MSc Transport
Scholarship and funding opportunities
Find out more about the funding available for 2023/24
Recent developments in the transportation industry have revolutionised the provision of mobility services for passengers and goods over the last decade. The MSc in Transport, newly established for 2023, is an advanced graduate programme that will provide students with the knowledge and skills needed in the modern transport sector and to be well-positioned for a successful professional or research career in the transport and logistics industry.
The programme is career-oriented and will cover theoretical background, practical design, and analysis considerations, central to which are the concepts of efficiency, safety, security, and sustainability. The students will have access to the Intelligent Infrastructure and Transport Systems Laboratory and other facilities within the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, which will expose them to the latest technologies and skills used by the sector.
A strong programming and design component in the programme will emphasise applications and industry relevance. The students will also have the opportunity to undertake research with academics from the top-rated Civil and Environmental Engineering Department from recent research assessment exercises. The Transport Section has strong collaborative links with the public and private sectors at an international level. This includes the Transport Strategy Centre, whose work on transport system performance is conducted with (and funded by) industry through continuous close collaboration with over 130 transport organizations globally.
This programme is also affiliated with the Department’s cross-sectional Data Science Theme. A tailored track of the curriculum is also offered (MSc in Transport with Data Science and Mathematical Optimisation - DSMO) with a special focus on Data Science applications in Transport. The aim of this add-on option of our degree is to provide a concise and comprehensive introduction to key scientific methods for data analysis and mathematical optimisation from both a theoretical and an applied viewpoint.
Intro about course and reasons
What is the programme layout?
The above diagram provides a layout of the programme and the differences between the two tracks that are offered. The programme of study is made up of:
- 11 taught modules,
- 1 group design project
- 1 research project.
You will notice that the programme covers a variety of skills and topics and is structured to help you excel, whatever your background.
- The first term is more theoretical and focuses on the core fundamentals of transport, analysis, and modelling.
- The second term will focus on specific transport modes, applications, and technologies.
- The final part involves a design project and a dissertation, where you will have an opportunity to carry out research and develop knowledge on topics of particular interest to you.
There is an extensive focus on technical writing, oral presentations and team working. We have designed these modules to be complementary and teach a wide range of the skills required by modern transport engineers and practitioners whilst providing you with lots of exposure to theory, modelling, and research.
Find out more about each of the modules further down this page.
Why should I study this programme?
Who is the programme aimed at?
Anyone who is able and enjoys transport systems, modelling and engineering. All students with a solid first degree in Science, Maths or Engineering-based subjects and an interest in Transport. Practitioners with significant work experience who would like to specialise in Transport are also encouraged to apply.
Why should I apply to this programme?
Our programme is career-oriented and will cover theoretical background, practical design, and analysis considerations, central to which are the concepts of efficiency, safety, security, and sustainability. The taught curriculum deals with significant topics in the design, modelling, and operation of civil infrastructure to support ground, air, and maritime transport, as well as the tools and models that would inform and design passenger and freight transportation. This gives you all the flexibility you’ll need in your future career path.
Graduates of our programme benefit from a global alumni network.
They are employed by high-profile public and private sector organisations. These include major transport and management consultancies, transport operators (including airlines and shipping lines), the technology sector, government bodies and international organisations. Many of our graduates continue their studies to undertake research towards a PhD and have established successful academic careers.
The University is one of the best in the world.
Imperial College London is consistently ranked in the top 10 universities in the World and the top 5 in Europe. The Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering itself is considered one of the best in the World. It consistently excels in teaching and research (See the 2019 National Student Survey and our top ranking in recent research assessments.
Visit this page for more reasons to choose Imperial.
London is one of the most vibrant and exciting places to live, let alone be a student.
You will live and study in the centre of a vibrant, global capital that is ranked amongst the best student cities in the world. Everything from global Engineering Consultancies, infrastructure developers, and international organisations to niche transport-tech start-ups are located on your doorstep, offering you a wide range of opportunities for networking and applying for jobs.
Continue reading for module information and frequently asked questions (FAQs).
Convinced already? Apply now.
