MSc in Structural Design and Construction Management with Sustainability
- Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom
- 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 specialised knowledge and skills that will enhance your employability.
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
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 course focuses on the challenges and opportunities facing the concrete industry in meeting the demands of sustainability.
Throughout the course, you will examine and develop your knowledge on subjects such as:
- concrete technology
- sustainable construction
- earthquake engineering
- steel and concrete building design
- fire assessment
- geo-environmental engineering
- construction management
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 course will also develop your professional, analytical and management skills, as well as improving your technical skills and knowledge. For example, you will gain communication, teamwork, IT and problem-solving skills.
You can choose to study the course full-time or part-time to fit in with work commitments. September and January start dates give you extra flexibility plus the programme is modular, with the majority of the modules delivered over one week.
We regularly review all our postgraduate courses to make sure that they are up-to-date, reflect industry needs and are comparable to other university courses. This programme was developed in consultation with the leading industrial specialists and will be delivered in association with the Concrete Centre-UK.
Research lead teaching
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
This programme builds on the research excellence in sustainable concrete construction at Kingston University and is fully compatible with the existing Government and Foresight Strategy on Sustainable Construction. It is run in association with The Concrete Centre UK.
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 with Sustainability MSc at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support:
- Inspire the Future Scholarship
- International scholarships
- Progression Scholarship
- Discounts for Kingston University alumni
The hands-on course focuses on the challenges and opportunities for the concrete industry in meeting the demands of sustainability. It combines concrete technology, sustainable construction, earthquake engineering, fire assessment, geo-environmental engineering and construction management.
The structural design in concrete 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.
Modules
Core modules
- Digital Technologies and Construction Modelling
- Management of Project Risk, Quality and Safety
- Design of Concrete Structures
- Dissertation and Research Project Development
- Civil Engineering Group Design Project
- Sustainable Construction Methods and Materials
- Coastal and Flood Defence Systems
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: 282 hours
- Guided independent study (self-managed time): 1,518 hours
Contact hours may vary depending on your modules.
How you will be assessed
Assessment typically comprises
- exams (e.g. test or exam).
- practical (e.g. presentations, performance).
- coursework (e.g. essays, reports, self-assessment, portfolios, dissertation).
The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows.
- 80% coursework
- 20% exams
Feedback summary
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
Class sizes
You will be part of an intimate cohort of 20-40 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; you may therefore be taught alongside postgraduates from other courses.
The market for sustainable construction management is continually evolving. Graduates from this programme will be prepared for senior technical and managerial positions in both private and governmental sectors.
Potential job roles include:
- civil/structural engineer
- concrete technologist
- materials engineer
- technical manager
- designer/ consultant
- project engineer
- construction engineer
- sustainable construction manager
- systems engineering consultant
- project manager
Accreditation
Further learning programme – MSc
This course is currently undergoing routine JBM accreditation renewal for 2025 entry.
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 whether they will 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.
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.