Transportation Planning and Engineering: Infrastructure (MSc)

You’ll need a 2:1 degree in:

• engineering
• maths
• geography
• planning
• a physical science

If you have a 2:1 degree in another subject please contact the programme lead to discuss whether you are eligible to apply.

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

The course is made up of 2 semesters of taught modules and a summer period devoted to your individual project, from which you produce your dissertation.

Your lectures take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week.

The course includes a 2 day residential field trip. In the past this has featured behind-the-scenes site visits, museum trips and a 'transport challenge' competition.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

As well as lectures and tutorials your learning will include:

• individual and group planning exercises
• practical work
• group discussion to exchange ideas
• one-to-one tutorials
• access to dedicated research groups

Our Boldrewood Innovation Campus is home to the National Infrastructure Laboratory (NIL). The NIL is part of the UK Collaboratorium for Research on Infrastructure and Cities, a network of 13 universities in the UK.

The NIL finds ways to improve and upgrade infrastructure. It contains 5 engineering labs that you'll use to learn the latest testing and analysis techniques.

Boldrewood Innovation Campus is also home to the Southampton University Driving Simulator, and the Transportation Research Group’s instrumented car and instrumented bicycle.

Assessment

We assess your experimental, research and design skills using a combination of techniques including:

• examinations
• presentations
• problem solving exercises
• design exercises
• essays
• individual and group projects
• dissertation

Dissertation

As part of this master’s in transportation planning you’ll carry out a research project and complete a dissertation.

Your research project can focus on any of the areas covered in the course. It brings together all the skills you’ve learned and allows you to demonstrate in-depth knowledge.

The research project involves:

• sourcing and gathering information
• critical analysis
• evaluation skills
• presentation skills

It should include your own original ideas. It should also exceed the existing standard of technical design, and address a novel problem that needs new research applied to it.

Academic Support

We’ll assign you a personal tutor, and you’ll have access to a senior tutor.

This transportation planning and engineering: infrastructure degree gives you everything you need to secure roles in logistics, transport planning, transport management and transport consultancy, in the UK and overseas.

Employers could include:

• local authorities
• national government organisations
• engineering consultants

You'll also be well prepared for further study, such as postgraduate research.

Careers services at Southampton

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £27,404.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton you get a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Funding your postgraduate studies

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
2. Search for the course you want to apply for.
3. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
4. Submit your application.

Application deadlines

The full-time on campus version of this course has now closed.

The deadline for applying for the part-time or online version of this course for the 2023 year of entry is midday UK time on 7 July 2023.  

The deadline for 2023 applications may still move to:  

• an earlier date if we have already received enough applications before the deadline  
• a later date if there are still places available on the deadline  

We receive many high-quality applications, so places for many of our courses are very competitive.  

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to send 2 academic references. 

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We'll assess your application on the strength of your:

• academic achievements
• relevant professional experience
• personal statement
• academic references

We will aim to send you a decision 6-8 weeks after you have submitted your application.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000