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General Structural Engineering (H2A1)

Established in 2003 with the aim of providing training in the analysis, design and assessment of structures under general conditions. The course is designed to cover a broad and comprehensive set of topics related to steel and concrete structural engineering, using advanced analytical and numerical techniques. Ideally suited to practising engineers with relevant experience, recent graduates with an appropriate first degree will also greatly benefit from attending.

The course requires good prior knowledge of Structural Mechanics, Analysis and Mathematics. The basic material required as a prerequisite for this course is covered in the document Standardising the Technical Background of Entrants - Structures Cluster [pdf]. 

Accordion - MSc General Structures

Aims and objectives

  • Produce graduates equipped to pursue careers in structural design and analysis in industry, the public sector and non-governmental organisations;
  • Provide the basis for the recognition and understanding of the major features of structural engineering;
  • Develop an understanding of how this knowledge may be applied in practice in an economic and environmentally sustainable manner;
  • Foster the acquisition and implementation of broad research and analytical skills related to structural engineering;
  • Attract highly motivated students irrespective of race, gender, background and physical disability, from the UK and overseas;
  • Develop new areas of teaching in response to the advance of scholarship and the needs of the community including vocational training;
  • Provide an introduction to the subject for students from other relevant disciplines

Full or part time study options

**Entry to our two year part-time option is suspended for entry in 2021**

**Entry to our three year part-time option is suspended for entry in 2020 and 2021**

The full-time programme is taken over 12 months, with a single entry point per year at the beginning of October, part-time options equate to:

  • One day per week over three years
  • One and a half days per week over two years
  • Term release - see below

During the project/dissertation period, there is a typical attendance requirement of 1/1.5 days per week, in addition to a significant amount of personal study time

Download the Guidance for Tier-4 Visa-dependent students for Part-Time study‌. 

Term release

The Advanced Structural Engineering courses may be taken part-time, on a term-by-term basis, as follows:

Over three years - Year One
Autumn TermSpring TermSummer Term
Attend for the entire term (11 weeks), students thereby taking the first half of the taught portion of the course. Undertake examination of autumn-term modules only. No attendance.
Over three years - Year One
Over two years - Year One
Over three years - Year Two
Autumn TermSpring TermSummer Term
No attendance. Complete (11 weeks) attendance, students thereby attending the second half of the taught portion of the course. Take examination papers covering material from the Spring Term. Undertake Conceptual Design Project (2-weeks of attendance).
Over three years - Year Two
Over two years - Year One
Over three years - Year Three
Autumn TermSpring TermSummer Term
Undertake Research Dissertation or Detailed Design Project. Undertake Research Dissertation or Detailed Design Project. Undertake Research Dissertation or Detailed Design Project.
Over three years - Year Three
Over two years - Year One

Coursework will be submitted at the time required for the full-time course, that is either during Year 1 Autumn term, or during Year 2 Spring and Summer terms, or later as appropriate.

The Dissertation/Project will be submitted at the end of year 3, in time for the September Examiners' meeting.

Course structure

Students will undertake 6 modules in the autumn term (October to December), examined in January; and a further 6 modules in the spring term (January-March), examined after the Easter break.  This second examination period is followed by a 2-week conceptual group design exercise and a major individual piece of work, either research or design based.The course culminates in a final project which can be design or research orientated.

Assessment

Assessments include individual and group courseworks; projects and presentations; written and oral examinations and a research dissertation or detailed design project. To complete the requirements of the degree, all assessments must be undertaken to the appropriate level. Written examinations are held at the beginning of the spring term (January) and the summer term (April-May). Successful candidates will be awarded the MSc degree of Imperial College London and the Diploma of Imperial College (DIC).

Further resources for this programme

MSc Application Information

Minimum academic entry requirements

  • A good Upper Second or First Class Degree result (or International equivalent), in engineering or another numerate discipline, or Masters level degree qualification
  • Good mathematical skills (B or above at A-level or equivalent qualification)
  • Relevant Postgraduate industrial experience is favoured
  • English Language qualification (where relevant)

Applicants for whom English is not their first language will be required to present an English language qualification, passed at the appropriate level. This may follow the application if not available at the time of submission. Please see the College English language requirements for postgraduate applicants for information. Please also check that your previous study meets the minimum academic requirements by country index

Note: The Department may set higher requirements than those specified by the College as minimum entry requirements and that places are not guaranteed for any applicant.  Relevance of degrees and eligibility can be checked with the Department.  

 

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