Civil Engineering (Industrial) MEng, BEng

Course overview

Civil engineering is shaping the built environment that surrounds us every day. Roads, railways, hospitals, offices, schools, infrastructure, water and power supply – we depend on civil engineers to design and manage the projects that improve the world we live in and protect the natural environment.

This JBM-accredited degree develops civil engineers who actively contribute to sustainable and economic growth whilst maintaining the highest ethical standards and delivering the infrastructure we all rely on in everyday life.

At Leeds, sustainable development is integrated into teaching and learning throughout the degree. You'll focus on design and engineering projects which minimise society’s impact on the environment, reduce the temporary borrowing of finite materials and resources, while maximising societal benefit. You’ll also develop and fine-tune theoretical and practical abilities and learn to solve problems using analytical, technical and decision-making skills – all attributes sought after by employers in industry.

This is a practical course, so you’ll also have access to excellent laboratory facilities and a design studio, as well as extensive library facilities and computing equipment, including industry-standard software such as Revit (Building Information Modelling), IES (dynamic thermal modelling) and Robot (structural analysis). Our impressive laboratory facilities include specialist facilities for structures, materials, public health engineering, building services and geotechnics – everything you need to get started on your career as a civil engineer.

Qualified civil engineers are in demand across the construction sector. Exciting roles are also found working for consultancies, local authorities, government departments, utility companies and environmental organisations in the UK and internationally.

Industrial placement year

This programme gives you the opportunity to undertake a paid industrial placement year as part of the course. Our close industry links give you the platform to apply to a number of major organisations such as BAM Nuttall, JBA Bentley, Holdgate Consulting, Mott MacDonald and Laing O’Rourke

Why study at Leeds:

• This course is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM).
• Work on your own construction design projects to solve real-world problems, putting into practice what you have learned, building scale physical models and developing graphical presentation and computer modelling skills using industry-standard software.
• Benefit from our globally-renowned research here at Leeds, which feeds directly into your course and shapes what you learn with the latest thinking in addressing societal, technical and environmental challenges with infrastructure around the world.
• Enhance your career prospects and give your CV that competitive edge before you graduate with a paid industrial placement year.
• Take part in valuable fieldwork opportunities to apply your knowledge and practical skills outside of the lab and classroom.
• Access specialist facilities including our new design studio, computing laboratories and extensive study spaces.
• All degree courses within the School of Civil Engineering share a common first year, which gives you the flexibility to switch between these courses at the end of your first year.
• Our Civil Engineering Society (CivSoc) gives you the chance to meet like-minded people who share your passion for civil engineering with industrial networking events and site visits to build your experience and connections in the field, alongside exciting social events like paintballing and the annual CivSoc Ball.

Benefits of an integrated Masters

Learn more about what an integrated Masters is and how it can benefit your studies and boost your career.

View this video on Bilibili.

Accreditation

Joint Board of Moderators

Course details

This course lets you sample the whole breadth of civil engineering, with opportunities to specialise as you progress. You’ll study all the major subjects that you need to master as a civil engineer, such as structures, fluids, geotechnics, materials, communications, environmental impact, surveying and mathematics – all reinforced with world-class research and practice. You’ll be exploring creative design issues in practical, real-world project settings.

Every degree course within the School of Civil Engineering shares a common first year. You’ll complete six compulsory modules across the range of programmes offered, giving you a firm basis on which to specialise in later years, and the flexibility to switch between courses.

Ethics plays an integral role in the engineering practices of today, which is why you’ll study engineering ethics as part of your course. Covering a wide range of topics such as professionalism and codes of conduct, corporate social responsibility, engineering and responsibility, ethics in innovation and research ethics.

The ethics training will advance your critical thinking, communication and creative problem-solving skills which are crucial to employers, but it will also help you identify and respond effectively to ethical dilemmas that you may encounter in your professional life in the engineering industry.

Each academic year, you'll take a total of 120 credits.

Course Structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

Most courses consist of compulsory and optional modules. There may be some optional modules omitted below. This is because they are currently being refreshed to make sure students have the best possible experience. Before you enter each year, full details of all modules for that year will be provided.

For more information and a list of typical modules available on this course, please read Civil Engineering MEng, BEng in the course catalogue.

