Program Overview

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Transportation Planning and Engineering: Operations (MSc)

About this course

Discover our MSc in Transportation Planning and Engineering: Operations and study the issues relating to the operation and management of transport systems. On this UK master's degree, you'll study topics such as transport management and safety, and freight transport and logistics. You can study this course on a full-time, part-time, or distance-learning basis.

This degree is ideal if you want a career in the transport industry or you're an experienced transport professional interested in enhancing your skills.

This master’s degree in transportation planning and engineering: operations covers everything from the fundamentals of modeling and economics, through to the application of software and planning tools using real-life examples from around the world. It’s the perfect way to improve your capabilities and career prospects in the transport sector.

Your course highlights include field trips and a mock public inquiry, where you'll learn about public engagement and the role of public opinion in the transport planning process.

Your taught learning includes modules on:

• Transport economics
• Transport data analysis and techniques
• Transport modeling
• Logistics systems operations

You’ll also have the chance to choose from a range of modules including:

• Highway and traffic engineering
• Transport, energy, and the environment
• Railway engineering and operations
• Human factors in engineering

You’ll gain experience using a range of transport-related software and you’ll be able to hear directly from a range of industry guest speakers. You’ll also carry out an individual research project on a topic of your choice.

Flexible study

If you prefer, you can apply to study this course as:

• Part-time master's - you'll study the same course content over 2 or more years.
• Distance-learning basis - you'll study the same course content full-time or part-time with face-to-face study for 1 week each semester.

Your modules and fees may vary if you choose a different study option.

Course lead

Dr. Ben Waterson is an Associate Professor in Transportation. He has been a member of the Transportation Research Group since 1997, with both teaching and research responsibilities.

Related pathways

If you'd prefer to study a different specialism, you can apply for one of our other MSc Transportation Planning and Engineering pathways:

• MSc Transportation Planning and Engineering: Infrastructure: Study the design, engineering, and operation of land transport systems
• MSc Transportation Planning and Engineering: Behaviour: Explore the relationships between transport systems, the people who use and run them, and the wider world

Accreditations

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).

Entry requirements

You’ll need a 2:1 degree in:

• Engineering
• Maths
• Geography
• Planning
• A physical science

If you have a 2:1 degree in another subject, please contact the programme lead to discuss whether you are eligible to apply.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

• Overall score: 6.5
• Reading: 6.0
• Writing: 6.0
• Speaking: 6.0
• Listening: 6.0

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector, we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge, and your aptitude for learning.

Your application will be considered on individual merit, and you may be asked to attend an interview.

Course structure

The course is made up of 2 semesters of taught modules and a summer period devoted to your individual project, from which you produce your dissertation.

Your lectures take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week.

The course includes a 2-day residential field trip. In the past, this has featured behind-the-scenes site visits, museum trips, and a 'transport challenge' competition.

Learning and assessment

As well as lectures and tutorials, your learning will include:

• Individual and group planning exercises
• Practical work
• Group discussion to exchange ideas
• One-to-one tutorials
• Access to dedicated research groups

Our Boldrewood Innovation Campus is home to the National Infrastructure Laboratory (NIL). The NIL is part of the UK Collaboratorium for Research on Infrastructure and Cities, a network of 13 universities in the UK.

The NIL finds ways to improve and upgrade infrastructure. It contains 5 engineering labs that you'll use to learn the latest testing and analysis techniques.

Boldrewood Innovation Campus is also home to the Southampton University Driving Simulator, and the Transportation Research Group’s instrumented car and instrumented bicycle.

Assessment

We assess your experimental, research, and design skills using a combination of techniques including:

• Examinations
• Presentations
• Problem-solving exercises
• Design exercises
• Essays
• Individual and group projects
• Dissertation

Dissertation

As part of this transport planning master’s degree, you’ll carry out a research project and complete a dissertation.

Your research project can focus on any of the areas covered in the course. It brings together all the skills you’ve learned and allows you to demonstrate in-depth knowledge.

The research project involves:

• Sourcing and gathering information
• Critical analysis
• Evaluation skills
• Presentation skills

It should include your own original ideas. It should also exceed the existing standard of technical design, and address a novel problem that needs new research applied to it.

Careers and employability

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us, you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Download skills overview

Work experience opportunities

Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.

Read more

Careers services and support

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability, and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

• Work experience schemes
• CV and interview skills and workshops
• Networking events
• Careers fairs attended by top employers
• A wealth of volunteering opportunities
• Study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture, and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry, and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability, and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.

More about careers support

Fees, costs, and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £31,500.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• Accommodation costs
• Living costs
• Budgeting advice
• Fees, charges, and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Funding your postgraduate studies

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal.
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step-by-step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

Full-time

UK students

• Tuesday, 9 September 2025, midday UK time

International students

• Tuesday, 26 August 2025, midday UK time

Part-time and Online

• Tuesday, 9 September 2025, midday UK time

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadlines once places are filled.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply, you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

You’ll need to include information about:

• Your knowledge of the subject area
• Why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• How you intend to use your qualification

References are not required for this programme.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We will aim to send you a decision 6 weeks after you have submitted your application.

Unfortunately, due to the number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [insert email] Tel: +44(0) [insert phone number]

Related courses

Transportation Planning and Engineering: Operations (MSc) is a course in the Civil engineering subject area. Here are some other courses within this subject area:

• MSc Applied Coastal and Offshore Geoscience
• MSc Civil Engineering
• MSc Civil Engineering with Integrated Qualifying Year
• MSc Energy and Sustainability: Energy, Environment and Buildings
• MSc Energy and Sustainability: Energy, Resources and Climate Change
• MSc Sustainable Energy Technologies
• MSc Transportation Planning and Engineering: Behaviour
• MSc Transportation Planning and Engineering: Infrastructure