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Geotechnical Engineering Level 7 Degree ApprenticeshipMSc
- Delivery formatIn person, Online
- Start dateSeptemberDurationPart-time. 30 months on the programme and 9 months for End Point Assessment.
- AwardMaster of Science
- Entry requirementsFirst degree in a relevant subject or an equivalent professional qualification
- FeesThis course is fully funded via the employer Apprenticeship Levy.
Course overview
If you want to enrich and develop your career whilst still working, then this Degree Apprenticeship is for you. You'll acquire the industry knowledge, skills and behaviours, essential for your career in this field.
Our apprenticeship is designed to meet the ever-changing environment faced by geotechnical engineers. You'll benefit from our strong industry links and our excellent research, helping you enhance both your technical and managerial skills.
You'll be equipped with the ability to plan and direct ground investigations and laboratory testing, providing the basis for interpreting results and proposing the best methods of design and construction.
Accredited programme
This degree programme is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) comprising of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, Institute of Highway Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and the Permanent Way Institution on behalf of the Engineering Council, as meeting the academic requirement for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
Our Masters training programme comprises lectures, practical work, worked-examples, tutorials and independent study time. Assessments are undertaken within the module. The Portfolio of Evidence shows you have gained the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for your area of expertise (outlined in the Geotechnical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship Standard).
Once you have successfully completed the training period, and it is signed off, you'll move onto the End Point Assessment which lasts a further 9 months. This includes completing a research project (which acts as the research project for the Masters Degree) and giving a presentation on this (where you'll also be asked questions).
There is a separate interview where you will be asked questions, and this interview is underpinned by your Portfolio of Evidence.
Once you start the course, a training plan will be completed, which draws upon your current levels of experience and expertise in industry. Most apprentices will require a full training plan. Assuming a full training plan is required then in the first year this will consist of attending, and passing, two modules (one in the first semester and one in the second).
In parallel with this you'll start to accumulate evidence for your portfolio of how your professional practice demonstrates the knowledge, skills and behaviours that industry has stated are required for the Geotechnical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship Standard.
You'll have a mentor from your company and a tutor from the University that you'll meet with routinely to help you consider your progress and steer you in the right direction. In order to help you maximise your abilities in the programme, an optional (non-credit bearing) pre-programme of maths and mechanics is offered. This is particularly useful for those who have not practiced maths for a while or have not undertaken basic soil mechanic techniques previously.
Course highlights
While having been established in the 1950s, our department of Geotechnical Engineering has never failed to stay relevant and cutting edge due to the University's close links with industry. Our Degree Apprenticeship was launched in 2022 to offer alternative routes to accessing our outstanding Masters qualification.
This version of the programme provides an excellent blend of theory and practice identified by industry as being essential to enhance understanding and professional abilities in the field. It doesn't require you to pay tuition fees and you can complete this course at any point in your working life.
You'll be supported throughout by having an in-work mentor and an academic tutor. This structure allows an excellent combination of being able to develop your knowledge, skills and behaviours, whilst applying this through participating in challenging activities and group work.
- Develop your career potential at the University for free whilst working in industry
- Blend theory and practice
- Benefit from 60 years of experience
- Receive support from a professional mentor and an academic tutor
Birmingham is ranked 80th in the QS World University Rankings 2025, maintaining our position in the top 100 universities globally and placing us 12th amongst UK universities.
Course delivery
Our course is made of two parts: a 30 month off-the-job training period (where you'll attend lectures, undertake assessments and also complete a portfolio of evidence which demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours you have to show); and an End Point assessment (where you'll give a presentation on your research and answer questions).
Two people will be appointed to help you through the whole of this process; one will be provided by your company (your mentor) and another from the university (your tutor). You'll regularly meet both to help you navigate your training needs. You'll acquire the knowledge, skills and behaviours relevant to your employment.
Benefit from our cutting-edge teaching facilities, including the new National Buried Infrastructure Facility, providing you with a hands-on high-quality education programme.
Lecture
Projects
Practical assignments
1:1 Supervision
Laboratory
Module information
Each module comprises classroom lectures, tutorials, team exercises, visit and assignments to embed and draw each element of the subject together.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
Year: 1 2025/26
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Analytical Approaches in Geotechnics | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Soil Mechanics | 20 | Semester 1 |
The following may be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Geotechnical Core Concepts | 0 | Semester 1 |
Year: 2 2026/27
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Investigation (for Geotechnical Engineering) | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Numerical Approaches and Design in Geotechnics | 20 | Semester 2 |
Year: 3 2027/28
The following must be taken as well as a 60-credit End Point Assessment (Research Project: Report and Presentation with Questions) plus a 0-credit End Point Assessment (Interview, underpinned by a portfolio of evidence).
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Geotechnical Assets (Creation and Management) | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Professional Skills for Geotechnical Engineering | 20 | Semester 2 |
The End Point Assessment must be taken, and can be taken in Semester 1 or 2.
Semester 1:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| End Point Assessment for Geotechnical Engineering DA: EPA 1 Project | 60 | Semester 2 |
| End Point Assessment for Geotechnical Engineering DA: EPA2 Interview | 0 | Semester 1 |
Semester 2:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| End Point Assessment for Geotechnical Engineering DA: EPA 1 Project | 60 | Semester 2 |
| End Point Assessment for Geotechnical Engineering DA: EPA2 Interview | 0 | Semester 2 |
Entry requirements
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
- First degree
in a relevant subject or an equivalent professional qualification.
You should hold a good first degree in a relevant subject or an equivalent professional qualification.
If you don't have a previous first degree, your admission may be subject to an interview and sometimes a special test. It will also be at the discretion of your employer whether you meet their requirements for the course.
Fees and scholarships
This course is fully funded via the employer Apprenticeship Levy, there will be no costs incurred by you.
All employers who have a payroll over £3 million pay an Apprenticeship Levy. They can use this levy to fund your enrolment on the programme.
Application process
You apply for the Degree Apprenticeship through your employer, who will have their own selection criteria.
For all enquiries relating to this Apprenticeship programme please contact our Apprenticeships Team at degreeapps@contacts.bham.ac.uk
Career opportunities
At Birmingham, you'll become part of the leading movement in research, education, and professional development in geotechnical engineering. Our Geotechnical Engineer Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship will provide you with a broad understanding of how to model and analyse the ground in relation to natural and engineering processes.
The apprenticeship focuses on essential aspects of the subject, such as: physical, chemical and mechanical properties of soils and rocks; ground investigation; field and laboratory testing; engineering geology and site investigation; analysis, design and construction of foundations, retaining walls, tunnels, embankments and slopes including methods of ground reinforcement and improvement.
You'll benefit from our close relationship with all branches of the geotechnical engineering community, ensuring that your research and learning draws on and utilises real-world solutions to solve complex geotechnical engineering problems.
You'll receive a deep and solid understanding of pioneering approaches to managing geotechnical works and the risks associated with these. Through this, you'll develop the key skills required to become a successful geotechnical engineer in the workplace.
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At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
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