Civil Engineering MEng/BEng (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
Students outside using construction equipment

This Civil Engineering course is aimed toward students aspiring to become professionally qualified engineers, for those who wish to study Civil Engineering with an emphasis on practice and construction.

Course option

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

BEng:
3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
MEng:
4 years full-time
5 years sandwich

UCAS codes

H200 / H202

Start date

January 2025


Course overview

This course aims to combine the development 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.

  • You will have opportunities to draw on real-life case studies provided by companies such as Arcadis, CGL, Crossrail and Galliford Try.
  • You will have access to industry-standard software, widely used by design and consulting engineers.
  • You will be presented with opportunities to apply for industrial placements2 at companies which have previously included: Atkins, Balfour Beatty, Interserve, Morgan Sindall, Mott MacDonald, Severn Trent Water and Warwickshire County Council.
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Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

  • Practical activities and application of knowledge through project-led learning in design project modules.
  • Exercises in the Simulation Centre (a full-scale simulated construction environment) to experience real challenges of construction management in a controlled environment and to develop professional and leadership skills4.
  • International field course to enhance your global awareness and experiences2.
  • Several optional modules allow you to tailor your course to your specific interests. You can select from Computational Methods in Civil Engineering, Engineering Hydrology, Transport Infrastructure, Strategic Construction Project Management and Structural Design.
  • Work alongside students from other Construction and Environment related courses such as Surveying, Architectural Technology and Geography to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions.

Accreditation and professional recognition

Accreditation for the degree is being renewed as we are making some changes to our modules. This exciting new course is subject to approval from the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM)1.

Partnerships

Coventry University has signed an academic-professional partnership agreement with The Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE) as part of IHE’s Academic-Professional Partnership Scheme. The purpose of the scheme is for the IHE to provide support, advice and guidance on the membership of a professional Institute. The IHE can also provide advice and assistance on the routes toward professional registration for students studying civil engineering with a particular interest in highways and transportation.


What you'll study

In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules in your chosen field.

Modules

In year two, you will develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with: hydraulic and transportation engineering, engineering design, and soil mechanics, amongst others.

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

Year three aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from year one and two.

In year three you will develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with: strategic construction project management, transport infrastructure, research dissertation, amongst others.

Modules

If you meet the criteria, you could choose to take an additional fourth year master’s option, which will deepen your knowledge and expertise.

Modules

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

The highly practical nature of the course should enable you to work with staff and students on real-world problems from industry, commerce and research groups2.

This means that while we cover the technical content of your degree, these projects aim to develop the professional skills required including (but not limited to):

  • Problem analysis and design;
  • Project, task and time management;
  • Risk assessment;
  • Teamwork and leadership
  • Technical report and engineering assessment;
  • Troubleshooting

Teaching contact hours

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.

The number of contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 14-15 contact hours per week in the first and second year dropping to around 11 contact hours per week in the final year as you become a more independent learner.

In addition, you will be expected to undertake approximately 30-35 hours of self-directed study per week depending on the demands of individual modules. This self-directed learning allows you to use your research skills, consolidate your knowledge or undertake collaborative group work.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

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

Assessment methods include:

  • Formal examinations
  • Phase tests
  • Essays
  • Group work
  • Presentations
  • Reports
  • Projects
  • Coursework
  • Exams
  • Individual assignments
  • Laboratories

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.


International experience opportunities

There is a mandatory international field trip during your studies that gives the students a global experience where they need to fulfil a design brief while taking account of the local climate, physical terrain, resources available, social and cultural environment.

Students may also seek to undertake a relevant professional/international placement year between Years 2 and 3 of an undergraduate degree. 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 our Talent Team4.


Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Requirement BEng (Hons) - 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.
GCSE requirement Minimum five graded 4 / C or above including English and Maths.
Access to HE Considered on an individual basis.

Requirement MEng - What we're looking for
UCAS points 128
A Level ABB to include Mathematics. Excludes General Studies.
BTEC DDM in an Engineering or Construction (has to be Civil Engineering Pathway) subject.
IB Diploma 30 to include Mathematics at Higher level.
GCSE requirement Minimum 5 GCSEs at grade 4 / C or above to include English and Mathematics.

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

Students who normally pass all HND or HNC modules with a module mark of at least 70% will be eligible to transfer to the MEng in year two.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

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.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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


Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £9,250 per year Not available
EU £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary**
£19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International £19,850 per year Not available

If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

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.

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

  • Optional international field trips: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

Other additional costs

  • Mandatory international field trips: Typically between £200 and £400 per trip

*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.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

Our £50m Engineering and Computing Building and new £25m Beatrice Shilling Building are designed to support hands-on learning. The Sir John Laing Building also houses a variety of industry-standard labs and equipment.4

Two students pouring materials into a hopper.

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.

Three students using a virtual wall in the simulation centre.

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.

Female student using equipment in structures laboratory.

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.


Careers and opportunities

Graduates from these courses 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 Engineers.

The aims of the BEng course are that graduates will 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 Chartered Civil Engineer;

Additionally, the aims for the MEng course are that graduates will have the ability to:

  • Adopt key roles within multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural Civil Engineering design or construction teams, contributing leadership, analytical, creative, innovative and original thought and discipline specific (e.g. structures, highways, geotechnics) expertise.
  • Demonstrate a holistic understanding of the physical and social environment globally and how Civil Engineers can contribute to sustainable development and quality of life.
  • Critically evaluate the performance of others, assist them to develop and support their work, in addition to taking full responsibility for their own personal and professional development.

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 Water, Warwickshire County Council and Willmott Dixon, many of whom provide direct input into course development as members of our Industrial Advisory Board.

Further Study

You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.

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