PGDip Structural Engineering

Program Overview

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About our foundation years

Our Foundation Year courses are perfect for you if you...

• are returning to education after a long time, or you don't have the qualifications for direct entry into our degree programmes
• are thinking of re-training and would like an introduction to the area
• are an international student wanting an additional year to adapt to the UK academic system
• are still evaluating which degree pathway at UEL is the right one for you

Please note: Foundation years can only be studied full-time. However, you can transfer to part-time delivery once you have completed your foundation year. Please apply to the full-time option if you wish to study in this way.

Structural Engineering PGDip

Overview

We have designed our Postgraduate Diploma in Structural Engineering to develop your engineering expertise in line with the ever-changing demands of the profession.

We will enhance your knowledge in all the essential areas of engineering, from structural dynamics and earthquake engineering to soil-structure engineering.

We will ensure that your research skills and general understanding are sharp enough to give you a competitive edge as you build your career.

Our campus location in the heart of London's Docklands means you will see close up the challenges facing the next generation of engineers, from intensive urbanisation and major economic regeneration to climatic changes.

We also have excellent contacts with major industry employers, including Atkins, Waterman Group plc, Thames Water, SRK Consulting and the London Borough of Newham.

Our postgraduate engineering courses enjoy widespread professional recognition and are accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) of the Institutions of Civil, Structural, and Highways and Transportation Engineers.

Whatever your entry-level, we will get your engineering career off to the best possible start.

Entry Requirements

Academic requirements

• Bachelor's degree BEng with Third Class or BSc with minimum Second Class (2:2) in Civil Engineering.

International Qualifications

We accept a wide range of European and international qualifications in addition to A-levels, the International Baccalaureate and BTEC qualifications. Please visit our International page for full details.

English Language requirements

Overall IELTS 6.0 with minimum 6.0 in writing and speaking, and 5.5 in listening and reading (or recognised equivalent) If you do not meet the academic English language requirements for your course, you may be eligible to enrol onto a pre-sessional English course.

The length of the course will depend on your current level of English and the requirements for your degree programme. We offer a 5-week and an 10-week pre-sessional course.

Mature applicants and those without formal qualifications

As an inclusive university, we recognise those who have been out of education for some time may not have the formal qualifications usually required. We welcome applications from those who can demonstrate their enthusiasm and commitment to study and have the relevant life/work experience that equips them to succeed on the course. We will assess this from the information provided in your application or may request additional information such as a CV or attendance at an interview. Please note that some courses require applicants to meet the entry requirements outlined.

Admissions policy / Terms of Admittance

We are committed to fair admissions and access by recruiting students regardless of their social, cultural or economic background. Our admissions policy sets out the principles and procedures we use to admit new students for all courses offered by the university and its partners.

Fees, funding and additional costs

Fees

EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals starting a course from September 2021, will no longer be eligible for Home fees. However, such nationals benefitting from Settled Status or Citizens' Rights may become eligible for Home fees as and when the UK Government confirms any new fee regulations. Further information can be found at UKCISA.

Tuition fees are subject to annual change. Fees for future years will be published in due course.

Funding

Home students

• Postgraduate Loans Scheme: £10,280 to fund your Masters Programme under the Postgraduate Loans (PGL) scheme
• Postgraduate Scholarship: Apply for a 50 per cent discount on your tuition fees!
• Our scholarships and bursaries can help you: Alumni Discount, Early Payment Discount, Asylum Seekers scholarship, Civic Engagement, Hardship Bursary, Sport Scholarships
• How to pay your fees: Online payment facilities, By telephone, In person at our Docklands or Stratford campus, Bank transfer

International students

• Living costs for international students: As part of the Tier 4 student visa requirements, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) estimate that you will need £1,265* per month to cover your living costs.
• How to pay your fees - international students: Deposits and paying by instalments

Additional costs

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Some additional fees are in the course specification or given during the application process.

Course modules

Year 1

• Soil Structure Engineering Core Module
• Design in Steel and Concrete Core Module
• Advanced Structural Analysis Core Module
• Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering Core Module
• Design in Timber and Masonry Core Module

What we're researching

Our academic staff bring a huge amount of research knowledge to bear on their teaching, so you can be sure that what you study reflects the most up-to-date thinking and practice. Alongside strong academic credentials, many have extensive industrial experience as practising civil engineers.

