Geological Society.

• We have been training Engineering Geologists for over 50 years and maintain links with alumni who can be found in many companies across the globe.

• Industry colleagues contribute directly to the taught programme and an Industry Advisory Board, to which students are invited, informs the content of this course.

Specialist facilities

Our course benefits from a dedicated computer cluster, where you will become familiar with the use of numerous industry-standard numerical modelling, visualisation and data management software packages.

Engineering Geology students also have access to our Rock Mechanics Engineering Geology and Geotechnical laboratories, allowing you to collect and interpret data related to the geotechnical and mining sectors around the world.

Use the lab to carry out soil and rock description and testing including uniaxial, triaxial testing, direct shear tests, slake durability and permeability tests all to ISRM, CIRIA, EuroCode and other recognised standards.

For your independent project work you will have the opportunity to access state-of-the-art methods for establishing the composition of rocks and soils through thin section analysis, X-ray diffraction, Scanning Electon Microscopy and other advanced techniques.

Find out more about our facilities.

Programme team

The Programme Leader, Dr Mark Thomas, has a background in industry practice having worked in both the engineering geology and geophysics sectors before arriving at Leeds in 2009. Much of his current research focused on using engineering methods to help understand geological and environmental risks and is conducted alongside the School of Earth and Environment’s research groups and institutes.

The wider programme team is made up of geoscientists and researchers from across the School of Earth and Environment, as well as colleagues from the School of Civil Engineering, featuring specialists in Rock Mechanics, Soil Mechanics, Ground Investigating, Hydrogeology, Contaminated Land and Remote Sensing.

Accreditation

When you choose a degree with accredited status, you can be assured that the teaching is of the highest standard.

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, and the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation on behalf of the Engineering Council 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.* See www.jbm.org.uk for further information.

*It should be noted that candidates completing the MSc who hold an underpinning accredited IEng degree 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.

You will take two terms of lectures (class and computer-based practical work) and laboratory classes, as well as a significant period of individual work, leading to the submission of a dissertation.

Taught modules cover the fundamental topics of the engineering geology discipline and will run over two semesters. The central modules covering ground investigating, sol mechanics and rock mechanics run across both semesters.

You will also take part in supervised fieldtrips, and where opportunity allows, ground investigations and construction site visits.

Semesters 1 and 2

Alongside these modules you will study the more specialist subjects of Hydrogeology and Contaminated Land in Semester 1, and Hazards and Sustainable Engineering in Semester 2.

The second semester culminates in a fieldtrip, during which you will put into practice all that you have learnt in the course so far.

Dissertation project

From April to August you will then undertake an independent research project, often involving external collaboration

Upon completion of the taught component of the course you will undertake a substantial research project that will enable you to put into practice many of the aspects you have learnt on the course. For the final third of the course there is usually no other activity than the project which allows the tackling of some complicated and highly relevant topics.

Many of these projects involve direct collaboration with industry working of large-scale active projects and can involve both laboratory and field-work.

Fieldwork

Fieldwork forms an integral part of this course and is directly linked to learning outcomes in the classroom.

An introductory trip will be held during induction week, serving as an excellent introduction to the field of Engineering Geology. You will also take a weeklong trip around the Easter period which is a more focused trip and gives the opportunity to put into practice everything you have learned in the first two terms.

There are also a number of potential one day trips through the year to visit active construction sites. The timings and details of these will vary from year to year, but they are always a beneficial window into the world of professional practice.

Study options

You can also study this course part-time over two years. Please contact the Admissions Team if you are interested in pursuing this route and we can be more specific with the part-time study requirements and time commitments. However, please note that there is one single mechanism for studying this course part-time, which involves the equivalent of full-time attendance on a Monday and Tuesday in the first year and Thursday and Friday in the second.

Want to find out more about your modules?
Take a look at the Engineering Geology module descriptions for more detail on what you will study.

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.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Engineering Geology MSc Full Time in the course catalogue

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Engineering Geology MSc Part Time in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Learning and teaching

As outlined in the course content section above, you will be taught via lectures, individual and group class-based practicals, laboratory practicals, field courses and independent project work.

You will be assigned a personal tutor, who will maintain contact with you throughout the year and offer pastoral guidance. They will help you to settle into the university and clarify any procedures, as well as helping you prepare for employment on graduation. You will also receive administrative support from SEE’s dedicated Student Education Support office.

Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies: it’s a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the School, your programme and modules.

You can also benefit from support to develop your academic skills, within the curriculum and through online resources, workshops, one-to-one appointments and drop-in sessions.

