A week in the life of an MSc Bridge Engineering student
Discover what a typical week looks like as an MSc Bridge Engineering student at Surrey.
How will I learn?
Our well-established and fully accredited Bridge Engineering MSc is the only MSc programme in this area in Europe – and one of the few around the world. Running since the early 1970s, this programme provides you with the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills in specialist aspects of bridge engineering.
You’ll learn through a combination of:
- Lectures
- Tutorials and seminars
- Practical workshops
- Keynote talks from VIP industry professionals
- Online captured content and lecture notes
- Digital study tools
- Potential site visit to a bridge site (circumstances permitting).
Dr Boulent Imam explains: "Lectures are used to deliver the core learning material on each module. Seminars highlight and reinforce the most important learning points from each week's material and introduce discussion and brainstorming exercises on the topics delivered. And tutorials are used to solve example problems and case studies on the application of the methods and principles you've learned - which can include design/analysis calculations or using a tool/software."
You'll also be expected to carry out independent study and learning, including working on self-study questions, guided background reading, coursework assignments and your dissertation project.
What does a typical week look like?
You will be taking four modules per semester (if studying full-time), which is equivalent to approximately 8-10 contact hours each week.
Monday
- 10am-12pm: Structural Mechanics and Finite Elements – Seminar
Tuesday
- 10am-12pm: Prestressed Concrete Bridge Design – Tutorial
Wednesday
Wednesday afternoons are left free for sporting and other University society activities.
Thursday
- 9am-11am: Durability of Bridges and Structures – Lecture
Friday
- 12pm-2pm: Infrastructure Systems, Interdependencies and Resilience – Seminar
And when lectures have finished?
There are a wealth of activities on offer at Surrey for you to get involved in such as becoming a member of CivSoc, which enables you to make new friends and access a range of social and career-related events. Or you could head over to Surrey Sports Park, explore the town of Guildford with its wide range of bars and restaurants, or take a 34-minute train journey into London for some time in the city. For some peace and quiet, and the chance to explore, you can head to the Surrey Hills, an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Find out more about postgraduate study in civil and environmental engineering at Surrey.
Disclaimer: The timetable and modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication and may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.