www.its.leeds.ac.uk/courses/masters/openday Presentations from the annual Open Day for MSc and Postgraduate Diploma programmes at the Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds

1. Institute for Transport Studies
FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENT
TAUGHT POSTGRADUATE
OPEN DAY 2016
Professor Greg Marsden
Institute Director

2. Why Masters in Transport?

3. Why Masters in Transport?
• Apply your discipline in areas of significant challenge:
Climate change / environmental factors
Congestion
Safety
Economic and Social Issues
15% of national income
• Highly practical and rigorous discipline with focus on
problem solving
• Develop scarce and valuable skills
• Transport has probably never had a higher profile

4. The Institute for Transport
Studies (ITS)
Our vision:
To be the world leading centre in transport related
research and education.

5. Why ITS?
• Market leader – biggest and most respected centre in Europe
• Expert staff - teaching informed by world class research and
teaching in research
• Range of modules and dissertation supervision (not available
elsewhere)
• Diverse cohort (UK, part-time, international) but small enough
for staff to know everyone individually
• Excellent student experience
European Trip , Student Union Transport Society,
International Night, Bike Ride and sporting events, wide
range of students’ own events

6. Why ITS?
Investing £4m in facilities ready for 2016/17

7. ITS Research Groups
Whilst much of our research is cross-cutting, we organise in
four research groups:
•Economics and Discrete Choice
•Spatial Modelling and Dynamics
•Safety and Technology
•Sustainable Transport Policy
Each group is at least as big as most other University
transport groups
Big range of disciplines (maths, psychology, engineering,
geography, sociology…)

8. Working on contemporary topics
Do time savings on rail travel
generate big economic gains
for travellers?
What are the wider economic
benefits of major transport
investments?

9. Which feeds our teaching
• Major research council project on reducing the
environmental impacts from freight led to a new “Green
Logistics” module
• “Choice Modelling and Stated Preference” module informed
by various real research studies on consumer choices and
preferences
• Research on emissions from new cars in real-world
conditions informs air quality analysis in “Transport and
Urban Pollution” module
• Dissertations – research and/or industry led studies

10. Taught by people who make a
difference…
Our research has direct impact on policy and practice, providing
you with state-of-the-art techniques and examples:
• Intelligent Speed Adaptation Field Trials
• Technologies to support Eco-Driving
• Advising the Office of Rail Regulator on Track Access Charges
• Informing the rail industry passenger demand forecasting
handbook
• Assessing the impacts of concessionary fares on health
• Identifying why local air quality standards are not being met
• Researching the travel behaviour legacy of the Olympics
• …..

11. In ways which employers want
• Working in teams across disciplines
• Subject specialists capable of understanding where they fit
• Emphasis on problem solving as problems change
• National and Global approaches

12. Why ITS? - Prospects
• 97% of the 2015 Masters graduates were employed or in
further training within 6 months of completing their course
(Higher Education Statistics Agency HESA Destination of Leavers from Higher
Education (DHLE) survey respondent data)
• Competition for jobs is now much more intense – an ITS Masters will help
you stand out from the crowd
• Employer organisations visit ITS each spring seeking out our graduates
• Those with an ITS Masters are well respected in the job market
• Our Industrial Advisory Board tell us so (Network Rail, Arup, Mott Macdonald, AECOM...)
• “I think having a Masters from ITS helped me a get an interview in the first place!” (Quote
from MSc student)

13. Why ITS? - Prospects
• Major UK and Global Consultancies
• Transport Operators
• Government Transport Departments
• The Transport Arm of Development Banks
• Academic Departments
ITS Alumni go on to succeed in...
Consultant,
African Bank
of
Development
Managing Director
Crossrail 2
Senior Transport
Planner,
Parsons Brinckerhoff
Head of the
Transport Area,
Pontificia Universidad
Catolica del Peru
Transport Planner,
Highways Department,
Thailand

14. Elena Chiari – MSc (Eng) Transport Planning and Engineering 2012
Now: Senior Consultant – Steer Davies Gleave, Bogota Office
“If you are interested in receiving quality education from renowned
professionals while also learning about their application in real life
scenarios through case studies, projects, techniques and schemes first
hand, then I truly recommend you attend ITS.”
Recent Alumni
Syed Rahman – MSc (Eng)Transport Planning, 2013 &
MA Transport Economics, 2014
Now: Deputy Chief Operations Manager, Indian Railways
“If you are looking for a career in transport, ITS is one of the best
places in the world to study. The teachings at ITS help you take
on difficult challenges from day one. The modules are very well
designed and taught by great minds in the field.”

15. Recent Alumni
Catherine Wallace – MSc Sustainability (Transport) 2014
Now: (acting) Executive Director Major Transport Projects
Department of Transport (Western Australia)
“The Masters program at ITS has helped me develop a much better
understanding of transport planning, as well as deepening my
understanding of transport policy and economics. My studies at ITS have
added new pieces to the jigsaw puzzle, helping me to see the bigger
picture.”
Pablo Alvarez– MSc (Eng)Transport Planning and Engineering 2013
Now: Transport Consultant, AECOM, UK
“The atmosphere on the campus is great for a European or international
student. There are dozens of different nationalities so you won’t learn just
about the modules you take, but also from other cultures and people’s
experiences. Secondly, this Masters course will give you a very good
background to start your career in transport or to continue and improve
your current career.”

16. A community for life

17. Why ITS?
– don’t take my word for It
“…a first class learning experience in a very stimulating
environment. The quality of teaching, resources and
support was the best that I have experienced…”
“A course that really challenges you in a place that has a
genuinely friendly and welcoming atmosphere. A year I will
look back on with a sense of pride and achievement.”
“World class tuition assured. Your knowledge will be
deepened and your skills will be sharpened”.
“You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, it will change your life – a degree at
ITS”.
“It’s a centre of excellence”
“Outstanding reputation and job prospects”
“It is the best transport department in the UK”

18. 18
ITS Taught Masters Programmes
Open Day
April 2016
Tony Whiteing
ITS Director of Student Education
(MA Transport Economics 1976/77)

19. 19
ITS Taught Masters Programmes
MSc Transport Economics
MSc(Eng) Transport Planning and Engineering
MSc Transport Planning
MSc Transport Planning and the Environment
MSc Sustainability in Transport
MSc Mathematical Modelling for Transport NEW!
PGDip qualifications are associated with all the above
We also run a Certificate in Transport Studies and a
programme of Short Courses

20. 20
Masters Programmes Structure
120 credits, plus the Dissertation;
Compulsory Modules * Semester 1 - all
* 1,2 or 3 in semester 2
Optional Modules * remainder of semester 2
Dissertation
Transferable skills
PG Dip is just the taught modules from a Masters
PG Cert is any four taught modules

21. 21
NEW FOR 2016 !
The refurbished ITS Building !
A new approach to developing and embedding cross-
disciplinary skills and awareness, via new modules;
Semester 1 : Shaping Future Transport Systems
Sets out a range of cross-disciplinary skills tailored to
the needs of students on each individual programme
Semester 2 : Transport Integrated Project
A project-based module in which multi-disciplinary
teams are tasked to develop a broadly-based solution to
a transport problem

22. 22
• Lectures/Seminars
• Coursework
• Group projects
• Computer based learning
• Practical exercises
• Field trips
• VLE (Virtual Learning Environment)
• Professional Institution meetings
The Learning Environment

23. 23
• Full time
• Part time – various modes of attendance
• Full time* £6,500 UK/EU, £17,000 International
• Part time* £3,250/year UK/EU
• Pro-rata for PGDip, PGCert
Modes of Attendance and Fees

24. 24
• Email
• VLE
• Noticeboards
• Intranet
• Lecturers
• Programme leaders
• Director of Student Education
• Class reps – Student & Staff Forum
• Feedback forms
• Programme Survey
Communication & Feedback

25. 25
• High demand for Masters graduates in transport
• Main career paths:
– Consultancies
– Local government
– Central government
– Transport operators
– PhD
Career Opportunities

26. 26
• Institution of Civil Engineers
• Institution of Highways and Transportation
• Transport Planning Society
• Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport
Recognition by professional bodies

27. Institute for Transport Studies
FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENT
Entry Requirements & Funding
Dr Chandra Balijepalli
Masters Admissions Tutor
29 April 2016

28. Entry Requirements
• a 2(i) Bachelor degree from a recognised UK university or
an alternative qualification of equivalent / higher standard
• lower degrees may be accepted in combination with relevant
practical experience
Also, if your first language is not English & your degree is
not from a University in an English speaking country we also
require...
• formal proof of language skills (eg IELTS)
• overall IELTS score of 6.5, with at least 6.0 in each element
of the test required

29. Entry Requirements
• accept from a wide range of academic backgrounds
• most common: Civil Engineering, Geography, Economics
• also: Maths, Physics, Psychology, Sociology, Politics,
Planning, Architecture, Environment etc…
• most science / social science disciplines applicable
• MSc TP&Econ requires some background in Economics
• MSc(Eng) & MScTP&Env most suitable for those with
numerate / engineering background
• MSc most suitable for those with focus on qualitative skills
• MScS(T) aimed at students with environmental interests
• MSc (MMfT) suitable for those with high level of maths skills

30. Funding Options – UK/EU students
• Rees Jeffreys Road Fund:
…national competition for Transport students
…8 full bursaries of £10,000 each
…applications to ITS by 1st
June 2016, decisions made in early July
…will need additional info to strengthen case – full CV and supporting
statement
…ITS has good success rate!
• Brian Large Bursaries £5,250:
…national competition for Transport students (c4 awards)
…applications to ITS by mid-July
…decisions in mid-late August
…requires quite a lot of info / communication
…again ITS has a pretty good success rate!

31. Funding Options – UK/EU students
• University of Leeds Fees Scholarships:
…university-wide competition (10 awards)
…very competitive, emphasis on academic performance
…open to full & part time students
…2016 closing date 6th
May
• Santander Scholarships:
…university-wide competition (up to 10 awards)
…open to full time students (5k contribution towards academic fees)
…2016 closing date 6th
May
• ITS Transport UK/EU Scholarships:
…very competitive, emphasis on academic performance
…two awards @50% tuition fee waiver (equivalent to £3,250)
…2016 closing date 7th
July

32. Funding Options continued:
• ITS Employer funded scholarships 2016:
…very competitive, emphasis on academic performance
…two awards @2k
…2016 closing date 7th
July
• Panasonic Trust:
...fellowship worth £8,000
...national competition; 6-7 awards p.a.
...need to have some work experience & be member of professional
engineering institution
...deadline 17th
Jun 2015 (tbc for 2016)
...need to be available to attend interview in Bracknell in late August
...decisions by end of August
http://www.panasonictrust.net/fellowships/default.aspx
• £5k Leeds Masters Scholarships, criteria applies. Pick up a leaflet at
this event or visit www.leeds.ac.uk/mastersscholarships for information.

33. Funding Options continued:
More information at:
http://scholarships.leeds.ac.uk/
NB not all scholarships apply to all programmes.
New for 2016/17 – PG Loan for Masters Degrees
…You can borrow up to £10,000 toward fees and living costs
…Applications will open from Summer 2016, visit the following websites for
further information;
www.gov.uk, www.thestudentroom.co.uk or
www.findamasters.com

34. Funding: General Advice
• mostly funding for UK / EU students covered here (most
funding deadlines for non-EU students have already passed for 16/17)
• non-UK applicants from EU can get fees awards but not
maintenance grants
• part-time students mostly ineligible for funding
• submit applications in good time
• in some cases offers may be made before the dates
indicated
• ITS reserves the right to make decisions on putting names
forward for national competitions for best advantage