Civil Engineering BEng

Ranked top five in London for Civil Engineering by the Guardian University Guide 2024 and the Complete University Guide 2024.

Are you looking for a rewarding and challenging career? Civil engineering can offer you a career that can literally change the world. Civil engineers design, construct, and maintain features of the natural and the built environment, skills that help solve the problems communities face today, and prepare for those that will confront us in the future.

Inspired by these challenges, Brunel has designed its Civil Engineering BEng programme. It will engage your creative spirit and support your development as an effective learner, while equipping you with the skills needed to thrive in multidisciplinary engineering team environments. Throughout your degree you will study in a range of sector-leading labs and be taught by a unique team of highly experienced civil engineering academics from across the globe.

After a broad-based first year studying a range of engineering disciplines, in Year 2 we focus on core knowledge of civil engineering, such as material science, structural analysis, hydraulics and surveying. In your final year you can either stay on the main civil engineering programme, or choose one of our two specialist pathways in environmental engineering or flood and coastal engineering.

Between your second and third years you can undertake a placement year – a great opportunity to prepare yourself for the world of work. You could find yourself working in an office, design projects, or working outdoors, on construction sites. We highly recommend taking a placement as it can improve your prospects of getting the job you most desire after graduating.

Year 1
Brunel’s unique Common Year 1 syllabus is taken by all engineering students at the University. Studying alongside mechanical, electrical, aerospace and chemical engineering students, you’ll learn about the fundamental principles that underpin all engineering.

Year 2
The focus moves to the core civil engineering subjects of surveying, material science and analysis, structural mechanics, fluid and soil mechanics. After Year 2 you can opt to undertake a year-long placement.

Year 3
Your knowledge of core civil engineering subject areas develops further, encompassing computational analysis techniques, structural analysis and design, geotechnical engineering, project and infrastructure management.

This course can be studied 3 years full-time or 4 years full-time with placement, starting in September.

Graduates of our Civil Engineering BEng degree are able to:

• address the needs of society, business and the environment
• deploy appropriate engineering methods and technologies
• solve complex engineering challenges
• work with the environment in a sustainable manner to mitigating climate change impact on infrastructure and human society

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 as fully meeting the educational base required for an Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and partially meeting educational base required for a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

• GCE A-level AAB-BBB including Maths and  one of the following subjects; Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Geology, Environmental Science, Environment Studies, Computer Science, Electronics or Design and Technology (Use of Maths and General Studies not accepted).
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF) DDD in Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, with Distinctions in Further Mathematics for Technicians and Further Mechanical or Further Electronic/Electrical Principles modules.
• BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF) DDD in Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, with Distinctions in Engineering Principles and Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems.
• BTEC Level 3 Diploma (QCF)/BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (RQF) DD in Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, with Distinction in Further Mechanical or Further Electrical Principles (QCF); Engineering Principles & Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems (RQF), AND A-Level Maths at grade B (Use of Maths not accepted).
• BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)/BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (RQF) D in Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, with A-Levels grades BB to include Grade B in Maths and Grade B in one of the following subjects; Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Geology, Environmental Science, Environment Studies, Computer Science, Electronics or Design and Technology (Use of Maths and General Studies not accepted).
• International Baccalaureate Diploma 30 points, including 5 in Higher Level Maths and Higher Level 5 in one of the following subjects; Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Geography, or Design Technology. GCSE English equivalent SL 5 or HL 4 and Mathematics SL 4 or HL 4.
• Obtain a minimum of 120 UCAS tariff points in the Access to HE Diploma in Engineering with 45 credits at Level 3. All Maths and Science units must be Distinctions at level 3.
• T levels : For subjects accepted and grade requirements please contact the admissions office.

Five GCSEs to include grade C or grade 4 in English Language and Maths.

Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants as well as our full GCSE requirements and accepted equivalencies in place of GCSEs.

Brunel University London is committed to raising the aspirations of our applicants and students. We will fully review your UCAS application and, where we’re able to offer a place, this will be personalised to you based on your application and education journey.

If you are unable to meet the direct entry criteria above, you are invited to apply for a foundation course in Engineering at Brunel Pathway College. When you successfully pass the foundation year, you can progress on to the Civil Engineering BEng.

• IELTS: 6 (min 5.5 in all areas)
• Pearson: 59 (59 in all sub scores)
• BrunELT: 58% (min 55% in all areas)
• TOEFL: 77 (min R18, L17, S20, W17) 

Your progress will be assessed via assignments, presentations, technical and laboratory reports, exams and the final year major research project.