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 will be assessed on your practical, written and oral assignments, these include a range of activates from laboratory reports to examinations. Throughout the course there is opportunity for formative feedback on assessments ahead of summative assessments. Reflecting professional practice some modules are assessed entirely by project based coursework, while the integrity of the accreditation is maintained through more structured assessment in the technical elements.

Developing effective team working skills is key to working as an engineering geologist where you often work as part of large multi-disciplinary projects, and to reflect this some of these assessments are undertaken as group work to offer an authentic experience of the diversity of a professional team.

The project module tests your ability both to undertake and effectively communicate a science project with an emphasis on critical analysis of your own work.

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in an earth science, engineering, civil engineering, mining or a related discipline.

We require Mathematics or Physics to AS level (pass grade) or international equivalent, but this requirement can be waived on an ad-hoc basis given appropriate mathematical content of your first degree or industrial experience.

Applicants with a 2:2 will be considered on a case by case basis where applicants can demonstrate significant relevant work experience in a relevant specialist field.

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information please contact the Admissions Team.

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 Engineering (6 weeks) and Language for Science: Engineering (10 weeks). 

If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.

How to apply

Application deadlines

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

29 July 2022 – International applicants

9 September 2022 – UK applicants

Applications for 2022 entry will open on Friday 1 October 2021. From that date this page will contain a link to take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you're 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 Taught Admissions Policy 2022

Fees

• UK: £10,500 (total)
• International: £25,750 (total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

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

Part-time fees
Fees for part-time courses are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.

Additional cost information

Because we recognise the value of field experience the school heavily subsidises or covers the transport and accommodation costs for all compulsory taught field courses.

We hope to run our fieldwork activities as planned for the 22/23 academic year, but it might not be possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are continually reviewing the situation and will communicate any decisions to applicants and offer holders at the earliest possible opportunity.

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 about additional costs

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.

We have strong company links which typically offer a number of industry scholarships. Available scholarships can be viewed on our website.

A degree from Leeds and the experience you'll gain here will give you the edge to find the career you want. Your course will give you the experience and knowledge that employers are looking for to help you secure a job.

The University of Leeds is in the top five most targeted universities in the UK by graduate recruiters, according to High Fliers’ The Graduate Market in 2021 report.

There is a strong and continuing demand for engineering geologists. A Masters qualification is generally regarded as an essential requirement in the ground and civil engineering sectors as it significantly shortens the time in which an engineer can become chartered.

Graduates from MSc Engineering Geology have an exceptionally good track record at securing in-sector employment on completion of the course, and our graduates can be found in companies around the world.

Here are some of the companies that our recent graduates now work for:

• AECOM, Consulting Engineers

• Amey, Consulting

• Arcadis, Design and Consultancy

• Arup, Consulting Engineers

• Atkins, Consulting Engineers

• Golder Associates, Consulting Engineers

• Hyder Consulting

• Jacobs, Consulting Engineers

• Mott MacDonald, Consulting Engineers

• Network Rail

• RSK, Engineering and Environmental Consultancy

• Soil Engineering, Geotechnical Contractors

• Wardell Armstrong, Consulting Engineers

• WSP, Consulting Engineers

Read profiles of our alumni to find out more about where some of our graduates are working.

We have a strong commitment to enhancing student employability and our own dedicated school Employability Officer. We offer extra support and activities to help you stand out in your chosen field and achieve your career goals. In particular, employers frequently advertise opportunities via the programme team.

There is also an opportunity to network with industry sponsors at a dedicated Industry Recruitment Day, the School of Earth and Environment Careers Fair, as well as opportunities to undertake dissertation project work with potential employers.

Careers support

At Leeds we help you to prepare for your future from day one. Our Leeds for Life initiative is designed to help you develop and demonstrate the skills and experience you need for when you graduate. We will help you to access opportunities across the University and record your key achievements so you are able to articulate them clearly and confidently.

You’ll have access to the wide range of careers resources and support from your Careers Service. You’ll have the chance to attend industry presentations, book appointments with qualified careers consultants and take part in employability workshops and webinars. Our careers fairs provide further opportunities to explore your career options with some of the UKs leading employers.

We offer extra support and activities to help you stand out in your chosen field and achieve your career goals. In particular, you will have further opportunities for training, conference attendance and involvement with Student Chapters (AAPG,EAGE, SPE, SEG, PESGB).

You will also have full access to the University’s Careers Centre, which is one of the largest in the country.

There are also plenty of exciting ways you can volunteer during your time at Leeds. Find out more at the Leeds University Union website.