Civil and Environmental Engineering BEng (Hons)

Undergraduate

Blend elements of design, construction and sustainability to shape the future of resilient infrastructure.

Course option

Degree with foundation year

Year of entry

2026-27 2027-28

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

UCAS codes

H220

Start date

September 2027
November 2027
January 2028
March 2028
May 2028
July 2028

How to apply

Book an Open Day

Download a prospectus

Your UCAS Guide

Course overview

If you want to gain the practical skills needed to drive environmental innovation in a growing global engineering sector, this is the course for you.

Learn core civil engineering principles within sustainability, covering water resources, pollution control and eco-friendly design.
The course will focus heavily on understanding how various projects and activities affect the environment.
Learn how to design and build things that can withstand the effects of climate change, and how to create environmentally friendly infrastructure.

Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2026

Why you should study this course

Gain real-world experience and develop your technical skills through case studies, project-led learning, simulation exercises and industry-standard tools.⁴
Benefit from guest lectures, mentoring and placement opportunities with leading engineering firms and professionals.²
The course is designed to meet the requirements of the Engineering Council Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (4th edition) and the Joint Board of Moderators.
The course should prepare you for roles in civil and environmental engineering, including design, project management and resource management across various sectors.

Is there a demand for civil engineers in the UK?

The UK government has announced ambitious plans to reshape the country’s infrastructure, and this means one thing — huge opportunities for skilled civil engineers. From transport networks to housing developments, the demand for talent is set to soar.

How you can be part of it

Three people wearing yellow vests and hard hats looking over construction plans.

What you'll study

Your first year is shared with students from closely related courses. This approach allows you to learn alongside other disciplines, broaden your perspective and develop strong collaboration skills from the very start.

The common first year also offers flexibility. If you discover a stronger interest in another subject area, you may have the opportunity to transfer to a related course at the end of the year, subject to meeting progression requirements.

Common first year courses:

Civil Engineering BEng (Hons)
Civil Engineering BSc (Hons)
Civil and Environmental Engineering BEng (Hons)

Modules

Principles of Structures and Mathematics – 30 credits

Develop your mathematics and problem-solving ability associated with the mechanical performance of civil engineering structures.

When tackling real-world structural engineering problems, civil engineers often need to apply mathematical principles and processes to structural mechanics. During this module, you will benefit from hands-on sessions in computer and structures laboratories.⁴ The module introduces you to the fundamental principles of structural mechanics, which are required to solve engineering problems of a non-routine nature.

Compulsory

Soil Mechanics and Materials – 30 credits

Learn the fundamentals of engineering geology, soil mechanics and common construction materials.

Develop an ability to identify soil and material properties and assess their suitability for specific applications within civil engineering and the construction industry, while considering construction methods, safety and sustainability. Gain valuable experience from hands-on laboratory sessions⁴, which should help to strengthen your in-depth understanding of the subject.

Compulsory

Civil Engineering Practice and Technology – 30 credits

This module introduces you to the construction industry practice and the breadth of aspects to be considered at various stages of a construction project.

You will primarily act as a simulated contractor, planning the execution of a design. You will give due consideration to meeting the client's requirements, sustainable construction practices, minimising environmental impact, and health and safety. You will also operate with due regard for professional ethics and foster a positive working environment.

Content will be adapted to the project brief, but will typically cover:

professionalism and collaborative work
site investigation
environmental risk assessment
access considerations and site setup
construction programming
cost estimation and resource management
material choice and construction methods
construction documentation
sustainable construction practice
quality and risk management.

Compulsory

Land Surveying and Digital Engineering Applications – 30 credits

Improve your understanding of land surveying in civil engineering applications. This module introduces you to the fundamentals of:

Building Information Modelling (BIM)
Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Data analytics for civil engineering.

For the land surveying element of this module, you should gain the relevant knowledge for establishing vertical and horizontal control on-site through levelling and traversing. You will learn about mapping, setting out construction works related to civil engineering applications and the latest land surveying technology. You should develop the necessary fieldwork skills to do this using surveying instrumentation.⁴

For the digital engineering element of this module, you should gain an introductory understanding and learn to apply BIM and CAD principles for civil engineering professional requirements. You should acquire basic knowledge of engineering statistics and AI and apply these principles using relevant software for data analysis to solve civil engineering problems.

