Civil Engineering BEng/BEng (Hons)



We are a top 10 UK modern university for Civil Engineering.
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024

Overview

The profession of Civil Engineering covers many branches, allowing graduates to choose from a wide range of careers including; geo techniques, water engineering, hydraulic structural engineering, environmental engineering and transportation.

This course will give you an advanced introduction to each of these areas allowing you to decide on your specialism. Once specialised, you are not limited to your chosen field, but also have an understanding of how these other specialisms fit into the wider context.

You will learn the fundamentals of Civil Engineering and the specifics of structural analysis, construction surveying, geotechnical engineering and relevant computer applications, as well as getting the chance to get experience in the field with a civil engineering internship.

Combining mathematical and design skills, as well as communication and management abilities, our course offers many skills that can be applied to a range of civil engineering projects that will appeal if you have a creative mindset and jump at the opportunity to solve complex problems.

Civil engineers contribute to our ever-expanding built environment, becoming a civil engineer means you can make a real impact on communities around the world.

4th year Civil Engineering student looking at wood, during the international beX work experience during summer 2019.

Mode of Study:

Full-time

(available as MEng)

Duration:

4 years

Start date:

Sep

UCAS code:

H203

Placement:

Yes

Study Abroad:

Yes

Course details

In year one you will learn the principles of Civil Engineering via an introduction to Materials, Structural Analysis, Construction Process and methods of Engineering Communication including use of industry-standard software platforms. The formative stages of your studies are specific to Civil Engineering and are not taught as part of a common first and second year. All areas are underpinned by developing competency in relevant mathematical techniques and approaches to problem solving.

Once an understanding of the fundamental principles of Civil Engineering has been established, you will then progress on to more advanced areas of Structural Design, Geotechnics, Fluid Mechanics and Transportation Engineering. You will implement practical solutions across a range of applied applications and develop your skills in lateral problem solving and innovative thinking.

In your final year of study you will develop, manage and undertake a programme of independent investigation under the guidance of an associated research supervisor. You will also work as part of a team to fulfil a client’s project brief relating to the development of a substantial piece of Built Environment Infrastructure – the successful fulfillment of this brief will require you to utilize all of the skills developed over the course of your studies with us.

  • calendar

    How you’ll be taught

     Lectures and tutorials, three modules each semester.
  • note and pen

    Assessments

     No exams in year 1. Each module has one course work and one exam.

Popular modules

Year 1

  • Construction Engineering
  • Principles of Civil Engineering
  • Foundation Mathematics
  • Construction Surveying
  • Civil Engineering
  • Materials Engineering
  • Communication

Year 2

  • Civil Engineering Principles and Materials 2
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Structural Analysis and Design Geotechnics 1
  • Intermediate Mathematics
  • Project Management

Year 3

  • Water Resources Engineering Geotechnics 2
  • Transport Engineering
  • Construction Methods
  • Structural Engineering 1
  • Further Intermediate Mathematics

Year 4

  • Geotechnics 3
  • Railway Engineering
  • Structural Engineering 2
  • Integrated Engineering Design 1
  • Honours Project (Dissertation)

ACCREDITED BY

This degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) comprising the Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, Institute of Highway Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and the Permanent Way Institution on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). Candidates must hold a masters or doctorate accredited as further learning for CEng to hold accredited qualifications for CEng registration.

See www.jbm.co.uk for further information and details of Further Learning programmes for CEng.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Civil Engineering staff list

Get in touch with programme leaders, lecturers and researchers.

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for Civil Engineering?

Our entry requirements indicate both Standard and Minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

Can you go straight into second year of university?

Advanced entry into Year 2, Year 3 or Year 4 of this course is possible for students with suitable qualifications. See the individual year tabs for more information.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the Undergraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

Minimum Year 1

SQA Higher

Standard Entry Requirement: BBBB to include Maths (Higher Applications of Maths not accepted).

Minimum Offer Entry Requirement: BCCC to include Maths (Higher Applications of Maths not accepted).

You may be given an adjusted offer of entry if you meet our specified minimum entry requirements within our widening participation criteria, and outlined in our Contextual Admissions Policy. Click here for further information about our entry requirements and admissions policies.

NPA - National Progression Award (32-99) in Global Infrastructure and the Built Environment equivalent to 1 Higher at grade C. Can not be used for subject specific requirement

A level

  • BCC to include Maths

Irish Leaving Certificate

  • H2, H3, H3, H3 at Higher Level to include Maths

BTEC National Extended Diploma (Level 3)

  • MMM (Merit, Merit, Merit) in a related subject
    BTEC must include Maths or A level Maths must have also been achieved at grade C or above.

