This course is open for applications
Page last updated 2 September 2024
Inspired by the idea of addressing sustainability issues in the transport sector? Then UWE Bristol's MSc Transport Engineering and Planning could be just right for you.
If you're inspired by the idea of addressing sustainability issues in the transport sector, you'll enjoy a rewarding career as a transport professional. It's a fantastic time to join this growing industry as there are plenty of employment opportunities available.
UWE Bristol's MSc Transport Engineering and Planning course is tailored to suit students from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds including geography, planning, civil engineering, the natural sciences, economics, and business studies. You'll learn from leading academics at the Centre for Transport and Society as well as industry experts.
Our course is designed to mould you into a multi-skilled transport professional. You'll develop the ability to think critically and to engage effectively in the areas of transport policy and plan making, transport modelling and appraisal, transport infrastructure design, travel behaviour change programmes and transport system innovation.
The course responds directly to current major global challenges including tackling climate change and the need to decarbonise transport; addressing congestion and enabling movement, while improving public health and wellbeing; and creating resilient, healthy places that support access to life opportunities for all groups in society. The course also considers how we harness new technologies like electric and autonomous vehicles to achieve positive outcomes in the transport sector.
You'll benefit from plenty of employment opportunities in this fast-growing industry. As a course with an excellent reputation, you can expect to graduate with a competitive edge. UWE Bristol's transport graduates are securing positions in major consultancies, local and national government and higher education institutions, both in the UK and abroad.
You'll complete eight taught modules, and a Master's Project (Dissertation). The taught modules are paired under four themes:
You'll study*:
*Individual modules are also available as short courses for Continuous Professional Development (CPD) routes. Each module listed provides a link to its corresponding short course.
This structure is for full-time students only. Part-time students study the same modules but the delivery pattern will be different.
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we'll inform you.
You'll be taught by our internationally recognised team of academics based in the Centre for Transport and Society, and you'll also benefit from input from leading industry practitioners.
You'll attend a mix of lectures, tutorials, discussions, workshops, field visits and computer laboratories. Your learning is also enriched by the variety of perspectives and experiences of the staff and student community brought together by this course.
See our glossary of teaching and learning terms.
Full-time students will complete the course over one year and attend classes two days per week during teaching terms.
Part-time students will complete the taught modules listed above over two years and attend classes one day per week during teaching terms.
You'll be assessed through a mix of written projects and presentations.
Many assessments take the form of practice-oriented projects, based on real-world problems where you'll apply and critically evaluate industry-standard practices.
Previous example projects have included:
See our full glossary of assessment terms.
Our course is approved by the Transport Planning Professional Standards Committee as meeting the educational requirements for the Transport Planning Professional (TPP) qualification. It's also accredited for becoming a chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).
This degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) comprising of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Institution of Structural Engineers, Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE), the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) and the Permanent Way Institution (PWI) 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).
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.
Taught on our Frenchay Campus, you'll benefit from access to excellent social and learning spaces and resources. You can also access a catalogue of online learning resources and software while a student with us. You'll gain experience of industry- standard software packages as part of your coursework projects.
Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.
Take a personalised virtual tour of the Planning facilities and experience what a typical day could look like here for you.
Our support includes access to fantastic facilities, study tools and career consultants, plus practical help to access everything from funding to childcare.
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Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.
UWE Bristol's transport graduates have an excellent reputation in the industry, and are successful in securing positions in major consultancies, local and national government and higher education institutions, both in the UK and abroad.
Our award-winning Careers Service helps you develop your employment potential through career coaching, a vacancy service for internships, placements, jobs, global opportunities, volunteering and community activity plus support for entrepreneurial activity, and access to employer events.
See our funding pages for more information.
We normally require a first degree of 2:2 honours or above.
The course is generally suitable for graduates of degrees from any academic background, but particularly engineers, scientists, mathematicians, statisticians, geographers, planners and economists.
If you do not meet the above grade requirements but have at least 12 months relevant professional experience and/ or equivalent qualifications, we will consider you on an individual basis.
You are required to complete a personal statement for this course. Please read the personal statement guidance carefully and make sure that you answer the questions on the postgraduate application form within the personal statement tabs, keeping to the advised word count.
International students who do not meet the academic or English language requirements to study this course can qualify by completing preparatory study at our International College.
If you meet the academic requirements but require additional support to take your language skills to the required level, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Students who successfully complete the pre-sessional course can progress onto their chosen degree course without retaking an IELTS or equivalent.
Read more about our Pre-Sessional English Programme.
International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The University accepts a large number of UK and international qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section.
Read more about postgraduate applications.
Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.