Civil with Environmental Engineering MEng

Course structure

The first year explores the fundamental elements of civil engineering.

Modules become more tailored from your second year. In your last two years you will have the freedom to choose your own option modules and research project. You will also learn about the environmental challenges faced by civil engineers.

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. 

Year 1 

You will explore the core principles of civil engineering including structures, materials, geotechnics and hydraulics.

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

You will build on the knowledge and skills you have acquired in your first year. Group projects will include working on a design of a simplified structure. Modules are shared with Civil with Environmental Engineering BEng(Hons). 

Modules

• Structural Analysis
• Concrete Technology and Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures
• Geotechnical Engineering 1
• Hydraulics 
• Computational Mathematics

Option modules*

• Earth Surface Processes
• Environmental Pollution
• Climate Change
• GIS and Remote Sensing Principles and Practice

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

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 and 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. You will choose from option modules, giving you the opportunity to specialise. 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 test in the lab.

Modules

• Design of Steel Structures
• Design of Structures
• Geotechnical Engineering 2
• Environmental Impact Assessment

Options*

• Dynamics of Structures
• Application of Design
• Applied Hydraulics
• Building Information Modelling
• Sustainable Construction
• Rivers, Coasts and Wetlands: Assessment and Management
• Waste Management and the Circular Economy
• The Frozen Planet
• Water, Sanitation and Health
• Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing

*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*

• Sustainable Construction
• Wave Mechanics and Structural Loading
• Bridge Loads and Analysis
• Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering
• Rock Mechanics
• Dynamics of Structures with Earthquake Engineering Application
• Random Vibration of Structures
• Application in GIS
• Environmental Management in Organisations
• Hydrology and Pollutant Transport
• Water Quality Analysis
• Water Treatment Technology
• Wastewater Treatment Technology

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

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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