University of Portsmouth
Engineering Geology MSc
University of Portsmouth

Course modalities offered

Key Course Facts

Salary

Salary of all UK Graduates of

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £22481 £20177 £23660
25-75 percentile range £20119 - £25653 £15142 - £24804 £17699 - £30158

Course Description

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.

Careers and opportunities

This course offers potential for career advancement in a range of engineering and geological disciplines, or entry into more senior roles.

It builds on the topics that you'll have covered as part of undergraduate geology or civil engineering studies and offers the opportunity to specialise in geotechnical and geo environmental engineering.

Graduates of this course have gone onto roles such as:

  • 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

Graduates of this course have gone on to work for companies such as:

  • Aecon
    • WSP
  • Fugro
  • Structural Soils
  • Optikos
  • Hydrock Consultants

Career outcomes shown are sourced from the latest available graduate outcome surveys. The data shows career outcomes at 15 months after graduation.

Career planning

During your course you'll have expert career support from your tutors and our Careers and Employability Centre – which you can access for up to 5 years after you graduate.

****You'll be assessed through:**** - coursework - poster and oral presentations - technical reports - lab reports - online tests - essays - examinations You'll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark. You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future. Assessments are industry-relevant and designed to help with employability.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

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.

Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Engineering Geology, MSc, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language 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.

Costs

Tuition Fees Engineering Geology MSc

EU £10400 year 1
England UK £10400 year 1
Northern Ireland £10400 year 1
Scotland £10400 year 1
Wales £10400 year 1
Channel Islands £10400 year 1
Ireland £10400 year 1
International £20200 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

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

University Rankings

Positions of University of Portsmouth in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of University of Portsmouth in related subject specific rankings.

Natural Sciences

    • #22 
    • #27 
    Geology
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #20 
    • #201 
    Geology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #23 
    • #431 
    Geology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #54 
    • #401 
    Social Sciences
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 26 October, 2022]

See all 29 university rankings of University of Portsmouth

About University of Portsmouth

The University of Portsmouth is located on the United Kingdom’s only island city, Portsmouth. This public university, which was previously known as Portsmouth Polytechnic, forms part of the University Alliance, an organisation whose aim is to promote growth and innovation in the UK by putting an emphasis on links with business and industry.

List of 234 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Portsmouth - Course Catalogue

Student composition of University of Portsmouth

undergraduates:
18085
postgraduates:
5005
Total:
23090
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Where is this programme taught

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