MSc Earthquake Engineering and Infrastructure Resilience
- MSc
Overview
Our aim is to produce the next generation of leaders in earthquake engineering risk assessment and natural disaster risk management who want to make an impact on the design of the built environment, the mitigation of seismic loss and the protection of human life.
This discipline demands world-class facilities and at Bristol, you will have access to the state-of-the-art BLADE/EQUALS laboratory, including one of the most advanced earthquake shaking tables in Europe, as well as the £12 million UKCRIC National Soil-Foundation-Structure Interaction Laboratory.
Throughout the programme, you will work with expert staff and international partners, exposing you to the real-world challenges that engineers face. Industry links are integral to the programme and our graduates are highly sought after by major UK and international employers.
One of the many highlights of the programme is a field trip to an earthquake-affected area in southeastern Europe. Provided that travel is permitted, you will have the opportunity to visit structures designed with innovative methods to resist earthquake forces or inspect the damage in the recent aftermath of a seismic event. You will use modern tools for non-destructive material testing and remote imaging.
Programme structure
Subject areas are relevant to structural/geotechnical earthquake engineering and disaster risk reduction. A strong set of core units is followed by specialist units. The units are carefully designed and cross-referenced to make sure that all graduates obtain a uniform level of background knowledge and appropriate specialisation.
You are also required, as part of your course, to attend a field trip to an earthquake-affected region, typically in a Mediterranean country. Provide that travel is feasible, you may visit recently damaged areas or major engineering projects designed to resist earthquake forces. A series of seminars will also allow you to learn, as part of a distinct unit, the most recent advances in earthquake engineering innovation from distinguished invited experts.
Having successfully completed these units, you will prepare a thesis during the summer term, to be submitted at the end of the academic year.
Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc in Earthquake Engineering and Infrastructure Resilience.
Entry requirements
You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in Aerospace Engineering, Applied Physics, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Geology, Information Engineering, Mathematics, or Mechanical Engineering.
Applicants who do not have a degree listed above may be considered on a case-by-case basis if they have evidence of two years relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent) in fields such as Construction, Design or Engineering.
If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date. We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply.
We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement.
If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications:
- evidence of significant, relevant work experience (minimum two years, or part-time equivalent) in fields such as Construction, Design or Engineering;
- a relevant postgraduate qualification.
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
Go to admissions statementIf English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level E.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
Fees and funding
- Home: full-time
- £15,700 per year
- Overseas: full-time
- £34,200 per year
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Alumni discount
University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.
Funding and scholarships
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
You will be equipped in the core disciplines of seismic hazard, infrastructure vulnerability, system risk and resilience in major technical projects.
Upon graduation, you could find yourself working for engineering design and construction firms, in the UK or worldwide, that operate in earthquake-prone regions such as southern Europe, the US, Asia, the Middle East, New Zealand and Latin America. Alternatively, you could go on to work for a government body responsible for civil protection, finance and decision-making. Graduates may also decide to pursue academia and further study in this exciting field.
Whatever you choose, you will develop a range of transferable skills, such as problem solving, critical thinking and teamwork, as well as having a number of professional contacts to draw on.
Contact us
- Contact
- Enquiries Team
- Phone
- +44 (0) 117 394 1649
- choosebristol-pg@bristol.ac.uk