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Postgraduate Structural Engineering Courses
Find postgraduate programs in STRUCTURAL ENGINEERINGStudents enrolled in a postgraduate structural engineering program will gain the knowledge and skills that are needed for a successful career in the field of structural engineering. The role that structural engineers play is a critical one, working with buildings, bridges and other structures to ensure the safety of everyone who uses or is near the structure. Structural engineers continue to play a role not just in the design, but also in the evaluation of these structures to test pressure and stress from weather, human wear and other environmental factors. Using a variety of materials, structural engineers design the appropriate form for a structure, working closely with architects, construction managers and increasingly with digital design specialists.
Why do a PG structural engineering course?
A postgraduate education is often considered essential for structural engineers in order to gain the advanced understanding they need to ensure the best, safest design and construction of various structures. During a postgraduate course, future structural engineers learn how to analyse the components of a building or other structure, calculate strain and stress, work with other professions in design and safety, examine and evaluate structures, as well as how to use computer software and other methods to create drawings and simulations. They will also be involved in investigating sites prior to and during construction.
Many courses also now emphasise sustainability, digital construction, BIM (Building Information Modelling) and resilience, reflecting the way the profession is changing in practice. Students gain this knowledge and skill through a variety of core and specialised modules within a masters course in structural engineering.
Structural engineering PG courses overview
Postgraduate students can find programs that fit their needs in both online and on-campus formats, as well as choosing between part-time and full-time study. For students pursuing a postgraduate course of study, many part-time programs allow the project to be tailored to ongoing workplace work as well. Full-time students can complete the average postgraduate course in structural engineering in one year; part-time students are able to complete the course in two years.
The courses are taught in a variety of formats, dependent on which university is attended. Students will participate in lectures, tutorials, seminars, site work and laboratories. Students will also complete a project or a dissertation, depending on the institution. Some newer courses also make use of collaborative digital platforms, BIM-based case studies and industry-led project work.
Skills that are taken away from this degree include communication, management and researching. Additional skills include problem solving, critical assessment and thinking, experimental and numerical interpretation and analysis, project management, material analysis, model development, evaluation of risks, and knowledge of various materials and components. Prospective employers also look for graduates who have gained an understanding of sustainability, lifecycle design and the safety implications of structural decisions.
Postgraduate structural engineering modules
Masters degrees and other postgraduate programs in structural engineering typically begin with core modules that introduce important subjects to the field of engineering in general. Core modules typically include study of environmental factors, health and safety in engineering, research methods, and a fieldwork project.
- In addition to core modules that explore techniques and methods in research and engineering, specialised modules provide advanced exploration of varied areas related specifically to structural engineering. Examples of specialised modules include:
- Biomechanics
- Structural dynamics
- Analysis of structures
- Concrete design
- Water and water tower dynamics
- Cabled bridges
- Building information modelling
- Sustainable digital delivery
- Earthquake engineering
- Low-carbon design
- Structural resilience
- Advanced materials for net zero construction
Overall, students in a postgraduate structural engineering program will learn all about the design of structures, using steel and concrete in design, soil structure, earthquake engineering, and building of structures, roofing, and bridges. They may also study digital workflows, whole-life performance, retrofit, and the role of structural engineering in decarbonising the built environment.
Structural engineering programs applications and admissions
Structural engineering masters programs are relevant for students who have obtained their first degree, or for those with considerable work experience who are looking to enhance their understanding and knowledge in the structural engineering field. In some programs, the course is designed only for working professionals with significant experience. These programs typically require appropriate qualifications at the professional level, including designations such as MIStructE.
To gain admission into a postgraduate program in structural engineering, students should have an honours degree of 2:2 or higher, or the international equivalent. In addition, for non-native speakers of English, the equivalent of a 6.0 score on the IELTS exam is typically required, although entry criteria vary by university and course.
Structural engineering student case study
Varun Bhatnagar attended a postgraduate structural engineering program after working in the field for almost nine years. He says, “I decided to go back and get the education I need to stay competitive and learn more about the changes and developments in the industry, plus work toward the professional designations I need. Getting into research is something I look forward to, and that’s a door that will be opened once I finish my postgrad studies. I never expected I would learn this much, and I’m so glad that I came back to get more knowledge and learn more valuable professional skills to take back with me when I’m finished.”
This kind of career progression remains typical today, especially for engineers who want to move into chartered status, design leadership, digital delivery or specialist technical roles.
Structural engineering careers
The cost of investing in a postgraduate structural engineering degree can be quite substantial, but the resulting salaries can be very rewarding. After graduating with a postgraduate degree in structural engineering, structural engineering candidates can expect to earn around £35,000 per year at graduate level, with some London-based roles starting higher.
With a masters degree in structural engineering, new entrants into the field can expect to earn around £45,000 per year depending on level of experience, region and professional status. Experienced candidates can command as much as £65,000, with salaries over £70,000 not unheard of for the most experienced candidates.
Chartered or senior engineers may earn beyond that depending on seniority and location.
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