Answers to the most frequently asked questions about postgraduate courses run by the Department of Civil Engineering and the David Livingstone Centre for Sustainability (DLCS).
- Where can I get information on available courses?
- Is my background suitable for the course?
- How do I make an application?
- What is the deadline for applications?
- Can I send my supporting paperwork by e-mail?
- Can I apply now for September 2011 entry?
- Can I apply for SAAS/PSAS funding? [Home/EU students only]
- Where can I get information on scholarships/funding?
- Can I apply for a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship (formerly DFID Scholarship)?
- Can I study by distance learning?
- Can I study the course part time?
- What does part time study involve?
- What are the fees?
- Can I pay the fees by instalments?
- What is the difference between an MRes and an MSc?
- Can I use an MRes to progress to a PhD?
- Can I take an MSc by only doing a few classes per year?
- What does First or Second-Class Honours degree mean?
- Are the courses accredited by professional bodies?
- Does the course or individual classes qualify for CPD?
- How can I find out about Career Development Loans?
- Do you hold a Postgraduate Open Day where I can look around the Department?
- Where can I find advice for incoming students?
- What are the benefits of studying in the city of Glasgow?
The general postgraduate page of the department website and individual course web pages found here www.strath.ac.uk/civeng/pg/
The following MSc courses are offered to students from all disciplinary backgrounds:
- MSc Environmental Entrepreneurship
- MSc Environmental Forensics
- MSc Environmental Studies
- MSc Science, Technology & Sustainability
These courses require a specific background (see individual web pages):
- MSc Environmental Engineering
- MSc Environmental Health
- MSc Environmental Science
- MSc Geotechnics
- MSc Global Water Sustainability
- MSc Hydrogeology (new for 2010-11)
- MRes Geo-Environmental Engineering
- MRes Integrated Pollution Prevention & Control (IPPC)
- MRes Infrastructure Adaptation for Climate Change
Applications for postgraduate study are made online. In the case of the MSc you will find the application link (with the word "Apply" inside a blue box) once you have clicked on your chosen course's web page on www.strath.ac.uk/civeng/pg/. The blue 'Apply' boxes for September 2010 entry are located near the top of the individual course's web page.
In case of research degrees (MRes, MPhil or PhD applications) the application link is different - check invidial MRes or MPhil/PhD web pages for information here www.strath.ac.uk/civeng/pg/.
Overseas - end of July with all paperwork complete
Home - mid August with all paperwork complete
Supporting documentation should be uploaded as individual attachments via the online application system.
If you have any difficulties with uploading your documents, you can contact a member of the department's admissions team by clicking on the Messaging Service link within the online application system.
Yes. The blue 'Apply' links for September 2011 entry (Session 2011-2012) are located towards the bottom of each individual course's web page.
There are a limited number of SAAS/PSAS awards available to the Department which are allocated on a competitive basis. You should submit your application for the course first, as award nominations for eligible courses are made by course directors in June. There is no need to apply to SAAS/PSAS until you have been informed of a successful award nomination by the Department.
Via our postgraduate "Funding opportunities" page
http://www.strath.ac.uk/civeng/pg/funding/
See also www.strath.ac.uk/search/scholarships/index.jsp
The following courses in Civil Engineering/DLCS are eligibile for 2010-2011 admission:-
MSc Environmental Engineering, MSc Environmental Entrepreneurship, MSc Environmental Forensics, MSc Environmental Health, MSc Environmental Science, MSc Environmental Studies and MSc Science, Technology & Sustainability.
Applicants for these courses will only be considered if they have attained a First Class Honours undergraduate degree (grades higher than 70%).
For further details on the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, including application forms and instructions, please visit the following page: http://www.strath.ac.uk/igo/postgraduatescholarships/award_27686_en.html
No, we do not offer distance learning options; however it is possible to study on a part-time basis or undertake individual modules via our Open Access route (details provided in FAQ no 11 and 17 below).
Home Students - Yes, part-time study is possible for all MSc courses (except Environmental Science as the 1 or 2 days release from work does not allow sufficient time for the lab work which is spread across the week). To apply online for a specific part-time course, click on the blue 'apply' link on the individual course page.
Overseas students - No, this is not possible for any of the postgraduate courses.
Part-time study involves attendance at classes, completing one half of course (about 60 taught credits) in year one and the remainder (about 60 taught credits) plus project/dissertation in year two. Depending on the timetable and option classes chosen, part-time may require just one day work release per week for the 24 weeks of the taught terms. Although timetables may change every year, we can provide current course timetables for illustration, if you email us at dlcs@strath.ac.uk
Fees are set by the University and can be found at the following link: www.strath.ac.uk/registry/students/finance/
For the current session 2009-10 the full-time fees are:
Home/EU fees for all MRes and MSc: £3,400
Overseas for MSc Environmental Studies and MSc Science, Technology & Sustainability: £9,500
Overseas fees for all other courses: £12,200
The fees for September 2010 entry (Session 2010-11) are due to be confirmed by the University shortly.
Yes - See www.mis.strath.ac.uk/Finance/public/students.htm
An MSc is 67% Taught (120 credits of taught classes), 33% Project (worth 60 credits).
An MRes is 33% Taught (60 credits of taught classes), 67% Project (worth 120 credits).
Yes, subject to satisfactory progress this can be done in two ways:
a) You can do the MRes first (1 year full time) and then do the PhD (3 years full time), or
b) You can do the MRes first (1 year full time) but then do not graduate with an MRes. Instead the MRes year becomes equivalent to the first year of the PhD. A further two years of full time study completes the PhD programme.
Yes. This is called Open Access - students can do a couple of classes per year, adding up eventually to a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or MSc (up to the maximum time of 60 months). This option is available to home students only. See our Open Access page at http://www.strath.ac.uk/dlcs/cpd_courses/openaccessmodules/
In the UK, undergraduate honours degrees are classified as follows:
First Class Honours = 70% or above; Second Class Honours = 50% - 69%; Third Class Honours = 40% - 49%.
All of our applicable MSc courses are in the final stages of receiving accreditation from the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) - please refer to the individual course web pages.
The MSc in Environmental Health is accredited by the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland.
We can provide certificates of attendance at request.
These loans can support
courses in a wide range of vocational areas. You can find out more information
here: www.strath.ac.uk/igo/postgraduatescholarships/
careerdevelopmentloans/
Yes, our forthcoming Postgraduate Open Day for prospective students will be held on Wednesday 5th May 2010. The full programme of events will be available here once finalised. The outline programme is as follows:
- 4.30-5.30 pm - Tea & Biscuits and Open Afternoon- Level 6, rooms 608 and 613,
Graham Hills Building : Staff and current students from the Department of Civil Engineering/David Livingstone Centre for Sustainability will answer questions about all our PG courses (see www.strath.ac.uk/civeng/pg). - 5.30 – 7.30 pm -
Careers event “Success in the job market with an environmental degree”- Level 5, room 514,
Graham Hills Building - 7.30 - 8.30 - Drinks Reception - Level 6, room 608,
Graham Hills Building
We have an information page for incoming students at http://www.strath.ac.uk/civeng/pg/incoming
The teaching terms for Session 2010-2011 are shown on the University's Key Dates page http://www.strath.ac.uk/studying/currentstudent/keydates/
Glasgow is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city which offers a welcoming student experience. Visit http://www.strath.ac.uk/about/heritage/cityofglasgow/ for some of the highlights the city of Glasgow and the surrounding Scottish countryside offers to students.