Overview

Our aim is to produce the next generation of leaders in earthquake engineering risk assessment and natural disaster risk management who want to make an impact on the design of the built environment, the mitigation of seismic loss and the protection of human life.

This discipline demands world-class facilities and at Bristol, you will have access to the state-of-the-art BLADE/EQUALS laboratory, including one of the most advanced earthquake shaking tables in Europe, as well as the £12 million UKCRIC National Soil-Foundation-Structure Interaction Laboratory.

Throughout the programme, you will work with expert staff and international partners, exposing you to the real-world challenges that engineers face. Industry links are integral to the programme and our graduates are highly sought after by major UK and international employers.

One of the many highlights of the programme is a field trip to an earthquake-affected area in southeastern Europe. Provided that travel is permitted, you will have the opportunity to visit structures designed with innovative methods to resist earthquake forces or inspect the damage in the recent aftermath of a seismic event. You will use modern tools for non-destructive material testing and remote imaging.

Programme structure

Subject areas are relevant to structural/geotechnical earthquake engineering and disaster risk reduction. A strong set of core units is followed by specialist units. The units are carefully designed and cross-referenced to make sure that all graduates obtain a uniform level of background knowledge and appropriate specialisation.

You are also required, as part of your course, to attend a field trip to an earthquake-affected region, typically in a Mediterranean country. Provide that travel is feasible, you may visit recently damaged areas or major engineering projects designed to resist earthquake forces. A series of seminars will also give you the opportunity to learn, as part of a distinct unit, the most recent advances in earthquake engineering innovation from distinguished invited experts.

Having successfully completed these units, you will prepare a thesis during the summer term, to be submitted at the end of the academic year.

Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc in Earthquake Engineering and Infrastructure Resilience.

Entry requirements

An upper second-class honours degree or international equivalent in Civil, Mechanical or Information Engineering, Applied Physics, Geology or Mathematics. Other areas of Engineering may be considered. We will consider applicants who do not have a degree listed above if they have evidence of significant, relevant work experience. If this is the case, applicants should include their CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when they apply, showing details of their relevant work experience and/or qualifications.

For applicants who are currently completing a degree, we understand that their final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades they achieve during their studies.

We will consider applicants whose interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements. We may make these applicants an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so the applicant would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of their degree. Specific module requirements may still apply.

We will consider applicants whose grades are slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements, if they have at least one of the following:

  • evidence of significant, relevant work experience;
  • a relevant postgraduate qualification.

If this is the case, applicants should include their CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when they apply, showing details of their relevant work experience and/or qualifications.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

Go to admissions statement

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level E.

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Fees and funding

UK: full-time
£15,100 per year
Overseas: full-time
£32,900 per year

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Alumni discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding for 2024/25

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career prospects

You will be equipped in the core disciplines of seismic hazard, infrastructure vulnerability, system risk and resilience in major technical projects.

Upon graduation, you could find yourself working for engineering design and construction firms, in the UK or worldwide, that operate in earthquake-prone regions such as southern Europe, the US, Asia, the Middle East, New Zealand and Latin America. Alternatively, you could go on to work for a government body responsible for civil protection, finance and decision-making. Graduates may also decide to pursue academia and further study in this exciting field.

Whatever you choose, you will develop a range of transferable skills, such as problem solving, critical thinking and teamwork, as well as having a number of professional contacts to draw on.