Indicative Programme Syllabus for 2023/24
Lectures will form a significant component of the teaching approach. They will be delivered by a mix of academics and external speakers from the industry with relevant expertise. Tutorials will enable the students to test their understanding of the lecture material, ask specific questions and consolidate their knowledge. There will be a good balance of theory and practice throughout the programme. This is achieved through hands-on modelling exercises, laboratory activities, demonstrations as well as design projects.
Finally, the research project will enable students to learn skills essential for independent research. The project may be undertaken at College or in collaboration with industry.
To complete the MSc, all students registered for the MSc in Transport must undertake all modules.
The module content provided is indicative and is subject to annual update.
Pre-session (Non-assessed)
The notation in the module title indicates which programmes the module is available to.
MSc-T = MSc Transport
MSc-TDSMO = MSc in Transport with Data Science and Mathematical Optimisation
Autumn Term modules
CIVE70119 Transport Infrastructure and its Context [MSc -T, MSc-TDSMO]
(Both tracks: MSc in Transport, MSc in Transport with DSMO)
This core module is a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of the transportation system, the context in which it operates, and its relationship with the built environment. In addition, the module content provides you with the basis for the rest of the MSc Programme.
CIVE70107 Analytical Methods [MSc-T]
(Part of the MSc in Transport track)
This module will provide you with a comprehensive introduction to key analytical methods used in transport research. Both quantitative and qualitative methods will be introduced, including coverage of relevant theories, methodologies, and computational techniques. The module will teach you how to summarise and analyse the information contained in different data types using appropriate software and programming languages, thus enabling you to represent and investigate real-world phenomena.
Statistical Modelling [MSc-TDSMO]
(Part of the MSc in Transport with DSMO track)
This module will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of statistical modelling fundamentals from a theoretical and applied viewpoint. It will develop the relevant theory, methodology and computational techniques required for you to formulate and implement statistical models to represent real-world phenomena. The course will also teach you how to program statistical models in the R programming language using both R and the RStudio graphical user interface (GUI). A pre-requisite for this course is that you must have a sufficient background in mathematics, including algebra, matrix algebra, and multivariate calculus.
CIVE70015 Traffic Engineering [MSc-T, MSc TDSMO]
(Both tracks: MSc in Transport, MSc in Transport with DSMO)
This module will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the basics of traffic engineering, including macroscopic fundamental diagrams (MFD), shockwaves and queueing theory and the principles of traffic microsimulation. You will also learn how to apply these theories in designing traffic signal control, determining optimal speed limits, and detecting traffic congestion (recurrent and non-recurrent) from operational data. Finally, you will practice the design strategies and principles relating to urban parking management and safety standards that reduce the negative impacts of traffic.
CIVE70118 Transport Economics and Demand [MSc-T]
(Part of the MSc in Transport track)
This module will provide you with a rigorous mathematical understanding of the fundamental theories underlying models of travel demand and transport supply. You will also develop your knowledge of how to apply the models appropriately and in a theoretically consistent manner to the evaluation and appraisal of transport policies. Various aggregate and disaggregate modelling techniques will be considered in modelling consumer demand and transport economics, including discrete choice models and stated preference methods for market evaluation, cost-benefit analysis, and welfare maximisation. You will be introduced to software tools and their application for modelling travel behaviour, demand and supply characteristics.
Machine Learning [MSc-TDSMO]
This module will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of machine learning concepts and their application to civil engineering applications. It will cover the three principal subfields of modern machine learning, namely supervised, unsupervised and reinforcement learning. Application examples will be drawn from a broad range of civil engineering applications, including transport. The module will also teach you how to implement machine learning models using the Python programming language, using common numerical analysis libraries (such as NumPy), and specialised tools, such as scikit-learn and PyTorch.
CIVE70120 Transport Planning and Policy [MSc-T, MSc-TDSMO]
(Both tracks: MSc in Transport, MSc in Transport with DSMO)
This module aims to provide you with a thorough overview of concepts and methods fundamental to transport planning and policy, including 4-stage travel demand models of trip generation, trip distribution, mode choice, and traffic assignment. You will learn to apply these models through a set of practical problems and case studies and gain experience in data handling and estimation. The module will also introduce key policy issues in the context of future mobility. You will apply state-of-the-art methods to address these, including time-of-day and activity-based models. At the end of the module, you will be able to develop and use travel demand models and their outputs to appraise transport policy and understand their role within the broader context of integrated land use-transport modelling.
