About this course

Civil engineering is essential to the sustainable future development of society, from planning and construction, to water supply and coastal defence. This 4-year integrated master’s course goes beyond the 3-year degree with advanced modules and a master’s-level group design project.

You’ll develop the skills to design and build creative solutions to challenges in the built environment, infrastructure and cities, and the management and teamwork skills needed to succeed in industry.

This MEng Civil Engineering course follows the BEng degree for the first 3 years. In your fourth year, you can choose to focus on specialist topics related to the latest research and needs of society, including:

coastal and maritime engineering
earthquake engineering and seismic design
bioenergy
transport modelling
waste resource management
flood modelling and mitigation

Design is integral to civil engineering, you’ll take part in laboratory sessions and design projects throughout your degree to put your knowledge into practice. These are often based on the requirements of a real site and a real client.

Our Design Show blog has examples of our students’ design work.

As part of this course you can:

apply analytical techniques and problem-solving skills to engineering problems
develop technical design skills, such as sketching, computer-aided design (CAD) and model-making
develop surveying, construction practice and computer programming skills
take part in the Constructionarium challenge, where you’ll get practical construction experience and build scaled-down versions of famous structures
learn about the latest research developments as they happen, as part of your course
apply to our SUCCESS scholarship scheme, with opportunities for work placements and an annual bursary
take part in a master’s-level group design project
showcase your work in our annual Engineering Design Show

You'll get hands-on experience in state-of-the-art facilities, this includes our £48m National Infrastructure Laboratory and our:

testing and structures research lab
geotechics lab
large structures testing lab
hydraulic flumes
Jaguar Land Rover driving simulator
dedicated student design studios and workshops

Year in industry

Enhance your employability by taking this course with a paid industrial placement year.

Apply using:

Course name: Civil Engineering with Industrial Placement Year
UCAS code: HH20

You'll spend this extra year at an engineering firm, applying the skills and knowledge you've learned so far.

The fee is 20% of the standard annual tuition fee.

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We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Accreditations

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 for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Learn more about accreditation on the Joint Board of Moderators website.

This course is accredited by:

Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)

Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE)

Chartered Institute of Highways & Transportation (CIHT)

Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE)

European Accreditation of Engineering Programmes (EAEP)

The Permanent Way Institute

Course locations

This course is based at Highfield and Boldrewood.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

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ODT

Download 2024-25 Course Description Document

Entry requirements

A-levels

A*AA including mathematics (minimum grade A)

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. Applicants who have not studied the required subjects can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: AAA including mathematics, plus grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 38 points overall with 19 points required at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches) or 7 at Higher Level in Mathematics (Applications and Interpretation)

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

Applicants who have not studied mathematics at Higher Level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades A*A from two A-levels including mathematics (minimum grade A) or D* in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades AA from two A-levels including mathematics.

D*D in the BTEC National Diploma plus grade A in A-level mathematics or DD in the BTEC National Diploma plus grade A* in mathematics.

We will consider the BTEC National Extended Diploma if studied alongside A-level mathematics.

RQF BTEC

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. Applicants who have not studied the required subjects can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

QCF BTEC

D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades A*A from two A-levels including mathematics (minimum grade A) or D* in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades AA from two A-levels including mathematics.

D*D in the BTEC Diploma plus grade A in A-level mathematics or DD in the BTEC Diploma plus grade A* in mathematics.

We will consider the BTEC Extended Diploma if studied alongside A-level mathematics.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Course structure

You'll learn the fundamentals of the subject across all 4 years of your course. You'll also take design modules, where you'll apply your engineering knowledge.

These modules, along with a major individual project in the third year, allow you to tailor your degree to suit your own interests or career plans.

You'll choose from optional modules in the fourth year, and you can even boost your employability by doing a paid placement year.

You do not need to select your modules when you apply. We can help you customise your course.

Year 1 overview

The first year provides a solid grounding in the fundamental engineering science, as well as the basis of civil engineering.

Core modules cover:

mathematics
mechanics, structures and materials
design and computing
thermofluids

We'll introduce key design skills, such as sketching model-making and computing, through workshops and a design and manufacture project. These will also help you develop skills like:

observation
critical thinking
team work
communication

At the end of the year you'll take part in the Constructionarium, a week-long activity in Norfolk.

Year 2 overview

You'll further develop your core design and civil engineering skills.

You’ll study the Liveable Cities module, exploring the liveability in a city, with specific sessions including urban design, waste management, transport, energy, as well as site visits.

A group design project will build on your design skills from year 1 and learning from Liveable Cities. You’ll design a significant physical engineering change to a city, for instance a bridge or flooding scheme, and develop the deployment plan.

You'll also study topics that include:

maths and statistics
structural analysis and design
materials
soil mechanics
hydraulics

Year 3 overview

We introduce highway and traffic engineering in year three, and you'll explore structural stability and geotechnics in more depth. You can also choose from specialist modules including urban design, environmental hydraulics, railway engineering and human factors in engineering.

