Overview
We are proud to be ranked in the top 100 for Civil and Structural Engineering (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024)
You’ll learn from academics engaged in world-leading civil engineering research, striving to solve problems of global importance. You’ll experience our diverse civil engineering research and have access to cutting-edge facilities.
Our Master’s programme is for both practising professionals and graduates in:
- civil engineering
- transport engineering
- any other engineering disciplines
- operation research
- geography and spatial planning
- economics and social science
- environmental sciences
You will:
- develop skills required for a successful career in transport
- learn about the principles of transport planning and travel demand forecasting
- learn about the latest techniques and research in mobility planning
- put learning into practice in your own research project
- establish a responsible attitude towards the needs of society, the environment and transport safety considerations
- benefit from our strong industrial engagement through guest lectures, site visits and study tours
The flexible nature of this programme allows you to specialise in one of two streams:
- Infrastructure
- Business Management
This programme has two specialist streams:
Infrastructure stream
You’ll focus on the design of transport infrastructure. You’ll also engage with road safety including:
- policy and practice
- economics
- planning
You’ll gain skills and practical experience that will transfer to a range of careers such as:
- design consultancies
- local authorities
This stream will also equip you with the knowledge and skills that underpin effective transport systems.
You’ll gain a variety of practical and theoretical skills. These are required to provide a solid grounding for a career in organisations such as:
- consultancies
- local, regional or national planning authorities
- public transport operators
Business Management stream
This stream will allow you to gain knowledge and experience within the science and engineering sector of:
- business development
- planning and enterprise
You’ll identify, evaluate and research the viability of a range of business ideas.
You’ll learn skills that can be applied to a range of careers including:
- leadership
- planning
- organisational
- interpersonal
- problem-solving
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Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you’ll learn
You’ll develop core skills in:
- information processing
- numeracy
- data collection and analysis
- problem solving
- computer literacy
- teamwork
- communication and presentation
- planning and organisation
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Course content changes
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Compulsory Modules
- Road Safety (10 credits)
- Study Tour (10 credits)
- Connected, Automated & Intelligent Transport Systems (10 credits)
- Transport Research Methods (10 credits)
- Modelling and Analysis of Travel and Transport Behaviour (10 credits)
- Traffic Flow and Control (10 credits)
- Technologies for Future Mobility (10 credits)
- Data Collection, Survey Methods & Evaluation (10 credits)
- Human Systems Engineering for Transport (10 credits)
- Transport Policy and Planning (10 credits)
- Design of Transport Infrastructure (10 credits)
- Railway Management, Economics and Planning (10 credits)
- MSc Project and Dissertation in Transport Engineering (60 credits)
Individual modules can be taken as Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Business management stream modules
Compulsory Modules
- Road Safety (10 credits)
- Study Tour (10 credits)
- Connected, Automated & Intelligent Transport Systems (10 credits)
- Transport Research Methods (10 credits)
- Modelling and Analysis of Travel and Transport Behaviour (10 credits)
- Traffic Flow and Control (10 credits)
- Technologies for Future Mobility (10 credits)
- Data Collection, Survey Methods & Evaluation (10 credits)
- Human Systems Engineering for Transport (10 credits)
- Transport Policy and Planning (10 credits)
- Design, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Science and Engineering (20 credits)
- MSc Project and Dissertation in Transport Engineering (60 credits)
Individual modules can be taken as Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
How you’ll learn
We have a multidisciplinary approach to teaching. You’ll engage with fellow students across all key civil engineering disciplines. This offers a rich and diverse learning experience.
Our teaching covers a broad range of subjects and typically consists of:
- lectures
- seminars
- practical sessions including:
- transport-related software training
- presentations
- debates
- group work including:
- varied coursework assignments
- surveys
- research activity
- reports
- video production
You’ll be taught directly by industry. You’ll gain the key technical skills required in the sector allowing you to put theory into practice.
