Civil and Environmental Engineering MEng, BEng | School of Civil Engineering

Overview

From safe drinking water to transport systems, civil engineers make a massive impact on the world we live in and our quality of life. This course is concerned with the interactions between buildings and infrastructure and the environment in which they are built and operated, and the health of the people who use them.

You’ll gain a firm grounding across the breadth of civil engineering, with a deeper focus as you progress on areas of civil engineering that impact both the human and natural environment. You’ll benefit from our world-leading expertise in areas such as public health engineering (including water supply, wastewater treatment, waste disposal, recycling, contaminated land and pollution control), energy use in buildings and construction, and transport engineering and planning.

The course was designed to respond to critically important developments in the profession, such as dealing with contaminated sites, minimising environmental impact and improving the environment.

Course highlights

You’ll be taught by internationally renowned academics working at the forefront of their fields, who are passionate about the subjects they teach.
The content of your course is shaped by our world-leading research.
Project work is a key part of all our civil engineering degrees, where you’ll gain valuable hands-on experience. It enables you to develop skills as a researcher, asking and answering important questions about the way our world works.
Throughout your studies you’ll benefit from a structured support system, with a personal tutor who will offer help and advice about your approach to studying and how to become adept at independent learning.

You can choose to take either the four-year Integrated Masters (MEng, BEng) or the three-year Bachelor’s (BEng) degree on this course.

Find out more about the MEng, BEng and BEng.

Specialist facilities

You’ll have access to excellent lab facilities, design studio and computing equipment. We also have specialist lab space for structures, hydraulics, materials, public health engineering, building services and geotechnics.

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) of The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE), The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) and The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council. The JBM works with and advises universities to ensure that their degree programmes help to develop professional engineers that will continue to provide a global contribution to sustainable and economic growth whilst maintaining the highest ethical standards.

Accreditation is the assurance that a university course meets the quality standards established by the profession for which it prepares its students. An accredited civil engineering course must meet the quality standards set by the JBM. The University of Leeds is proud to be one of a small number of UK universities to have formed a working partnership with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). This partnership helps those students who aspire to become professionally qualified civil engineers (CEng, MICE) to have the best possible start to their civil engineering careers.

The MEng, BEng is accredited as fully satisfying the educational base for a Chartered Engineer.

The BEng course is accredited as fully satisfying the educational base for an Incorporated Engineer (IEng), and partially satisfying the educational base for Chartered Engineer status (CEng). A course of accredited Further Learning will be required to complete the educational base for CEng.

See Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) for more information and details of Further Learning courses for CEng.

The accreditation by JBM also means that the programme is EUR-ACE labelled. This means that it meets the framework standards and guidelines of EUR-ACE and the accreditation is recognized in Europe and beyond.

See EUR-ACE for more information.

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Course content

All degree courses within the School share a common first year of six compulsory modules. These expose you to the diversity within civil engineering and provide a firm basis on which to specialise in later years – as well as giving you the flexibility to switch between these courses.

In the first two years you’ll gain a thorough understanding of the fundamental subjects that underpin civil engineering and the materials and methods available to civil engineers in different contexts. You’ll build skills in structural design and analysis as well as engineering mathematics and modelling techniques, learn about the properties of a wide range of materials and put your knowledge in the context of architectural theory and history. You’ll also choose optional modules in Year 2 to explore your interests and help you decide what you might choose to focus on in later years.

You’ll benefit from a greater variety of optional modules in Year 3, allowing you to focus on topics such as building physics, transport, railway or public health engineering. Core modules will help you to enhance and refine your skills in structural analysis and design, as well as building your knowledge of key topics like water engineering and foundation engineering and allowing you to complete a substantial research project. You may also choose to spend this year studying at one of our many partner institutions in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore and the USA.

If you choose the MEng and continue into Year 4, you’ll have greater freedom in your choice of modules. You could focus on water resource management or the role of civil engineering in responding to major emergencies like natural disasters. You’ll also work alongside your supervisor on an individual research project, allowing you to focus on an engineering problem in depth and apply the skills you’ve gained.

The in depth final-year research project will allow you work on a specific area of your choice , under the guidance of your supervisor, where you’ll contribute to the body of knowledge in your chosen field and have the opportunity to make a real impact.

Projects

Civil engineers work on projects that combine skills and knowledge to deliver a solution to a client, so we place a strong emphasis on project work throughout the degree. This gives you the opportunity to explore your subject further as well as developing valuable skills in problem solving, design, project management, communication and teamwork.

Find out more about our Projects.

Fieldwork

We hope to run our fieldwork activities as planned for the 21/22 academic year, but it might not be possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are continually reviewing the situation and will communicate any decisions to applicants and offer holders at the earliest possible opportunity.

