MEng (Hons) Civil Engineering

If you haven’t applied to the University of Plymouth for September 2019 entry, prior to the UCAS deadline, there may still be vacancies on your chosen course.

It’s not too late to apply

• Start your professional career from day one with a course accredited by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE) and The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation. As a student member, you’ll join a network of over 80,000 members worldwide, as well as having the opportunity to get involved in our active local branches. Our MEng (Hons) degree is accredited by the professional institutions as fully satisfying the educational base for a Chartered Engineer (CEng). 
• Immerse yourself in the real world of civil engineering through site visits, field courses and visiting lectures from leading Chartered Civil Engineers working on major projects.
• Benefit from our new £19 million Marine Building, which offers you opportunities to learn water engineering and coastal engineering. We offer major options in structural engineering and flood modelling to equip you to specialise in design and flood risk management. 
• Learn from our teaching staff of professionally qualified experts with relevant experience from the civil engineering industry and researchers with national and international reputations. 
• Get ahead in your career by spending an optional placement year working as a paid student engineer, a great opportunity to further your knowledge and make important industry contacts.
• Learn a host of design skills from problem solving to sustainable development, as well as developing the critical thinking that plays a key role in the work of a civil engineer, including interpreting and analysing data.
• Develop your professional skills including communication, self-management, team working and leadership, all vital in pursuing a rewarding career.
• Increase your employability by taking an HSE-recognised diving qualification as part of your course, allowing you to work professionally in underwater technology.
• Study core subjects including engineering surveying, geotechnics, hydraulics, management, materials, and structural analysis.
• Join our extensive network of Chartered Civil Engineer graduates from the University of Plymouth and now work at all levels in the industry both nationally and internationally.

• Year 1
• In your first year, you’ll be introduced to the role of the professional civil engineer, understanding of the application of mathematics in engineering and the behaviour of civil engineering structures. Working in both laboratory and field, you’ll develop skills in surveying, computer aided design and the properties of engineering materials. We’ll begin your professional development through site visits, group-based design activity and visiting industry speakers.

  Core modules

  • BPIE114 Stage 1 Civils Placement Preparation

    This module is aimed at students who may be undertaking an industrial placement in the third year of their programme. It is designed to assist students in their search for a placement and in their preparation for the placement itself.

  • CIVL103 Civil Engineering Practice

    This module introduces and develops students¿ understanding of the skillset, competencies and professional responsibilities required of civil engineering practice. It includes site visits, practical exercises, and talks from practising professional engineers reflecting on their experience in industry. The module also includes `hands on¿ training in Computer Aided Design (CAD).

  • CIVL104 Introduction to Hydraulics and Geotechnics

    This module introduces two important technical subjects in Civil Engineering: Hydraulics and Geotechnics. Hydraulics considers fundamental concepts of hydrostatics and hydrodynamics. Geotechnics considers the ground in the context of Civil Engineering. The module includes field trips to local sites of Geological interest.

  • MATH187 Engineering Mathematics

    The module provides students with a number of fundamental mathematical skills and techniques which are essential for the analysis of engineering problems.

  • MATS123 Materials for Civil Engineering and Construction

    This module will enable students to develop an understanding of the origins and properties of materials commonly used by the civil engineering industry. Students will be engaged in the practical testing of materials in order to judge their relative strengths and weaknesses. Health and safety matters associated with each of the materials will also be highlighted.

  • STAD117 Structural Analysis and Design I

    This Module equips student with basic and essential structural analysis and design skills that are key requirements for Civil and Structural Engineering disciplines. This module also introduces students to practical applications of these concepts using hand calculations, laboratory and computer software tools to enhance their deeper understanding.

  • SURV100 Civil Engineering Surveying

    This module covers basic land, site and building surveying methods that are commonly used in the construction industry. It includes principles such as survey control networks and setting out, and the associated calculations. Students will undertake practical use of instruments such as an automatic level and `total station'. There is also an introduction to Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and highway alignments.

• Year 2
• Explore the core disciplines of civil engineering, from structural analysis and design to hydraulic engineering through lectures, practical activities, site visits and a field course. We’ll introduce you to specialist areas of the industry, including coastal engineering and water engineering, with the opportunity to take an optional module to develop skills in sampling, survey, underwater photography and inspection techniques (for students who have completed the HSE SCUBA diving qualification).

