Advanced Structural Engineering, _MSc

Programme Fees

Fee information

Fee category	Cost
EU / International students	£27,000
Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year
UK	£11,100
Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year

Stage 1

Stage 1: January to May

Compulsory Courses

Mathematical Optimisation (EG551T)

15 Credit Points

Ever wondered how Excel is able to draw an optimal line through a set of points? This course looks at how typical engineering problems that cannot be described mathematically (or are difficult to do so) can be solved so that the optimal solution is found. The course contains a range of examples to show how the techniques are applied to real world problems in different engineering disciplines. The course will show how to develop computational algorithms from scratch, with a fundamental understanding of how the algorithms function, both mathematically and then in real time on a computer.

Detailed course information

Lightweight Structures (EG552R)

15 Credit Points

This course is one of the key courses for the MSc Advanced Structural Engineering. The aim of this course is to provide students with knowledge and skills of analysis and design of lightweight structures for mechanical, civil, aerospace, automotive and wind energy applications.

Detailed course information

Optional Courses

Two from the following:

Riser Systems and Hydrodynamics (EG55F9)

15 Credit Points

The course provides students with detailed knowledge of risers systems design considerations. Typical riser systems including flexible, steel catenary, hybrid and top tensioned riser systems are covered. The ocean environmental hydrodynamics and interactions between vessel, mooring and riser systems are also considered.

Detailed course information

Engineering Risk and Reliability Analysis (EG55P6)

15 Credit Points

The world is full of uncertainties and there is a level of risk in every human activity, including engineering. Many industries require an engineer to manage significant risks and design for high reliability, such as oil and gas, subsea, nuclear, aviation and large civil projects (e.g. bridges and dams). To meet these engineering challenges and make rational decisions in the presence of uncertainty, this course will introduce students to methods and tools used by engineers to analysis risk and reliability.

Detailed course information

Finite Element Methods (EG55M1)

15 Credit Points

The background to the finite element method and its use in various industrial applications is explained in this course. As well as the modelling of linear static and dynamic problems, the modelling of material and geometric non-linearity is an important aspect of the course. Coursework assignments will be based on the student edition of ABAQUS which is supplied with the Course Textbook which students are required to purchase.

Detailed course information

Stage 2

Stage 2: June to August

Compulsory Courses

MSc Individual Project (EG59M2)

60 Credit Points

The MSc Individual Project is an independent piece of research based on a topic related to a student’s degree programme. Students are encouraged to focus on a problem confronting industry or a related area. The individual project provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate how the in-depth skills and knowledge they have gained during the taught courses can be used to provide solutions to practical problems. The individual project should contain a degree of original research.

Detailed course information

Stage 3

Stage 3: September to December

Compulsory Courses

Advanced Composite Materials (EM501Q)

15 Credit Points

Advanced materials underpin many industry sectors and are viewed as one of the key enabling technologies that can help address environmental, economic and social challenges the society is facing. Lightweight materials such as composites applied to vehicles, structures and devices can help reduce energy consumption and emissions, and increase energy efficiency. The aim of this course is introduce students to the mechanical behaviour of composite materials and the design of structures made of composites.

Detailed course information

Structural Vibrations (EG50T9)

15 Credit Points

The need for understanding dynamics in modern structural engineering arises from the fact that structures are often subjected to dynamic loads such as waves, wind, earthquake, blast and impacts. The structural engineer must therefore be able to understand and quantify dynamic loads and their effects. This course reviews the fundamentals of structural dynamics and explains more advanced concepts and methods (including analytical and numerical), as well as their applications to practical design and analysis problems. The theoretical concepts are illustrated by worked examples and numerous tutorial problems and assignments will enable students to gain confidence in their use.

Detailed course information

Optional Courses

Two from the following:

Offshore Structural Design (EA50JG)

15 Credit Points

This course follows on from the Level 3 Design of Structural Elements course and the Level 4 Advanced Structural Design course, extending the earlier concepts into areas relevant to Offshore Structural Design. The course aim is to introduce the student to some specialised fields of conceptual structural engineering design in an offshore context, and to develop confidence in these areas. The course divides into current main topics of offshore structures and involves hand calculations with the aid of spreadsheets and advanced computational modelling for accurate loading, analysis and design.

Detailed course information

Fire and Explosion Engineering (EG5071)

15 Credit Points

Hydrocarbon fires and explosions produce extreme loading on engineering components. Structural steels lose their strength and stiffness well below the temperatures associated with hydrocarbon fires. Safety-critical elements must be designed to withstand both these temperatures and the blast overpressures that result from hydrocarbon explosions. Simple models are used to assess the loading that results from fires and explosions. Structural elements are analysed to illustrate the design procedures that are required to prevent escalation and to design against major accident scenarios.

Detailed course information

Computational Fluid Dynamics (EG501V)

15 Credit Points

The course aims to provide understanding of main principles and techniques underpinning computational fluid dynamics (CFD) combining numerical methods with practical experience using appropriate software. The course develops a foundation for understanding, developing and analysing successful simulations of fluid flows applicable to a broad range of applications.