Learning and teaching

You’ll benefit from our integrated style of learning and teaching. Laboratory classes, project work, and industry-sponsored fieldwork allow you to gain hands-on experience investigating and applying material from your lectures and tutorials to real-life work situations.

During your course you’ll be involved in a range of interactive, team-based study, informed by sector-leading approaches. At every level of your programme, you’ll undertake an Integrated Design Project where you’ll bring together what you have learned across the programme to gain experience in finding design solutions to real-world problems. You’ll develop expertise in designing solutions that consider economic, environmental and a range of other societal and technical factors. These are often group and team projects where you'll work together successfully address the challenge.

All our courses are supported by blended learning technology, using online resources to help you develop your knowledge at your own pace. Our state-of-the-art lecture recording system ensures your lectures will be available for you to review at a convenient time. Our learning and teaching resources will equip you with in-depth knowledge and key practical skills that will put you in an ideal position to compete in science and technology-related careers.

We organise industrial visits and offer additional seminars delivered by practising engineers, researchers and other professionals. Our close links with industry also mean that you have direct contact with industry and potential employers from an early stage in your course. Each student will be allocated an industrial tutor who will provide opportunities to experience Civil Engineering working environments on and off site.

You’ll be assigned a personal tutor to guide you through your studies, and you'll receive support from fellow students through our Peer Assisted Study Support (PASS) scheme. PASS mentors are students who are on your course but are in the years above. They’ll help you when you arrive at university and throughout your first year. You’ll meet your PASS mentors during your first week for a social activity.

Taster lecture

Watch our taster lecture to get a flavour of what it’s like to study at Leeds:

• Civil Engineering in the 21st Century

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed through a range of approaches, including assessments that closely match the type of work and tasks you might undertake in a professional work environment and be involved with as part of becoming a qualified chartered engineer. This will include assessment through project work and written examinations (both open and closed book), and through coursework in the form of reports, projects, presentations and posters.

Assessments will support you in developing key transferable skills. Many of your submissions will be submitted digitally through our extensive virtual learning environment.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAA including Mathematics.

Where an A-Level Science subject is taken, we require a pass in the practical science element, alongside the achievement of the A-Level at the stated grade.

Excludes A-Level General Studies or Critical Thinking.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and International Project Qualification (IPQ): We recognise the value of these qualifications and the effort and enthusiasm that applicants put into them, and where an applicant offers an A in the EPQ/IPQ/ASCC we may make an offer of AAB at A-Level (any required subjects such as Mathematics must still be at grade A).

All applicants must be studying Mathematics at level 3. For most students, this requirement is fulfilled by achieving the required grade in A-level Maths. Applicants for whom this requirement is to be fulfilled via qualifications other than A-levels (eg BTEC Maths and Additional/Further Maths modules) may be required to take a diagnostic Maths test in addition to their other level 3 maths studies. This is to ensure a suitable level of mathematical literacy.

GCSE: English Language at grade 4 or above, or an appropriate English language qualification. We will accept Level 2 Functional Skills English in lieu of GCSE English.

Alternative qualification

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds A Level offer: ABB including Mathematics.

For alternative qualification offers please contact the admissions team.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information, please contact the Admissions Team.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each section. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

Fees

UK: To be confirmed

International: £32,250 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
In November 2024 the UK Government announced that the tuition fee cap may rise to £9,535 from £9,250.

The tuition fee cap for some foundation years may also reduce to £5,760 from £9,250.

This would start from the academic year 2025/26. However, this is subject to final confirmation from the Government. Once available, we’ll publish the fees for the 2025/26 academic year and individual offer letters shall be updated via email and post.

The foundation year courses affected are:
·         Business Studies with Foundation Year BSc
·         Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year BA
·         Interdisciplinary Studies with Preparation for Higher Education BA
·         Social Science (foundation year) BA

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 and 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2024/25 and 2025/26 are available on individual course pages.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will be £9,250 for students starting in 2024/25.

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only, as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.
 

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Additional cost information

Standard travel and accommodation costs associated with compulsory field trips are covered by the University. However, you must pay for subsistence, incidental or personal expenses such as suitable clothing and footwear.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

Applying

Apply to this course and check the deadline for applications through the UCAS website.

