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Maria Karlsson has always been curious about the natural sciences, technology, art and culture, to name a few. When it came time to pursue higher education, she knew she needed a programme that was just as multidisciplinary as her interests. Having grown up in Norrköping, Sweden, Karlsson sought a new life in a bigger city too.
Thankfully, Chalmers University of Technology was based in bustling Gothenburg and its bachelor’s degree in Architecture and Technology was everything Karlsson had in mind. It wasn’t long until she realised that she had found her second home –– one she never wanted to leave. As she approached graduation, it only made sense to opt for a postgraduate degree that would advance the knowledge she already gained.
The Structural Engineering and Building Technology, MSc — a programme designed to add to the toolkits of budding engineers with an eye on the future — made perfect sense. The MSc teaches students how to find solutions to issues related to structures and buildings. Upon completion, they gain the know-how to design and engineer a more sustainable and resource-efficient world.
With an emphasis on ethics, sustainable development, and the proper use of engineering tools –– it’s not hard for passionate discussions to be sparked between peers. Designed in cooperation with leading Swedish companies, this MSc highlights the importance of teamwork to ensure tomorrow’s engineers learn to both lead and collaborate effectively. It is also strongly influenced by the world-changing research conducted in Chalmers’s laboratories.
“Moreover, the content has been adapted to the knowledge the industry is asking for, which makes graduate students highly attractive on the job market,” explains PhD student Andreas Alhede, who graduated from the Structural Engineering and Building Technology, MSc programme in 2020.
The programme is just as intensive as it is broad. Students could opt to design a more interdisciplinary educational journey within the tracks of: Structural Engineering, Building Technology, and GeoStructures. This freedom to explore is a perk that has made Karlsson and Alhede’s learning journeys all the more enlightening, while still rigorously experiential.
This university believes that the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to tackle complex problems is a necessity for every engineer. Source: Chalmers University of Technology
“Every lesson is memorable,” she enthuses. “Once, we presented a group project where we designed a structural system and got critique from working professionals. It was incredible because I learned a lot from getting feedback and from having to communicate our ideas.”
The Structural Engineering and Building Technology, MSc is also a golden ticket to doctoral success and Chalmers is happy to provide a supportive pathway to it. Their PhD candidates receive a generous salary throughout their tenures –– however long the duration. Alhede’s journey is proof. This MSc equipped him with everything he needed to confidently climb the academic ladder.
His favourite course was one of the programme’s most advanced. “Lessons in concrete structures also comprised project work. During one, we were divided into groups and assigned specific phenomena to investigate such as the effects of restraints or different material models for concrete,” Alhede explains.
“We needed to investigate how that phenomena could be taken into account in advanced non-linear finite element analysis. Teachers provided us with guidance and materials throughout. At our final seminar, my group and I had to present our work and share what we learned from the experience.”
With an emphasis on ethics, sustainable development, and the proper use of engineering tools –– it’s not hard for passionate discussions to be sparked between peers. Source: Chalmers University of Technology
Life outside the classroom was just as fulfilling for Alhede. Throughout the programme, he participated in various study trips to support his learning. He also credits his PhD success to the countless hours he had spent in laboratories. The collective experience helped him develop the hard skills of software engineering, computer programming, and report writing. As for soft skills, Alhede feels the MSc taught him to master the art of thinking critically, solving problems efficiently and collaborating effectively.
Little wonder why many Structural Engineering and Building Technology, MSc graduates who do not take the doctorate route have been able to immediately add value at various organisations. They can currently be found at companies that design advanced structures for various applications, such as buildings, bridges, and offshore structures. Those that chose to focus on Building Technology are serving as experts in the design and analysis of complex building systems, especially concerning thermal performance, indoor climate and the efficient use of energy. Others that specialised in GeoStructures are managing the design and analysis of complex geostructures, such as footings, piles, retaining structures, and bored tunnels.
Scholarships for aspiring Structural Engineering and Building Technology, MSc students are plenty. After submitting a programme application, all international students outside of the EU are eligible to apply for funding that will be valid for two years of study. Those with complementary funding from external patrons are also welcomed to apply to further lighten their financial loads.
So, what are you waiting for? To gain the engineering skills you will need to model, analyse and design structural systems and complex buildings, secure your place at this top Swedish university today.
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