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In Year 1, the Mechanics module takes applied mathematics and physics from school and places them firmly in a structural engineering context. This leads into Structural Mechanics modules, where students move from understanding the behaviour of simple static structures to learning how engineers analyse complex real-world structures. These structures must safely withstand both everyday and extreme loads, whether from natural causes such as earthquakes and wind, or from human activity such as traffic, heavy machinery, fire, or blast.

Alongside this, students take structural design modules that encourage creative thinking while remaining grounded in what can realistically be built. As students progress into Years 3 and 4, a wide range of elective modules allows them to specialise in advanced topics in structures. These include the behaviour of large-scale steel and concrete structures, advanced analysis techniques, and the study of complex components, composite materials, and structural systems.

Learning is supported by a series of hands-on activities and projects. These include Constructionarium in Year 2, the Design, Build and Test Project in Year 3, and several structures-focused options within the Group Design Project. For students with a strong aptitude for the subject, Imperial’s world-leading Structures research group offers the opportunity to undertake cutting-edge research projects in Year 4. In some cases, students have gone on to produce peer-reviewed publications based on this work.