The Sustainable Civil and Structural Engineering MSc provides an opportunity for you to develop advanced specialist knowledge in structural engineering, understand how to address the increasing challenges for the industry and develop your skills for the working environment.
Introduction
With the ever increasing environmental challenges, there is strong demand for civil and structural engineers who are practically-skilled in efficient design, green construction and sustainable development and who can play a central role in achieving sustainable adaptation to and mitigation of these challenges.
This MSc programme will help you to develop advanced knowledge and understanding of the novel, inter-disciplinary field of sustainable civil and environmental engineering. You will focus on resilient and sustainable structures and infrastructure, which are exposed to climate change effects as well as to natural disasters.
You will take part in research-led modules in civil and environmental engineering and acquire knowledge for innovative approaches for climate emergencies, low-carbon, sustainable and resilient materials and systems for next generation infrastructure. During the programme, you will interact with several other engineering disciplines and develop robust knowledge in risk analysis and uncertainty quantification.
Who is this course for?
Our MSc programme is designed for engineers, architects and physicists who intend to develop specialist skills and knowledge relevant to novel civil and environmental sustainable engineering disciplines.
What you'll learn
Engineering design
Computer aided design
Sustainable structural materials
Resilient civil engineering solutions
Construction Management
Problem-solving.
Accreditation
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, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and the Permanent Way Institution on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the academic requirement for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). To hold accredited qualifications for CEng registration, candidates must also hold a Bachelor (Hons) degree that has been accredited as partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Semester one
Your first semester will introduce you to theories, concepts and methods of modern geomechanics, industry innovation and employee practice, surface waves, nearshore morphological process and estuary processes, the advances in construction materials, and probability theory.
Compulsory modules
ADVANCED GEOMECHANICS (CIVE420)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
This module introduces students to advanced theories, concepts and methods of modern geomechanics, with emphasis on: – Advanced methods of simulation – Plasticity theory – Stability analysis – Groundwater flow analysis – Constitutive modelling.
MATERIALS FOR DURABLE AND SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION (CIVE401)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
The aim of the module is to enhance students’ knowledge and understanding of the advances made in conventional construction materials and alternative construction materials that have and are currently being developed for use in construction to achieve more innovative, and sustainable structures.
COASTAL AND ESTUARY PROCESSES (CIVE487)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
This module aims to introduce student the basic theory of surface waves, understand the nearshore morphological process and estuary processes.
RISK AND UNCERTAINTY: PROBABILITY THEORY (ENGG404)
Credits: 7.5 /
Semester: semester 1
This module develops understanding and appreciation of basic probability theory. It involves the quantification of uncertainties in input and models, their implementation, and the evaluation of the associated results in view of decision making. An introduction to numerical concepts will be provided. The methods shown in the module have a general applicability, which is demonstrated by examples and practical applications.
Applied Construction Management (CIVE435)
Credits: 7.5 /
Semester: semester 1
Management linked to industry innovation and employee practice is an area of professionalism that is very important within the construction and wider built environment sector. It is also emerging as a distinctive and rewarding career path for many graduate civil engineers plus architectural engineers. On completion of this module, students will understand a range of approaches to project management implementation, diverse practices associated with modern methods of construction, as well as effective judgement-making of challenging tasks in complex real-life situations. It will both prepare graduates for professional development in civil engineering, as well as make them fully aware of multiple aspects of strategic, operational and lifecycle management as applied to this specific industrial sector.
Optional modules
TECHNICAL WRITING FOR ENGINEERS (ENGG596)
Credits: 7.5 /
Semester: semester 1
To develop technical writing skills for engineers. English Language Centre deliver the module for non-native English speakers, Engineering staff deliver identical syllabus, assessments and learning outcomes for other students.
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
Semester two
In your second semester, you’ll see how what you learn during this programmes directly links to project management in the construction industry. You’ll also learn about structural optimisations, both classical and modern, and conceptual design of civil engineering structures, and structural behaviour and assessment.
You get the opportunity to work in groups to conduct a complete holistic design of a real-life engineering project, complete with experience interacting with clients, architects and consultants from different design backgrounds.
Compulsory modules
Advanced Construction Management (CIVE445)
Credits: 7.5 /
Semester: semester 2
This module connects student learning directly to project management in the construction industry. It will both prepare graduates for professional development in civil engineering, as well as make them fully aware of aspects of strategic, operational and lifecycle management as applied to this specific industrial sector.
