Computational Engineering, MSc

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Course Overview

Computer modelling and simulation is an increasingly employed tool within industry to address complex problems, from the engineering of new materials and optimising components, systems and processes, to reducing time-to-market and time-to-manufacture products, and global challenges such as mitigating climate change.

Our MSc in Computational Engineering will advance your skills in the development and application of computational methods for performing virtual simulations of a wide range physical problems, addressing challenges of the 21st century in areas including healthcare, agriculture, materials and manufacturing, AI and climate action.

This multidisciplinary programme, perfect for students with a background in Engineering (mechanical, aerospace, civil or electrical) or Science (mathematics and physics), will further your computational engineering skills including programming, the integration of numerical methods and machine learning techniques with big data for solving real-life engineering and scientific problems.

You will gain a strong foundation in both theory and practice, learning how computational modelling underpins engineering and scientific decision-making, as well as its critical role in emerging interdisciplinary research areas.

The course can be studied full-time over 1 year, with the option to include an additional Year in Industry.

Why Computational Engineering at Swansea?

Based at our coastal Bay Campus, overlooking the Swansea Bay, Computational Engineering at Swansea is ranked:

  • 131st in the World for Engineering (Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing) (QS World University Rankings 2025)
  • 100% world-leading and internationally excellent research environment (REF 2021) 

Swansea University has maintained a privileged international position in the field of Computational Engineering since the 1960s, with the arrival of Professor Zienkiewicz. Professor Zienkiewicz is internationally recognised as the "Father of the Finite Element Method" and founded the International Journal of Numerical Methods in Engineering and the UK Association for Computational Mechanics.

Why study Computational Engineering?

Throughout your studies you will be taught by world-leading academics from the Zienkiewicz Institute for Modelling, Data and AI, all with broad experience in creating new numerical methods and delivering computational tools that have been adopted by industry, including Airbus, BAE Systems, Chevron, NASA, SEAT, Siemens, Volkswagen.

You will benefit from our state-of-the-art facilities, including access to specialist software to complete your dissertation, and our range of high-performance computing facilities including the Impact Centre of Excellence and the Supercomputing Wales Facilities, with a total of 4920 core and 47Tb of RAM memory.

The course is advised by an Industrial Steering Committee with industrial experts on computational engineering including Rolls Royce, Altair, Siemens, Hexagon, ITI Limited, Rockfield, Peritus and Pebble Engineering, ensuring that your learning is at the forefront of industrial development.

You can study the course full-time over 1 year. We also offer a 2-year study option that includes a year in industry, enabling you to gain valuable workplace experience. During your second year you will complete either an industry placement or industry-focussed project where you will work on a real-life challenge undertaken in collaboration with one or more of our industry partners.

Computational Engineering Employment Opportunities

On completion of the MSc in Computational Engineering you can be confident of strong career prospects, with graduate roles in high demand within a wide range of industries and sectors, and some of the largest companies in the world including Amazon, Microsoft, Pfizer Boeing, Hp, Chevron, Coca-Cola, ExxonMobil, Apple, General Dynamics, Intel, Meta, Nike, and Tesla and IBM.

Graduate roles include:

  • Computational Engineer
  • Modelling Engineer
  • Simulation Engineer

You may also wish to pursue your research interests, such as a PhD, or work within academia. 

Modules

We're currently reviewing our curriculum to enhance your learning experience and embed skills that will benefit your future career. This means that some modules may be subject to change.

Entry Requirements

We consider all applicants on their own merits and welcome applications from students with a wide range of qualifications.