Civil Engineering with Construction Management MEng

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Top reasons to choose this course

• Fully meets the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
• We are 12th in the UK for civil engineering — Guardian University League 2024.
• Fieldwork, site visits and projects run with our industry partners bring learning to life.
• Interdisciplinary project work, including the Engineering for People Design Challenge, working to find solutions for challenges faced by developing countries.
• Accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators.
• Our Industrial Advisory Board offers invaluable advice and networking opportunities.
• Work with researchers with expertise in areas such as earthquake engineering dynamics and design, advanced geotechnics and rock mechanics, bridge engineering and advanced hydraulics.
• Specialist facilities including concrete lab, dynamics lab, hydraulics lab, soils lab and wave tank room.
• Option of a salaried placement year to build your experience and confidence.
• Learn Building Information Modelling (BIM) and gain a professional advantage.

Year 1

You will explore the fundamental elements of civil engineering in relation to business, society and the sustainability of the built and natural environment.

You will also undertake a group project linked to the Engineering for People Design Challenge.

Modules

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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 2

You will build on the knowledge and skills you have acquired in your first year and apply what you learn to civil engineering and construction tasks.

Modules

• Construction Methods and Technology

  This module will focus on the process of planning projects through the design and construction stages of a low/medium-rise development. Focusing on ‘constructability’, it will highlight the demands faced by those involved in managing the construction environment and the complex issues that arise when integrating new and more sustainable materials, technologies and construction methods, while ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of those carrying out the production operation.

• Structural Analysis

  Structural Analysis deals with the static response of structures in terms of forces and displacements, with equilibrium equations, material properties and structure deflected shape used as analysis tools. You will learn the basic tools to analyse statically indeterminate beams, simple frames and structures with axially loaded members, and gain the skills to deal with the fundamental modelling of material response beyond the elastic limit.

• Fluid and Soil Mechanics

  This module introduces the basic principles of hydraulics, including hydrostatics, hydrodynamics and the behaviour of real fluids, and will give you the basic analytical skills to solve common hydraulics problems in civil engineering. You will also develop an in-depth understanding of the fundamental soil mechanics principles and their application to common geotechnical engineering problems as well as the methods to predict soil behaviour under different loading conditions.

• Construction Project Management

  This module will expand your knowledge of key construction and project management concepts so you can evaluate projects and develop a plan for the most effective and efficient delivery of a project within a client’s brief. In order for you to understand the processes involved in the management of construction throughout a project lifecycle, the content will cover projects right through from inception to delivery and use.

• Concrete Technology and Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures

  In this module, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the principles of concrete technology and ability to produce safe design procedures for structural concrete elements reinforced with conventional steel bars and/or steel fibres. You will develop the knowledge and skills for designing and applying conventional and special concrete materials. The module will also prepare you for a productive professional life by encouraging best practices in cooperation and teamwork.

• Computational Mechanics

  Computational Mechanics covers the principles of general basic numerical techniques relevant to civil engineering, such as numerical differentiation and integration, as well as approaches such as the finite difference method, the direct stiffness method and the finite element method. The module will equip you with the necessary skills in computer programming and mathematical modelling to perform numerical simulations of common civil engineering problems.

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 on placement in organisations including:

• Mackley
• Balfour Beatty
• Transport for London
• South East Water.

There is also the opportunity to study abroad.

Year 3

Your third year is flexible and can be tailored to your interests. Options include application of design, which is delivered by Mott MacDonald.

Projects include a multidisciplinary group design as well as the design and build of a simple small-scale structure which you will test in the lab.

Modules

Core modules

• Project Planning and Analysis

  Providing a problem-solving scenario for you to develop individual responses while working in a group, the focus of this module is to identify a feasible plan to a complex project. This will demonstrate the best trade-offs on time, cost and performance, bearing in mind the need for health, safety and welfare, and the ‘constructability’ of the proposal. You will also learn to use computers to produce plans using sophisticated industry-led software.

• Design of Steel Structures

  This module will provide you with a sound knowledge of the behaviour and design of structural steel members and their connections and deepen your understanding and application of modern codes of practice procedures (Eurocodes), national annex and UK building regulations. It will enable you to design a structural system, underpinned by functionality, safety and stability, buildability and economic objectives.

• Integrated Approach to Design of Structures

  This module will deepen your knowledge of the creative and complex interdisciplinary nature of the structural design process. A group design project will bolster your existing knowledge of construction materials, analysis (structural, geotechnical and hydraulic) and member design. You will enhance your ability to design a structural system, underpinned by critical appraisal of a client brief and other considerations such as functionality, safety and stability, buildability, and social and economic objectives.

• Construction Management

  This module will assist you in planning for a career in construction management. It is designed to develop your knowledge and understanding of construction management and the management of modern methods of construction, characterised by complexity of design, prefabrication, assembly, construction and commissioning. During the module, you will demonstrate your ability to work in teams to identify problem situations and produce practical solutions.

Options*

• Dynamics of Structures

  In this module, you will learn the fundamental concepts of the dynamics of civil engineering structures. Earthquakes, wind, sea waves and moving loads such as trains create vibrations in structures that might cause damage and eventually collapse; Dynamics of Structures is designed to provide you with the tools necessary to model the motion of structures forced by dynamic loads and design devices able to reduce these vibrations.

• Building Information Modelling

  This module introduces building information modelling (BIM) as a tool in the design and construction management of buildings. You will develop enough theoretical insight and practical skills to be able to use BIM and demonstrate leadership and competence in advocating and enhancing it as a vehicle for cultural change in the construction industry. You will also be able to evaluate and fully utilise BIM options and its advanced features.