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Aural examination
- Case study
- Computer assessment
- Professional skills assessments
- Oral presentation
- Practical lab report
- Portfolio
- Problem-solving exercises
- Report
- Written examination
- Written exercise
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You’ll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You’ll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Professor of Transport
Degree Programme Director
Areas of expertise:
- discrete choice analysis
- microeconomic derivation of behavioural models and bounded rationality (integration with psychology and social effects)
- decision-making process, preference formation and dynamic evolution, the effect of habit/inertia
- data collection (revealed and stated preference data, short and long panel data, focus groups, real and virtual experiments)
- project evaluation (user benefits)
Professor Margaret Carol Bell CBE
Science City Professor of Transport and the Environment
Areas of expertise:
- traffic and environment monitoring
- traffic modelling management
- traffic control
Senior Lecturer in Highway Engineering
Areas of expertise:
- highway geometry, design standards, safety and consistency
- cycle behaviour and infrastructure design
- road pavement materials, construction and environmental LCA
- traffic management at highway incidents
Professor of Transport
Chief Scientific Adviser for the Department for Transport (DfT)
Areas of expertise:
- Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)
- electromobility
- connected and autonomous vehicles
- Smart Cities, Big Data and Internet of Things
Senior Lecturer Transport Engineering
Areas of expertise:
- Urban mobility data computing
- Motorway traffic flow control and management
- Digital twins for smart transport
- Resilience and sustainability in transport systems
- Connected, Autonomous, Shared, and Electric (CASE) transport modelling and operations
- Data-centric approaches in transportation
Your development
Throughout this degree you’ll:
- gain an understanding of transport policy and systems being used and developed in other countries
- increase your key knowledge of ITS systems and their:
- function
- application
- benefits
- identify models to simulate individual choices and forecast how individuals make decisions
- develop advanced methodological skills related to transport demand modelling and forecasting using key software
- become aware of the legislation and procedures affecting the approval of transport schemes
- hone your ability to collect the relevant data for:
- understanding
- modelling
- planning consumer behaviour
- develop transport research methods that will allow you to undertake a project and dissertation in transport engineering
Depending on your chosen stream and modules, you’ll enhance your career prospects by gaining key skills in:
- project and planning
- business enterprise
- future technologies
- behavioural analyses
Your future
Graduate destinations
This is a vocationally focused MSc. You’ll prepare for a wide range of careers worldwide, such as:
- transport engineering
- civil engineering
- other engineering sectors
Our close industry links and strong graduate community have seen graduates go on to destinations including:
- AECOM
- Arup
- Cundall
- Jacobs
- Milestone
- PTV
- Systra
This course also provides a route into PhD level study.
Hear from one of our recent graduates, Mary.
Industrial links
We have strong industrial links. Our degree programmes are shaped by industry and government policy. You’ll typically benefit from this engagement through:
- industry guest lectures
- study tours
- site visits
- projects
- Careers Service support
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
Professional accreditation and recognition
Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation / Transport Planning Society
This course is accredited by the CIHT / TPS (Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation / Transport Planning Society), as meeting the knowledge requirements for the Chartered Transport Planning Professional Qualification. This provides a route to Chartered status for those without a first degree in engineering.
Joint Board of Moderators (JBM)
This degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) comprising of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, Institute of Highway Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and the Permanent Way Institution on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the academic requirement for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). To hold accredited qualifications for CEng registration, candidates must also hold a Bachelor (Hons) degree that has been accredited as partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). See www.jbm.org.uk for further information.
*It should be noted that candidates completing the MSc who hold an underpinning accredited Bachelor degree accredited for IEng only or a non-accredited bachelor degree will need to apply for an academic assessment to determine whether they will meet the educational base for CEng registration.
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
The School of Engineering has an exceptional range of living laboratories and facilities. Our dedicated facilities will support your studies and enhance your learning experience. These include:
- Student Common Room: Based in the Cassie Building, this resource facility and study space is perfect for group working
- ISAAC Computer Cluster: Also based in the Cassie Building, this facility is equipped with state-of-the-art IT facilities
- The Urban Observatory: Newcastle University is home to the largest set of publicly available real-time urban data in the UK. This allows you to access specific sensor data in geographic areas to support their research
- DriveLAB: A cutting-edge driving simulator and testing facility in a virtual environment. This supports research and learning in ITS systems, in-vehicle technologies and driver behaviour
- Urban Traffic Management Centre (UTMC): A real-time facility in the University. It’s managed in collaboration with the North East councils to monitor the city’s traffic and infrastructure supporting transport research and learning
Stephenson Building
The Stephenson Building is a £110 million investment in world-class education, research and collaboration across Engineering. It’s a place for future engineers, researchers and designers to collaborate and tackle global challenges, together.
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A 2:2 honours degree, or international equivalent, in:
- any engineering or science subject
- geography
- town planning
- maths
- any other closely related or relevant discipline
Relevant professional experience is welcome, although not essential. We will consider your application on an individual basis if you have lower or non-standard qualifications and significant, relevant professional experience.