CIVE70115 Safety, Security and Human Factors [MSc-T]
(Part of the MSc in Transport track)
This module focuses on safety and security in transportation. It recognises that modern transportation involves a complex interaction between technology, procedures and human actors who are part of a larger organisation. In this module, you will be introduced to key analytical methods that include both quantitative methods, such as crash statistical analysis and vulnerability analysis of transport systems, and qualitative methods, including the assessment of the impact of legislation on transport safety.
Mathematical Optimisation [MSc-TDSMO]
(Part of the MSc in Transport with DSMO track)
This module will provide you with the mathematical and computational concepts required for formulating and solving a wide range of mathematical optimisation problems. The module will cover the mathematical definitions of objective functions, constraints, optimality conditions and optimal solutions. You will be exposed to different optimisation problem formulations, solution methods, and examples from different application domains across civil engineering (including transport).
Module descriptor not yet available.
Spring Term modules
CIVE70117 Sustainable Transport [MSc-T, MSc-TDSMO]
(Both tracks: MSc in Transport, MSc in Transport with DSMO)
Our transport systems are critical to our way of life. They enable the movement of people and goods, enabling economic activity and development. Yet emissions from transport contribute to climate change and degrade air quality in our cities. In this module, you will understand how transport is linked to energy, climate change, air pollution and noise pollution. In addition to these core concepts, you will be introduced to specific modes of transport (active travel, aviation, road, and shipping) and innovations critical to making transportation more sustainable.
CIVE70113 Rail and Mass Transit Systems [MSc-T, MSc-TDSMO]
(Both tracks: MSc in Transport, MSc in Transport with DSMO)
The module content is designed to provide you with a rich understanding of the operation, planning, policy and infrastructure of rail and mass transit systems, drawing on extensive international experience. The module will teach you principles that govern all major modes of public transport, as well as the specifics of delivering rail, metro and bus services and their infrastructure. You will appreciate how economic considerations will define service provision in practice. The module will explore the past, present and future of public transport and its role in supporting sustainable development.
CIVE70108 Freight Transport and Logistics [MSc-T, MSc-TDSMO]
(Both tracks: MSc in Transport, MSc in Transport with DSMO)
This module will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of freight transport operations and the underpinning mathematical modelling techniques that are used to manage supply chains and design efficient freight distribution strategies. The module will provide detailed insights into the structure of modern supply chains. It will teach you how to use analytics, decision models and optimisation tools to facilitate the safe, cost-efficient, and timely distribution of goods within cities, countries and across borders. The module covers the core topics of supply chain management methods, freight distribution, and specialist applications (healthcare, humanitarian, and disaster logistics).
CIVE70106 Air Transportation [MSc-T, MSc-TDSMO]
(Both tracks: MSc in Transport, MSc in Transport with DSMO)
This module provides you with a comprehensive introduction to the air transportation system by following the trajectory of an aircraft as it pushes off from its gate at its origin until coming to a stop at its destination. Further to understanding the technologies involved and the critical importance of human actors ensuring the safe control of the flight, the impact of international regulations and governance in aviation will be highlighted. Finally, the module introduces unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and their increasing incorporation into urban air traffic in a safe and controlled manner.
Read the full module descriptor.
| Interim code | Title | H2UR | TDSMO | ECTS credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NT07 | Sustainable Transport | Compulsory | Compulsory | 5 |
| NT08 | Rail and Mass Transit Systems | Compulsory | Compulsory | 5 |
| NT09 | Freight Transport and Logistics | Compulsory | Compulsory | 5 |
| NT10 | Air Transportation | Compulsory | Compulsory | 5 |
| NT11 | Intelligent and Autonomous Transport | Compulsory | Compulsory | 5 |
| NT12 | Group Design Project – Transport | Core | 5 | |
| NT13 | Research Project – Transport | Core | 30 |
CIVE70110 Intelligent and Autonomous Transport [MSc-T, MSc-TDSMO]
(Both tracks: MSc in Transport, MSc in Transport with DSMO)
Intelligent and autonomous transport, enabled by vehicle connectivity and automation, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT), create the capability to collect, exchange and analyse large volumes of data. This is transforming how we plan, undertake, interact, make decisions, and use our transport infrastructure to move people and goods. This course will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the techniques and technologies that may lead to disruptive technologies in transport (e.g., connected and autonomous vehicles and smart infrastructure). The course will show you how to design, operate and maintain intelligent transport systems and introduces you to Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques used to analyse and make inferences from a large volume of data from sensors.