Engineering ethics

You’ll study engineering ethics as part of your course, with lectures and/or seminars in each year of your study. Find out more about engineering ethics.

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.

Discovery modules

Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.

This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.

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. For example, if you choose the Constructionarium (Construction Site Fieldcourse module), you’ll apply your knowledge to build replicas of iconic structures.

All our courses are supported by world-leading 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

Our personal tutorial system will provide academic and pastoral support. You will have a designated personal tutor throughout your studies at Leeds. He or she will be an academic member of staff: you will have weekly academic tutorials with your tutor throughout your first year, in your tutor group (of typically 5-7 students), as well as one-to-one meetings twice per semester.

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 will be assessed through both written examinations, held at the end of each year, and through coursework in the form of reports, projects, presentations and posters.

Entry requirements, fees and applying

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-Levels General Studies and Critical Thinking.

Extended Project Qualification - We recognise the value, effort and enthusiasm applicants make in the Extended Project, and where an applicant offers an A in the EPQ 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 C (4) or above, or an appropriate English language qualification.

Access to HE Diploma

Pass 60 credits overall with 45 credits at Level 3, 30 credits with Distinction (including an appropriate number of Mathematics modules) and the remaining 15 credits with Merit or above.
BTEC

D*DD (RQF) with Distinctions in all Mathematics units including Maths and Further Maths (and/or other appropriate maths units) plus an interview and diagnostic Maths test. Some units may be optional on your BTEC but are required by the Faculty. Please contact us for further information.
Please note - there may be different requirements for the older QCF BTEC's, please contact Admissions.
Cambridge Pre-U

D3, D3, D3 including Mathematics.
International Baccalaureate

35 points overall, with 18 points at higher level to include 5 points in HL Mathematics.
Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)

H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 including Mathematics.
Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

AA at Advanced Higher level, including Mathematics, and AABBB at Higher level.
Other Qualifications

Engineering or Construction Diploma: A (plus A-level Mathematics at grade A or above). We will consider your application if you have AS level Mathematics.

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.

If you do not have the formal qualifications for immediate entry to one of our degrees, you may be able to progress through a foundation year. We offer a Studies in Science with Foundation Year BSc for students without a science background at A-level and an Interdisciplinary Science with Foundation Year BSc for applicants who meet specific widening participation criteria.

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.

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Applicant days

If you receive an offer to study with us, we’ll invite you to attend one of our applicant days. You’ll have the opportunity to meet our academic staff and students, explore the School and University and find out more about your course and what it’s like to be a student at Leeds.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2024

Fees

UK: See fees section below

International: £24,500 (per year)

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 UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. When the fee is available we will update individual course pages.

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

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.

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.

Financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available.

Career opportunities

When you graduate, you are very likely to find employment in the core contracting and consulting arms of the UK’s £30bn per annum civil engineering industry. However, the technical, communication and management skills you will develop during your civil engineering and project management studies are also in particular demand, for example in international finance, investment banking and large project management.

Recent graduates have secured positions including:

Graduate Engineer, Arup
Graduate Civil Engineer, Atkins
Geotechnical Engineer, Golder Associates
Project Coordinator, Lang O’Rourke
Hydraulic Modeller, Mouchel
Hydraulic Modeller, Mott MacDonald
Marine Engineering Officer, Royal Navy
Geo-Environmental Consultant, RSK Stats GeoConsult Ltd
Digital Consultant, Ve Interactive

Read our alumni profiles to find out more about where our students are working.

Careers support

You’ll have access to our dedicated Employability team, located centrally in our Employability Suite, who will provide you with specialist face-to-face support and advice to help you find relevant work experience, internships and year-in-industry placements, as well as graduate positions.

You’ll benefit from timetabled employability sessions, ongoing support during internships and placements, and presentations and workshops delivered by employers. The team also works closely with the University’s Careers Centre, which is one of the largest in the country.

Find out more about careers support and employability

Study abroad and work placements

Study abroad

On this course, your year abroad replaces the third year of your degree (it does not add an additional year to your studies). During the year, you will follow the civil engineering course at your host institution and will return to Leeds to complete the final year of your MEng degree.

We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America. However, not all of our partners will offer a programme suited to an integrated year. Contact your school’s study abroad coordinator who will advise on study locations.

Find out more about Study Abroad in the School of Civil Engineering.

Work placements

With the help and support of our faculty Employability Team, you can choose to undertake an industrial placement year at one of the 100+ companies that we work with. If you decide to undertake a placement year this will extend your period of study by 12 months and, on successful completion, you will be awarded the ‘industrial’ variant in your degree title to demonstrate your added experience to future employers.

Find out more about work placements