Civil Engineering BEng (Hons) | University of Nottingham

International student

Course overview

Civil engineering combines your creativity with technological and scientific knowledge that can change the world. You will learn how to design and manage high-profile projects. You will study the key components of civil engineering theory and learn the skills necessary to become a civil engineer. By combining individual study and working together in teams you'll learn about:

structures
geotechnics
materials
hydraulics and fluid mechanics
highway and transport engineering
surveying
construction management

How you will learn

Teaching methods

Group study
Independent study
Lab sessions
Lectures
Practical classes
Supervision
Tutorials
Workshops

Teaching is delivered through a mix of in-person and online methods. The majority of your teaching will be in-person.

How you will be assessed

Assessment methods

Coursework
Group coursework
Dissertation
Examinations
Presentation
Research project
Practical assessment

Contact time and study hours

On average, you will have at least 20 contact hours a week in year one and two. Combined with coursework and self-study, you may spend over 40 hours a week on your studies.

Modules

6 modules

Hydraulics 1

This course introduces students to the subject of hydraulics in civil engineering. Here we focus on studying hydrostatics, i.e. civil engineering applications involving a body of static fluid. The topics covered include:

Units and dimensions
The fundamental properties of fluids
Hydrostatic pressure
Hydrostatic loads
Buoyancy

Introduction to Construction Management and Design

This course is a problem-based group project. During Phase 1, you will learn the various roles and responsibilities of a civil engineer and be introduced to fundamental techniques for using engineering drawing as a key format of engineering communication.

Key principles underpinning construction planning and risk management will then be introduced in Phase 2, and applied in the context of a group-based civil engineering project. During Phase 3, you will work in groups to design and analyse a timber truss structure, and then prepare a plan of construction for your design. You will then execute your plan during a field-work type construction exercise.

Portfolio of Civil Engineering Studies 1

This module introduces core skills and professional competencies of a civil engineer, including:

developing sketching, Computer Aided Design (CAD) and technical writing skills to communicate ideas,
developing expertise in practical surveying techniques,
developing an appreciation for how construction contract law, ethics and equality, diversity & inclusion help shape the roles and responsibilities of a professional engineer.

Structural Analysis 1

This course introduces students to the subject of structural analysis in civil engineering. In this course, you will be introduced to the fundamental concepts of structural modelling and analysis, analyse determinate structures and compute stress and deformation due to loads applied to structures.

Civil Engineering Mathematics 1

After consolidating key A level concepts, you’ll progress to topics including differential equations, advanced integration techniques and methods for solving systems of equations. The focus is on developing confidence and fluency, so you can apply mathematics as a practical tool for engineering problem solving and design.

Geotechnics 1

Giving you an introduction to the core areas of geotechnics, this module covers topics such as: origin and types of soil, soil as a 3-phase material, soil description and classification, compaction, water in soils, basic mechanics, and stresses in soils and ground investigation.

7 modules

Hydraulics 2

On successfully completing the module, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles of fluid dynamics, such as mass conservation, Bernoulli's equation and the force momentum principle. You’ll be able to solve simple pipe flow, reservoir discharge and transfer problems and characterise open channel flows with hydraulic structures.

Fundamentals of Materials

In this module you will explore engineering materials and their basic properties, principles in material selection and sustainability and an understanding of the behaviour of construction materials.

Civil and Structural Steel Design Project

This module provides students with an opportunity to take a design project from concept through to detailed design stage. The project will run year-long with the first semester focusing on how to assess a brief and site conditions, generating conceptual designs, an introduction to the Eurocodes, loading calculations, and design development. The second semester will focus on the detailed design stage, focusing on steelwork design calculations and the production of civil and structural engineering drawings. Students are shown how sustainability should be considered at each of the design stages, with a focus on how design decisions by the engineer can have an impact on addressing the Climate Emergency.

Portfolio of Civil Engineering Studies 2

This module further develops core skills and professional competencies of a civil engineer, including:

developing knowledge of and practical skills in Building Information Modelling software.
developing an understanding of different construction materials.
developing practical laboratory skills.

Structural Analysis 2

The fundamental behaviour established in the first year is extended to cover the concepts of: virtual work, analysis of indeterminate structures, instability of structural systems, plastic analysis and design and vibration.

Geotechnics 2

This module aims to develop further understanding of fundamental behaviour of soils with a focus on soil strength and how it is used to evaluate the stability of geotechnical systems.

Civil Engineering Mathematics 2

Develop the mathematical understanding and analytical skills needed for civil engineering analysis and design. You’ll draw on real civil engineering problems in areas such as structural analysis, geotechnics and hydraulics. The focus is on developing confidence and fluency, so you can apply mathematics as a practical tool for engineering problem solving and design.

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5 modules

BEng Individual Investigative Project

You will undertake a long-term individual research project appropriate to your particular interests. It normally takes the form of an investigative, development or design project ending as a detailed final report. Projects involve lab work, field investigations or computer modelling and require data collection and analysis.

Structural Concrete Design

This module introduces reinforced concrete construction and the relationship between structural behaviour and the design of reinforced concrete elements. It includes the structural design procedures for reinforced concrete elements in flexure, shear and compression. On average you will spend about four or five contact hours per week in lectures, laboratory classes or in the design studio for this module.

Geotechnics 3

This year-long module introduces consolidation theory, including; the different components of settlement, 1D & 2D water flow through soils, and ground improvement techniques. In addition, you will learn how to conduct geotechnical design of shallow and deep foundations, and retaining walls, using both a fundamental and Eurocode approach. Students will also see how sustainability can be improved in geotechnical design.

Construction Management and Retrofit Design

Working in groups, students use digital design, planning, analysis and presentation tools to support the collaborative design and planning of a retrofit project.

