Subject
Civil Engineering
Institution/ country
Reference/Module Title/
programme title
Level of study
Approach to learning and
teaching
Leeds Metropolitan University
MSc Civil Engineering
PG (part time)
Aims/intended learning outcomes/ L&T activities :
The course is aimed at master’s level education of a wide range of individuals, all of
whom have practical experience in different aspects of the construction industry in
both technical and managerial capacities. The course is intended to ensure that
students share experiences and reflect on the impact of this new knowledge in their
own particular professional context.
Civil engineering is a vocational discipline and this course develops the skills required
for chartered membership of professional institutions such as the Institution of Civil
Engineers, which has a high reputation across the world and is a mark of quality and
rigour. The curriculum requires students to develop detailed knowledge and
understanding of civil engineering in the wider social, political and environmental
context in which all construction takes place. Students are encouraged to articulate and
contextualise their knowledge within their own professional and cultural environment.
International students and those who have worked abroad will be encouraged to share
their knowledge and experiences and to highlight different techniques and
perspectives. Staff have a range of research interests that encourage students to
consider the implications and relevance of environmental sustainability in their
discipline. Academic activity and research on an international level provide the
opportunity to compare and contrast a range of construction contexts.
Construction education is at the forefront of technological development and change.
Whilst civil engineering requires particular underpinning knowledge relating to
technical disciplines, this course seeks, additionally, to develop the hard and soft
management skills and the environmental, professional and ethical awareness that are
increasingly required by chartered engineers. Much of the teaching material and
techniques used in the course will be new to those students from a traditional
engineering undergraduate programme. Use will be made of appropriate journals and
papers of allied engineering and other professions.
Civil Engineers frequently work:
 In multi-disciplinary teams
 On overseas projects.
 In public consultation and liaison roles.

The course will present opportunities for students and staff with experience of these
perspectives to discuss and share knowledge and experiences.
In terms of management and delivery, the course team insist that all students
 Accept the culture and values of others.
 Respect different views and perspectives on shared issues.
 Be capable of rational and courteous challenge to views and values.
 Be capable of rational and courteous argument to support their own views and
values.
 Recognise that engineering solutions must be sensitive to cultural perspectives.
Personal development is emphasised and contextualised where appropriate within the
subject area. Professional bodies place a requirement on the university to equip
students with transferable skills to enable them to be successful in a range of contexts.
This includes embedding the concept of reflective practice and continuing professional
development. Wider perspectives will be gained by the requirement for students to
become familiar with legislative requirements. Students will also be encouraged to
identify opportunities to contribute to policy making.
Through the skilful leadership of academic staff, the management of discussion and
debate and the setting of clear parameters at the beginning of each module students
are helped to examine their own values, compare them with the values of others, and
engage in respectful debate where differences occur. Additionally, all of the
management-related modules require development of these values. In particular, these
issues are covered in a professional context in the core module ‘Civil Engineering
Professional Context’. Students will be required to reflect upon their role within interprofessional and inter-disciplinary teams. Additionally, the use of world-wide case
studies and scenarios underpins the globally applicable course content.
It is the aim of the course to facilitate a “rounded appreciation” and to engage with lifelong learning. The learning outcomes require students to explore beyond their own
social or cultural parameters.
The course is offered in part-time only. Students on the course will be in full-time
employment.
Student on this course benefit from/ contribute to the broader social context by
becoming more professionally aware and engaging with communities as a professional
in the domain of civil engineering. Also, by preparing for increasingly senior
management roles where they will be in a position to influence decision making.
Assessment
URL/ contact details
The assessment of the course is guided by the requirements of the professional bodies
but will mirror a broad range of professional and life skills. Hence, a range of
assessment methods will be used, including traditional examinations, projects, debates,
presentations and vivas etc.
Where appropriate, there is flexibility in terms of assessed work to enable students to
address their strengths and weaknesses, together with opportunity for pursuing specific
learning needs.
http://alt-resource.teams.leedsmet.ac.uk/cross-cultural-capability/cross-culturalcapability-downloads-3