Postgraduate MSc/PgDip/PgCert

Transport Engineering and Planning

Attendance

Full-time

Course

One year

Next enrolment

September 2024

Introduction

In a nutshell

Learn to take the lead in shaping next-generation mobility with our accredited MSc Transport Engineering and Planning postgraduate degree.

Delivered for over fifty years, and shaped by industry and real-world relevance, our course is recognised as a strong postgraduate qualification for students and professionals interested in the management, engineering and planning of transport infrastructure. You will build specialist knowledge in topics such as transport policy and planning, traffic analysis, forecasting and infrastructure design.

The course is designed to support your progression in developing your career with a transport consultancy, a local or central government planning department, or a passenger transport authority. 

International applicant? Please check international intakes for the latest information and application dates.

Start your MSc Transport Engineering and Planning study journey

Register for our next Open Day where you can learn more about the course, tour our new engineering facilities and meet the tutors

You will:

  • Receive training on a wide range of transport specific software relevant to your future career
  • Learn to develop solutions to problems that align with the aims of transport and planning policy
  • Benefit from strong, long-standing connections with transport industry partners across the UK and internationally
  • Experience project teamwork which reflects the real-world transport sector working practice
  • Explore how planning, engineering, environmental science and modelling work combine
International

students accepted

Course accreditations

ICE (Institute of Civil Engineers) logo
CIHT logo
IHE (Institute of Highway Engineers) logo
Permanent Way Institution logo

This is for you if...

1.

You are a graduate or professional keen to open up career opportunities where you can develop and lead in the transport sector

2.

You currently work in transport or built environment sectors, and want to gain further knowledge or facilitate career progression

3.

You are an engineering, geography, mathematics or science-related graduate looking to build specialist knowledge in transport engineering and planning

Course details

All about the course

Three students getting on a tram

Course delivery

Our MSc Transport Engineering and Planning degree course is delivered through four 30-credit taught modules and one 60-credit dissertation module. 

You can study this postgraduate course full-time, on campus, with enrolment each September:

Year

Trimester 1

Trimester 2

Trimester 3

1

Two 30 credit taught modules

Two 30 credit taught modules

Dissertation – worth 60 credits

Learning experience

Delivered for almost 60 years, our course will upskill and empower you to lead transport planning and delivery projects. Through our industry-focus, we invite speakers from major companies and employers to participate in course delivery, providing you with real-world case studies.

Current course topics include transport policy, transport systems design, integrated transport planning and traffic engineering. In Trimester 2, you will also choose to study either transport forecasting and appraisal or infrastructure design and analysis (if your first degree is Civil Engineering). You will also strengthen your research and analytical skills by completing a dissertation on a topic of your choice. Learn more about the current course modules in the section below.

Course team

The Transport Engineering and Planning postgraduate programme is delivered by an academic team with extensive industry experience and research connections.

Course leader: Dr Grainne Gordon

Teaching staff: Dr Saad Yousif, Kateryna Kryshkevych

Modules

Transport Planning: Policy and Principles

This module presents current issues and theoretical approaches to transport planning and demonstrates their application in practice.

Traffic Engineering: Analysis and Road Safety

This module presents the underlying principles of traffic flow theory and the relevant modelling and investigation techniques used to conduct capacity analysis and safety studies.

MSc Dissertation

The dissertation module is to give you the opportunity to demonstrate scholarship and intellectual ability at an advanced level, working under the guidance of an academic supervisor, by conducting original research and analysis in a specific area of the Transport Engineering and Planning syllabus.

Transport Engineering: Principles and Methodologies

This module presents the underlying principles which support current practice and innovation in the design of transport systems and explains the methodological tools and statistical techniques for the analysis of transport data. It makes use of a range of teaching and learning and assessment styles.

Choose to study one of the following options listed below:

Transport Planning: Forecasting and Appraisal

This module presents and reviews methodologies used for travel demand forecasting and for appraising the impacts of transport schemes.

Transport Infrastructure Design and Analysis

Students with a civil engineering first degree may choose this module as an alternative to Transport Planning: Forecasting and Appraisal. This will allow more advanced studies in mainstream civil engineering in a transport context, including developing practical skills to undertake design and analysis of bridge structures (abutments, bearings, cables, beams, trusses and decks) and associated transport-related infrastructure with regard to structural form, materials and operational performance and to appraise the established methodologies.

Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.

What will I be doing?

60%

Coursework

40%

Examination

Teaching

The course is delivered via a combination of lectures, tutorials, and computing sessions. You will be encouraged to attend meetings of the professional institutions, where relevant topics are being discussed. Guest lectures will also be organised.

Assessment

Overall, the taught modules are approximately 60% coursework (which includes the dissertation) and 40% examination (which may vary depending on individual modules)

School of Science, Engineering and Environment

Rising to the challenge of a changing world, our postgraduate courses are designed to shape the next generation of urbanists, scientists, engineers, consultants and leaders.

Shaped by industry, and delivered by supportive programme teams, you can develop the skills to take your career potential further.

Leading the way

The University of Salford is at the forefront of developing AI to revolutionise transport. 

Since 2019, the University has pioneered industry-focused research and industry focus through its acquisition of a NAVYA autonomous shuttle, and the creation of the Automotive and Autonomous Vehicle Technology (AAVT) Labs.

Employment and stats

What about after uni?

Two students walking past the Porta Tapas restaurant in Salford

Employment

Course graduates will be well-equipped to meet the challenges of the modern transport industry. Many of our alumni have progressed to pivotal appointments in transport schemes and roles at local and national organisations and government departments.

Further Study

You might also choose to take your subject interest further with postgraduate research. The engineering research hub at Salford is home to PhD and research master’s opportunities in areas of structural engineering, transportation engineering, geotechnical engineering and hydraulics.

Explore our Doctoral School to learn more about research training, support and opportunities.

A taste of what you could become

A transport engineer

A transport planner

A transport modeller

A transport officer in local government

A traffic engineer

A transport consultant and more

Requirements

What you need to know

Applicant Profile

This course is recognised as a solid qualification for graduates and professionals interested in the management, engineering and planning of transport infrastructure.

English Language Requirements

All of our courses are taught and assessed in English. If English is not your first language, you must meet our minimum English language entry requirements. An IELTS score of 6.0 (no element below 5.5) is proof of this, however we do accept a range of equivalent qualifications. 

Read more about our English language requirements, including information about pathways that can help you gain entry on to our degree courses. If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take our Pre-Sessional English course

International Students - Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

International students are required by the Home Office and/or the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to apply for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate before they begin their studies. You need to obtain an ATAS Certificate before you come to the UK to comply with Home Office regulations. Please refer to your offer conditions. 

If you have a query relating to ATAS, please contact: Salford-ATAS@salford.ac.uk

International Applications

Please check international intakes for the latest information and application dates.

Course Accreditation

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 requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired a partial CEng accredited undergraduate first degree.

It should be noted that candidates completing the MSc who hold an underpinning accredited IEng degree 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.

Visit www.jbm.org.uk for further information.

Standard entry requirements

Undergraduate degree

A minimum 2:2 honours degree in an appropriate discipline, or equivalent.

A variety of first degrees are accepted, including engineering, science, geography and social science.

International student entry requirements

We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of entry requirements.

Alternative entry requirements

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)

We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.

The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course.

Two forms of APL may be used for entry: the Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).

For more information or enquires about this scheme, please contact: AdmissionsSEE-PGT@salford.ac.uk 

Learn more about the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme.

How much?

Type of study Year Fees
Full-time home 2024/25 £9,990.00per year
Full-time international 2024/25 £16,380.00per year
Full-time home 2025/26 £10,350.00per year
Full-time international 2025/26 £17,000.00per year

Additional costs

You should consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.

Bursaries for UK home students

High-calibre UK applicants joining the full-time programme may be eligible to receive external bursaries funded by the sponsored by two external bodies. The Rees Jeffreys Road Fund worth about £10,000 and The Brian Large Fund worth about £7000) are designed to contribute to the fees and living costs.

For more details, please contact the Programme Leader, Dr Saad Yousif (s.yousif@salford.ac.uk).  

International student scholarships

If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. Learn more about our latest international scholarships.

Apply now

All set? Let's apply

Enrolment dates

September 2024

September 2025