  Core modules

  • BPIE214 Stage 2 Civils Placement Preparation

    This module is aimed at students who may be undertaking an industrial placement in the third year of their programme. It is designed build on the Level 1 module (BPIE111) and to assist students in their search for a placement and in their preparation for the placement itself.

  • CIVL200 Civil Engineering Design and Construction

    This module traces the stages of a civil engineering scheme through design and construction. Design stages are covered through work on an integrating project including multiple Civil Engineering elements. Construction stages are covered through treatment of health and safety and construction practice. The continuity between the design and construction stages is emphasised in terms of the requirements of the CDM regulations.

  • GEEN213 Geotechnical Engineering

    This module initially builds on basic Soil Mechanics concepts introduced in the first year via a range of common lab tests. The concepts of groundwater flow and consolidation will be considered, with associated calculations. Methods of analysis for estimation of stability and deformation when the ground is loaded will be introduced, with the accompanying concepts of material or load factors.

  • HYFM232 Hydraulic Coastal Engineering

    This module develops hydraulic engineering concepts introduced in the first year, and introduces hydrodynamic concepts required for coastal engineering. Hydraulic engineering material includes predicting flow in pipes and open channels. Coastal engineering topics include study of waves and tides, and their application to coastal engineering. Learning is supported by laboratory work and a site visit.

  • MATH238 Engineering Analysis

    This module builds upon the stage one engineering mathematics module, by introducing students to more advanced mathematical ideas, statistical techniques and numerical methods. The methods and techniques studied are used to solve relevant civil engineering applications, with some emphasis on interpreting the results obtained. Industrially recognised software packages are also used where appropriate.

  • MGMT222 Construction Management

    The aim of this module is to deepen students' knowledge and understanding of commercial aspects of construction management and project planning. In addition the module aims to build practical skills in the use of project planning software and the practical use of codes of conduct that guide appropriate personal behaviour in professional engineering practice.

  • STAD215 Structural Analysis and Design II

    This module extends the theoretical base established by the Stage 1 Structural Analysis and Structural Design modules. It is intended to combine the basic principles of analysis with design to develop an integrated approach to solving problems in Structural Engineering. The module is supported by the use of computer software and laboratory work.

• Optional placement year
• By taking the opportunity to spend an optional year in a paid professional employment as a student civil engineer, you’ll gain real world experience and industry contacts which could lead to the possibility of  summer work, sponsorship or a graduate job offer. Our employability service will support you in finding a placement and we offer an extensive network of employers across all sectors.

  Optional modules

  • BPIE340 Civil Engineering Related Placement (Generic)

    A 48-week period of professional training spent as the third year of a sandwich programme undertaking an approved placement with a suitable company. This provides an opportunity for the student to gain relevant industrial experience to consolidate the first two stages of study. Help to prepare the student for the final stage and employment after graduation.

• Year 4
• You’ll deepen your understanding of the core technical subjects in civil engineering with a particular emphasis on designing solutions to infrastructure problems, culminating in an industry-focused group design project. You’ll complete a research-based individual project. These projects  focus on laboratory experiments, computer-aided modelling, or field work linked to our staff’s research and professional interests.

  Core modules

  • GEEN313 Geotechnical Engineering 2

    Different theories and design methodologies are introduced succinctly at the beginning of each topic, followed by design practice with detailed worked examples and case studies. The emphasis is on introducing students to the latest analysis tools used in practice, and on making them relate to the outcome of different worked examples.

  • HYFM321 Hydraulic Engineering 2

    This module builds upon a fundamental understanding of basic hydraulic theory, to develop knowledge, understanding and ability to use theoretical principles to analyse steady and unsteady hydraulic systems comprising pipes, open channels, hydraulic machines. The module also introduces theory underpinning the use physical hydraulic modelling.

  • PRCE310 Individual Project

    The individual project enables the student to research an approved topic related to civil or coastal engineering. It comprises a critical review of background literature and current knowledge that allows the student to identify a focus for their inquiry. Guided by an academic supervisor, the ensuing investigation comprises theoretical development, experimental and / or computational work, and a final analysis.

