MSc in Structural Design and Construction Management
Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
GBP 17,600 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* there is no application deadline for postgraduate courses
** International full-time study |£11,400: home full-time study. Additional fees may apply
Key Summary
You will gain a strategic overview of construction management issues alongside advanced structural engineering.
This course will prepare you to work at managerial level for a consultant or contractor. Each module combines a stimulating mix of lectures, practical laboratory work, group work, case studies and presentations.
At our Penrhyn Road campus, you will have access to a modern environment with the latest technology and industry-standard equipment, including:
- extensive materials and structures for concrete, masonry, steel and timber
- geotechnical and hydraulics testing facilities
- surveying equipment, such as satellite global-positioning systems
Dedicated computer-aided design facilities include:
- a range of CAD/CAM packages, such as Ideas, SolidWorks and AutoCad
- finite element analysis‚ computational fluid dynamics
- virtual instrumentation
Students studying this course will also benefit from the John Galsworthy Building. This is a £20 million teaching and learning facility which brings lecture theatres, flexible teaching space and information technology suites together around a landscaped courtyard.
Why choose this course
This industry-accredited course is tailored to civil and/or structural engineers wishing to become senior managers in consulting engineering and contracting organisations.
You will study the design of both standard and innovative structures and substructures, in normal and earthquake contexts, using steel and concrete. You will also examine the financial, legal and contractual aspects of the construction process. Gaining a knowledge of management techniques and contract administration, you will practise the supervision of construction projects.
The unique European module will give you the chance to work in a multinational team and see how different European countries approach construction. Additionally, this course will develop your professional, analytical and management skills, and improve your technical skills and knowledge. For example, you will gain communication, teamwork, IT and problem-solving skills.
Experts at leading civil engineering and construction companies contribute to the course. This input will enable you to develop a wider perspective and understanding of the worldwide issues facing the construction industry.
Through an industry-relevant dissertation, you will be able to extend your knowledge in a specialist area. During this, you will be supervised by a member of our research active academic staff. This ensures our staff are in touch with the latest industry thinking and bring best practice to your studies.
The research groups within the Sustainable Technology Research Centre cover a wide range of topics, including:
- land use
- building design and construction
- recycling waste materials
- efficient energy use and distribution
- water resources (hydraulics)
- monitoring using remote sensing
Our lively research culture is reflected in our regular seminars. Recent examples include:
- International Conference on Autoclaved Aerated Concrete
- Recent Advances in the Micromechanics of Ductile Fracture
- Environmental Degradation in Adhesively Bonded Structures
- Modelling of Deformation and Failure of Polymers: Why is Bridging of Length and Time Scales Necessary?
- Why Bolt It When You Can Bond It? The Gluing Evolution
Accreditation
Further learning programme – MSc
This degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM), comprising 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.
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 if they meet the educational base for CEng registration.
The MSc programme delivered at our partner institutions is not currently accredited by the JBM.
This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
Funding support for postgraduate students
If you are a UK student living in England and under 60, you can apply for a loan to study for a postgraduate degree on the government's website.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying Structural Design and Construction Management MSc at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support:
- Inspire the Future Scholarship
- International scholarships
- Progression Scholarship
- Discounts for Kingston University alumni
You will learn how to carry out the conceptual and detailed design of standard and innovative structures and substructures under normal and earthquake actions, to the latest standards, using steel and concrete. You will also study the financial, legal and contractual problems associated with the construction process, and will learn how to apply your knowledge of management techniques and contract administration in the supervision of construction projects.
You will have the opportunity to carry out research and undertake industry-relevant dissertation projects.
The advanced concrete design module is assessed by coursework based on the national university competition organised by The Concrete Centre, the trade body representing the concrete industry in the UK.
For a student to go on placement they are required to pass every module first time with no reassessments. It is the responsibility of individual students to find a suitable paid placement. Students will be supported by our dedicated placement team in securing this opportunity.
Please note: optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.
Modules
Core modules
- Digital Technologies and Construction Modelling
- Management of Project Risk, Quality and Safety
- Design of Concrete Structures
- Dissertation and Research Project Development
- Design of Composite Structures and Design of Steel Structures
- Foundation design of substructures
- Advanced Dynamic Analysis and Seismic Design
Professional placement
- Professional Placement
Teaching and assessment
Guided independent study (self-managed time)
When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.
Support for postgraduate students
As a student at Kingston University, we will make sure you have access to appropriate advice regarding your academic development. You will also be able to use the University's support services.
Your workload
Year 1: 16% of your time is spent in timetabled learning and teaching activity.
- Scheduled learning and teaching: 290 hours
- Guided independent study (self-managed time): 1,510 hours
Contact hours may vary depending on your modules.
Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. Depending on optional modules chosen, this breakdown may change.
How you will be assessed
Assessment typically comprises exams (e.g. test or exam), practical (e.g. presentations, performance) and coursework (e.g. essays, reports, self-assessment, portfolios, dissertation). The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows, though depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose:
- Year 1: 80% coursework, 20% exams, 0% practical
Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. Depending on optional modules chosen, this breakdown may change.
Feedback summary
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
Class sizes
You will be part of an intimate cohort of students which provides dedicated academic guidance and advice as well as the opportunity to build a life-long network of colleagues. Some modules are common across other postgraduate programmes therefore you may be taught alongside students who are on these courses within the School.
Graduates from this course go on to roles such as civil/structural engineer, concrete technologist, materials engineer, project engineer, and construction engineer.
Accreditation
Further learning programme – MSc
This degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM), comprising 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.
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 if they meet the educational base for CEng registration.
Our MSc course in Structural Design and Construction Management with Sustainability is accredited until 2023 entry.
Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC). Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.
Please check the Engineering Council website for more information.
The MSc programme delivered at our partner institutions is not currently accredited by the JBM.
This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
Careers and recruitment advice
The Faculty has a specialist employability team. It provides friendly and high-quality careers and recruitment guidance, including advice and sessions on job-seeking skills such as CV preparation, application forms and interview techniques. Specific advice is also available for international students about the UK job market and employers' expectations and requirements.
The team runs employer events throughout the year, including job fairs, key speakers from industry and interviews on campus. These events give you the opportunity to hear from, and network with, employers in an informal setting.
Work placement scheme
This course, like many postgraduate courses at Kingston University, enables students to integrate a 12-month work placement into their course. You are responsible for finding and securing your own professional placement, which can be highly competitive but also incredibly rewarding. It is very important to prepare yourself if this is the route you wish to take. Employers look for great written and oral communication skills and an excellent CV/portfolio. As the work placement is an assessed part of the course, it is covered by a Student Route visa.
Links with business and industry
Our excellent industrial links have developed over many years and throughout many countries. Some examples include work with:
- Matra-Marconi Space Ltd
- Ericsson
- Balfour Beatty
- The National Health Service
- British Gas
Our Industrial Advisory Committee reviews and advises industrial activities. The Committee acts as a forum for discussing teaching, research and consultancy to industry.