CAPSTONE: MULTIDISCIPLINARY PROJECT (CIVE462)
Credits: 30 /
Semester: semester 2
This module presents an opportunity to practise comprehensive, multidisciplinary design in civil engineering. The students work in teams to provide complete solutions to demanding civil engineering design problems with some significant reliance on self, guided learning.
STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS (CIVE405)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
This module focuses on the conceptual design of civil engineering structures, and structural behaviour and assessment. It provides a review of the basics of structural engineering analysis and design including construction of bending moment and shear force diagrams, cross-sectional analysis, material properties and basic design code requirements.
Structural Optimisation (ENGG414)
Credits: 7.5 /
Semester: semester 2
This module is about classical optimisation and modern optimisation and their numerical methods. Structural optimisation and their numerical methods. Students will get an idea of how to optimise simple structure and get optimal solutions by analytical and numerical methods.
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
Final project
Your summer research projects will focus on cutting edges analysis and design of novel and resilient infrastructure. To do so, you will have access to state-of-art experimental facilities in the structural and hydraulic laboratories which were recently refurbished.
Compulsory modules
MSC(ENG) PROJECT (60 CREDITS) (ENGG660)
Credits: 60 /
Semester: summer
The purpose of the project is to provide students with the opportunity to plan, carry out and control a research project at the forefront of their academic discipline, field of study or area of professional practice. The student will report findings both orally and in writing. Detailed instructions are provided in the PG handbook distributed at the outset of the programme.
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
How you'll learn
You will be taught through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, practical classes, problem classes, private study and supervised project work. In year one, lectures are supplemented by group tutorials and computing work is carried out in supervised practical classes.
Key study skills, presentation skills and group work start in first-year tutorials and are developed within each module of the MSc programme. The emphasis in most modules is on the development of problem-solving skills along with team-working, which are regarded very highly by employers. Project supervision is on a one-to-one basis and it will help to develop in-depth knowledge for the use of new materials, systems and advanced technologies to face tomorrow challenges.
How you're assessed
Most modules are assessed by final examinations (lasting either two or three hours) in January or May, but many have an element of coursework assessment too. This might be through homework or class tests.
You will undertake a final research project which will make up 60 credits.
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
Your experience
The School of Engineering has a well-deserved and highly respected reputation for its excellent experimental and computational facilities. Our £32 million redevelopment includes the state of- the-art ‘Active Learning Labs’, a cutting-edge teaching facility, one of the largest and best equipped in Europe.
We equip our students for rewarding careers and our graduates have found jobs in a wide range of industries and organisations, both in the UK and abroad. Programmes include a strong practical element and incorporate the latest academic and industry research, enabling you to work effectively at the forefront of engineering.
Career support from day one to graduation and beyond
This course has the added value of combining professional skills sets in both structural engineering and sustainability, broadening your access to career opportunities. Graduates from this programme will develop skills in design, implementation, assessment and reporting of innovative, environmentally-compliant, sustainable engineering projects, making them suitable for employment in a range of roles with:
Clients
Contractors
Consultants
Regulators
Policymakers at all levels.
Fees and funding
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Tuition fees
UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year
£13,300
Part-time place, per year
£6,650
International fees
Full-time place, per year
£29,900
Part-time place, per year
£14,950
Fees stated are for the 2025-26 academic year.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about fees and funding.
Additional costs
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
We accept a 2:2 honours degree from a UK university, or an equivalent academic qualification from a similar non-UK institution. This degree should be in Civil Engineering or Structural Engineering only.
Previous relevant industry experience is a strong advantage. All applications will be considered on individual merits.
International qualifications
If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet our entry requirements, you could be eligible for a Pre-Master’s course. This is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. It’s a specialist preparation course for postgraduate study, and when you pass the Pre-Master’s at the required level with good attendance, you’re guaranteed entry to a University of Liverpool master’s degree.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
English language qualification
Requirements
IELTS
6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0
TOEFL iBT
88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 19, writing 19, reading 19 and speaking 20. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted.
Duolingo English Test
120 overall, with no component below 105
Pearson PTE Academic
61 overall, with no component below 59
LanguageCert Academic
70 overall, with no skill below 65
PSI Skills for English
B2 Pass with Merit in all bands
INDIA Standard XII
National Curriculum (CBSE/ISC) - 75% and above in English. Accepted State Boards - 80% and above in English.
WAEC
C6 or above
PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH
Do you need to complete a Pre-Sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-Sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.
To fully immerse yourself in the university experience living in halls will keep you close to campus where you can always meet new people. Find your home away from home.
Discover what expenses are covered by the cost of your tuition fees and other finance-related information you may need regarding your studies at Liverpool.
Contact us
Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.
