Civil and Environmental Engineering MEng/BEng (Hons)
Course Code
UCAS Code: H222 (MEng) H220 (BEng)
International Code: EECU079 (MEng) EECU078 (BEng)
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Sandwich
Duration
3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
4 years full-time (MEng award)
Start date
September 2022
Course overview
Study level: Undergraduate
Coventry University’s Civil and Environmental Engineering MEng/BEng (Hons) course is aimed at students who aspire to become professionally qualified engineers. If you wish to study civil engineering in the UK or abroad with an emphasis on environmental engineering, then this may be the course for you.
This course aims to develop the combination of technical, practical and managerial skills necessary to analyse, design and manage solutions for innovative and complex engineering problems as a basis for future leadership in the civil engineering profession.
During your studies, you should gain an insight into the full breadth of design and construction disciplines that collaborate in the multi-disciplinary construction industry. The structure of the provision allows you to experience the breadth and interdisciplinary nature of the construction industry, and achieve your potential by providing opportunities to transfer between courses based on academic ability and final chosen degree specialism.
The MEng Civil and Environmental Engineering course shares a common first year with the MEng Civil Engineering course, which permits you to transfer (without restart) from civil and environmental engineering to civil engineering or vice versa after the successful completion of the first year, subject to academic performance and approval by the Programme Assessment Board. Experience suggests that this is a valuable feature for many students who are unsure of their preferred career route at the commencement of their studies.

Global Ready
An international outlook, with global opportunities
Teaching excellence
Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field
Employability
Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeedWhy you should study this course
The United Nations predicts a global population of 9.8 billion by 2050. Consequently, construction professionals are increasingly being called upon to create and maintain the social and commercial infrastructure needed to accommodate such large-scale growth. Therefore, the demand for civil engineers is high in the foreseeable future.
In recent years, the demand for civil and structural engineers has continued to rise, particularly in countries such as Australia, Singapore, New Zealand and China. Construction targets aim to reduce cost, deliver faster, reduce emissions and improve exports, all of which rely on a successful infrastructure both in the UK and elsewhere.
Civil Engineering courses at Coventry University are well established as a cornerstone of the education provision by the School of Energy, Construction and Environment. The School offers a range of undergraduate, postgraduate and research courses related to the field of construction and it prides itself on offering an educational experience that reflects the interdisciplinary and global nature of the construction industry.
Our environmental engineering courses are based on the UK Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education’s benchmark for engineering, as well as incorporating aspects of the benchmark for earth sciences, environmental sciences and environmental studies. Designed to meet the needs of niche and highly specialised national and international markets, tailored to the requirements of an integrated civil and environmental engineering sector, they deliver all necessary learning outcomes of the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence.
You will have access to the university’s Simulation Centre, our advanced interactive people training and development centre. Its bespoke programmes and technology helps students, companies and organisations across a range of sectors in training and development. The use of the centre’s Learning Curve interactive screen and real-life scenarios using specially trained actors, not only improve skills but helps develop new ways of working by engaging our students in role play to develop their leadership and management skills. A control room in the simulation centre monitors the activity of students via cameras allowing staff to provide immediate feedback.
We have current collaborative links with universities in 20 countries around the world, including Ryerson University Canada, Rennes University France and National University of Colombia and California State University, giving you the chance to spend part of your studies abroad*.
Accredited by:
Civil and Environmental Engineering BEng (Hons) is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) comprising the Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, Institute of Highway Engineers, and the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation on behalf of the Engineering Council as:
- Fully satisfying the educational base for an Incorporated Engineer (IEng).
- Partially satisfying the educational base for a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
A programme of accredited Further Learning will be required to complete the educational base for CEng. See jbm.co.uk for further information and details of Further Learning programmes for CEng.
Civil and Environmental Engineering MEng is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) comprising the Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, Institute of Highway Engineers, and the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation on behalf of the Engineering Council as fully satisfying the educational base for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) (additional costs may apply). View jbm.co.uk for further information.
If the accreditation of this course changes, we would seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.
My placement at Network Rail
Anne Wandu worked with the asset management team at Network Rail as an asset engineer, following the completion of her second year studying Civil Engineering BEng (Hons).
Read her story