• Building Pathology and Life Care

  This module covers the issues that must be addressed when proposing an adaptation of any large-scale residential or commercial building. You will explore the processes involved in adaptation, which include carrying out a pre-adaptation survey to identify any defects and causes, developing a life care plan and a repair strategy for any observed defects, and proposing change of use for a redundant or obsolete building within the constraints of the statutory regulations and market demand.

• Applied Hydraulics

  Applied Hydraulics will introduce you to the theory of open channel water flow, basic coastal and estuarine processes and sediment transport and give you an understanding of the basic design principles of engineered interventions and the social, environmental and economic implications. You will learn how to simulate scenarios numerically and physically in the laboratory and have the opportunity to compare theory to practice.

• Application of Design

  This industry-led module is entirely delivered by industrial partners and will cover the application of design in a real-life industry scenario to enable you to apply the knowledge gained from the previous years in analysis, design and detailing. It will also demonstrate the thought process required to deliver a project from conception to final product.

• Sustainable Construction

  This module will highlight the demand that construction places on finite resources and the necessity to build in a sustainable manner. You will study how building design, procurement, materials and methods of construction are related to buildings solutions at both national and international level. You’ll also evaluate and critically appraise benchmarks for sustainable construction.

*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

Core modules

• Project Management for Construction

  This module explores project management in relation to construction projects. You will specifically examine how project management contributes to the success of a project by understanding the business case for the project and meeting the client’s requirements in the most efficient manner. You will also develop a range of problem-solving, interpersonal and teamwork skills to complement the theory of managing projects.

• MEng Individual Project

  The MEng Individual Project gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your capacity to work as an independent researcher in civil engineering and related fields. Through the project dissertation you will show evidence of a broad understanding of the problems involved, including the theoretical background, critical thinking in the investigation and thorough analysis of the achieved results.

Options*

• Wave Mechanics and Structural Loading

  Wave Mechanics and Structural Loading will give you an understanding of different wave theories and their applications in offshore and coastal engineering practice. You will also develop an understanding of environments in which different wave theories may be applied. The module will introduce analytical, empirical and numerical methods for the analysis of wave loading on structures.

• Rock Mechanics

  This module will provide you with an understanding of the behaviour of rocks and rock mass and enable you to evaluate the instability of rock slopes and tunnels and design reinforcements and supports for unstable rock. Topics will include the stress-strain relationship of intact rock and rock mass, rock mass classification, stereographic analysis, analysis of plane failure and evacuation techniques.

• Dynamics of Structures with Earthquake Engineering Applications

  Following an introduction to the fundamental concepts of dynamics of structures, this module focuses on the prediction of the dynamic response of civil engineering structures using simplified analytical models of increasing levels of complexity. It also deals with the calculation of equivalent lateral forces to be used in codified seismic design.

• Repair and Strengthening of Existing Reinforced Concrete Structures

  Most of the commonly used techniques for the earthquake strengthening of existing reinforced concrete structures will be covered in this module, such as concrete jacketing, epoxy resin injection and fibre-reinforced polymer composites. You will develop a deep understanding of the types and causes of damage and be able to select appropriate strengthening techniques and design strengthened elements.

• Project Risk and Financial Analysis

  The first part of this two-part module will cover project risk in health and safety and financial terms, with an emphasis on CDM 2015 Regulations and the Management of H&S at Work Regulations 1999. This will help in comprehensively appraising health and safety risk. The second part will give you an understanding of decision-making and the appropriate decision-making tools for managing people and organisations.

• Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering

  This module provides an understanding of advanced geotechnical design methods. It will focus on current design methods for soil and rock structures and foundation systems subject to complex loading conditions, with an emphasis on seismic design. The module will give you experience in using a variety of commercial software commonly used in practice.

• Sustainable Construction

  This module looks at how the design and construction of buildings impact the environment. It provides a critical appraisal of one planet living and the responsibilities of the individual and the construction industry, and explores the resources consumed and pollution resulting from buildings and methods by which their sustainability can be evaluated. Some of the key features of buildings acknowledged as ‘sustainable construction’ will also be appraised.

• Bridge Loads and Analysis

  This module will focus on the loading requirements and analysis methods applicable to bridge structures. It will cover various actions that may exist on a bridge structure, including primary and secondary traffic loads for highway, railway and footbridges, actions from wind and water, temperature and shrinkage actions. You will also look at the global and detailed analysis methods and their use for the analysis of bridges. Both computer and hand-based methods will be covered in the module.

• Random Vibration of Structures

  This module will give you the confidence to model uncertainties involved in the design of structural systems and a framework to critically appraise probabilistic-based Eurocode approaches to design. Stochastic models of earthquake ground motion, wind and wave loading will also be explored. Probabilistic analysis and design of structures will be undertaken through relevant random vibration theory, and you will become confident with probabilistic analysis for design.

• Transport Modelling for Civil Engineering Applications

  This module will develop your skills in applying different modelling approaches appropriate for traffic engineering and transport planning to make road transport networks safe, sustainable and user appropriate. Topics will include traffic flow, demand and capacity, traffic data sources, processing and forecasting using statistical approaches, design of a junction and traffic signal plan design.

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

Course fees

This course offers a professional placement (sandwich) year in year 3. If you choose to take this placement you will pay a reduced fee during this year. For students starting their undergraduate degree in the 2025–26 academic year, the fee for the professional placement year is £1,500 for UK students and £1,850 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 2025–26.

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.

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