MSc Civil Engineering (Digital Construction)

Entry requirements

Typically, you’ll need a 2:2 honours degree (or equivalent) in a science or engineering discipline. Applicants with relevant professional experience may also be considered. 

Course content

The MSc in Civil Engineering with Digital Construction equips you with the advanced digital and technical skills shaping the future of the construction industry. You will gain hands-on experience with technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), Computational Design, drone surveying and Virtual Reality, learning how to apply these tools to real-world engineering projects. The programme explores how digital methods can enhance efficiency, sustainability and collaboration in large-scale construction. 

Taught by leading academics, you will study the design of sensor systems for Structural Health Monitoring and the creation of Digital Twins for critical infrastructure, including water systems and the built environment. This combination of digital innovation and engineering expertise will prepare you to lead in transforming civil engineering practice, ensuring projects are smarter, more resilient, and data-driven. Graduates will be equipped for careers at the forefront of digital construction, infrastructure management and sustainable design. 

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

Fees

2026/27 entry

UK fees per year: 

£14,300 full-time; £7,150 part-time 

International fees per year: 

£30,600 full-time; £15,150 part-time

Scholarships

The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships *. We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.

University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship

We are pleased to offer University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship towards the cost of your tuition fees. Full details can be found here.

^{*Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply. See our website for details..}

Teaching and research

Teaching and assessment

The programme is delivered through a mix of lectures, seminars, tutorials, industrial presentations, case studies, industry visits, computer simulations, project work and a dissertation. 

You will develop transferable skills such as management and communication skills, computational techniques, data handling and analysis, problem solving, decision making and research methodology. Many of these will be addressed within an industrial and commercial context. 

Personal Tutor

You will be allocated a Personal Tutor who is available for advice and support throughout your studies, along with support and mentoring from graduates who are now in industry. There is also a Postgraduate Tutor available to help with further guidance and advice. 

A research and practice-led culture

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Careers

Graduates of the MSc in Civil Engineering with Digital Construction will be ideally placed to lead the industry’s digital transformation. The course provides a unique blend of technical engineering expertise and digital innovation, equipping you with in-demand skills in BIM, drone surveying, computational modelling, and digital project management. Employers across the civil engineering, construction, and infrastructure sectors increasingly seek professionals who can integrate these technologies to deliver smarter, safer, and more sustainable projects. 

Career opportunities span engineering consultancies, construction management firms, digital design companies, and infrastructure operators. You could work on major national and international projects, from smart cities and transport networks to resilient water systems and energy infrastructure. This MSc also provides a strong foundation for further research or doctoral study in digital construction, sustainable engineering, or emerging areas such as AI-driven design and data-informed infrastructure management. 

Industrial Placement

The year in industry will give you the chance to put what you have learnt to practical advantage in a commercial or industrial environment, thereby gaining a valuable insight into the interplay between theoretical skills and understanding acquired at university and the practicalities of deployment in a “real-world” setting. 

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