Master of Applied Science in Geological Engineering, The University of British Columbia

48 Months

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About this course

The Master of Applied Science in Geological Engineering at UBC offers an interdisciplinary experience, blending geotechnical engineering, hydrogeology, and geology. It aims to equip students with a versatile skill set to tackle practical problems related to engineering interactions with the earth environment. The program covers various research areas including landslides, debris flows, groundwater hydrology, environmental geochemistry, rock mechanics, and tunneling. The curriculum combines coursework with a thesis component, housed within the Department of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Sciences, and benefits from state-of-the-art research facilities. The program’s unique approach emphasizes understanding geological processes to solve engineering and environmental challenges in diverse settings, integrating principles from geology, physics, chemistry, and civil engineering.

Why this course is highly recommended

This program is ideal for students interested in interdisciplinary challenges involving geology and engineering. Its connection to extensive research areas such as landslides, groundwater contamination, and rock mechanics makes it well-suited for those aiming to solve real-world environmental and infrastructure problems. The program’s facilities, research opportunities, and faculty expertise provide a strong foundation for careers in industry, consulting, or further PhD studies. Additionally, its integration of geoscience principles with engineering provides graduates a competitive edge, especially in fields like mining, environmental remediation, and hazard assessment.

Specialisation

The specialization offered is in Geological Engineering, focusing on applying earth sciences principles to engineering problems. Students can explore areas like landslides, debris flows, slope stability, groundwater contamination and remediation, rock engineering, tunneling, environmental geology, economic geology, and applied geophysics. These fields often involve geomorphology, natural hazards, and resource prospecting, providing a broad yet specialized graduate education tailored to geological and engineering challenges.

Course fees

Application fees

5.98L

1st year tuition fees

5.98L

Living cost

Degree requirements

The program requires coursework combined with a thesis. Students must complete a set of courses, aligned with the specialization, and conduct original research culminating in a thesis. The minimum time to complete averages around 2.65 years, based on recent graduates, and the program is housed in the Department of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Sciences at UBC Vancouver.

English language test

DUOLINGO

IELTS

TOEFL

100

PTE

Want to learn more about the admission process, eligibility criteria, and acceptance rates for international students? Visit the The University of British Columbia admission page for complete details.

Career prospects

Graduates of this MSc program are prepared for careers in industry, consulting, or the public sector, or for further PhD research. Recent alumni have taken up positions in geotechnical and environmental consulting firms, mining, oil and gas industries, as well as provincial and federal government offices. The program’s focus on practical, interdisciplinary skills makes graduates attractive to organizations dealing with geohazards, resource management, environmental remediation, and infrastructure development.

FAQs

What are the English language requirements for international students?

Applicants from universities outside Canada where English is not the primary language must provide recent English language proficiency test results. The minimum scores are 100 on TOEFL (internet-based) with sub-scores of at least 22 in reading and listening, 23 in speaking, and 22 in writing; or a 7.0 overall on IELTS with at least 6.5 in reading, listening, and writing, and 7.0 in speaking.

What are the application deadlines for the program?

For the September 2025 intake, the application deadline for Canadian applicants is April 1, 2025, and for international applicants, it is also April 1, 2025. For the January 2026 intake, deadlines are June 15, 2025, for both Canadian and international students. The program opens applications early April for future intakes.