| Interim code | Title | H2UR | TDSMO | ECTS credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NT07 | Sustainable Transport | Compulsory | Compulsory | 5 |
| NT08 | Rail and Mass Transit Systems | Compulsory | Compulsory | 5 |
| NT09 | Freight Transport and Logistics | Compulsory | Compulsory | 5 |
| NT10 | Air Transportation | Compulsory | Compulsory | 5 |
| NT11 | Intelligent and Autonomous Transport | Compulsory | Compulsory | 5 |
| NT12 | Group Design Project – Transport | Core | 5 | |
| NT13 | Research Project – Transport | Core | 30 |
Summer term modules
Group Design Project
Research Project
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
What are my options after graduating from the programme?
There are unlimited possibilities! As the programme is designed to provide you with the essential skills that are applicable across the entirety of Transport modes and sub-disciplines, you will have a wide range of options upon graduating. This could involve working in the industry or government sectors or undertaking further research in the shape of a PhD. Whichever you choose, we are confident that this programme will provide you with the potential to lead the field in your respective area.
How is industry involved with the programme?
The industry will play a large role in the programme, including:
- Delivering guest lectures
- Supervising the design projects
- Co-supervision and placements as part of the MSc Dissertation project
- Providing scholarships/sponsorships
We have also consulted Engineers within the industry during the design of the programme itself, such that it helps meet their needs and also equips graduates will all the necessary tools for entering the workforce.
What facilities are available?
The programme will be taught in excellent, modern facilities including:
- Intelligent Infrastructure and Transport Systems Laboratory
- Lecture rooms
- Computer laboratories
- Civil Engineering library
- Breakout Student Space (BOSS)
Are there any scholarships opportunities?
Yes, there are Departmental and other scholarships available for the very best students. If you are interested in receiving a scholarship, then early application is strongly recommended.
Visit this webpage for information about scholarships and funding opportunities.
Who is involved in the programme?
We are a group of academics and researchers that are leading experts in Transport. We excel at teaching and research, and we are looking forward to teaching the next breed of leading Transport Engineers and Practitioners.
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/transport-studies/people/
You can visit our section page for more information on the full breadth of our activities, including research and major projects. https://www.imperial.ac.uk/transport-studies/research/
How is the programme assessed?
Assessments include individual and group coursework; design projects; oral presentations; written examinations, and a research dissertation. To complete the requirements of the degree, all assessments must be undertaken to the appropriate level. Successful candidates will be awarded the MSc degree from Imperial College London
How do I apply?
Information on how to apply and the link to apply can be found here: Application Information
Haven't found an answer to your query / question?
| Photo | Details |
|---|---|
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For questions and advice relating to MSc application, basic eligibility, supporting documentation required, and information on entry to our postgraduate taught (MSc) programmes, and general information pre-registration. Postgraduate Taught Office Prospective students and applicants should contact: msc2023@imperial.ac.uk or call Yamini, +44 (0)20 7594 5932. Current students should contact: cvpgo@imperial.ac.uk or call Yamini, +44 (0)20 7594 5932. |
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For all queries related to the academic content of the programme. Programme Director Dr Panagiotis Angeloudis, +44 (0)20 7594 5986, p.angeloudis@imperial.ac.uk |
| For all other queries. Programme Administrator Maya Mistry, +44 20 7594 6100 |
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| Administration contacts for the Transport cluster | |
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)
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.
English Language Requirements
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.
Visa requirements for International Students
Please visit the international students website for more information: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/international-students/visas-and-immigration/
Apply Now
We hope you have found all of the information you need to reach a decision. If you would like to apply for this programme, please follow the application instructions here: Application Information and application link.
More about the College
Further resources for this programme
Further resources for this programme
| Type | Document |
|---|---|
| Webpage | Handbook |
| Webpage | Programme Specification (will need to upload something?) |
| Pdf document | Professional skills development for Master's students |
| Webpage | Imperial College Terms and Conditions |
| Webpage | Entry on the College Prospectus |
| Resources for this programme | |