Geotechnical Engineering
Explore the principles of geomechanics, investigate the behaviour of soils and soft rocks, and specialise in areas ranging from earthquake engineering to data science.
Course key facts
Qualification
MSc
Duration
1 year, 2 years
Start date
October 2027
Study mode
Full-time, Part-time
Delivered by
Location
-
South Kensington
-
Minimum entry standard
2:1 in Civil Engineering, Natural Sciences, Earth Sciences or other numerate subject.
Course overview
Develop a solid technical basis in key areas of geotechnics with this balanced degree programme.
You'll cover core engineering science and recent research findings with practical applications.
Gain first-hand experience of experimental soil mechanics working in modern, purpose-built laboratories, through a mixture of theoretical and practical learning.
You will choose one of the following specialisms:
-
Advanced Geotechnical Engineering
You’ll focus on advanced aspects of soil behaviour, related theoretical frameworks and their application to geotechnical problems. - Geoenvironmental Engineering
You’ll obtain a solid technical basis in key areas of soil mechanics and apply that knowledge in environmentally sensitive contexts. -
Earthquake Engineering
You’ll gain specialised skills in seismic hazard assessment and earthquake-resistant design of geotechnical structures for regions prone to seismic activity. -
Data Science
You’ll combine geotechnical expertise with data-driven methods, including machine learning, to enhance analysis, design, and decision-making in ground engineering.
Your specialisation will be determined by the modules you choose. Your specialism will appear on your degree certificate, e.g. MSc Geotechnical Engineering (Earthquake Engineering).
Whether you are a recent graduate or a practising engineer with several years' experience, this degree will equip you with advanced skills required to pursue a career in structural engineering, or further study at PhD level.
Our Geotechnical and Geological courses
We also offer other two other courses:
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MSc Geotechnical Engineering with Offshore Renewables: Study geotechnical engineering principles and apply them to offshore renewable energy infrastructure.
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MSc Geological Engineering: Gain geological engineering knowledge to better understand and model ground conditions in complex natural environments, including rock slopes and underground works.
Structure
The Geotechnical Engineering programme comprises both taught and research components. The taught component is delivered during the autumn and spring terms, while in the summer term is devoted to an independent research project undertaken under the supervision of leading academics in the field.
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
These modules deliver insights and provide skills fundamental for a successful career in geotechnical engineering.
You’ll take all of these core modules.
Core modules
Develop your understanding of the flow of water in soil strata under both steady state conditions (seepage) and transient conditions (consolidation).
Build upon basic principles of soil mechanics to establish modern frameworks for describing the behaviour of clays and sands under a variety of loading conditions using Critical State Soil Mechanics theory.
Uncover the theory behind the methods of analysis available for geotechnical design and understand the assumptions behind different methods.
Learn from experts in industry on current developments in the field and explore present prominent projects from all over the world.
Analyse the design of rigorous geotechnical laboratory testing programmes, and develop the critical skill and ability to recognise and assess experimental errors.
Learn how to assess the behaviour of foundations, retaining structures, slopes and earthworks, considering soil–structure interaction, groundwater effects and long-term ground performance to develop safe and effective engineering solutions.
Develop your geotechnical skills in the natural environment on three separate field trips spaced through the academic year. Gain first-hand experience of real world rock/soils, geological setting, geohazards and construction projects.
You must take the specific modules listed below to achieve your chosen specialism.
Advanced Geotechnical Engineering:
- Advanced Soil Mechanics
- Applied Numerical Analysis
- Geotechnical Processes and Field Monitoring
- Rock Engineering
- Site Investigation and Engineering Geomorphology
Geoenvironmental Engineering:
- Advanced Soil Mechanics
- Containment Engineering
- Contaminated Land and Groundwater
- Geotechnical Processes and Field Monitoring
- Site Investigation and Engineering Geomorphology
Earthquake Engineering:
- Advanced Soil Mechanics
- Applied Numerical Analysis
- Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering
- Geotechnical Hazards
- Site Investigation and Engineering Geomorphology
Data Science:
- Data Engineering
- Design Project: Data Science
- Geotechnical Processes and Field Monitoring
- Machine Learning
- Statistical Modelling
Assess the fundamentals of soil response, considering advanced material behaviour and more complex external conditions.
Discuss, prepare and run a Finite Element (FE) analysis of a geotechnical problem and compare between numerical and analytical solutions.
Assess the key factors required for the safe containment of material, including waste degradation processes and the challenges of in-ground waste disposal.
Understand the problems associated with contaminated land that have arisen from the unmanaged release of pollutants into the environment.
This module will provide you with practical experience in constructing and validating models and algorithms and the necessary advanced computational skills to enable you to apply this knowledge to solving a range of complex civil engineering problems.
Expand your skill set further with this opportunity to work in small groups to develop and apply solutions to problems related to geotechnical engineering using machine learning and/or mathematical optimisation methods.
Understand the fundamentals of soil dynamics and perform an equivalent-linear site response analysis.
Explore the fundamental elements of engineering seismology and seismic hazard assessment.
Explore a wide range of geotechnical processes through case studies and learn techniques for monitoring surface and subsurface displacements.
