BEng Civil Engineering

Curriculum renewal

We are undertaking an ongoing curriculum renewal, which may result in changes to this degree programme.

The renewal is being carried out with:

• industrial partners
• accreditation bodies
• our students

This renewal makes sure that we equip you for an exciting career in the ever-changing world of engineering.

Year 1

Civil Engineers solve complex problems and are skilled at working in interdisciplinary teams to tackle society's challenges.

In Year 1, you will take introductory courses to develop the skills which you will need to succeed as an engineer.

You will:

• develop your critical thinking teamworking, and problem-solving skills in interdisciplinary engineering design tasks
• learn the fundamental mathematics that underpins engineering science and design
• choose optional courses to broaden your academic horizons from across the university

Year 2

In Year 2, you will take courses across the breadth of Civil and Environmental Engineering, to prepare you to take more specialised courses in later years. We will introduce you to:

• structural mechanics
• engineering materials
• soil and rock mechanics and engineering geology
• fluid mechanics
• environmental engineering and aspects of sustainability afforded through infrastructure
• engineering mathematics
• land surveying

You will also have the opportunity to choose an optional course from within engineering, or one from across the university to broaden your general knowledge.

Second year entry

Our course structure is designed in such a way that we permit Year 2 direct entry for students. The entry requirements for Year 2 entry are higher to ensure that students have the necessary knowledge to start at this level.

Year 3

In Year 3, you will start your honours programme and encounter more specialist topics such as:

• conceptual design and sustainability
• water treatment and water transport
• geotechnical engineering
• structural analysis
• transport systems engineering
• engineering construction

You will also have the opportunity to choose from Engineering options from across the School, highlighting the multidisciplinary nature of modern engineers.

Progression routes

At the end of Year 3, you will have the option to complete one more year for a BEng degree, or a further two years for an MEng degree.

The latter is subject to you achieving an average of 55% or higher in Year 3.

Year 4

You will take a mix of courses to enhance your engineering knowledge, as well as optional courses that align to your chosen specialities. In your core courses you will cover topics such as:

• structure design
• foundation engineering
• hydraulic engineering
• engineering design projects
• learning from past failures

You will also complete a research project and submit your research thesis (or dissertation). You will complete a thorough review of the engineering context and provide a unique solution through experimental, numerical, or analytical means, working with supervisors who are world-leaders in their research fields.

(Revised 8 May 2024 to reflect curriculum renewal changes)

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2024/25)

Our facilities

The majority of your learning will take place at the King’s Buildings campus, depending on courses selected.

Here you will have access to a wide range of practical facilities including:

• the Rushbrook Fire Lab
• laboratories for large structures and materials.

You may also study at various University campus locations in the vibrant city of Edinburgh, depending on the option courses selected. The King’s Buildings campus is around 15 minutes from central Edinburgh by bus or bike.

Access to facilities

You can access the University's:

• libraries
• study spaces (some study spaces are open 24 hours)
• IT facilities
• social spaces
• leisure facilities
• the brand-new shared learning, teaching and social hub, the Nucleus

Take a virtual tour of our school

You can take a closer look at the School of Engineering and explore our facilities and campus on the University's Virtual Visit site.

Virtual visit – School of Engineering

Study abroad

In Year 3, you will have exciting opportunities to study abroad through the University's international exchange programmes.

Many of our students spend their third year abroad in Europe or further afield gaining invaluable academic and life skills.

What are my choices for going abroad?

How will I learn?

The exciting nature of engineering means you will have a diverse learning experience throughout your degree.

Teaching can be through a mixture of:

• interactive lectures and seminars
• hands-on laboratory activities
• individual and group design projects

In your final years, you will undertake research projects with individual supervision advancing the frontiers of engineering knowledge.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed through coursework and examinations.

For detailed information please check the Programme Structure - Degree Programme Table to see compulsory and option courses. You can find this information under 'What you will study'.

Refer to individual course details to see the types of assessment included.

Studying engineering at the University of Edinburgh prepares you for a career as a professional engineer in the UK or abroad.

All our courses meet the requirements of the UK's professional engineering bodies.

On graduating from this programme, you will have:

• fundamental engineering knowledge
• practical, communication, and design skills
• deeper knowledge of your chosen specialism

This enables you to join a design, production or research team; or move rapidly into management and leadership roles.

(Revised 8 May 2024 to update employment opportunities)

Many graduates join larger companies on training agreements, which provide accelerated progression to Chartered Engineer with the Institution of Civil Engineers (usually achieved after three to six years appropriate experience and a professional review).

On the other hand, many of our graduates go on to work in other areas, including:

• the civil service
• education
• the armed forces
• the financial sector
• law

Careers Service

We support you to recognise the wealth of possibilities ahead, during your time at the University and after graduation.

Our award-winning Careers Service plays an essential part in your wider student experience and provides:

• tailored advice
• individual guidance and personal assistance
• internships and networking opportunities (with employers from local organisations to top multinationals)
• access to the experience of our worldwide alumni network

We invest in your future beyond the end of your degree and studying at the University of Edinburgh will lay the foundations for your future success.

Careers Service

Internships

We encourage and support you to undertake relevant work experience during your degree.

We advertise internship opportunities and arrange company presentations with the Careers Service.

These experiences can feature on your transcript after completing an Edinburgh Award.

Edinburgh Award

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S5 or AABB by end of S6.* BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. (*Revised 12 March 2024 to lower entry requirements from "AABB by end of S5 or AAAB by end of S6".)
• A Levels: ABB - BBB in one set of exams.
• IB: 34 points with 655 at HL - 32 points with 555 at HL

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6.* BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. (*Revised 13 March 2024 to lower entry requirements from "AABB by end of S6".)
• A Levels: BBB.
• IB: 32 points with 555 at HL.

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

• SQA: Highers: Mathematics at A and one of Physics (preferred), Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science or Engineering Science at B. Higher Applications of Mathematics is not accepted in place of Higher Mathematics. National 5s: Physics or Engineering Science at B and English at C.
• A Levels: Mathematics and one of Physics (preferred), Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science/Computing, Design & Technology (excluding Food Technology) or Engineering at B. GCSEs: Physics or Science at B or 6 and English at C or 4.
• IB: HL: Mathematics (Analysis and approaches only) and one of Physics (preferred), Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science or Design Technology at 5. SL: Physics at 5 (if not at HL) and English at 5.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

For direct entry to second year the standard requirements must be exceeded, including the following:

• SQA Advanced Highers: AA to include Mathematics and either Physics, Engineering Science, or Technological Studies.
• A Levels: AAA in one set of exams to include Mathematics and either Physics, Engineering, or Design & Technology (excluding Food Technology), or AAB in one set of exams to include Mathematics and Further Mathematics at A and either Physics, Engineering, or Design & Technology (excluding Food Technology).
• IB: 37 points with 666 at HL to include Mathematics: Analysis and approaches and Physics or Design Technology at 6.

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies..

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 at C
• GCSE at C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate at C
• IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 162 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 54 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 5 in each component.*

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT, or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.

English language requirements

(*Revised 24 May 2024 to change PTE Academic requirement from total 62 with at least 54 in each component, and to clarify that we do not accept PTE Academic online. Revised 29 August 2024 to add Oxford ELLT requirements.)

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Please note that some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for BEng Civil Engineering

Additional costs

Laptop

Many students do bring their own laptop/computer to access online materials but all students can also access university computing facilities. The university library also provides a laptop loan service, with longer term loans available for those in financial hardship.

Borrowing a laptop

Textbooks

Students purchase some key academic textbooks, but all essential reading materials will be freely available through the University Library.

Funding

For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.

Fees and funding

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