Highway Engineering Management MSc

Degree and experience:

• Second class honours degree (minimum 2.2) or equivalent from a relevant subject such as Civil Engineering BEng.
• Candidates are required to provide two references, including one from their current employer indicating agreement and support for the candidate to undertake this course
• Candidates with other qualifications, and appropriate industrial experience, will be assessed on an individual basis. In place of an academic qualification, candidates able to demonstrate at least five years' full-time (or equivalent part-time), relevant professional experience in the highways construction industry and a reference from the employer indicating that they are equipped for intensive study at postgraduate level can apply.
• Candidates will need to be able to demonstrate advanced study skills, good communication skills and strong intellectual abilities throughout the application process. Candidates who do not meet the full entry requirements can be registered for the PGCert or PGDip course.

Highway Context and Contracts (20 credits)
This module sets the context in which highway engineers operate, exploring the legislative, political and responsibility frameworks in which the clients, their contractors and consultants are obliged to work. It develops an understanding of the different types of contracts in use, bidding processes, implementation and their management.

Highway Engineering Theory and Design (20 credits)
This module provides an overview of the engineering theory involved within the highways sector. Students will gain an insight into the numerous engineering elements of the public highway and their design principles, including pavement construction, drainage, geotechnics, highway structures, as well as the skills involved in inspecting and maintaining the highway infrastructure.

Highway Engineering Design and Construction (20 credits)
This module builds on a sound base of engineering theory and applies this for the design of highways using appropriate design standards and modelling tools. Due emphasis will be given to the construction materials and the techniques used in highway projects, including temporary traffic management and associated legislation, highway site safety legislation and working practice.

Highway Asset Management (20 credits)
This module focuses specifically on the approaches adopted by local highway authorities and their contractors to manage the highway asset within pre-defined budgets. It covers principles of highway asset management, various methodologies for asset management, data collection, asset valuation, deterioration modelling, lifecycle planning and value management.

Highway Engineering Maintenance (20 credits)
This module develops a sound understanding of a number of key aspects necessary for the successful implementation of highway engineering maintenance management. Building on the sound principles of asset management, the students will explore methods and techniques for optimizing inspection, assessment and management processes, plus the broad range of appropriate highway maintenance techniques available. Students will gain an insight into the daily maintenance operations of a local highway authority, including the challenges faced during winter periods to maintain a safe and reliable highway network.

Highway Engineering Management (20 credits)
Running throughout the entire course, this module provides students with the skills needed to provide strong clear leadership and management within the highways sector. This will include the important part that public and stakeholder engagement plays in the sector.