Advanced Materials for Sustainable Infrastructure
Learn about the behaviour and characteristics of civil engineering materials in depth.
Gain a deep understanding of the behaviour and characteristics of civil engineering materials
Carry out innovative research in a state-of-the-art materials laboratory
Benefit from industrial visits, bringing your learning to life in a practical context
Course key facts
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Qualification
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MSc
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Duration
1 year
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Start date
September 2025
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Study mode
Full-time
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Fees
£18,500 Home
£42,900 Overseas
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Delivered by
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Location
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South Kensington
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Course overview
Obtain the knowledge and skills required to become a future leader in civil infrastructure on this one-year course.
This course will deepen your understanding of the role of materials in resilient and sustainable built infrastructure.
You'll explore why this area of civil engineering has never been more important to the development of most countries, with the UK Government alone investing £60bn/year in new infrastructure.
You will scrutinise key topics including the behaviour and characteristics of civil engineering materials, and the ability to develop sustainable designs for construction.
Delivered in a world-leading Civil and Environmental Engineering department - Imperial is rated 1st in the UK for Engineering based on the proportion of world-leading research (REF 2021) - you'll have access to the new world-class Advanced Infrastructure Materials Laboratory.
You'll also carry out a major research project and benefit from industrial visits as you develop your expertise in this valued area of engineering.
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
You’ll take all of these core modules.
Core modules
Explore the field of concrete technology and understand the key processes influencing the behaviour and performance of concrete in service.
Discover the role of materials selection in the design process and learn how to select appropriate materials for different civil engineering applications.
Gain an insight into the fundamental principles of the mechanics of materials and analyse the behaviour of structural components under load.
Learn how to describe rocks and soils and interpret test data. You’ll also examine how the engineering properties of geomaterials influence the behaviour of pavements and structures.
Apply the principles of sustainability to a range of issues relating to the built environment and discover how to carry out a life cycle assessment of infrastructure elements.
Understand the capabilities and limitations of mechanical testing and examine appropriate methods for tackling problems.
Discover why cementitious materials are used throughout the built environment and learn about the chemistry behind them.
Appreciate the development and applications of polymers and polymer composites in civil engineering.
Enhance your knowledge of the use of metals and alloys in civil engineering and deepen your understanding of steel metallurgy.
Explore the principles, applications and limitations of numerical models as applied to infrastructure materials.
Understand the types of masonry, timber and glass available for the construction of buildings and evaluate where the use of these materials is likely to be appropriate or problematic.
Learn how to plan a durability survey to assess the condition of a concrete structure and understand different testing and monitoring techniques.
You'll complete a research project in partnership with academics in the field, with your final work worth one-third of your degree mark.
This project allows you to contribute to an active research area and helps improve your communication, writing, presentation and problem skills.
You may also have the opportunity to undertake an industrial placement as part of your research.
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
Key
- Lectures and seminars
- Research project
- Independent study
- 11% Lectures and seminars
- 25% Research project
- 64% Independent study
Teaching and learning methods
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Lectures
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Seminars
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Case studies
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Experimental demonstrations
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Group work
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Site visits
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Virtual learning environment
Balance of assessment
Key
- Coursework and examinations
- Research project
- 67% Coursework and examinations
- 33% Research project
Assessment methods
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Coursework
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Written exams
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Laboratory practicals
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Oral presentations
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Research project
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Apply online
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can choose up to two courses.
Application deadlines – Round 1 closes on Thursday 16 January 2025
We operate a staged admissions process with several application rounds throughout the year.
Apply by 23.59 (UK time) on the closing date of an application round, to ensure you receive a response on your application by the relevant decision date.
Application rounds
Round 1
- Applications open on Friday 27 September 2024
- Applications close on Thursday 16 January 2025
- Decision by Thursday 6 March 2025
Round 2
- Applications open on Friday 17 January 2025
- Applications close on Thursday 27 March 2025
- Decision by Thursday 1 May 2025
Round 3
- Applications open on Friday 28 March 2025
- Applications close on Thursday 15 May 2025
- Decision by Thursday 17 July 2025
There is no application fee for MRes courses, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are applying for a taught Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course.
- £80 for all taught Master's applications, excluding those to the Imperial College Business School.
- £100 for all MSc applications to the Imperial College Business School.
- £150 for all MBA applications to the Imperial College Business School.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
Find out more about how to apply for a Master's course, including references and personal statements.
Unless you are from an exempt nationality, you will need an ATAS certificate to obtain your visa and study this course.
Nationals from the following countries are exempt: Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, USA and EEA members.
Use this information when applying for an ATAS certificate to study this course:
- CAH code: CAH10-03-02
- Descriptor: Materials technology
- Supervisor name: Professor Sandrine Heutz
Get guidance and support for obtaining an ATAS certificate.
Tuition fees
Home fee
2025 entry
£18,500
Fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For courses starting on or after 1 August 2024, the maximum amount is £12,471.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Overseas fee
2025 entry
£42,900
Fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For courses starting on or after 1 August 2024, the maximum amount is £12,471.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
How will studying at Imperial help my career?
Materials experts are highly sought after in various industrial sectors, both in the UK and around the world.
Become a civil engineer and work in government research laboratories and universities.
Infrastructure consultants and contractors are common roles for graduates.
Other potential career paths include materials manufacturers, suppliers, and infrastructure monitoring companies.
Further links
Contact the department
- Telephone: +44(0) 20 7594 5932
- Email: cvpgo@imperial.ac.uk
Course Director: Professor Hong S Wong
Visit the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering website.
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Request info
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Events, tasters and talks
Meet us and find out more about studying at Imperial.
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Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications