MSc Soil Mechanics

Gain a solid understanding of the theory of geomechanics and explore the properties of solids and soft rocks

Our Soil Mechanics courses explore the properties of soils and soft rocks in relation to civil engineering, the theory of geomechanics and practical geotechnical engineering. They provide students with a solid technical basis in the key areas of geotechnics through a coherent, coordinated and balanced degree programme, integrating core engineering science and recent research with practical applications.

These courses feature strong links with industry, with an emphasis on fieldwork, laboratory testing using state-of-the-art facilities and numerical analysis using bespoke and commercial software. They are taught by leading experts in the field of geotechnics.

Graduates from these courses gain employment in a wide range of organisations, including international consultancies, contractors, governmental bodies and academic institutions. Our MSc graduates have an excellent employment record due to our strong engagement with industry.

The course is supported by an Industrial Bursary scheme, currently supported by 13 international companies, which provides scholarship awards to the best applicants to our MSc course every year.

The four course streams share approximately 80% of the curriculum, while the remaining 20% allows specialisation in the areas of advanced Soil Mechanics, Engineering Seismology, Environmental Geotechnics and Engineering Geology.