MSc Structural Engineering
- MSc
Overview
This unique one-year, full-time Master's programme is designed to help you develop the advanced technical knowledge and industry-relevant skills needed to make an immediate impact as a structural engineer.
You will build specialist expertise in structural engineering and engage with the latest developments shaping the future of the profession.
You will specialise your learning through one of three curated pathways:
- Asset Management and Digital Transformation - specialise in whole-life infrastructure management, using systems-level thinking, data management and digital tools to improve performance, resilience, and decision-making across the built environment.
- Composite Materials and Sustainable Design - specialise in innovative materials such as fibre-reinforced polymers, discover structural retrofitting, and learn how to integrate sustainability criteria in your design process.
- Earthquake Engineering - specialise in structural reliability, soil-structure interaction and natural disaster risk management, helping to design safer, more resilient built environments and protect communities from natural and seismic events.
These pathways are developed to meet the evolving demands of future structural and civil engineers, aligned with priorities identified by leading professional bodies such as the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE).
Why choose our Programme?
The University of Bristol is ranked 8th in the UK for Civil and Structural Engineering (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026).
You will learn from world-leading experts and benefit from our state-of-the-art research facilities, including the Heavy and Light Structures Lab, the Earthquake and Large Structures Lab, and the Soil-Foundation-Structure-Interaction Lab, which houses the largest shaking table in the UK.
These facilities are supported by internationally recognised research groups tackling key challenges in structural engineering, including offshore wind, long-span, lightweight and efficient structures, nuclear infrastructure, sustainable materials, smart buildings, climate resilience, extreme loading, and AI.
This research supports MSc teaching with real-world case studies, worked examples, and hands-on lab activities ranging from materials to shaking table testing.
You will benefit from guest lectures by industry experts sharing real-world insights on the sector's latest technological advances, a three-day field trip to explore construction and manufacturing practices, and a summer design project simulating real-life conditions in an engineering company.
Programme structure
Programme structure
This 12-month MSc programme is engineered to provide a postgraduate-level platform of underpinning skills and knowledge for a career in advanced structural engineering.
Highlights
- Core technical competencies - develop a deep understanding of composite structures, prestressed concrete and advanced structural analysis, including finite element methodologies and the effects of dynamic loadings, such as seismic events.
- Select a focused stream of study from one of three specialised technical pathways - Composite Materials and Sustainable Design, Asset Management and Digital Transformation, Earthquake Engineering.
- Applied professional experience - participate in a field trip, in the UK or overseas, to directly observe industry practices and critically reflect on these observations in a technical field report.
- Industry-standard project delivery - conclude your studies by delivering an integrated design project that showcases your technical knowledge, problem-solving abilities, project management skills, and capacity to work both independently and collaboratively.
Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content.
Entry requirements
You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Applied Physics
- Architectural Engineering
- Building Surveying
- Civil/Structural Engineering
- Engineering Design
- Geology
- Information Engineering
- Mathematics/Applied Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering.
Other Engineering subjects will also be considered on a case-by-case basis.
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.
We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement.
If your achieved grade is lower than our entry requirements, your application may be more likely to receive an offer if you have additional qualifications, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé ) when you apply, showing:
- 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.
If 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
- £16,500 per year
- Overseas: full-time
- £36,200 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
Fees for the field trip are included in the postgraduate-taught fees. Fees are subject to an annual review.
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
As a graduate of the MSc in Structural Engineering, you will be well-equipped to tackle challenging engineering problems with a holistic approach and make a difference within the sector.
You could find yourself working for engineering design and construction firms in the UK or worldwide, or for non-governmental organisations in the field of sustainability. Our graduates have gone on to work for leading international companies and organisations, including AECOM, Atkins, Buro Happold, Cundall, EDF, and CERN.
You will also be equipped with unique skills that will support you in roles in the sector of composites engineering, data management, digitalisation, finance, and decision-making.
Graduates from this programme have gone on to work in roles such as:
- Structural Engineer
- Civil Engineer
- Bridge Engineer
- Site Engineer
- Earthquake Engineer
- Risk Engineer
- Risk Management Consultant
- Sustainability Consultant
- Project Manager.
Graduates may also choose to pursue a career in academia and expand their knowledge in an exciting topic of their interest.
Whatever you choose, you will develop a range of transferable skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork, and you will have a number of professional contacts to draw on.
Our students in action
Contact us
- Contact
- Enquiries Team
- Phone
- +44 (0) 128 394 1649
- choosebristol-pg@bristol.ac.uk