Course summary
Overview Apply your geological knowledge to engineering and construction projects both onshore and offshore with our MSc Engineering Geology degree. You'll learn the advanced skills needed to understand the impact of geological conditions on engineering structures such as tunnels, dams, mines, quarries, offshore platforms and wind farms. You'll plan and conduct detailed investigations into surface and subsurface geology to identify adverse ground conditions, and design suitable remedial measures for these types of structures. Geological expertise is critical in all types of civil engineering projects – and when you graduate, you'll be able to meet the industry requirements for specialist engineering geologists. The course will lead to a career in the environmental, engineering geological and geotechnical sectors, and is an important step on the path to becoming a Chartered Geologist. Earth systems and environmental sciences at the University of Portsmouth is ranked 4th of all post-1992 universities for research quality as part of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021. The School of Environment, Geography and Geosciences offers a limited number of scholarships for international postgraduate students. This course is accredited by the Geological Society of London. Eligibility This course accepts UK, EU, and international students. Course highlights
- Learn about the advanced application of geology to the built environment from staff and researchers with extensive expertise in engineering geology and geotechnics.
- Build the skills and knowledge required for a career as a chartered geologist.
- Get hands-on experience of engineering geological mapping techniques, geomorphological and terrain analysis, applied GIS and remote sensing using current industry standard applications and techniques.
- Become skilled in lab techniques using our suite of labs and testing facilities, including our soil and rock mechanics laboratories.
- Develop your advanced engineering geological and geomorphological mapping and data collection skills with an overseas residential field trip to Southern France, which is part of the course and covered by the course fees.
- Complete your own research project in the UK or abroad with opportunities to work with industrial partners on a joint project. Previous partners have included multinational engineering companies, SOCOTEC and Fugro.
- Engineering geologist
- Environmental engineer
- Geo environmental engineer
- Geo environmental consultant
- Geologist
- Geoscientist
- Geotechnical engineer
- Land referencing consultant
- Oil and gas engineer
- Project engineer
- Site engineer
- Surveyor
- Aecon
- WSP
- Fugro
- Structural Soils
- Optikos
- Hydrock Consultants
Modules
Full-time Modules studied All modules on this Master's course are core. Contaminated Land and Groundwater Protection - 30 credits Ground Models and Ground Investigation - 30 credits Research Skills and Project - 60 credits Rock Mechanics and Engineering Design - 30 credits Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Design - 30 credits Part-time Year 1 Optional Contaminated Land and Groundwater Protection - 30 credits Ground Models and Ground Investigation - 30 credits Rock Mechanics and Engineering Design - 30 credits Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Design - 30 credits Year 2 Core Research Skills and Project - 60 credits Optional Contaminated Land and Groundwater Protection - 30 credits Ground Models and Ground Investigation - 30 credits Rock Mechanics and Engineering Design - 30 credits Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Design - 30 credits Changes to course content We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies. Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Assessment method
You'll be assessed through:
- coursework
- poster and oral presentations
- technical reports
- lab reports
- online tests
- essays
- examinations
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- The Geological Society
Entry requirements
A second-class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant Earth Science or Civil Engineering field such as Geology, Earth Science Civil Engineering or a related discipline. Applicants with industrial and work experience will also be considered.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0. | |
| Cambridge English Advanced | Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 176 with no component score less than 169. | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 176 with no component score less than 169. | |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 91 with a minimum of 20 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 20 in Writing. | |
| PTE Academic | An overall score of 61 with a minimum of 54 in each skill. |
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| EU | £5200 | Year 1 |
| England | £5200 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £5200 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £5200 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £5200 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £5200 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £5200 | Year 1 |
| International | £9600 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
Students who are resident in EU countries: please note that the net fee is inclusive of the Transition Scholarship.
Fees are accurate at the time of publishing and are subject to change at any time without notice.
Fees may also go up in later years, in line with inflation.
Provider information
University of Portsmouth
University House
Winston Churchill Avenue
Portsmouth
PO1 2UP