Program Overview

MSc in Civil Engineering

The MSc in Civil Engineering at the University of Galway is a one-year, full-time program that equips students with the advanced knowledge and skillset required to meet the needs of a dynamic global industry. The program combines creativity, teamwork, and innovation with strong industry engagement and global relevance, distinguishing it from traditional Civil Engineering degrees.

Course Introduction

The program prepares graduates for diverse, high-impact career paths across industry, government, and academia. It focuses on "hands-on" and "design-led" learning activities, ensuring students gain applied, real-world engineering experience. The course integrates direct industry contact and collaboration, particularly through the integrated design project involving industry partners.

Why Choose This Course?

• Employability: The program responds directly to global demand for skilled Civil Engineering professionals and prepares graduates for diverse, high-impact career paths.
• Unique Course: Combines creativity, teamwork, and innovation with strong industry engagement and global relevance.
• Practical Training: Emphasis on "hands-on" and "design-led" learning activities.
• Work Placements: Integrates direct industry contact and collaboration.

Course Information

The MSc in Civil Engineering is a 90 ECTS program made up of:

• 40 ECTS Project/Thesis
• 40 ECTS Advanced Subject-Specific Modules
• 10 ECTS Transferable Skills Modules

Students select options within both the Advanced Subject-Specific and Transferable Skills categories.

Advanced Subject-Specific Modules (40 ECTS)

• CE509 Advanced Structures (5 ECTS)
• CE514 Transportation Systems and Infrastructure II (5 ECTS)
• BME5110 Finite Element Methods in Engineering Theory and Practice (5 ECTS)
• CE6102 Design of Sustainable Environmental Systems I (5 ECTS)
• EOS418 Applied Field Hydrogeology (5 ECTS)
• CE5104 Sustainability Planning in Construction (10 ECTS)
• CE5105 Digital Construction Technologies (10 ECTS)
• ME4112 Computational Fluid Dynamics (5 ECTS)
• CE462 Coastal and Offshore Engineering (5 ECTS)
• CE4103 Geotechnical Engineering Design (5 ECTS)
• CE471 Project Management (5 ECTS)
• CE6113 Energy in Buildings (5 ECTS)
• CE5102 Timber Engineering and Design of Timber Structures (5 ECTS)
• CE6103 Design of Sustainable Environmental Systems II (5 ECTS)
• CE6120 Hydraulic Modelling (5 ECTS)

Transferable Skills Modules (10 ECTS)

• AY872 Financial Management I (5 ECTS)
• CE471 Project Management (5 ECTS)
• EE4104 Machine Learning and AI for Engineering (5 ECTS)
• EE5127 Internet of Things Systems Design (5 ECTS)
• EOS4101 Earth Observation and Remote Sensing (5 ECTS)
• LW361 Planning and Law (5 ECTS)
• ME432 Technology, Innovation & Entrepreneurship (5 ECTS)
• MG3119 Strategy (5 ECTS)

Careers

There is a global shortage and demand for highly-skilled Civil Engineering professionals. Graduates of this program can avail of diverse career pathways in various areas of Civil Engineering. Graduates from Civil Engineering at the University of Galway have an excellent international reputation and many are leaders in industry, government, non-governmental organizations, utilities, and research/academia.

Accreditation and Awards

All Engineering Degrees at the University of Galway are professionally accredited by the statutory professional body, Engineers Ireland. This means that the degree has been assessed and approved to meet the educational requirements for professional Engineers.

Entry Requirements and Fees

Minimum Entry Requirements

Candidates must hold at least a Second Class Honours Level 8 primary degree in a related subject area or hold a primary degree in a related area (which is acceptable to the college) without honours and have three years relevant practical experience in the subject area.

English Language Entry Requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, an English language proficiency of IELTS score of 6.5 is required (with no less than 6.5 in Writing and no less than 6.0 in any other band) or equivalent.

Fees for Academic Year 2026/27

• EU Fees: 8,900
• Non-EU Fees: 28,500
• Levy: 140
• Total EU Fee: 9,040
• Total Non-EU Fee: 28,640

Scholarships

The University of Galway offers a range of merit-based scholarships to students from a number of countries outside of the EU. The Postgraduate Excellence Scholarship is valued at 1,500 for EU students applying for full-time taught master's postgraduate courses.

Research Excellence

The University of Galway has earned international recognition as a research-led university with a commitment to top-quality teaching. The MSc in Civil Engineering contributes to this excellence by fostering a learning environment that values creativity, teamwork, and innovation.

Who Teaches this Course?

The course is taught by a team of experienced academics, including:

• Professor Eoghan Clifford
• Dr. Edelle Doherty
• Dr. William Finnegan
• Professor Jamie Goggins
• Professor Mark Healy
• Dr. Yadong Jiang
• Dr. Marcus Keane
• Dr. Myra Lydon
• Dr. Bryan McCabe
• Dr. Patrick McGetrick
• Dr. Paul Moran
• Dr. Stephen Nash
• Dr. Indiana Agnieszka Olbert
• Dr. Guangxue Wu
• Professor Xinmin Zhan

Learning and Assessment

The 90 ECTS that students must take in the MSc in Civil Engineering consists of 40 ECTS Project/Thesis, 40 ECTS Advanced Subject-Specific Modules, and 10 ECTS Transferable Skills Modules. Students choose options in each of the categories: Advanced Subject Specific Courses and Transferable Skills Modules.