Program Overview

Civil Engineering

Overview

The research centre will address the topical grand challenges in civil engineering field, building on existing and developing new international collaborations. Financial support to meet these challenges will be acquired through both internal University initiatives (for enhanced infrastructure and facilities) and external funding from government grants, charities and direct industrial support.

Subject Summary

Your research will advance knowledge in the civil engineering field, building on existing and developing new international collaborations. Your work will help to address the challenges of energy, carbon, clean water, infrastructure; exploring extremes and defining new limits. Our key research areas include marine renewable energy, groundwater and environmental systems, geotechnics, intelligent infrastructure and high-performance structures, energy efficient materials and construction and project management.

Civil Engineering Highlights

Global Opportunities

• Civil Engineering brings together researchers from spatial planning, architecture, geography, paleoecology and civil engineering to tackle some of the world's most pressing urban and environmental challenges.

Industry Links

• Civil Engineering is led by a Head of Discipline supported by team leaders with responsibility for maintaining excellence in its research groups. One of these, the Intelligent and Sustainable Infrastructure Group (ISIG - including low carbon structural materials) has several joint projects with international Centres of Excellence.

World Class Facilities

• The School of Natural and Built Environment has a range of state-of-the-art facilities to support our outstanding students and staff conducting leading-edge research and teaching. These include a heavy structures laboratory, rheology laboratory, the Belfast Wave Flume and the Portaferry coastal wave basin.

Student Experience

• Postgraduates form an intrinsic part of our research community and are actively involved in the School's cross-disciplinary Research Groups, enabling the creation of synergies in areas such as sustainability, infrastructure, culture, design and heritage.

Key Facts

• Civil Engineering at Queens is in the Top 200 in the World QS Rankings (2022).
• Civil Engineering is ranked 20th in the UK (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022).

Course Content

Research Information

• Research under the traditional umbrella of Civil Engineering is coordinated by two loosely defined Research Clusters, Environmental Change and Resilience (ECR) and Natural and Built Environment (NBE).
• Staff develop and deliver world leading interdisciplinary research jointly with colleagues from Geography, Planning, Architecture and Archaeology.

Career Prospects

• Many of our graduates have moved into academic and research roles in Higher Education while others go on to play leading roles in educational practice, the public sector or within NGO’s.
• Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability.

People Teaching You

• Dr Mohammed Sonebi, Senior Lecturer, Co-chair of Postgraduate Research
• Dr Sree Nanukuttan, Senior Lecturer

Learning Outcomes

• A research degree offers students an opportunity to foster their capacity for independent research and critical thought.
• It also allows students to explore an area of interest and so understand and solve theoretical and practical problems within the field.

Course Structure

• An MPhil is awarded for original research in a topic chosen by the student.
• MPhil studies may be undertaken on a full (2 years) or part-time (4 years) basis.
• To complete with an MPhil qualification you will be required to submit a thesis of no more than 50,000 words.

Entrance Requirements

• The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

International Students

• For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements

• Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component is required.

Tuition Fees

• Northern Ireland (NI): £5,006
• Republic of Ireland (ROI): £5,006
• England, Scotland or Wales (GB): £5,006
• EU Other: £25,600
• International: £25,600

Additional Course Costs

• There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.

Bench Fees

• Some research programmes incur an additional annual charge on top of the tuition fees, often referred to as a bench fee.

Funding and Scholarships

• The Funding & Scholarship Finder helps prospective and current students find funding to help cover costs towards a whole range of study related expenses.

How to Apply

• Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Find a Supervisor

• If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.