Master’s in Applied Geotechnical Engineering and Deep Foundations
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in applied geotechnics and deep foundations engineering: 12 modules covering advanced site characterisation, soil behaviour, pile capacity and settlement, lateral loading, pile construction, load testing, ground improvement, deep excavations and seismic geotechnics under EN 1997-1, EN 1997-2 and EN ISO 22477-1, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Design advanced geotechnical characterisation campaigns.
Apply soil behaviour models to design calculations.
Calculate the bearing capacity and settlement of piles and pile groups.
Specify the construction and control of deep foundations.
Interpret static and dynamic load tests.
Select ground improvement techniques and deep excavation solutions.
Assess seismic ground response and liquefaction.
Who it's for
- Geotechnical engineers looking to specialise in deep foundation design.
- Deep foundation specialists working on piles, diaphragm walls and micropiles.
- Geotechnical testing technicians running field and load tests.
- Special foundations site managers supervising piling works.
- Seismic geotechnics consultants assessing site response and liquefaction.
- Ground improvement engineers designing columns, drains and grouting.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to move into geotechnical consultancy.
What you'll work with
- EN 1997-1 (Eurocode 7) (geotechnical design: general rules)
- EN 1997-2 (ground investigation and testing)
- EN ISO 22477-1 (static load testing of piles)
- EN 1536 (execution of bored piles)
- EN 12699 (execution of displacement piles)
- EN 14199 (execution of micropiles)
- EN 1998-5 (Eurocode 8) (seismic design of foundations and retaining structures)
- NCSE-02 (Spanish seismic building code)
- PLAXIS 3D
- LPILE
- GRLWEAP
- GeoStudio
- CPeT-IT
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Planning ground investigations according to Eurocode 71.2Boreholes and undisturbed sampling1.3SPT and energy corrections1.4CPTU and Robertson classification1.5Cross-hole and down-hole seismic tests1.6Marchetti flat dilatometer1.7Advanced laboratory tests1.8Spatial variability and statistics1.9Geotechnical design model1.10Case study: geotechnical model of a port area
2.1Critical state theory2.2Modified Cam-Clay model2.3Soft and sensitive clays2.4Density and dilatancy in sands2.5Liquefaction potential2.6Secondary consolidation and creep2.7Unsaturated soil mechanics2.8Small-strain stiffness2.9Cyclic behaviour and degradation2.10Lab: calibration of a constitutive model
3.1Classification of piles by installation method3.2Shaft and base resistance3.3Static calculation methods3.4Direct CPT-based methods3.5Dynamic driving formulae3.6Negative skin friction due to consolidation3.7Pile group efficiency3.8Rock-socketed piles3.9Guide to foundations in road works3.10Practical exercise: pile capacity from CPTU data
4.1Settlement of a single pile4.2t-z and q-z load transfer curves4.3Pile group settlement4.4Horizontal loads at the pile head4.5The p-y curve method4.6Lateral ground pressures on piles4.7Cyclic loads and degradation4.8Piled rafts and load sharing4.9Kinematic interaction during earthquakes4.10Workshop: laterally loaded pile in LPILE
5.1Bored piles with slurry and casing5.2Continuous flight auger (CFA) piles5.3Driving precast piles5.4Micropiles and their grouting5.5Diaphragm walls with a hydromill5.6Barrettes and high-capacity elements5.7Monitoring of installation parameters5.8Sonic integrity testing5.9Common construction defects5.10Case study: defects in CFA piles
6.1Axial static load tests6.2High-strain dynamic tests6.3Bidirectional Osterberg-type cells6.4Fibre optic instrumentation6.5Interpreting load-settlement curves6.6Rapid load tests6.7Testing according to EN ISO 22477-16.8Design assisted by load testing6.9CAPWAP signal analysis6.10Lab: interpretation of a dynamic test
7.1Preloading and temporary surcharge7.2Prefabricated vertical drains7.3Dynamic compaction of fills7.4Vibroflotation of sands7.5Stone columns and their design7.6Rigid inclusions under embankments7.7Jet grouting columns7.8Deep soil-cement mixing7.9Permeation and fracture grouting7.10Practical exercise: stone column design
8.1Reinforced concrete diaphragm walls8.2Bracing and struts8.3Active and passive anchors8.4Base plugs and slabs8.5Groundwater level control8.6Piping and base heave8.7Ground movements during excavation8.8Protection of adjacent buildings8.9Top-down construction8.10Workshop: five-level basement with diaphragm walls
9.1Site response analysis9.2Amplification and ground classification9.3Liquefaction assessment using SPT and CPT9.4Liquefaction mitigation9.5Deep foundations under seismic loading9.6Seismic stability of slopes9.7Retaining walls during earthquakes9.8Requirements of Eurocode 8-59.9NCSE-02 seismic code9.10Case study: liquefaction in a port fill
10.1Offshore wind monopiles10.2Jacket foundations10.3Suction caissons10.4Foundations for port structures10.5Foundations for towers and chimneys10.6Bridge piers in riverbeds10.7Foundations for vibrating machinery10.8Foundations in karst terrain10.9Foundations in permafrost10.10Lab: monopile under cyclic loading
11.1Finite elements in foundations11.23D models in PLAXIS11.3Eurocode 7 partial factors11.4Geotechnical reliability analysis11.5Observational design of foundations11.6Foundation monitoring11.7Geotechnical BIM models11.8Optimisation of deep foundations11.9Writing the geotechnical design report11.10Practical exercise: piled raft in PLAXIS 3D
12.1Description of the site and structure12.2Geotechnical investigation programme12.3Geotechnical calculation model12.4Deep foundation alternatives12.5Bearing capacity calculation12.6Settlement and deformation analysis12.7Load testing plan12.8Budget and construction plan12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is PLAXIS 3D, LPILE, GRLWEAP, GeoStudio and CPeT-IT, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for static and dynamic pile load tests, CPTU campaigns and seismic field tests, and laboratory triaxial and oedometer tests. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: EN 1997-1 (Eurocode 7), EN 1997-2, EN ISO 22477-1, EN 1536, EN 12699, EN 14199, EN 1998-5 (Eurocode 8), NCSE-02.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with PLAXIS 3D, LPILE, GRLWEAP, GeoStudio and CPeT-IT, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the programme software, and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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