Compulsory

Modules

Structural Analysis and Design – 30 credits

Develop your knowledge of structural design methods, along with the underpinning principles and structural analytical methods. Gain fundamental knowledge and skills in structural modelling using industry-standard computer software, benefiting from hands-on sessions in the computer and structures laboratories.⁴

This module also considers contemporary aspects of structural modelling, design, and carbon reduction considerations embodied within the design process.

Compulsory

Hydraulics and Geotechnics – 30 credits

This module aims to develop your understanding of the fundamental principles of soil behaviour and hydraulics, incorporating core engineering knowledge with practical application.

Gain valuable experience from hands-on laboratory sessions⁴, designed to strengthen your in-depth understanding of the subject. Develop the necessary skills to interpret experimental data for use in solving engineering problems of a non-routine nature commensurate with the CEng pathway.

Compulsory

Sustainable Environmental Project Management – 30 credits

Equip yourself with the knowledge, skills and tools to effectively manage sustainable energy and environmental projects within civil and environmental engineering.

Apply project management principles, including risk assessment, stakeholder engagement and lifecycle analysis while evaluating the environmental, economic and social impacts of projects using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), cost-benefit analysis, and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA).

Explore the integration of renewable energy technologies, addressing technical, economic, and policy constraints, and utilise digital and geospatial tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and digital twins4 to assess environmental risks, energy efficiency, and carbon footprints.

Through critical analysis of real-world case studies, you will extract best practices and lessons learned to inform future sustainable infrastructure developments. By the end of the module, you should have the expertise to manage and assess projects that align with climate resilience, net-zero targets, and long-term sustainability goals.

Compulsory

Advanced Materials and Transportation Engineering – 30 credits

Further enhance your understanding of construction materials used in civil engineering applications and the wider construction environment. Learn from selected topics in the principles of highways and transportation engineering. Your learning will be strengthened by laboratory testing sessions using industry-standard equipment.⁴

This module focuses on transport safety, equality, equity, resilience and decarbonisation. It covers the principles of geometric highway design following current design codes and traffic flow analysis. The module also explores the decision-making process in highway projects, including project appraisal, transportation policy and planning.

The module will also provide an overview of railway engineering, addressing design standards for various railway track systems, gauging and clearance management, vehicle-track interaction dynamics and safety and maintenance considerations.

Advance your knowledge of construction materials, their specification and selection for a sustainable and durable built environment. This concludes the study of materials technology, focusing on the degradation processes, specification and repair of materials used within civil engineering and the construction industry.

Compulsory

A placement year² provides optional first-hand industry experience and helps you discover where your skills and interests truly lie. Taken between your second and final years, it allows you to step into a professional environment, apply your learning and gain valuable insight into your chosen sector.

By spending an extended period in industry, you should develop confidence, build professional networks and strengthen the transferable skills that employers value most. This experience offers a powerful way to explore career paths and return to your final year with real -world expertise and a clearer sense of direction.

Key opportunities

Complete an approved work placement: gain practical experience aligned with your course and career ambitions, typically lasting at least 26 weeks.
Reflect on professional development: recognise and document the specific skills, knowledge and experience you gain during your time in industry.
Broaden your global perspective: optionally undertake an international work or study placement to experience a different professional or cultural context.

While this optional year is non-credit-bearing, successful completion ensures your experience is formally recognised on your final degree certificate to showcase your expertise to future employers.

Students sponsored by the University who opt for an international work placement must ensure they comply with the UKVI immigration regulations and should contact us for further guidance.

Modules

Climate Resilience and Sustainable Infrastructure – 30 credits

Get the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to design, assess and manage climate-resilient and sustainable infrastructure within the civil and environmental engineering sector.

Develop the ability to assess climate risks and vulnerabilities in infrastructure projects by applying climate modelling tools and impact assessment methodologies. Explore strategies for designing adaptive and resilient infrastructure solutions incorporating sustainable materials, renewable energy and nature-based approaches to enhance long-term sustainability.

Gain a comprehensive understanding of climate resilience policies, regulations and global frameworks so you can evaluate and apply key adaptation and mitigation strategies. Through hands-on experience with geospatial and digital tools such as Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and digital twins⁴, you will analyse climate change impacts on infrastructure and optimise project planning. By engaging with real-world case studies, you will critically assess best practices and lessons learned, preparing yourself to contribute to climate-adaptive urban planning, sustainable construction and resilient infrastructure development.

