Advanced Concrete Technology MSc (Eng)

This part-time, distance learning Masters degree aims to develop the next generation of senior construction professionals working in design of concrete mixes, concrete production and construction. It’s designed to provide you with advanced, in-depth knowledge of both the theory and practical application of concrete technology to prepare you for a variety of senior roles.

You’ll gain academic and industrial expertise using a range of online resources that give you the flexibility to study around your work and personal lives. From health and safety and quality control to mixture proportioning, repair and maintenance and life cycle analysis, you’ll develop an understanding of a wide range of issues that affect professionals in the concrete industry today.

If you study for the MSc, you’ll also have the chance in your final year to conduct your own research project – a chance to focus on a single topic and demonstrate valuable skills when you present your findings in a comprehensive technical report.

Approved prior learning

Students who have approved prior learning meeting our requirements may complete just the research project over 12 months part-time to graduate with an MSc.

This course is studied part-time over 36 months. You can also study for a PGDip qualification over 24 months, which means you’ll study the same content without completing a research project.

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Accreditation

The course is accredited by the Institute of Concrete Technology.

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.

At the start of the course, in the September of your first year, you are invited to attend an induction event over two or three days at the University of Leeds. While attendance is not compulsory, it is highly recommended. This event gives you the chance to meet fellow students on your course and talk to tutors about course content, learning and assessment methods and what’s expected of you as a part-time student.

You’ll also have the chance to meet students who have completed the taught component of the MSc, and you’ll gain an insight into the experiences of those who have graduated from this course. There is also the opportunity to meet representatives from the Institute of Concrete Technology and learn how the course matches on to their professional requirements.

From there you’ll study four modules spread over the next two years covering different aspects of concrete technology such as the constituent materials of concrete, thermal movements, strength development, fire resistance, life cycle costing, formwork and sustainability. You’ll work on a series of group and individual projects online to apply your knowledge and develop your skills.

If you undertake the MSc, you will have an opportunity to carry out independent research on a contemporary topic that is relevant to the construction industry in Year 3. This will enable you to use the scientific knowledge gained during the taught modules, apply it to a more contextual situation and present the outcome of the research in a comprehensive technical report.

Want to find out more about your modules?

Take a look at our Advanced Concrete Technology 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 Advanced Concrete Technology MSc (Eng) in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Learning and teaching

The four taught modules each run over a semester period and are taught using a range of online distance learning methods. Short pre-recorded lectures will introduce each topic, and you’ll then learn through group assignments conducted online.

You’ll also have access to the reference books and other consultation documents you need through the programme portal and our library’s online resources.

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

Each module contains a mixture of group and individual assessment; with in-depth problem-based assessment complemented by questions probing your understanding of concrete technology, and by online assessment. These will evaluate your problem-solving skills as well as the breadth and depth of your understanding of the topics covered.

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:2 (hons) in civil engineering or a related engineering or science based discipline.

We will also consider applications from candidates with at least 5 years’ experience at senior managerial level in concrete plant and concrete constructions. This will need to be independently verifiable.

If you have passed the Institute of Concrete Technology exam stages 1-3, you’ll be eligible for approved prior learning which would allow you to be admitted to the PGDip or MSc (Eng).

If you have passed stage 4, you’ll be eligible for approved prior learning so that if you undertake the 60-credit research project over 12 months part-time, you’ll graduate with an MSc (Eng) from the University of Leeds.

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 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.

10 September 2021

Apply

This link takes 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

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences Postgraduate Admissions Policy 2021

Fees

• UK: £11,250 (total)
• International: £11,250 (total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

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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.

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 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.

It is expected that the majority of students on the course will already be working within the concrete industry and looking to progress their career within their chosen field.

If you have no industrial experience, this course will provide an excellent route to a career within the concrete industry as you learn industrial practices through group projects involving participants from industry.

During your course you will have the opportunity to get to know people from the concrete industry through their association with tutors from the industry who will be part of the course delivery team.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

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 annual STEM Careers Fairs provide further opportunities to explore your career options with some of the UKs leading employers.

Find out more about the range of services we offer on the Careers Service website and visit MyCareer.leeds.ac.uk once you have registered as a student to access one to one support, events and job vacancies.

You’ll undertake a research project in year three, or year one if you are studying based on approved prior learning.

This is an excellent opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you’ve gained to explore a topic that interests you, or relates to your own career plans or professional context, and present your findings in a comprehensive technical report.

Example projects for the MSc in Advanced Concrete Technology have included:

• Material and design factors which influence the embodied carbon of industrial concrete floor slabs

• Use of calcined clays as supplementary cementitious material or in blended cements in the caribbean region to improve durability of concrete structure

• Use of artificial plastic aggregate in concrete

• Advanced nanotechnology for concrete applications: effect of the addition of nanomaterials on concrete properties

• Cement Kiln Dust as part of cementitious material in structural concrete.

You’ll have an external supervisor close to your place of work, where you can complete your research, as well as an internal University of Leeds supervisor appointed by the programme manager. They’ll review the three progress reports you submit during the project and offer feedback to help you shape and refine your work.

An induction event at the University of Leeds will help you to prepare for conducting your own research, with the chance to review the taught modules and study the research methods and statistical tools used in experimental research.