(Full time / Part time) 2022 start
Transport Infrastructure: Design and Construction MSc (Eng)

Coronavirus information for applicants and offer holders
We hope that by the time you’re ready to start your studies with us the situation with COVID-19 will have eased. However, please be aware, we will continue to review our courses and other elements of the student experience in response to COVID-19 and we may need to adapt our provision to ensure students remain safe. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, regularly visit our website, which we will continue to update as the situation changes www.leeds.ac.uk/covid19faqs
Overview
Develop a holistic view of the design, construction and maintenance of land transport infrastructure, regarded by the construction industry as a key asset in the engineers they need to recruit.
This Masters degree will give you specialist knowledge on how bridges, highways and tunnels are designed, built, and maintained. You will develop a sophisticated understanding of techniques at the forefront of design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure and acquire specialist knowledge on the latest technological developments such as accelerated bridge construction, advanced materials like ultra-high performance concrete, and the possibilities of cutting-edge sensing techniques and robotics for the monitoring and repair of infrastructure.
With an emphasis on the construction and maintenance stages and the ‘how-is-it-made’ approach, different construction processes and techniques will be explored in detail, and used as a platform to investigate how they affect (and are affected by) the design process, the selection of alternatives and the implications for the entire service life.
Course highlights
Our courses are shaped by our world-leading research.
You’ll be taught by internationally renowned academics working at the forefront of their fields, who are passionate about the subjects they teach with strong industrial links.
Project work enables you to develop skills as a researcher, asking and answering important questions about the way our world works.
Throughout your studies you’ll benefit from a structured support system, with a personal tutor who will offer help and advice about your approach to studying and how to become adept at independent learning.
Online taster course
Transport Systems: Global Issues and Future Innovations is a free online course, delivered via FutureLearn, introducing how the transport sector can develop infrastructures that meet the needs of a 21st century population.
Whether you're a current undergraduate student, or a mid-career professional considering a Masters degree, this course offers a great taste of studying transportation challenges at postgraduate level.
Specialist facilities
You will have access to our teaching facilities, include laboratories, a design studio and teaching spaces, supplemented by extensive computing equipment, and specialist facilities, including laboratory space for structures, materials, public health engineering, building services and geotechnics, provide a creative and stimulating learning environment.
Find out more about our facilities.
Programme team
The Programme Leader, Dr Emilio Garcia-Taengua, is an Associate Professor in Structures. His research interests cover a wide variety of topics in the field of concrete science and technology, including self-compacting and fibre-reinforced concretes, rheology of cement-based materials, sustainability and recycled aggregates.
Active research environment
You will be taught by a team of academics and researchers who are actively engaged in cutting-edge research and part of the Materials and Structures research group.
Course content
You’ll study a set of core and optional modules that give you a firm foundation in understanding the concepts, information and techniques at the forefront of the design, construction, and operations of land transport infrastructure engineering. This includes modules looking at construction technology, interactions between construction and design, latest developments in structural health monitoring, bridge, road and highway engineering as well as an understanding of the framework of relevant requirements governing engineering activities such as personnel, health, safety and awareness of risk issues.
Over the summer months you’ll work with your supervisor to complete your independent research project – a chance to demonstrate the knowledge and skills you’ve gained and specialise in an area that relates to your career ambitions.
Project work
The dissertation project is one of the most satisfying elements of this course. It allows you to apply what you’ve learned to a piece of research focusing on a real-world problem, and it can be used to explore and develop your specific interests.
Fieldwork
We hope to run our fieldwork activities as planned for the 21/22 academic year, but it might not be possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are continually reviewing the situation and will communicate any decisions to applicants and offer holders at the earliest possible opportunity.
Want to find out more about your modules?
Take a look at the Transport Infrastructure: Design and Construction module descriptions for more detail on what you will study.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- MSc Dissertation 60 credits
- Transport Infrastructure Strategy 15 credits
- Bridge Engineering 15 credits
- Construction Technology 15 credits
- Monitoring and Maintenance of Infrastructure 15 credits
- Railway Track Infrastructure Design 15 credits
- Deterioration and Maintenance of Concrete Structures (MSc) 15 credits
- Deterioration and Maintenance of Pavements 15 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Geotechnical Engineering (MSc) 15 credits
- Advanced Concrete Design (MSc) 15 credits
- Foundation Engineering (MSc) 15 credits
- Road Geometry and Infrastructure 15 credits
Learning and teaching
Our groundbreaking research feeds directly into teaching, and you’ll have regular contact with staff who are at the forefront of their disciplines. You’ll have regular contact with them through lectures, seminars, tutorials, small group work and project meetings.
Independent study is also important to the programme, as you develop your problem-solving and research skills as well as your subject knowledge.
Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies: it’s a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the School, your programme and modules.
You can also benefit from support to develop your academic skills, within the curriculum and through online resources, workshops, one-to-one appointments and drop-in sessions.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed using a range of techniques including case studies, technical reports, presentations, in-class tests, assignments and exams. Optional modules may also use alternative assessment methods.
Applying, fees and funding
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in civil engineering or a related engineering, science or mathematical discipline where relevant subject areas have been studied. Applications from professionally qualified and experienced candidates will also be considered.
A bachelor degree with a 2:2 will be considered for candidates with at least one year’s relevant experience.
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information please contact the Admissions Team.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Civil Engineering (6 weeks) and Language for Science: Civil Engineering (10 weeks).
We are now offering online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. To find out more, read Online Academic English pre-sessional (10 weeks) and Online Academic English pre-sessional (6 weeks).
Read about differences between our online and on-campus summer pre-sessionals.
If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.
How to apply
Application deadlines
Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
29 July 2022 - international applicants
9 September 2022 - UK applicants
This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2023
Fees
- UK: £11,500 (total)
- International: £25,750 (total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Part-time fees
Fees for part-time courses are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
Career opportunities
A degree from Leeds and the experience you'll gain here will give you the edge to find the career you want. Your course will give you the experience and knowledge that employers are looking for to help you secure a job.
The University of Leeds is in the top five most targeted universities in the UK by graduate recruiters, according to High Fliers’ The Graduate Market in 2022 report.
Read profiles of our alumni to find out more about where some of our graduates are working.
Careers support
At Leeds we help you to prepare for your future from day one. Our Leeds for Life initiative is designed to help you develop and demonstrate the skills and experience you need for when you graduate. We will help you to access opportunities across the University and record your key achievements so you are able to articulate them clearly and confidently.
You’ll have access to the wide range of careers resources and support from your Careers Service. You’ll have the chance to attend industry presentations, book appointments with qualified careers consultants and take part in employability workshops and webinars. Our careers fairs provide further opportunities to explore your career options with some of the UKs leading employers.
You will also have full access to the University’s Careers Centre, which is one of the largest in the country.
There are also plenty of exciting ways you can volunteer during your time at Leeds. Find out more at the Leeds University Union website.