Civil Engineering

Course content

Civil engineering professionals often require an extensive understanding of construction management due to the strategic benefits it can bring to both individuals and project teams. As the industry becomes more competitive, organisations are increasingly demanding the combined time, cost and quality assurances that good project management practice provides.

MSc Civil Engineering and Construction Management will interest you if you are a civil engineering professional looking to broaden your knowledge and technical expertise and expand your career opportunities. For those of you from a different engineering background, the programme offers you the opportunity to develop key civil engineering and construction management skills to be able to commence a career within the built environment industry. You’ll gain a deep understanding of the core technical skills and personal qualities required to work within the dynamic industry at the highest possible technical level and the programme will provide you with an accredited route to becoming a Chartered Engineer.

During the master’s programme, you’ll gain relevant specialist expertise in civil and structural engineering that is of most interest to you, develop the applied mathematical skills required by professional engineers, and gain a comprehensive understanding of the concepts, principles, theories, and sustainability issues in construction.

This career-focused master’s programme combines elements of construction project management, and civil and structural engineering to provide a broad and valuable education. Upon completion, you’ll have the skills and knowledge to prepare you for a wide range of technical and managerial careers across the sector, both nationally and internationally, working in areas such as general construction, transport, water and wastewater engineering.

Your learning will be informed by the expertise of our research-active civil and structural engineers, construction professionals, industry-leaders, and academics.

96% of Heriot-Watt University’s engineering research was classed as world-leading in the REF 2021 review, which ranked us 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for engineering research through a joint submission with the University of Edinburgh.

Our MSc Civil Engineering and Construction Management programme is directly informed by the world class research carried out by Heriot-Watt’s Institute of Sustainable Built Environment (ISBE) which sits within the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society (EGIS). EGIS is one of the United Kingdom’s leading institutions for multidisciplinary research and teaching in areas critical to economic development and societal equity. The institute’s academic team conduct high-value and high-impact research on fields covering sustainability, digital innovation, design, and management of the built environment. The research relevance of this undergraduate programme ensures your studies remain innovative and industry focused.

The MSc Civil Engineering and Construction Management programme is taught though a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and laboratory practicals, allowing you to get to know and build relationships with your teaching staff, academics, and peers. You will be assessed by coursework, exams, and your dissertation, and will receive support and feedback throughout the programme.