Develop a comprehensive understanding of the three principal subfields of modern machine learning and learn how to implement these modules using programming language.
Become familiar with the principal concepts and techniques used in engineering rock mechanics and apply theory to practical real world engineering problems.
Gain an in-depth understanding of site investigation techniques and learn how they can be used within the context of the geological and geomorphological setting to reduce uncertainty in the subsurface.
Develop the relevant theory, methodology and computational techniques required for you to formulate and implement statistical models to represent real-world phenomena.
During the Summer Term, you will undertake an independent research project under the supervision of leading academics in Geotechnical Engineering.
Projects may span the full breadth of the discipline, including laboratory and field-based experimentation, advanced numerical modelling, discrete element modelling, data-driven and statistical methods, constitutive and theoretical developments, geotechnical design, offshore and earthquake engineering, geoenvironmental processes, and the development or evaluation of industry guidance standards and codes of practice.
Professional accreditation
This MSc degree is accredited on behalf of the Engineering Council by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM), comprising:
- Institution of Civil Engineers
- Institution of Structural Engineers
- Institute of Highway Engineers
- Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation
- Permanent Way Institution
This degree is recognised as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired a partial CEng accredited undergraduate first degree**.
Registering as a Chartered Engineer will improve your career prospects and provide higher earning potential. It will also help to demonstrate your commitment to professional standards, the engineering profession and sustainable development.
Our accreditation agreement with members of the Joint Board of Moderators is renewed every five years. The current accreditation agreement is due to be renewed in 2026.
**Candidates completing the MSc who hold an underpinning accredited IEng degree or a non-accredited Bachelor's degree will need to apply for an academic assessment to determine whether they will meet the educational base for CEng registration.
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
This is a general guide to how teaching and learning are usually balanced across this course. The methods used may change based on the modules you take.
Key
- Lectures and seminars
- Independent study
- 20% Title 1 goes here
- 80% Title 2 goes here
Teaching and learning methods
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Lectures
-
Tutorials
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Laboratory practicals
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Computer sessions
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Field trips
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Site visits
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Virtual learning environment
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Research project
Balance of assessment
This is an example of how assessments are usually divided, based on a typical pathway through the course. The actual breakdown may be different depending on the modules you choose.
Key
- Coursework and practicals
- Examinations
- 34% Title 1 goes here
- 66% Title 2 goes here
Assessment methods
-
Coursework
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Group projects and presentations
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Field trip notes and presentations
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Written exams and e-examinations
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Research project
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Applications open on Wednesday 30 September 2026.
We operate a staged admissions process with several application rounds throughout the year.
Apply by 23.59 (UK time) on the closing date of an application round, to ensure you receive a response on your application by the relevant decision date.
Round 1
Business School courses only.
Round 2
- Applications open on Wednesday 30 September 2026
- Applications close on Wednesday 6 January 2027
- Decision by Wednesday 3 March 2027
Round 3
- Applications open on Thursday 7 January 2027
- Applications close on Wednesday 10 March 2027
- Decision by Wednesday 5 May 2027
Round 4
- Applications open on Thursday 11 March 2027
- Applications close on Wednesday 28 April 2027
- Decision by Thursday 1 July 2027
We recommend applying as early as you can – we cannot guarantee that places will be available, or that courses will remain open, in later rounds.
If you are applying for a Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course.
The application fees for postgraduate courses are:
- £90 for all Master's applications, excluding those to Imperial Business School
- £125 for MSc applications to Imperial Business School
- £150 for MBA applications to Imperial Business School
There is no application fee for Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs. This includes MRes and PhD combined (1+3) courses with the Centre for Doctoral Training.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
Find out more about how to apply for a Master's course, including references and personal statements.
An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.
Fees and funding
Home fee (CEE 1YFT + 2YPT)
Full-time
Not set total fee
As a guide, the fee for 2026-27 was £19,400.
Part-time
Not setper year
As a guide, the fee for 2026-27 was £9,700 per year.
Fees are charged by year of entry to the university and not year of study.
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
The maximum value of the loan is £13,206 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2026.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note that the loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start. If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Overseas fee (CEE 1YFT + 2YPT)
Full-time
Not set total fee
As a guide, the fee for 2026-27 was £45,000.
Part-time
Not setper year
As a guide, the fee for 2026-27 was £22,500.per year.
Fees are charged by year of entry to the university and not year of study.
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
The maximum value of the loan is £13,206 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2026.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note that the loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start. If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Scholarships
View all scholarshipsHow will studying at Imperial help my career?
Develop the essential core knowledge and skills for a career in soil mechanics.
Build relationships with industry contacts you'll meet throughout the program.
Work in the field, conduct lab tests, and analyse numerical data to gain practical experience.
Become an international consultant, contractor or work for a governmental body or academic institution.
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Our graduates often pursue further study in master's programs or doctoral research in geotechnics.
Further links
Contact the department
- Telephone: +44(0) 20 7594 5932
- Email: cvpgo@imperial.ac.uk
Course Director: Dr Ken Vinck
Visit the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering website.
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Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications