Civil Engineering MEng

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Course structure

The first year explores the fundamental elements of civil engineering. Modules become more tailored from year two. In your final year you will have the freedom to choose your own option modules and research project.

After year 1 you may choose to specialise and transfer to our Civil with Environmental Engineering or Civil Engineering with Construction Management courses.

You will learn through lectures, tutorials, group practicals, design weeks and laboratory work. You will also take part in field courses ranging from geological studies to surveying and have the option of a placement year.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through Student View.

Year 1

In your first year you will explore the fundamental elements of civil engineering. You will also undertake a group project linked to the Engineering for People Design Challenge.

Modules

• Land and Construction Surveying

  This module will introduce you to the equipment and methods used in both land and construction engineering surveying. The module will provide you with a thorough grounding in both the theoretical and practical aspects of surveying and covers a range of surveying topics from basic measurement of heights, distances and angles, to setting out coordinate positions on site. As a result of the nature of the content, there is a focus on practical skills with much of the delivery taking place in a practical setting.

• Structural and Stress Analysis

  This module will introduce you to the analysis of simple structures. Through the application of the equilibrium equations, you will be able to determine the support reactions and internal forces in structural members. The study will be undertaken through rigorous analytical and graphical approach as well as through physical conceptual understanding of the structural behaviour. The calculation of displacements and stresses will be also introduced as base of the limit state principles.

• Construction Materials

  This module covers basic material science relating to construction materials such as timber, steel, concrete, masonry, polymers and bituminous materials. You will develop an understanding of commonly used construction materials, and the ability to evaluate the performance of different materials and to identify a variety of failure types. You will have the opportunity to test some of the main properties of basic construction materials through laboratory sessions.

• Engineering Geology and Soil Mechanics

  This is an introductory module covering principles of soil mechanics and engineering geology. The syllabus includes identification of soils and common rock types; engineering description and classification of soils and rocks; physical properties of soils and rocks; stresses in soils; earth’s surface processes; an introduction to geological maps. Lab classes, tutorials and a field day will give you hands-on experience.

• Mathematics for Civil Engineering

  This module will introduce you to the mathematics and statistics required to study civil engineering. Vectors, linear algebra, matrix analysis, solutions of a set of linear equations, functions of one or more variables, differentiation and integration will be covered. Statistical tools are provided for estimating uncertainty in civil and environmental engineering problems.

• Civil Engineering Practice

  This module will introduce you to the range of issues related to the content and role of the civil engineering profession. Through independent and self-managed research, critical evaluation of published studies and writing of technical reports, you will develop an appreciation of the health and safety, environmental and sustainability issues related to civil engineering projects. It is linked to Engineering for People design Challenge UK and aims to prepare you for an effective professional life by encouraging best practices in cooperation and teamwork.

Year 2

In your second year, you will build on the knowledge and skills you have acquired in your first year. Group project work will include working on the design of a simplified structure.

Modules

• Construction Methods and Technology
• Structural Analysis
• Concrete Technology and Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures
• Geotechnical Engineering 1
• Hydraulics
• Computational Mechanics.

Placement year

A placement year offers an excellent opportunity to gain work experience, build a professional network, increase your confidence, develop existing skills and discover new ones. The experience also significantly enhances your CV.

Our students have been placement in organisations including: Mackley, Laing O’Rourke, Balfour Beatty, Mott MacDonald, and South East Water.

There is also the opportunity to study abroad.

Year 3

The third year gives you flexibility to explore areas of interest. Options include application of design, which is delivered by Mott MacDonald.

Projects include study of vibration of structures and their mitigation, a multidisciplinary group design activity as well as the design and build of a simple small-scale structure which you will test in the lab.

Modules

• Design of Steel Structures
• Integrated Approach to Design of Structures
• Dynamics of Structures
• Geotechnical Engineering 2

Options*

• Application of Design
• Applied Hydraulics
• Building Information Modelling
• Project Planning and Analysis
• Sustainable Construction
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Water, Sanitation and Health

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Final year

In your final year, you will embark on a major individual project. You will continue to focus on your engineering specialisms and have the freedom to choose from a range of option modules. 

Modules

• Individual Project

Options*

• Bridge Loads and Analysis
• Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering
• Dynamics of Structures with Earthquake Engineering Applications
• Sustainable Construction
• Wave Mechanics and Structural Loading
• Rock Mechanics
• Random Vibration of Structures
• Repair and Strengthening of Existing Reinforced Concrete Structures
• Transport Modelling for Civil Engineering Applications
• Project Risk and Financial Analysis

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Meet the team 

Dr. Ourania Tsioulou, course leader

My research is mainly focused on the development of novel construction materials such as geopolymer concrete and the strengthening of existing reinforced concrete structures with concrete layers.

I teach Construction Materials and Civil Engineering Practice which are both year one modules. My teaching is a combination of traditional methods such as lectures and lab classes and new teaching techniques like online tests and in-class quizzes using electronic interactive teaching tools. I am always trying to present examples from real life and much of the coursework is based on projects in developing countries.

Course fees

If you choose to take the professional placement (sandwich) year offered on this course you will pay a reduced fee during this year. Our fee for the professional placement year is £1,410 for UK students and £2,180 for international students. This fee may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2023–24.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international undergraduate and postgraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• About the university’s fees by checking our student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

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