Civil Engineering BEng (Hons)

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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.

At the end of their final year, engineering and maths students are invited to showcase their project work at Brunel Engineers +, an event that both celebrates their achievements and gives them the chance to network with industry figures and employers. This video shows some of the projects exhibited at the 2024 Brunel Engineers + event, with explanations by the students themselves.

You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.

Find out about what progress might look like at each stage of study here: Research degree progress structure.

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.

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Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel

How to apply

Click the 'Apply now' button on this page. You’ll be prompted to tell us the module you’d like to apply for in your application form. Make sure you tell us about your module choice so we can make a decision on your application more quickly. You’ll be able to find the details of the different modules you can apply for on this webpage. Once we have received your completed application we will assess it and contact you by email with the outcome.

If you have enrolled on a CPPD course previously and would like to join another module, there is no need to submit another application. Instead, you should contact the Taught Programmes Office for the department you want to join and provide them with the details of the module you want to study. They will be able to provide you with more information on what you need to do.

You will receive tailored careers support during your PhD and for up to three years after you complete your research at Brunel. We encourage you to actively engage in career planning and managing your personal development right from the start of your research, even (or perhaps especially) if you don't yet have a career path in mind. Our careers provision includes online information and advice, one-to-one consultations and a range of events and workshops. The Professional Development Centre runs a varied programme of careers events throughout the academic year. These include industry insight sessions, recruitment fairs, employer pop-ups and skills workshops.

In addition, where available, you may be able to undertake some paid work as we recognise that teaching and learning support duties represent an important professional and career development opportunity.

Find out more.

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).

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

Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.