Bridge Engineering with Industrial Practice MSc - 2026/7
Awarding body
University of Surrey
Teaching institute
University of Surrey
Framework
FHEQ Level 7
Final award and programme/pathway title
MSc Bridge Engineering with Industrial Practice (Placement pathway (24 months))
Modes of study
Route code | Credits and ECTS Credits | |
Full-time with Placement | PFB71002 | 240 credits and 120 ECTS credits |
QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)
Engineering (Master)
Other internal and / or external reference points
N/A
Faculty and Department / School
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences - School of Engineering
Programme Leader
IMAM Boulent (Sch of Eng)
Date of production/revision of spec
22/08/2025
Educational aims of the programme
- A comprehensive understanding of engineering mechanics for bridge analysis
- The ability to select and apply the most appropriate analysis methodology for problems in bridge engineering including advanced and new methods
- The ability to design bridge structures in a variety of construction materials
- A working knowledge of the key UK and European standards and codes of practice associated with the design, analysis and construction of bridge structures and the ability to interpret and apply these to both familiar and unfamiliar problems
- The necessary technical further learning towards fulfilling the educational base for the professional qualification of Chartered Engineer
- To develop skills that enable active participation in a digital, connected engineering discipline and professional practice
- To develop individual, interpersonal and professional skills, relevant to the professional field of bridge engineering
- To develop competencies to engage effectively with people from different backgrounds in ways that respect the interests of cultural groups and individual rights
- To create the conditions in which students become resourceful and resilient
- Recognize issues related to sustainability in the domain of bridge engineering and develop skills to manage the associated complexity
- Provide practice opportunities to enhance the learning process by year-long industrial placement where students will be able to put in practice their taught knowledge and develop industry-related skills
Programme learning outcomes
Attributes Developed | Awards | Ref. | |
A knowledge and understanding of the key UK and European standards and codes of practice relating to Bridge Engineering | K | MSc | |
The ability to interpret and apply the appropriate UK and European standards and codes of practice to bridge design for both familiar and unfamiliar situations | K | MSc | |
A knowledge and understanding of the construction of different types of bridge structures using different types of materials (eg concrete and steel) | K | MSc | |
A knowledge and understanding of the common and less common materials used in Bridge Engineering | K | MSc | |
A comprehensive understanding of the principles of engineering mechanics underpinning Bridge Engineering | K | MSc | |
The ability to critically evaluate Bridge Engineering concepts | K | MSc | |
The ability to apply the appropriate analysis methodologies to common Bridge Engineering problems as well as unfamiliar problems | K | MSc | |
The ability to understand the limitations of bridge analysis methods | K | MSc | |
A knowledge and understanding to work with information that may be uncertain or incomplete | K | MSc | |
A knowledge and understanding of sustainable development related to bridges | K | MSc | |
An awareness of the commercial, social and environmental impacts associated with bridges | K | MSc | |
An awareness and ability to make general evaluations of risk associated with the design and construction of bridge structures including health and safety, environmental and commercial risk | K | MSc | |
A critical awareness of new developments in the field of Bridge Engineering | K | MSc | |
The ability to tackle problems familiar or otherwise which have uncertain or incomplete data | C | MSc | |
The ability to generate innovative bridge designs | C | MSc | |
The ability to use theory or experimental research to improve design and/or analysis | C | MSc | |
The ability to apply fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies | C | MSc | |
Synthesis and critical appraisal of the thoughts of others | C | MSc | |
The awareness of professional and ethical conduct | P | MSc | |
A knowledge and understanding of Bridge Engineering in a commercial/business context | P | MSc | |
Ability to use computer software to assist towards bridge analysis | P | MSc | |
Ability to produce a high quality report | P | MSc | |
Ability of carry out technical oral presentations | P | MSc | |
Communicate engineering design, concepts, analysis and data in a clear and effective manner | T | MSc | |
Collect and analyse research data | T | MSc | |
Time and resource management planning | K | MSc |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Programme structure
Full-time with Placement
This Master's Degree programme is studied full-time over two academic years, consisting of 240 credits at FHEQ level 7*. All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
*some programmes may contain up to 30 credits at FHEQ level 6.