This module explores the principles, challenges, and strategies for designing and managing climate-resilient and sustainable infrastructure in the context of civil and environmental engineering. Develop skills in climate risk assessment, adaptive infrastructure design and policy implementation, ensuring that engineering solutions can withstand climate change impacts such as extreme weather events, flooding and rising temperatures.

Compulsory

Water and Hydrology Engineering – 30 credits

This module teaches the key principles of flood hydrology, hydrological and hydraulic modelling techniques, and water pollution risk assessment. It emphasises practical applications in water engineering, including water supply and flood management systems.

Topics covered include water distribution, Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS), rainwater harvesting, sewer outfall design, and flow routing for reservoir spillway design and river/channel flood forecasting.

A strong foundation in environmental fluid mechanics, hydrology and hydraulic engineering should enable you to apply mathematical and fluid mechanics principles to address water-related challenges such as flooding and pollution.

This module prepares you for a career in civil, environmental and public health engineering, particularly in the water industry, sustainable urban development and flood and pollution management.

Compulsory

Integrated Civil Engineering Project – 30 credits

Gain critical, transferable skills that are essential in the workplace and that promote and enable continued professional development. Learning is contextualised around a realistic project.

Learning outcomes are achieved by working in groups on a practical civil engineering problem. The project typically requires planning and designing a piece of infrastructure with elements of hydraulics, geotechnics, structures and transportation engineering. You will need to ensure your solutions give due consideration to sustainability and the environment.

By engaging with this module, you should learn to demonstrate your skills in professional development planning, project planning and the value of teamwork. You should also learn to demonstrate a further understanding of BIM planning ethos, the ability to work collaboratively in an industrial setting while considering cybersecurity threats, understanding roles, group dynamics, negotiation and influencing, motivation, emotional intelligence, assertiveness and conflict management.

Compulsory

Undergraduate Research Project – 30 credits

Develop your research and investigative skills by scoping, designing and conducting an independent research dissertation under the supervision of academic staff experienced in the field.

Module content aims to improve your understanding of problem identification, reviewing literature and research design, and the development and implementation of appropriate methods. You will be supported to conduct research independently and to plan, manage, and conduct research within an appropriate context.

This includes the development of an understanding of:

research design and methodology
ethical considerations of research
health and safety concerns (including, where appropriate, risk assessments)
research methods for technical, scientific and social science investigations
project management
data collection, interpretation and analysis
report writing.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content to keep it relevant and current for our students. Consequently, we may update modules to reflect the latest industry standards.

How you'll learn

We understand that everyone learns differently, so each of our courses will consist of structured teaching sessions, which can include:

on campus lectures, seminars and workshops
group work
self-directed learning
work placement opportunities².

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching contact hours and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average, you will have between 12 and 15 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the option to attend additional sessions, including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You will be digging deeper into topics, reviewing what you’ve learnt and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress to the end of your studies, you’ll spend more time on independent learning.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods, including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods may include:

reports
projects
coursework
laboratories
phase tests
group work
presentations.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Requirement	What we're looking for
UCAS points	112
A Level	BBC to include Mathematics. Excludes General Studies.
BTEC	DMM in an Engineering or Construction (has to be Civil Engineering Pathway) subject.
IB Diploma	29 to include Mathematics at Higher level.
Access to HE	Considered on an individual basis
GCSE	GCSE maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards.

For direct entry to level 5, an applicant possessing an appropriate HND or HNC in a Civil Engineering discipline or equivalent from another institution will be considered for this course.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

Contextual/Fair Access Offers

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Offer, you could automatically receive a contextual offer which is 16 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Offer.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 overall (with at least 5.5 in each component area)

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK	2027/28 fees TBC 2026/27 fees: £9,790 per year	Not available
International	2027/28 fees TBC 2026/27 fees: £20,800 per year	Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement² or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee³ to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. Students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2028/29 will pay £1,575 if they are paying UK fees, or £1,900 if they are paying international fees.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the table above for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI), a UK measure of inflation that tracks changes in the cost of living.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement or study abroad year, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2028/29. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above RPI.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) you may be charged the tuition fees in force at the time you take that additional period of study, and/or in line with any legislative changes that apply at that time.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad) which may include costs of travel, accommodation, equipment or uniform required for the placement and any visa-related costs.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We assess your fee status using the information in your application. This status determines your tuition fees and the scholarships or financial support you can get. The Department for Education sets the rules for who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees in England.