Their expertise includes coastal and river engineering, structural analysis and design, geotechnical analysis and design, laboratory modelling and computational structural mechanics.

Your future career

There is an acknowledged shortage of and growing demand for skilled structural engineers with the right qualifications and experience. We have designed this course to give you a competitive edge when it comes to your career.

As a graduate of our Structural Engineering PGDip course, you can transfer onto the MSc course once you achieve the required threshold average.

Job roles

The course will prepare you for employment in a variety of dynamic consultancy and contracting roles in fields that range from infrastructure projects and geotechnical engineering to highways and transportation.

The skills you will develop while gaining your Diploma will also enhance your career prospects in other related areas such as research and management.

With access to our strong and diverse academic knowledge base and the opportunities to apply that knowledge professionally, we will give you the best possible head start.

Industry links

Our Docklands location also means UEL is uniquely placed for links to industry. Our extensive local contacts include organisations such as Crossrail, Thames Water and the London Borough of Newham.

Our students have an excellent track record of employment and have gone on to work in sectors that include aviation, infrastructure, transport and construction.

How we support your career ambitions

We offer dedicated careers support, and further opportunities to thrive, such as volunteering and industry networking. Our courses are created in collaboration with employers and industry to ensure they accurately reflect the real-life practices of your future career and provide you with the essential skills needed. You can focus on building interpersonal skills through group work and benefit from our investment in the latest cutting-edge technologies and facilities.

Career Zone

Our dedicated and award-winning team provide you with careers and employability resources, including:

• Online jobs board for internships, placements, graduate opportunities, flexible part-time work.
• Mentoring programmes for insight with industry experts
• 1-2-1 career coaching services
• Careers workshops and employer events
• Learning pathways to gain new skills and industry insight

Mental Wealth programme

Our Professional Fitness and Mental Wealth programme which issues you with a Careers Passport to track the skills you’ve mastered. Some of these are externally validated by corporations like Amazon and Microsoft.

How you'll learn

The programme will provide learners with a stimulating learning environment where they can learn all about structural engineering.

Coursework

Your coursework will include analysis and design projects, research reports, group and seminar presentations and a research dissertation project. You will also attend lectures, seminars and tutorials and you will work individually and in groups.

All modules include coursework, where you will have the chance to apply your knowledge to engineering projects that are based on real-life situations.

Facilities

To support the hands-on nature of our courses we have an impressive range of facilities. Our modern, well-equipped laboratories include a structures laboratory, a soil mechanics laboratory and a hydraulics laboratory. We also have superb computer facilities, and you will be able to plan and design using the latest software.

Feedback and support

Expert feedback and support are always on offer from our dedicated team of academics, all of whom are experts in their respective fields of engineering.

Alongside their impressive academic credentials, many have extensive industrial experience as practising engineers.

How you'll be assessed

We assess you through a mix of coursework, your research dissertation and examinations.

Campus and facilities

Docklands Campus, London, E16 2RD

Our waterfront campus in the historic Royal Docks provides a modern, well-equipped learning environment.

Join us and you'll be able to make the most of our facilities including contemporary lecture theatres and seminar rooms, art studios and exhibition spaces, audio and visual labs and a multimedia production centre.

Features include our 24/7 Docklands library, our £21m SportsDock centre, a campus shop and bookstore, the Children's Garden Nursery, cafés, eateries, a late bar, plus Student Union facilities, including a student lounge.

The University of East London is one of the few London universities to provide on-campus accommodation. Our Docklands Campus Student Village houses close to 1,200 students from around the world. We are well connected to central London and Canary Wharf, with London City Airport just across the water. We also run a free bus service that connects Docklands with Stratford campuses.

Who teaches this course

This course is delivered by School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering

The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.

• Course leader: Alex Apeagyei
• Course leader: Ali Abbas
• Course leader: Dr Ravindra Jayaratne

Related courses

This course is part of the Engineering subject area.

• MSc Structural Engineering
• PGDip Civil Engineering
• MSc Intelligent Transport Planning and Engineering