Detailed course information

Programme Fees

Fee information

Fee category	Cost
EU / International students	£26,250
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year
UK	£11,100
Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year

Stage 1

Compulsory Courses

Advanced Composite Materials (EM501Q)

15 Credit Points

Advanced materials underpin many industry sectors and are viewed as one of the key enabling technologies that can help address environmental, economic and social challenges the society is facing. Lightweight materials such as composites applied to vehicles, structures and devices can help reduce energy consumption and emissions, and increase energy efficiency. The aim of this course is introduce students to the mechanical behaviour of composite materials and the design of structures made of composites.

Detailed course information

Structural Vibrations (EG50T9)

15 Credit Points

The need for understanding dynamics in modern structural engineering arises from the fact that structures are often subjected to dynamic loads such as waves, wind, earthquake, blast and impacts. The structural engineer must therefore be able to understand and quantify dynamic loads and their effects. This course reviews the fundamentals of structural dynamics and explains more advanced concepts and methods (including analytical and numerical), as well as their applications to practical design and analysis problems. The theoretical concepts are illustrated by worked examples and numerous tutorial problems and assignments will enable students to gain confidence in their use.

Detailed course information

Optional Courses

Select TWO from the following:

Offshore Structural Design (EA50JG)

15 Credit Points

This course follows on from the Level 3 Design of Structural Elements course and the Level 4 Advanced Structural Design course, extending the earlier concepts into areas relevant to Offshore Structural Design. The course aim is to introduce the student to some specialised fields of conceptual structural engineering design in an offshore context, and to develop confidence in these areas. The course divides into current main topics of offshore structures and involves hand calculations with the aid of spreadsheets and advanced computational modelling for accurate loading, analysis and design.

Detailed course information

Fire and Explosion Engineering (EG5071)

15 Credit Points

Hydrocarbon fires and explosions produce extreme loading on engineering components. Structural steels lose their strength and stiffness well below the temperatures associated with hydrocarbon fires. Safety-critical elements must be designed to withstand both these temperatures and the blast overpressures that result from hydrocarbon explosions. Simple models are used to assess the loading that results from fires and explosions. Structural elements are analysed to illustrate the design procedures that are required to prevent escalation and to design against major accident scenarios.

Detailed course information

Computational Fluid Dynamics (EG501V)

15 Credit Points

The course aims to provide understanding of main principles and techniques underpinning computational fluid dynamics (CFD) combining numerical methods with practical experience using appropriate software. The course develops a foundation for understanding, developing and analysing successful simulations of fluid flows applicable to a broad range of applications.

Detailed course information

Stage 2

Compulsory Courses

Mathematical Optimisation (EG551T)

15 Credit Points

Ever wondered how Excel is able to draw an optimal line through a set of points? This course looks at how typical engineering problems that cannot be described mathematically (or are difficult to do so) can be solved so that the optimal solution is found. The course contains a range of examples to show how the techniques are applied to real world problems in different engineering disciplines. The course will show how to develop computational algorithms from scratch, with a fundamental understanding of how the algorithms function, both mathematically and then in real time on a computer.

Detailed course information

Lightweight Structures (EG552R)

15 Credit Points

This course is one of the key courses for the MSc Advanced Structural Engineering. The aim of this course is to provide students with knowledge and skills of analysis and design of lightweight structures for mechanical, civil, aerospace, automotive and wind energy applications.

Detailed course information

Optional Courses

Select TWO from the following:

Riser Systems and Hydrodynamics (EG55F9)

15 Credit Points

The course provides students with detailed knowledge of risers systems design considerations. Typical riser systems including flexible, steel catenary, hybrid and top tensioned riser systems are covered. The ocean environmental hydrodynamics and interactions between vessel, mooring and riser systems are also considered.

Detailed course information

Engineering Risk and Reliability Analysis (EG55P6)

15 Credit Points

The world is full of uncertainties and there is a level of risk in every human activity, including engineering. Many industries require an engineer to manage significant risks and design for high reliability, such as oil and gas, subsea, nuclear, aviation and large civil projects (e.g. bridges and dams). To meet these engineering challenges and make rational decisions in the presence of uncertainty, this course will introduce students to methods and tools used by engineers to analysis risk and reliability.

Detailed course information

Finite Element Methods (EG55M1)

15 Credit Points

The background to the finite element method and its use in various industrial applications is explained in this course. As well as the modelling of linear static and dynamic problems, the modelling of material and geometric non-linearity is an important aspect of the course. Coursework assignments will be based on the student edition of ABAQUS which is supplied with the Course Textbook which students are required to purchase.

Detailed course information

Stage 3

Compulsory Courses

MSc Individual Project (EG59F1)

60 Credit Points

The MSc Individual Project is an independent piece of research based on a topic related to a student’s degree programme. Students are encouraged to focus on a problem confronting industry or a related area. The individual project provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate how the in-depth skills and knowledge they have gained during the taught courses can be used to provide solutions to practical problems. The individual project should contain a degree of original research.

Detailed course information