We may consider applications submitted after the deadline. Availability of courses in UCAS Extra will be detailed on UCAS at the appropriate stage in the cycle.

Admissions guidance

Read our admissions guidance about applying and writing your personal statement.

What happens after you’ve applied

You can keep up to date with the progress of your application through UCAS.

UCAS will notify you when we make a decision on your application. If you receive an offer, you can inform us of your decision to accept or decline your place through UCAS.

How long will it take to receive a decision

We typically receive a high number of applications to our courses. For applications submitted by the January UCAS deadline, UCAS asks universities to make decisions by mid-May at the latest.

Offer holder events

If you receive an offer from us, you’ll be invited to an offer holder event. This event is more in-depth than an open day. It gives you the chance to learn more about your course and get your questions answered by academic staff and students. Plus, you can explore our campus, facilities and accommodation.

International applicants

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students.

We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Read about visas, immigration and other information here.

If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

This course is taught by

School of Civil Engineering

Contact us

School of Civil Engineering Undergraduate Admissions

Email: ugcivil@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Career opportunities

There are a variety of exciting career opportunities awaiting you when you graduate – from some of the largest construction organisations in the world to specialist building design consultancies and multi-disciplinary firms.

Civil and structural engineering graduates are in great demand and University of Leeds students are among the top 5 most targeted by top employers according to The Graduate Market 2024, High Fliers Research.

Typically, the majority of graduates each year secure careers in the core contracting and consulting arms of the civil engineering industry. The technical, communication and management skills you'll develop are also in demand from other sectors such as international finance, investment banking and large-scale project management.

Here’s an insight into the job roles some of our most recent graduates have obtained:

• Civil Engineer, AECOM
• Senior Transport Engineer, African Development Bank
• Contracts Manager, Alfred McAlpine Construction
• Global Highways Business Leader, Arup
• Project Engineer, Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Limited
• Senior Engineer, Capita Infrastructure
• Senior Engineer, City Engineering Services - Newcastle City Council
• Civil/Structural Engineer, Harris & Sutherland
• Principal Structural Engineer, Highways Agency
• Consulting Engineer, Jacobs UK Ltd
• Civil Engineer, Mott Mcdonald
• Head of Track & Civils, Network Rail
• Senior Civil Engineer, Taylor Wimpey plc
• Capital Project Manager, Thames Water

Read profiles of our alumni to find out more about where some of our graduates are working.

Careers support

At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one. Our Leeds for Life initiative is designed to help you develop and demonstrate the skills and experience you need for when you graduate. We will help you to access opportunities across the University and record your key achievements so you are able to articulate them clearly and confidently.

You'll be supported throughout your studies by our dedicated Employability Team, who will provide you with specialist support and advice to help you find relevant work experience, internships and industrial placements, as well as graduate positions. You’ll benefit from timetabled employability sessions, support during internships and placements, and presentations and workshops delivered by employers.

Explore more about your employability opportunities at the University of Leeds.

You'll also have full access to the University’s Careers Centre, which is one of the largest in the country.

Study abroad and work placements

Study abroad

This degree does not offer the option to study abroad. However, the Civil Engineering MEng, BEng degree does have this option.

Work placements

This programme gives you the opportunity to undertake a paid industrial placement year as part of the course.

It’s important to note, work placements are not guaranteed. The job market is competitive – and there may be competition for the placement you want. You’ll have to apply the same way you would for any job post, with your CV and, if successful, attend an interview with the organisation.

Our Employability Team will help you every step of the way. They run a number of placement sessions to discuss opportunities and support you with CV writing and interview preparations. Plus, they’ll be there to answer any questions you may have and offer guidance throughout the process, too.

Benefits of a work placement year:

• 100+ organisations to choose from, both in the UK and overseas
• Build industry contacts within your chosen field
• Our close industry links mean you’ll be in direct contact with potential employers
• Advance your experience and skills by putting the course teachings into practice
• Gain invaluable insight into working as a professional in this industry
• Improve your employability

Here are some examples of placements our students have recently completed:

• BAM Nuttall
• JBA Bentley
• Holdgate Consulting
• Mott MacDonald
• Laing O’Rourke

Find out more about Industrial placements.