The regulations list which students can pay the home fee rate. Because these rules are complex, the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides fee status guidance to help you find the right category. If you meet all the criteria for one category, your institution must charge you the home rate.

Facilities

Your studies will be centred in high-specification learning environments that benefit from extensive social learning facilities, well-appointed laboratories, industry-standard equipment, lecturing facilities and classrooms, facilitating our innovative teaching methods across a diverse suite of courses.

Materials Laboratory: Includes industrial standard timber and steel workshops, a concrete mixing area with 3 pan mixers, programmable environmental chambers, a range of ovens and curing tanks and various materials testing apparatus.
Simulation Centre: Our interactive training centre is used to create a ‘virtual’ construction site with fully equipped site cabins and observation deck. Students undertake role play exercises to help prepare them for situations in the workplace.
Structures Laboratory: Includes eight test frames, two of which are fully programmable ‘top of the range’ Instron universal test machines. It also includes a strong floor area with associated framing and ancillary measurement devices.
Hydraulics Laboratory: Our hydraulics laboratory is equipped with three different hydraulic flumes an innovative canal lock design and a wave tank to generate coastal wave conditions. The lab also contains model bed channels, hydraulic benches and a large scale surge shaft model.
Geotechnics Laboratory: Our geotechnics laboratory includes soil classification test equipment, triaxial and direct shear testing machines, and oedometer testing apparatus, all fitted with automatic data loggers.

Facilities are subject to availability⁴. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

The aims of this course are that graduates should have the ability to:

work collaboratively with other construction disciplines in the development of engineering solutions through critical evaluation and reflection, and effectively communicate proposals using a variety of media to suit different audiences
demonstrate awareness of the conflicting demands of clients, stakeholders and other construction professionals in the planning and execution of appropriate inter-disciplinary design solutions
recognise and respond to social, environmental, economic, security and ethical considerations in an international context
undertake interdisciplinary teamwork in a respectful and inclusive manner and effective self-management and development
conduct independent thinking, critical reflection, and individual initiative as the basis for research, innovation and lifelong professional learning to enhance their skills and knowledge throughout their careers
identify, analyse and solve engineering problems and apply their knowledge, technical and practical skills creatively and effectively, as required for a successful career as a professionally-registered Civil Engineer.

Graduates from this course should be well-suited to working in a range of Civil Engineering consultancies, contractors or client organisations and they will have a sound base to ultimately become Chartered Civil and Environmental Engineers, if they choose.

The graduate destinations listed above illustrate potential career paths. You may need to gain additional qualifications or practical experience, pass professional examinations, complete training, cover associated costs and meet specific visa or immigration requirements to secure employment in these fields.

Where our graduates work

Coventry University has a long-established reputation for the teaching of civil engineering and currently has excellent links with employers like Arcadis, Arup, Atkins, Balfour Beatty, BAM, Buro Happold, CGL, CPUK, Donaldson Associates, Galliford Try, Geotechnics Ltd, Interserve, Kier, Laing O’Rourke, Morgan Sindall, Mott MacDonald, Severn Trent, Warwickshire County Council and Willmott Dixon, many of whom provide direct input into course development as members of our Industrial Advisory Board (links are subject to change).

Further study

A complete guide to civil engineering careers

Man in a hard hat looking up at a construction

Two students sat at a desk working on a laptop

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How to apply

BEng (Hons) with foundation year

Apply via UCAS

C85

Institution code

View our courses on UCAS

Visit UCAS

UK students

You can now register and start your application in your UCAS Hub. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 6565

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

International students

International codes:
EESU093

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.

You can also download our International mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 6565

ioadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

Disclaimers

Coventry University, Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations, partnerships and memberships

Some of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the University maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. Before seeking an overseas placement, read our visa advice page.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first academic year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year.

For UK (home) students, if the Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees annually but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (for example to repeat a year or resit examinations) you may be charged the tuition fees in force at the time you take that additional period of study, and/or in line with any legislative changes that apply at that time.

⁴Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised. Availability and access may be reduced or restricted when the University is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders or internal health and safety requirements.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the University. A copy of the current 2025/26 contract is available for information purposes only. The 2027/28 contract will apply to the 2027/28 intakes and may differ from the current version. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the University will owe to you. You should read the applicable Student Contract carefully before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the University.