You’ll apply your knowledge to the design and solution of practical problems. You’ll take part in a group design project and attend guest lectures from industry.

An individual research project allows you to explore your own areas of interest. In the past, students have considered why concrete floor slabs fail, or investigated the erosion and retreat of coastal cliffs.

Some student projects are run in collaboration with top institutions, such as MIT, or can lead to publications in international peer-reviewed journals.

Recent projects have included:

exploring how engineering can interface with artificial intelligence to improve the operation of the things we construct
a project that directly contributed to the upgrade of a municipal wastewater treatment plant where the student was recognised as one of the co-authors in a research paper
a mathematical model to test recommendations put forward by lifeguards of how best to escape rip currents. The student was named as the first author when his work was published in a leading journal
the development of an algorithm to accelerate simulations of beach evolution and erosion due to storms. This work has led to an ongoing collaboration with MIT

Year 4 overview

In your final year you'll focus on design, management and teamwork, skills that are highly valued by employers.

You’ll take part in a group design project where you’ll apply your engineering and scientific knowledge to design an original solution to a realistic engineering problem.

Major engineering companies and regional authorities often get involved in our group design projects.

You'll study project economics and management, learning about how projects work in financial, economic, social and environmental terms. You’ll also choose from a wide range of specialist optional modules.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.

For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026

You must study the following modules in year 1:

An Introduction to Engineering Design

Engineers design physical products, systems and processes. They think big with vision, research, analyse, create, refine and deliver solutions. Engineering is a design discipline that is broad, creative, logical and holistic, while also focused and ex...

Civil Engineering Fundamentals

This module presents knowledge and skills specific to civil/environmental engineering, in three areas: Environmental Sustainability and Geology for Geomechanics and in Construction. It complements the more general engineering science knowledge and underst...

Mathematics for Engineering and the Environment

This course lays the mathematical foundation for all engineering degrees. Its structure allows students with different levels of previous knowledge to work at their own pace. Pre-requisite for MATH2048 One of the pre-requisites for MATH3081 and MATH...

Mechanics, Structures and Materials

This module covers the fundamentals of mechanics, statics, dynamics and materials. Providing a firm basis for all subsequent modules in these areas in later Parts and a further career in engineering. This module consists of four parts, Statics-1, Statics...

ThermoFluids

Core Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics for all Engineering Themes. Students should be aware that this module requires pre requisites of Mathematics

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

lectures
classes and tutorials
coursework
individual and group projects
independent learning (studying on your own)

How you'll spend your course time:

Study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:

40%

Scheduled learning & teaching

60%

Independent learning

How we'll assess you

coursework, laboratory reports and essays
design and problem-solving exercises
individual and group projects
oral presentations
written exams

Your assessment breakdown

Year 1:

53%

Written exam

17%

Coursework

30%

Practical exam

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Course leader

Ioannis Kaparias is the course leader.

Careers

This course will put you on the path to becoming a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and is accredited by:

Institution of Civil Engineers
Institution of Structural Engineers
Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation
Institute of Highway Engineers

You'll graduate from this course with the knowledge and skills to embark on a successful career in the civil engineering industry. You'll find excellent employment opportunities with consultants, contractors, local and regulatory authorities.

The transferable skills you develop in critical thinking, problem-solving and communication are also valued by many other employers.

Our graduates have gone on to work for companies including:

Ramboll
Vinci
Atkins
Eurovia
Tony Gee and Partners
AECOM
Mott MacDonald
WSP
Arup
Osborne
Laing O’Rourke

Our graduates have gone on to work in roles such as:

structural engineers
transport planners and engineers
coastal engineers
construction managers
design engineers
flood risk officers
geotechnical engineers
highway engineers

First and second year students can apply to our Southampton University Corporate Civil Engineering Scholarship Scheme (SUCCESS). You'll benefit from summer civil engineering placements, an industrial mentor and potential, long-term employment on graduation.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Work in industry

You can enhance your career prospects by taking this course with a paid industrial placement year in an engineering organisation.

You will be able to apply the knowledge and skills you've developed during the first 2 years of your degree and gain vital experience to help you become a professional civil engineer after graduation.

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

UK students pay £9,250.
EU and international students pay £29,400.

The Government has recently announced changes to UK tuition fees from September 2025 onwards. We will update our website to reflect this shortly.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and standard exams.

Find out how to:

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Hub offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

When you apply use:

UCAS course code: H201
UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for this course

What happens after you apply?

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

predicted grades
academic achievements
personal statement
academic reference

We'll aim to process your application within 2 to 6 weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Related courses

Civil Engineering (MEng) is a course in the Civil engineering subject area. Here are some other courses within this subject area:

c

BEng