Structural engineers are essential to our built environments, covering domains of engineering from literally the ground up with their understanding of geotechnical site conditions, response to seismic action, materials for construction, and loading conditions. They work on the design, analysis, construction and maintenance of the structural elements in domestic, industrial and commercial buildings, including skyscrapers, as well as bridges and other infrastructure.

Their specific technical knowledge – especially within Aotearoa – additionally enables structural engineers to conduct design for environments prone to seismic activity. As many parts of the world are prone to natural disasters, in particular earthquakes, the structural engineering profession becomes especially important to the safety of our people and communities.

Our university has maintained a strong reputation in this field, often ranking in the top 50 globally (QS Top Universities by Subject). This is enabled by our Structural Engineering community, which includes our researchers – many of whom are contributors to the nationwide QuakeCoRE and our own Centre for Earthquake Engineering Research – as well as technical expertise and facilities at our Structures Testing Laboratory.

Introduced to our BE(Hons) degree at the start of 2020, this specialisation responds to the increasing demand for professionals who can tackle the complex structural and geotechnical nuances in civil engineering. This is especially relevant to New Zealand's unique seismic settings.
Its inclusion in our already diverse range of engineering specialisations has been considered in the light of the curriculum needs indicated by various professional bodies. The programme therefore specifically focuses on the theoretical foundations necessary for those who intend to practice as structural engineers. This ensures that your BE(Hons) in Structural Engineering will be comparable to a tertiary programme in this specialisation offered by many leading institutions worldwide.

Structural Engineering is also broadly covered as a topic in our BE(Hons) in Civil Engineering. Courses within a Structural Engineering specialisation however involve more in-depth study on the development of improved structural systems across a range of materials – drawing from our department’s expertise in steel, timber, and concrete – as well as how these behave during natural disasters such as earthquakes and fires.

There is also an emphasis on structural design, including courses on low-rise structures and multistorey buildings – all with earthquake resistance in mind. As our courses are informed directly by the bodies of knowledge set by the structural and geotechnical engineering professional community, you’ll also learn about the core standards and guidelines that relate to materials and design actions relevant to professional practice of the field.