Overview
Our Structural Engineering MSc degree is a highly specialist course that has been developed to equip you with a broad range of knowledge and management skills to meet the real-world needs of safety and sustainability in the civil engineering and construction industry.
You will study the traditional elements of structural engineering and deepen your knowledge of structural analysis and design, and sustainable construction. You’ll also develop advanced and specialist knowledge on topical subjects such as fire protection, environmental hazards and energy efficient buildings.
You’ll have access to our custom-designed technical facilities for the testing of materials and structures. The latest industry standard engineering software packages are available for you to use in the purpose-built computer laboratories.
During your studies, there is a residential field trip with hands-on construction experience where you will build a scaled-down version of a bridge, building or dam. You will also benefit from guest lectures delivered by industry professionals, as well as visits to construction sites and civil engineering development projects.
Our Structural Engineering MSc 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.
"One of my fondest memories as a student was the karaoke nights every Tuesday. These events provided an excellent opportunity to bond with fellow students, make valuable connections, and create unforgettable experiences during my time as a student." - Kalpesh Purohit
"I chose to study at Brunel University because of its strong reputation in Civil and Structural Engineering, its focus on practical applications, and its industry connections. Brunel has really good career centre for students which helps them to step into the life of professionals. " - Noyan Ulusarac
"I choose Brunel as I wanted to study in the London area. it was near to place that I like. I would recommend it to others for it connected environment. " - Bhupinder Brar
"The on-campus life at Brunel was hands-down the best chapter of my life. The campus felt like a perfect blend of Netflix-worthy fun and top-tier education." - Ali Abbas
"One of my fondest memories as a student was the karaoke nights every Tuesday. These events provided an excellent opportunity to bond with fellow students, make valuable connections, and create unforgettable experiences during my time as a student." - Kalpesh Purohit
"I chose to study at Brunel University because of its strong reputation in Civil and Structural Engineering, its focus on practical applications, and its industry connections. Brunel has really good career centre for students which helps them to step into the life of professionals. " - Noyan Ulusarac
You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.
Course content
You will study the taught modules in the first two terms and then spend four months working on your dissertation. The dissertation is an advanced piece of research related to structural design and is assessed through a final 20,000 word submission. The course can be studied 1 year full-time, starting in September, or 14 months full-time, starting in January.
Compulsory
- CE5642 - Advanced Construction Materials and Building Retrofitting Technology
To further broaden and deepen of students’ knowledge of the range of advanced construction materials; low carbon, low energy and low environmental impact construction materials, to introduce students to the principles of retrofitting technology & retrofitting design with advanced construction materials, to give an appreciation of sustainability issues related to advanced construction materials, and to develop deeper awareness of the latest development and trends in the use of advanced construction materials and retrofitting technology, especially within the contexts of SDG13 (Climate action), SDG11 (Sustainable cities and communities), and SDG9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure).
- Advanced Reinforced and Prestressed Concrete DesignThis module aims to further introduce students to the principles and methods of design for reinforced concrete elements and structures etc, and to introduce students to the principles and methods of design for prestressed and post-tensioned concrete structures.
- Advanced Steel DesignThis module aims to introduce the concept of advanced steel design and composite construction and their applications in engineering, and to develop in depth understanding of the behavioural and theoretical background to limit state design of structural steelwork.
- Civil Engineering Dissertation
The dissertation aims to provide experience in defining and organising, executing and evaluating a substantial individual in-depth investigation into a topic related to the appropriate Civil Engineering MSc programme and presenting the information in the form of a dissertation.
- CE5626 - Climate Change and the Environment
The problem: to build understanding of climate change science and associated threats to society and the environment, with critical analysis of progress towards adaptation and mitigation.
Available solutions: to promote innovative design solutions to climate change challenges affecting our critical infrastructure.Decision making: to critically reflect on the multi-disciplinary nature of climate change challenges and solutions by adopting a holistic, evidence-based approach to decision making.
- Infrastructure ManagementThis module aims to give the students an in-depth and comprehensive professional working knowledge of how to carry out condition assessment of engineering infrastructure assets.
- Nonlinear Structural Analysis & Finite Element MethodThis module aims to further develop the student’s knowledge on structural mechanics, to enhance the student’s perception of structural behaviour and the corresponding modelling tools, to enable students to design structures based on the Finite Element Method, and to make students competent in using computer codes for structural analysis.
- Research Methods and Professional Development
This module aims to instill principles of good research practice and enable students to acquire skills to conduct scientifically-robust research with due consideration of engineering quality issues and environmental and health and safety risks, and to develop understanding of how research and development drives innovation in a business context and the mechanisms to protect intellectual property.
- Structural Dynamics and Seismic DesignThis module aims to enhance the student’s perception on the dynamic behaviour of deformable bodies, to further develop the student’s knowledge on structural mechanics by focusing on the dynamic properties of the structural response, and to introduce students to the fundamental principles of seismic design with an emphasis on current design codes.
This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel
Careers and your future
A structural engineering degree from Brunel will equip you with advanced knowledge and skills to work on a vast range of modern projects in the construction and civil engineering sector.
Many of our civil engineering graduates have technical and creative roles with contractors and consultants working on large infrastructure projects such as bridges and tall buildings.
Some go on to jobs with national and local government agencies or major firms of consulting engineers. Others specialise in construction, sustainability, innovative materials, foundation engineering, geotechnical exploration, highway engineering or fire protection.
UK entry requirements
- A 2:2 (or above) UK Honours degree, or equivalent internationally recognised qualification, in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Materials Engineering, Engineering. Other qualifications and relevant experience will be assessed on an individual basis.
EU and International entry requirements
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6 (min 5.5 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all sub scores)
- BrunELT: 58% (min 55% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 77 (min R18, L17, S20, W17)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2026/27 entry
UK
£13,280 full-time
International
£24,795 full-time
More information on any additional course-related costs.
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.
See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Scholarships and bursaries
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Your progress will be assessed via assignments, presentations, technical and laboratory reports, design and research projects, exams and your dissertation.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.