Programme Adjustments (if applicable)
N/A
Modules
Year 1 (full-time with placement - 2 years) - FHEQ Level 7
Module Selection for Year 1 (full-time with placement - 2 years) - FHEQ Level 7
Students need to take the following modules:
ENGM031 Prestressed Concrete Bridge Design
ENGM032 Steel & Composite Bridge Design
ENGM033 Durability of Bridges & Structures
ENGM265 Sustainability and Infrastructure
ENGM266 Infrastructure Asset Management
ENGM281 Building Information Modelling
ENGM044 Dissertation Project
ENGM324 Employability
Plus, two of the following:
ENGM041 Concrete Building Design
ENGM042 Steel Building Design
ENGM053 Structural Mechanics & Finite Elements
ENGM057 Water Resources Management and Hydraulic Modelling
ENGM264 Infrastructure Interdependencies and Resilience
ENGM269 Advanced Soil Mechanics
ENGM270 Energy Geotechnics
ENGM272 Deep Foundations and Earth Retaining Structures
ENGM285 Geographical Information Science and Remote Sensing
ENGM303 Nature Based Solutions in Environmental Engineering
Year 2 (full-time with placement - 2 years) - FHEQ Level 7
Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
---|---|---|---|---|
ENGM323 | INDUSTRIAL PRACTICE | Compulsory | 60 | Cross Year |
Module Selection for Year 2 (full-time with placement - 2 years) - FHEQ Level 7
Students need to take the following module ENGM323 Industrial Practice
Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity
Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics | Y | |
Professional Training Year (PTY) | N | |
Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) | N | |
Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) | N | |
Study exchange (Level 5) | N | |
Dual degree | N |
Other information
The school of Engineering / MSc Bridge Engineering with Industrial Practice is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This programme is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:
Digital capabilities: Within their modules, students are supported to use fit-for-purpose digital capabilities and emerging tools, spanning from traditional structural analysis software and CAD tools to more advanced tools for design, visualisation, and communication purposes. Students will significantly enhance their use of word processing software for report writing, other important job/instrument-related software and the use of scientific databases for research. Furthermore, students will have the opportunity, based on placement company/industry, to work using a plethora of digital tools and communication devices. This will provide them with the latest training opportunities leading to the development of vital digital skills.
Employability: The application of bridge engineering Codes of Practice covered in this programme provides a strong foundation for work in professional teams dealing with structural analysis and design of bridges. A year working in industry effectively develops a student¿s employability by giving them practical experience of the work environment and the expectations placed on them by their employer. A year working in industry allows students to apply their knowledge and skills in a work setting, further developing these skills. By working in a company or organisation, students gain a real understanding of the way that company or organisation operates and the challenges which it faces. Employers want to recruit graduates with practical knowledge and experience of their industry which students gain while on placement.
Global and cultural capabilities: Students will be exposed to bridge engineering case studies ranging across the globe, covering both developed and developing countries, providing a strong appreciation of priorities in different countries/continents. Cultural awareness is enhanced through facilitating online discussions via SurreyLearn with distance-learning students from around the world. Working in industry helps students to develop competencies to engage effectively with people from the different backgrounds encountered in the workplace. Each workplace has its own culture which a new employee or placement student has to adapt to if they are to do their job effectively. The ability to adapt to a workplace culture comes through experience. Students are supported by their placement tutor as they learn to adapt to the organisational culture of their placement company or organization.
Resourcefulness and Resilience: Through the modules they study, students develop the ability to respond to problem-based tasks and provide viable solutions to realistic bridge analysis and design problems. They are encouraged to apply their engineering knowledge and judgement in proposing and evaluating solutions, identifying and correcting errors; and in building confidence by tackling open ended questions related to bridge design problems. Working in industry will develop a student¿s ability to respond effectively to opportunities, challenges, difficulties and setbacks. Students are supported by their placement tutor as they face these challenges and learn to how to respond to the needs of the placement company or organisation.
Sustainability: Throughout their studies, students are exposed to possible trade-offs, between economic, environmental and social, that need to be considered in achieving successful bridge design proposals; they reflect on how the design and operation of different infrastructure systems, including bridges, contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Applying theories, concepts and skills relating to sustainability development in the workplace develops a student¿s understanding of sustainability and its practical application to real world problems. During the year in placement students will be exposed to a different work environment/industry which will inevitably have some sustainability agenda that students will be able to engage with and understand thereby developing necessary sustainability skills. Likewise, their relocation may require some adjustments to their lifestyle which may lead to a more sustainable travel and leaving, skills well desired nowadays.
Quality assurance
The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2026/7 academic year.