Civil Engineering MEng

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
• Design of Structures
• Dynamics of Structures
• Geotechnical Engineering 2

Options*

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

*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
• 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.

International requirements and visas

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visas and immigration advice

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 £1,330 for UK students and £2,100 for international students. This fee may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in your fees, while studying a course in the School of Environment and Technology are listed here.

• Travel and accommodation costs are included for all mandatory taught residential field trips, but you’ll need to provide your own food and drink.
• Where taught residential field trips are optional, a contribution will be required towards travel and accommodation. This will vary depending on where and how long the field trip is but you should budget approximately £1,500.
• The independent mapping project is a mandatory part of the Geology BSc(Hons) involving independent fieldwork that is undertaken in the summer between years 2 and 3. The cost of this fieldwork is not included in the fee, and you will need to meet this additional cost yourself.
• Some students require specialist outdoor equipment and/or personal protective equipment (PPE) and should budget up to £100.
• If you choose to take an optional paid placement you’ll be expected to cover your own travel, accommodation, food and drink.
• You will have access to computers and necessary software, however many students choose to buy their own hardware, software and accessories. The amount spent will depend on your individual choices but this expenditure is not essential to pass any of our courses. Find out what free software is available. from the University of Brighton
• In most cases coursework submissions are electronic but students may wish to print notes which would involve an extra cost.

You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page if you require further information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2021–22.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

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