  • STAD323 Structural Engineering 3

    This module focuses on the analyses and design of whole structures i.e. multi-storey buildings, and individual structures such as retaining walls. Computer modelling and approximate analysis form a major part of the module.

  • STAD324Z Structural Engineering 4

    This module introduces students to standard industry design practices and builds on their previous knowledge by introducing them to bridges and complex low rise / multi storey building structures. The module provides students with the opportunity to develop their conceptual design skills and adopt a holistic approach to structure design by considering the "whole" as well as the individual elements.

• Final year
• In your final year, you’ll further develop your growing expertise in the technical areas of civil engineering science with an emphasis on computer-aided modelling. In preparation for your future career, you’ll sharpen your project management skills, focusing on the commercial aspects of the civil engineering business, through a group-based design project collaborating with other engineering disciplines, such as mechanical engineers.

  Core modules

  • GEEN501 Advanced Geotechnical Engineering

    It is expected that students completing this module would be able to (have the option to) pursue a career in geotechnical design, given the level of analysis used (examples include the calculations of the deflection around a tunnel cross section, along a laterally loaded pile or along a combined foundation).

  • HYFM504 Advanced Hydraulic Engineering

    This module investigates the hydraulic engineering factors influencing the computational modelling and management of riverine flood risk. It appraises the relative merits of techniques used in civil engineering practice for flood modelling and for flood risk management, with an emphasis on reliability assessment. The module is supported by the use of computer software and laboratory work.

  • MATH511 Advanced Engineering Analysis

    This module consists of two parts: Advanced IT & Advanced Engineering Analysis. The IT part explores the benefits and limitations of IT in engineering practice. State of the art tools will be introduced and experts from industry will demonstrate practical applications of IT to complex engineering projects. The 2nd part of the module uses a range of numerical methods for the solution of various engineering problems.

  • MGMT504 Engineering Business Management

    In this module students will develop an understanding of business function and process areas and their role in the strategic management of an engineering business.

  • PRCE513 Interdisciplinary Design

    This module enables students to undertake a major project to solve an Interdisciplinary Design Problem. Students, working in groups will select and implement a design project from initial concept to a fully documented, planned, and costed proposal for potential stakeholders. Students are expected to address a broad spectrum of design outcomes (infrastructure, structures, integrated systems etc).

  • STAD505 Advanced Structural Engineering

    This module develops deeper understanding of complex structural analysis techniques & practical applications and understanding of the limitations of Codes of Practice. Approximate analysis and simplified hand calculation are also used along with practical applications of dynamic & torsion loads & the design of complex structure based on ¿real world¿ scenarios with a practice-led approach.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

MEng Civil Engineering programme specification 2223

UCAS tariff

120 - 136

Applicants exceeding our entry requirements may be eligible for an offer under our Engineering and Navigation Excellence Scheme.

A Level: Typical offer will be 128 points, minimum of 2 A Levels including a B in A Level Maths plus studying second relevant subject: Applied ICT, Applied Science, Applied Science (DA), Biology, Chemistry, Computing/Computer Science, DT (Product Design Resistant Materials), DT (Systems and Control Tech) DT Product Design (Textiles Tech), Electronics, Engineering, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Further Maths/Use of, Statistics, Music Technology, Physics, Technology and Design. Excluding General Studies.

BTEC QCF Level 3 or RQF Extended Diploma in Engineering (equivalent to 3 GCE A levels): BTEC accepted in combination with an A level. BTEC DDD (to include all Maths units with Distinction) plus Grade C in A Level Maths (Core Maths not accepted).

International Baccalaureate: 30-32 overall to include 5 at Higher Level Maths and a second relevant subject

All Access courses: not accepted for MEng, unless the applicant has additional qualifications or experience. Please refer to our BEng course pages and contact a member of the Undergraduate Admission team on 01752 585858 / ug-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk

Other non-A level qualifications also considered, please enquire

English language requirements

For a full list of all acceptable qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.

Please note: We understand that many applicants remain anxious about meeting the exact terms of our standard conditional offers. We will look again at your application and revise our offer for those applicants who we continue to believe are a good match to our courses, once we have the certainty of your actual results in August.