Civil Engineering MEng



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

Overview

As a civil engineer you’ll help create the built environment around us.

Bridges, airports, highways, buildings and railways present their own problems and challenges and need efficient and effective engineering solutions.

You'll learn the fundamentals of civil engineering and develop skills in structural analysis, transport systems, ground engineering, water resource management and transport planning.

You'll gain industry insights from site visits, a week-long survey camp, an overseas field trip and input from engineering companies.

Bursary available for September 2024 entry

Scottish students who start this degree in September 2024 by direct entry to Year 2 or Year 3 of the programme, following an HNC or HND at a Scottish college, will be eligible for a bursary of £1200 in their year of entry to support their living costs in the transition to university. The bursary will be paid in two instalments of £600 in September and December 2024 following successful matriculation on the programme. This is payable in addition to any other financial support that students may be eligible for. For more information, contact studentrecruitment@napier.ac.uk.

Civil Engineering alumni Emily Alfred at the Queensferry Crossing bridge which she worked on.

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

5 years

Start date:

Sep

UCAS code:

H202

Civil Engineering staff list

Get in touch with programme leaders, lecturers and researchers.

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 advance 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 program 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.
  • study abroad

    Study abroad

     As part of this course you may apply to study abroad as part of a tailored civil engineering exchange scheme or the Erasmus+ programme.

Popular modules

Year 1

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

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)

Year 5

  • MEng Dissertation and Integrated Engineering Design 2
  • MSc Advanced Structural Engineering Options

In addition student must select four modules from the following:

  • Advanced Mechanics of Materials and Finite Element Analysis
  • Advanced Structural Concrete
  • Advanced Structural Steel Design
  • Forensic Engineering
  • Foundation Design to Eurocode 7
  • Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Design

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, 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).

See www.jbm.co.uk for further information.


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.

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 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: ABBB including Maths (Higher Applications of Maths not accepted). National 5 Grade C in English.
  • Minimum Offer Entry Requirement:BBBC including Grade B in Maths (Higher Applications of Maths not accepted). National 5 Grade C in English.

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.– 

A Level

  • BCC including Maths.
  • GCSE Grade C/4 in English.

Irish Leaving Certificate

  • H2, H2, H2, H3 at HL including Maths
  • OL English at O4.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

  • Award of Diploma with 29 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 6, 5, 5.
  • Grade 5 in SL Maths and Grade 4 in SL English also required.

T-Level

  • Grade Merit
  • T Level must be completed in a Maths subject or A Level Maths may be required. Please contact ugadmissions@napier.ac.uk to check if you meet the subject specific requirements.
  • GCSE Grade C/4 in English.

BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3

  • DMM (Distinction, Merit, Merit) in a related subject (Maths/Science – must include A Level Maths or equivalent)
  • GCSE Grade C/4 in English.

Minimum Year 2

  • SQA Advanced Higher: BBB including Maths (Applications of Maths not accepted). National 5 Grade C in English.

A Level

  • ABB including Maths.
  • GCSE Grade C/4 in English.

HNC

  • Pass in Civil Engineering with grade A 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 HNC in Civil Engineering with grade A at SCQF Level 8 in all 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 60% overall and with a minimum of 50% at first sitting in all final year subjects.

Minimum Year 4

Irish Ordinary Degree

  • Pass in a relevant subject with 70% 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.

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

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 2023/24 2024/25
Scotland £1,820 £1,820
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £9,250 £9,250
Overseas and EU £17,580 £19,340
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. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.
Please note 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 Frequently Asked Questions about Fees Click this link for Information of Bursaries and Scholarships
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

Architect pointing to part of a drawing of projected building plans

Example employers include:

  • Construction companies
  • Consulting engineering companies
  • Utility companies (e.g. water, electrical and gas)
  • Local/national government
  • Contractors
Woman on a building site in high visibility holding engineering drawings