BTEC National Diploma (Level 3) plus A level

  • MM (Merit, Merit) in a related subject plus A Level grade C
    BTEC must include Maths or A level Maths must have also been achieved at grade C or above.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

  • Award of Diploma with 28 points overall with three Higher Level subjects at grades 6, 5, 4
  • Standard Level Maths at grade 5 also required.

T level

  • Pass
    T Level must be completed in a Maths subject or A Level Maths will be required. Please contact ugadmissions@napier.ac.uk to check if you meet the subject specific requirements.

 

Minimum Year 2

SQA Advanced Higher

  • BBC to include Maths (Applications of Maths not accepted)

A level

  • BBB to include Maths

HNC

  • Pass HNC in Civil Engineering with grade B in the Graded Unit.
    Must include passes in the modules Mathematics for Construction (SCQF Level 6) and Maths for Civil Engineering (SCQF Level 7).

Minimum Year 3

HND

  • Pass HND in Civil Engineering with grade B in all SCQF Level 8 Graded Units.
    Must include passes in the modules Maths for Construction (SCQF Level 6), Maths for Civil Engineering (SCQF Level 7) and Applied Maths for Civil Engineering (SCQF Level 8).

Irish Ordinary Degree

  • Pass in a relevant subject with 50% at first sitting in all final year subjects. 

 

Minimum Year 4

Irish Ordinary Degree

  • Pass in a relevant subject with 60% overall, with a minimum of 50% at first sitting in all final year subjects.
If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English. Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

If you do not currently meet our minimum English language requirements, we offer a number of pre-sessional English language courses which could help you achieve the required level. 

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Get ahead

If you are looking for a diverse career path that offers endless opportunities then civil engineering is for you. If you are at school you should include maths, English and sciences in your subject choices. Engineering is generally a creative field so subjects such as art, design and technology and computing are also very useful as they teach you the skills that you’ll need.

Other useful skills include teamwork and languages as a career in engineering will allow you to work anywhere in the world with a wide range of people.

Coming from college?

Edinburgh Napier University has articulation agreements with many partner colleges so if you are already studying engineering you could gain advanced entry into second year and continue your studies to gain your honours degree in civil engineering.

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2024/25 2025/26
Scotland £1,820 £1,820
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £9,250 £9,535
Overseas and EU £19,340 £20,310
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland will be invoiced the tuition fees for 3 years of their 4 years of study.
Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding links above.
If additional compulsory costs other than the tuition fees are applicable, these will be detailed in the course details.
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Careers

beX student working on a machine

What can you do with a BEng/BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering degree?

A degree in civil engineering from Edinburgh Napier University allows for a wide scope of career options, including:

  • Geotechnical Engineering
  • Structural Engineering
  • Transport and Urban Planning
  • Water Engineering and fluid mechanics
  • Construction Management

As a civil engineer, you have the option to be involved in many different projects, from simple structures (residential or office buildings) to more complicated ones, such as stadiums, bridges, hospitals, schools etc.

Depending on your specialisation, you may be involved in different aspects of a project, such as the foundation design (geotechnical engineer) or the structural design (structural engineer). If you are interested in transportation systems and how to enhance them, a career in transportation engineering is the right for you.

If you are interested in construction, a career in construction management may be the right for you.

Some of our civil engineering graduates have even taken their numerical and mathematical skills gained during their studies to work in banking and financial industries.

The average salary for civil engineering professionals in the UK is around £40,300 and employment opportunities are everywhere, with good career progression opportunities

The career options are wide and diverse, making civil engineering an exciting, in-demand and transferable course.

What does a Civil Engineer do?

Civil engineers are creative individuals who enjoy problem solving and contributing to the built environment around us. They plan, design and oversee nearly all aspects of construction projects. Projects can come in many different forms, whether that is large buildings or essential infrastructure systems like railways and water management facilities.

Very often, civil engineers are involved in the monitoring and retrofitting of existing structures (such as older bridges) as they check their structural integrity and implement advanced technologies for their upgrading so that hey satisfy the latest design standards.

In addition, civil (geotechnical) engineers are involved in the risk assessment and mitigation of natural hazards, such as landslides, floods and earthquakes.

You could be responsible for planning, designing and overseeing the construction of large-scale buildings and our roads and railways systems, airport, bridges and harbours, as well as tall buildings like the Shard in London and large structures built to withstand any weather condition. Civil engineers also work on projects that have huge environmental benefits such as waste and water management, or buildings and venues that may surprise you.

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