What you'll study
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
How you'll learn
Actual teaching contact hours will vary depending on the level of study and the requirements of a particular semester. In a typical week your contact hours will be divided amongst:
- Lectures
- Online teaching
- Laboratory classes
- Practical and studio sessions
You will also be expected to undertake significant self-directed study each week depending on the demands of individual modules. The number of contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 13-14 contact hours per week in the first and second year dropping to around 11 contact hours per week in third and final year as you become a more independent learner.
In addition, you will be assigned a personal tutor who will review and discuss your progress with you and will be available for advice. At appropriate stages of the course, we try to organise guest lectures from current practitioners (subject to availability). You will have the opportunity to participate in a mandatory residential field trip within the second year of the course, which typically takes place in Shrewsbury and focuses on land surveying skills*. We also aim to organise construction site visits in the UK each year, with past students visiting various sites of Coventry University buildings, the site for the National College for High Speed Rail in Birmingham and the Birmingham University sports centre*.
The highly practical nature of the course enables you to work with staff on real-world problems from industry*, commerce and research groups, mirroring the work you may do in professional practice. This means that while you learn the technical content of your degree, these projects develop the professional skills required including: problem assessment and resolution; project, task and time management; risk assessment; team work and leadership; technical report writing etc.
The MEng final year includes a group project based on real problems sourced from industrial collaborators and technical modules that reflect current research work in the School and is designed to introduce you to the latest thinking in the subject.
Assessment
There is a huge range of assessment types across the course which may include:
- Online quizzes
- Calculation based assignments
- Report writing
- Surveying
- Laboratory work
- Group project work
- Design assignments
- Computer aided drawing
- Case studies
- Research dissertation
- Simulation centre performance
- Presentations
- Tests
- Coursework
The large range of assessments ensures equal attainment opportunities for students across the course as a whole.
Semester 1 is primarily devoted to delivery and assessment of underlying theory with assessment typically by 90 minute test. We are assessing this content in a controlled environment so that we can ensure each individual student can demonstrate their knowledge of the theory before they need to apply that theory in Semester 2.
Within Semester 2 of Years 1 and 2, students take 40 credit civil engineering project and environmental engineering project modules, where students apply the underlying theory that they have learnt in Semester 1 (plus any additional theory delivered within Semester 2). This is essentially an integrative assessment approach where all the integrated assessment is confined to single 40 credit modules. These projects will be broken into phases, whereby the relevant content for a particular phase is bulk delivered over a few weeks. The assessment will be by individual coursework portfolio with interim submissions at the end of each project phase (separate coursework components submitted typically every three weeks). This will help to stagger the marking burden on staff, thereby increasing the likelihood that designated turnaround times can be met for such large cohorts.
Job ready
Upon successful completion of the course, you should have:
- The scientific and mathematical principles and methods, relevant for an accredited civil and environmental engineering degree course. This covers a mix of skills and knowledge, including fundamental topics such as design, sustainability, health and safety and construction issues, providing the educational base to eventually become registered as a chartered civil and environmental engineer.
- A deeper conceptual understanding of engineering principles to take responsibility for innovation, technology transfer and change, looking for ways of exploiting emerging technologies through self-determination and, where appropriate, promoting advanced designs and design methods.
- A broader knowledge in construction management and business context in which civil and environmental engineering and construction operates and full appreciation of professional and legal responsibilities and ethical and sustainability considerations of practicing engineers.
- The extended ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team, to demonstrate leadership skills, to communicate effectively and persuasively to both technical and non-technical people, knowing how to critically evaluate and enhance its strengths as well as suppress its weaknesses, learning independently, acquiring skills at the forefront of current knowledge unaided, identifying own personal development needs and goals and help others in the team to achieve.
International experience opportunities
There is a mandatory international field trip within ‘Group Project 2’ that provides you with a global experience where you need to fulfil a design brief while taking account of the local climate, physical terrain, resources available, social and cultural environment etc.
You may also seek to undertake a relevant professional/international placement year after your second year*. This opportunity is encouraged to provide students with the depth of experience that such an opportunity affords. Assistance with acquiring a relevant placement is offered by the Faculty’s employability and placements team.
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
2022/23 Tuition fees
Student | Full time | Part time |
---|---|---|
UK | £9,250 per year | Not available |
International | £18,050 per year | Not available |
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.
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.
Facilities
The faculty’s £50m Engineering and Computing Building and new £25m Beatrice Shilling Building are designed to support hands-on learning. Our Sir John Laing Building also houses a variety of industry-standard labs and equipment.

Hydraulics Laboratory
Our hydraulics laboratory is equipped with three different hydraulic flumes, and an innovative canal lock design. The lab also contains model bed channels, hydraulic benches and a large scale surge shaft model.

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.
Careers and opportunities
Successful graduates from the MEng Civil and Environmental Engineering course will 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 Engineers. (subject to additional costs).
The School of Energy, Construction and Environment has a dedicated academic whose role is to co-ordinate placements and employment. The Talent Team facilitate students in securing placement opportunities. This team also run a number of timetabled sessions on CV writing, interview techniques etc. and students can also book one-to-one support sessions. The University also has a central careers service that focus more on supporting students in securing graduate roles as required.
Course Directors invite speakers in from industry to discuss recruitment and often take students on visits to Civil Engineering companies looking to recruit (subject to availability). They also regularly advertise any opportunities they are made aware of (through the employability and placements team or industry contacts) on the student portal. Alumni are also invited back to give presentations on their graduate experience and give students guidance on learning and career development. There is a careers service where qualified consultants are available to help students think about the issues they face as they move through University studies and prepare for employment. Other career support includes mentoring by invited practising engineers, talks by professional institutions and alumni, career development visits to companies and site visits.
Where our graduates work
Civil and environmental engineering is a new course. However, our civil engineering graduates have gone on to occupy positions in engineering consultancies and contractors such as Arup, Mott Macdonald, Buro Happold, Atkins, Jacobs, Interserve Project Ltd, Water & Wastewater Companies (e.g. Severn Trent), and local authorities (e.g. Warwickshire County Council).
Previous environmental management graduates have gone on to work in industry, local authorities, environmental regulators (Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales and Scottish Environmental Protection Agency), water and energy utilities, universities and consultancies. Others have undertaken further study, such as a PhD.
How to apply
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UK Students
Full-time students applying to start in September should apply for this course through UCAS. Part-time students should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form.
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International Students
Full-time students applying to start in September should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
How to applyFor further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International Guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team.
Complete our contact form.
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Disclaimer
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 2021/22 Contract can be found here. 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 Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.
Tuition fees
The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we 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. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.
For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.
Accreditations
The majority 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). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
Facilities
Facilities mentioned on this page may not be relevant for every course. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Placements and study abroad opportunities
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
Additional costs
This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to), equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas).