| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-06-01 | - |
| 2026-01-01 | - |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
MSc Transport Planning & Engineering
Overview
Developments in transport shape the world we live in and influence communities' economic and social wellbeing. Transporting people and goods provides a serious challenge for politicians, transport planners, and engineering specialists.
During your studies, you will examine the major transport issues facing society and learn the main techniques applied in analyzing and resolving transport problems.
Mode of Study:
- Online learning (available as Part-time | Full-time)
Duration:
- 21-33 months
Start date:
- JunJanSep
Course details
You will gain an understanding of transport systems through studying issues such as transport modeling and appraisal techniques from a theoretical and practical perspective. You will also learn how to develop effective transport strategies to address a range of different scenarios.
Your studies will also benefit from our excellent links with industry and the transport research community, allowing you to gain a good understanding of the profession from industry-relevant teaching, and by engaging with transport practitioners and researchers.
Modules
- Traffic Engineering Design
- Transport Demand Management and Road Safety
- Transport Policy
- Public Transport
- Transport Economics and Appraisal
- Transport and Traffic Models
- Dissertation (60 credits)
For the award of MSc, you must successfully pass all seven modules, giving a total of 180 credits. All modules are 20 credits, except where indicated. Formal moderated examinations are required for all 20 credit modules, apart from Transport Demand Management and Road Safety.
How you'll be taught
The online materials have been designed to support you to study at a place and pace which suits your needs.
Assessments
Assessment methods include:
- Coursework
- Formal moderated examinations for all 20 credit modules, apart from Transport Demand Management and Road Safety. You will be required to make arrangements to sit these examinations in the country where you are based and be responsible for any costs involved.
Within each trimester, whilst there is flexibility to work through the material at your own pace, you need to be aware of the assessment dates as there is no flexibility in these.
If there is any question regarding the authorship of any submitted assessments, we reserve the right to require students to undertake an online viva.
Facilities
Where specialized software is used, you will be given access to it.
Accredited By
This degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) comprising of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, Institute of Highway Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, and the Permanent Way Institution on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the academic requirement for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). To hold accredited qualifications for CEng registration, candidates must also hold a Bachelor (Hons) degree that has been accredited as partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
Disclaimer
Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.
Full information is available in our disclaimer.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
The entry requirement for this course is a Bachelor (Honours) Degree at a 2:2 or above. We look for applicants to have a background in Civil Engineering, Social Sciences, Geography, or Maths in order to be eligible for the programme. In addition, a sufficient level of mathematical ability is also required.
We may also consider lesser qualifications if you have sufficient professional work experience within the industry.
To succeed on our Global Online degrees, you must have access via computer or laptop to view and download written and video content. You will also need basic IT skills that enable you to write and edit documents, send and receive email, find your way around our online learning environment, and search for and access online learning resources, download files, and use online forums.
English language
If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.
This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English, or your undergraduate degree was taught and examined in English. Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.
International students
We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country
Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
- BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
- All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.
See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.
Admissions policies
We're committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study.
Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.
Undergraduate admissions policies Postgraduate admissions policies
Fees & funding
The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances, and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.
- Undergraduate student fees and funding information
- Postgraduate student fees and funding information
- International student fees and funding information
Tuition fees for 2024/25
| 2024/25 | 2025/26 | |
|---|---|---|
| UK Students | £820 | £855 |
| Overseas Students | £835 | £870 |
Modules for your course can be purchased through our online store and must be paid in full at the time of enrolment. You will purchase modules in advance of each trimester of study. The fee listed above applies to 20 credits. Please note, the full course comprises of 120 credits in total for BA/BSc (top-up) and 180 credits in total for MSc. Please note that you will pay the module fee according to the academic year in which you study each module, meaning that the total cost of your course will vary depending on the year in which modules are undertaken. If you are paying a fixed programme fee through one of our global partners, the cost will be no higher than if you were buying modules directly from our online store.
Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding links above.
View Tuition Fees for 2025/26
Careers
What can you do with a MSc Transport Planning & Engineering degree?
This industry-accredited qualification offers good career prospects, especially as there is an increasing demand for transport planning graduates in the UK. On completing the course, you will have a wide range of job opportunities and career advancement prospects, such as:
- public sector agencies
- private consulting firms
- non-profit organizations
- research institutions
- international development agencies
The programme provides specialized knowledge and practical skills in transportation planning, traffic engineering, urban infrastructure design, and sustainable transportation solutions, making graduates highly competitive in the job market and valuable assets to employers.
Students have the opportunity to interact with industry experts, guest lecturers, and alumni through seminars, workshops, and networking events, which can lead to valuable connections, internships, job placements, and mentorship opportunities.
