Overview

The Geological Engineering programme at the University of British Columbia provides an advanced interdisciplinary education that merges geotechnical engineering, hydrogeology, and geology. This master degree is designed to equip students with the versatile technical skills required to address complex engineering challenges within the natural earth environment.

Why Geological Engineering at the University of British Columbia?

This programme is uniquely positioned within the Department of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Sciences, offering a curriculum that bridges the gap between pure geoscience and applied civil engineering. Students benefit from the state-of-the-art Earth Sciences Building, a £75 million facility designed to foster cross-disciplinary collaboration. The department provides access to specialised research environments, including the Environmental Interfaces laboratory and the Centre for Experimental Studies of the Lithosphere. Furthermore, the university offers extensive high-performance computing clusters and professional data analysis software to support sophisticated numerical modelling and research projects.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: CAD 9884 per year
National fee: CAD 5626 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum requires a combination of advanced coursework and the completion of an original research thesis. Research and study areas may include:

Landslides & Debris Flows
Groundwater Hydrology
Rock Mechanics & Rock Engineering
Environmental Geochemistry
Reactive Transport Modeling
Tunnelling
Applied Geophysics
Hazard Assessment
Mine Waste Management

Careers with Geological Engineering

Graduates are highly sought after for their deep understanding of geological processes combined with engineering rigour. The programme prepares individuals for professional roles in geotechnical and environmental consulting, as well as specialised positions within the mining, oil, and gas industries. Many alumni also secure careers within provincial and federal government offices or choose to progress into doctoral research. Common career paths include:

Geotechnical Consultant
Environmental Engineer
Hydrogeologist
Mine Design Specialist
Natural Hazards Analyst

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Advanced Geotechnics

Field Laboratory in Groundwater Hydrology

Geological Engineering: Soils and Weak Rocks

Advanced Rock Engineering

Advanced Groundwater Geochemistry

Global Geodynamics

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-02 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-15 00:00:00
Starting 2028-01-05 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-06-15 00:00:00

Language

English

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OR

100

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IELTS

7

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Credits

30 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Vancouver, Canada

Disciplines

Earth Sciences Geology General Engineering & Technology View 30 other Masters in Earth Sciences in Canada

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

OR

100

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

7

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

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AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

All applicants have to submit transcripts from all past post-secondary study. Document submission requirements depend on whether your institution of study is within Canada or outside of Canada.

A minimum of three references are required for application to graduate programs at UBC. References should be requested from individuals who are prepared to provide a report on your academic ability and qualifications.

Many programs require a statement of interest, sometimes called a "statement of intent", "description of research interests" or something similar.

Applicants should browse faculty profiles and indicate in their application who they are interested in working with. However, it is not necessary for applicants to contact faculty members prior to their application.

Permanent Residents of Canada must provide a clear photocopy of both sides of the Permanent Resident card.

Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items like Additional medical costs, Repatriation, Liability etc. Make sure your student insurance covers your needs.

Studyportals partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

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Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at University of British Columbia and/or in Canada, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

9884 CAD / year

≈ 9884 CAD / year
Domestic Applies to you

Applies to you

Citizens or residents

5626 CAD / year

≈ 5626 CAD / year

Living costs

Vancouver

Canada

1590 - 2686 CAD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Geological Engineering.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic Applies to you

Living costs

Vancouver

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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