Close
The Earthquake Engineering with Disaster Management MSc combines specialist structural and earthquake engineering knowledge with an advanced understanding of resilience and risk modelling for natural hazards. The programme is designed to produce engineers who are able to work in the civil and structural engineering sector, as well as taking roles in risk and catastrophe modelling or disaster management.
Covid-19 programme updates
Due to COVID-19, there may have been updates to this programme for the 2020 academic year. Where there has been an update, these are indicated with a red alert and a link which will provide further information.
Key information
Programme starts
September 2020
Modes and duration
Application dates
Tuition fees (2020/21)
Note on fees:
The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website. Fees for flexible, modular study are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session.
This degree is accredited 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. See www.jbm.org.uk for further information.
Entry requirements
A minimum of a second-class UK Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline (such as engineering or architecture), or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Extensive work experience covering related areas will be considered in addition to academic qualifications.
English language requirements
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.
The English language level for this programme is: Standard
Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.
International students
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below.
Select your country:
About this degree
Graduates of Earthquake Engineering with Disaster Management MSc will be able to:
- Analyse, Design, Monitor and Assess structures to current seismic codes, as well as modern unconventional methods.
- Evaluate Vulnerability and Resilience of ordinary and special structures against earthquake and extreme loading conditions.
- Determine the efficiency and economic viability of pre-disaster risk mitigation and post-disaster risk management solutions.
MSc students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The MSc programme consists of SIX Core Modules (90 credits), TWO Optional Modules (30 credits) and a Research Project (60 credits).
The Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) consisting of SEVEN Core Modules (105 credits) and ONE Optional Module (15 credits).
Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MSc in Earthquake Engineering with Disaster Management. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Earthquake Engineering with Disaster Management.
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.
Compulsory modules
Students will take all of the SIX Core Modules from the below list.
- Introduction to Seismic Design of Structures
- Seismic Risk Assessment
- Structural Dynamics
- Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering
- Structural Vulnerability and Resilience
- Advanced Seismic Design of Structures
Further details for each Core Module can be found on our MSc programme page.
Optional modules
Students will choose TWO Optional Modules from the below list, subject to timetable clashes and availability.
- Advanced Structural Analysis
- Catastrophe Risk Modelling
- Integrating Science into Disaster Risk Reduction
- Earthquake Seismology and Earthquake Hazard
- Project Management
Further details for each Optional Module can be found on our MSc programme page.
Dissertation/research project
All MSc students undertake an independent Research Project (60 credits), which is presented as a dissertation of approximately 12,000 words.
There are a number of reserach projects which are co-supervised with our industrial partners, subject to availability.
Fieldwork
A week-long field trip is organised every year to an area which has recently suffered from a damaging earthquake, to observe the extent of the destruction and the latest structural strengthening techniques. Read our Seismic Field Trip 2019 news article to find out more.
Teaching and learning
Taught modules are delivered in the form of lectures and seminars, in collaboration with experts from the industry and academia, as well as governmental and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Various online resources and multi-media trainings are offered for students’ self-study.
Each module will have a number of assessment components in the form of technical and design reports, lab reports, nuemrical computer programmes, presentations and examinations.
Additional costs
Students are expected to pay for their means of travel for the field trip. The amount is usually around £100, depending on the destination.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.
Funding
This programme qualifies for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme, suitable for nationals residing in Commonwealth developing countries who wish to study a one-year taught UK Master's programme.
The scholarship covers tuition fees and air fares to and from the UK.
Scholarships relevant to this department are displayed below.
Brown Family Bursary
- Note:
- This scheme is now closed for 2020/21
- Value:
- £15,000 (1 year)
- Eligibility:
- UK
- Criteria:
- Based on both academic merit and financial need
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Careers
There is an excellent employment prospects for our graduates.
Students graduate with strong structural and geotechnical engineering skills and rarely taught knowledge of risk assessment and disaster management. Making them ideal to take roles in consultancies, construction companies, insurance industry, disaster management and relief sector, as well as government departments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Employability
You will be a new type of global engineer, able to tackle challenges in any area that require knowledge and understanding of structural and geotechnical engineering, risk assessment and disaster management.
This MSc programme improves your employability in the consultancy and construction industry, working as a structural designer, civil or geotechnical engineer, with a well-established path to become Chartered Engineers after the required professional experience.
Furthermore, the graduates are readily employed by the insurance and finance sectors, as well as government departments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Why study this degree at UCL?
UCL Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering is an energetic and exciting multidisciplinary department with a tradition of excellence in teaching and research, situated within the heart of London.
The department hosts EPICentre, UK’s leading natural hazard research centre. This provides a unique opportunity for the MSc students to study and research alongside the world-class experts of the field.
Students also benefit from EPICentre’s strong links with the engineering and insurance industry, through professional engineers, catastrophe modellers and disaster managers, who deliver lectures and seminars and support students with their research projects as industrial supervisors. This exposes the students to cutting-edge research, while introducing them to real-world challenges. Take a look at our EPICentre Seminars & Discussions article for further information.
Students will benefit from a week-long field trip to an area that has recently suffered from a damaging earthquake to observe the extent of the destruction and explore the latest structural strengthening techniques. Read our Seismic Field Trip 2019 news article to find out more.
The programme provides a route to a professional career in civil, structural, geotechnical and earthquake engineering, as well as new opportunities in the insurance and disaster relief sector such as risk evaluation, catastrophe modelling and disaster management.
A wide choice of optional modules is available (subject to timetabling requirements), enabling students to customise their learning.
Accreditation:
This degree is accredited 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. See www.jbm.org.uk for further information.
Department: Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering
Subscribe to the StudyUCL YouTube channel to learn more about life and studying at UCL.
Application and next steps
Applications
Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.
There is an application processing fee for this programme of £80 for online applications and £105 for paper applications. Further information can be found at: www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.
Who can apply?
The programme is suitable for students with any engineering or architecture background, who are interested in structural design, monitoring and assessment, catastrophe modelling, risk assessment and disaster management of natural hazards.
Application deadlines
- All applicants
- 11 August 2020
For more information see our Applications page.
Apply nowWhat are we looking for?
When we assess your application we would like to learn:
- why you want to study Earthquake Engineering with Disaster Management at graduate level
- why you want to study Earthquake Engineering with Disaster Management at UCL
- what particularly attracts you to this programme
- how your personal, academic and professional background meets the demands of a challenging programme
- where you would like to go professionally with your degree
Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.
UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.
Page last modified on 13 August 2020