With an increasingly interconnected world, the program may offer opportunities for international study, research collaborations, and exposure to global transportation challenges and solutions, preparing graduates for careers in diverse geographical contexts and cultural settings.
What does a Transportation Engineer do?
As a Transportation Engineer, you may begin the day by reviewing project plans, timelines, and deliverables. This may involve coordinating with project managers, clients, and team members to ensure that project objectives are clear and tasks are assigned appropriately.
You will also review engineering calculations, design drawings, and project documents to ensure accuracy, compliance with standards, and adherence to project specifications. You may perform quality control checks to identify and resolve errors or inconsistencies.
You will be visiting project sites to conduct field surveys, site inspections, and data collection activities. This may involve using surveying equipment, GPS devices, or other tools to gather information about existing conditions and assess the feasibility of proposed designs.
Overall, your daily activities will involve a mix of technical analysis, design work, collaboration, communication, and problem-solving to effectively plan, design, and manage transportation infrastructure projects.
Program Outline
Transport Planning & Engineering MSc Online Learning - Edinburgh Napier University
Degree Overview:
This MSc program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful career in the transport professions. It focuses on the major transport issues facing society and provides students with the tools to analyze and resolve transport problems. The program is approved by the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) for Charter status and the TPS/CIHT’s Transport Planning Professional qualification (TPP).
Objectives:
- To develop a comprehensive understanding of transport systems and their impact on society.
- To gain proficiency in transport modelling and appraisal techniques.
- To acquire practical skills in transport planning and engineering.
- To prepare students for professional roles in the transport industry.
Outline:
Program Structure:
- The program is delivered online and can be studied part-time or full-time.
- The duration is 21-33 months.
- Transport Policy: This module examines the development and implementation of transport policies at local, regional, and national levels, including policy analysis, policy evaluation, and policy implementation.
- Public Transport: This module focuses on the planning, operation, and management of public transport systems, including bus, rail, and tram services.
- Transport Economics and Appraisal: This module introduces students to the economic principles underlying transport decision-making, including cost-benefit analysis, economic evaluation, and transport pricing.
- Dissertation (60 credits): This module allows students to undertake an independent research project on a topic of their choice related to transport planning and engineering.
Assessment:
- Coursework: This includes assignments, essays, and project reports.
- Formal Moderated Examinations: These are required for all 20-credit modules, except for Transport Demand Management and Road Safety. Students are responsible for arranging and paying for these examinations in their country of residence.
- Online Viva: In cases of suspected plagiarism, students may be required to participate in an online viva to verify the authorship of their work.
Teaching:
- Online Learning Materials: The program utilizes online materials designed to support flexible learning at the student's own pace.
- Industry Links: The program benefits from strong links with industry and the transport research community, providing students with industry-relevant teaching and opportunities to engage with practitioners and researchers.
Careers:
- Potential Career Paths:
- Transport Consultant
- Transport Planner
- Traffic Engineer
- Road Safety Officer
- Public Transport Manager
- Government Transport Policy Officer
- Opportunities: Graduates of this program are well-prepared for careers in major transport consultancies, local authorities, and government agencies.
Other:
- Accreditation: The program is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.
- Software Access: Students are provided with access to specialized software used in the program.
- Disclaimer: The modules listed are indicative only and may be subject to change.
- Tuition fees for 2024/25:
- UK Students: £820
- Overseas Students: £835
- Rate shown above is for 20 credits ; as course comprises 180 credits, total cost in 2024/25 is UK students £7,380 and Overseas students £7,515
- Tuition Fees for 2025/26:
- UK Students: £tba
- Overseas Students: £tba
- The course is approved as the further learning component required for Charter status by the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation (CIHT), as well as for the TPS/CIHT’s Transport Planning Professional qualification (TPP). You will be required to make arrangements to sit these examinations in your country and be responsible for any costs involved.
Entry Requirements:
- Academic Requirements: A Bachelor (Honours) Degree at a 2:2 or above. Applicants should have a background in Civil Engineering, Social Sciences, Geography, or Maths. A sufficient level of mathematical ability is also required.
- Work Experience: Lesser qualifications may be considered if applicants have sufficient professional work experience within the industry. Full details of any relevant work experience, including references, should be submitted with the application.
- IT Skills: Applicants must have access to a computer or laptop to view and download written and video content. They must also have basic IT skills, including writing and editing documents, sending and receiving emails, navigating online learning environments, searching for and accessing online learning resources, downloading files, and using online forums.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- English Language: If English is not the applicant's first language, they will normally need to undertake an approved English language test. The minimum English language requirements will apply. This may not apply if the applicant has completed all their school qualifications in English, or their undergraduate degree was taught and examined in English.