Hydraulic Design

This module involves learning, understanding and applying the design methods behind a number of real-world examples of water management. These include the design of sewers, highway drainage, culverts, municipal water supply, reservoirs and, finally, river management. In each case, you will discover how the design methods relate to your theoretical knowledge of fluid dynamics.

5 modules

Engineering Risk Assessment

The module assesses the risk of injury posed to the general public and workforce through the operation of engineering systems and infrastructure. This is considered in the context of civil and transportation systems and an indication is given of acceptable risk. You will spend three hours a week in lectures to study this module.

Traffic Engineering

This module introduces some of the theory that forms the technical basis of the management and control of urban road networks, including; traffic flow theory, transport modelling and operation of traffic signal control systems.

Assessment method

This module will be assessed 100% by exam.

Advanced Mathematical Techniques in Ordinary Differential Equations for Engineers

This module covers advanced analytic mathematical techniques used to provide exact or approximate solutions to common classes of ordinary differential equations (ODES) typical in Engineering.

Techniques covered include: method of variation of parameters, Laplace transform methods, Taylor series method, Frobenius method, asymptotic regular perturbations and strained coordinates and multiple scales. Each week there will normally be a one one-hour lecture and a two hour workshop to introduce key mathematical knowledge on module topics.

Advanced Site Surveying

The module is a combination of the theoretical and practical aspects of site surveying for Civil Engineering.

The theoretical aspects will provide students with the knowledge and understanding to undertake the practical aspects, where students will work in small groups to design, plan, undertake and report on a series of practical surveys involving different engineering surveying techniques and associated inter-disciplinary tools such as CAD and BIM (individuals and groups are responsible for management and organisation of their projects, with staff members available for consultation and guidance).

The module will use the most advanced engineering surveying techniques related to:

the determination of the plan coordinates and the heights of control points using GNSS surveying with a GNSS instrument;
the determination of the plan coordinates and the heights of control points using levelling, traversing and/or resection with a total station instrument;
the determination of the plan coordinates and heights of detail points using radial detailing with a total station instrument;
the determination of the plan coordinates and heights of detail points using intersection with a total station instrument;
the determination of the plan coordinates and heights of a point cloud using terrestrial laser scanning with a terrestrial laser scanner instrument to survey the façade of a building.

The practical surveys will have a specific focus on the creation of a 3D digital model of a building in REVIT software, along with an assessment of the quality of each of the engineering surveying techniques used.

Machine Learning for Engineers

This is an introduction to machine learning with an emphasis on practical use in engineering applications, such as control theory or decisions under uncertainty. The module is structured around a subset of the following topics:

Inference, or model-driven predictions
Supervised learning: the basics, optimization and beyond least squares
Unsupervised learning
Neural networks and deep learning
The Bayesian approach and Gaussian processes
Generalized linear models: going beyond normality

Language study as part of this degree

Our Language Centre offers many languages, and you may start as a beginner or at a more advanced level and you may be able to choose to study a language as part of this degree.

Learning another language can open career opportunities around the globe and enriches your CV. It could also help you in your studies by being able to access learning materials in other languages. If you are planning to travel or work abroad it will help you to broaden your cultural understanding.

Find out more about learning a language as part of your degree.

Select student type

Quick glance

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements listed apply to 2026 entry.

A levels

AAB

32 points overall

A level and GCSE requirements

Required subjects

Mathematics grade A at A level and one from physics (preferred), economics, psychology, 3D design, chemistry, biology, design and technology, geography, geology, computing, computer science or further maths

Excluded subjects

General studies, critical thinking and citizenship studies, global perspectives, quantitative methods and research, thinking skills

GCSEs

GCSE English grade 4 (C)

IB requirements

IB score

32 points overall or 665 in 3 HL certificates

IB requirements

One of HL6 in Mathematics Analysis and Approaches, HL6 in Mathematics Applications and Interpretation or SL7 in Mathematics Analysis and Approaches plus HL5 in one of physics, chemistry, biology, design and technology, geography, geology, computing, further mathematics, 3D design, design engineering. economics or psychology

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

If you have already achieved your EPQ at grade A you will automatically be offered one grade lower. If you are still studying for your EPQ you will receive the standard course offer, and also an alternate offer with a condition of one grade lower if you achieve an A grade in your EPQ.

If you qualify for a contextual offer, your EPQ will be taken into consideration, and the appropriate adjustment will be made to your offer. Please note that if you qualify for an enhanced contextual offer, your EPQ will not be taken into consideration as we are unable to make any further adjustments to your offer.

Alternative qualifications

We recognise that applicants have a wealth of different experiences and follow a variety of pathways into higher education.

Consequently we treat all applicants with alternative qualifications (besides A levels and the International Baccalaureate) on an individual basis, and we gladly accept students with a whole range of less conventional qualifications including:

Access to HE Diploma
Advanced Diploma
BTEC HND/HNC
BTEC Extended Diploma

This list is not exhaustive. The entry requirements for alternative qualifications can be quite specific; for example you may need to take certain modules and achieve a specified grade in those modules. Please contact us to discuss the transferability of your qualification. Please see the alternative qualifications page for more information.

RQF BTEC Nationals

RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma in Engineering – DDD including Distinction in units:
- Engineering Principles
- Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems
- Further Engineering Maths
RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma in Engineering or Applied Science and A levels – DDM plus A in A level maths
RQF Level 3 BTEC National Diploma in Engineering or Applied Science and A levels – DD plus A in A level maths
RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate in any subject and A levels – D plus A in A level maths plus B in one of physics, economics, psychology, 3D design, chemistry, biology, design and technology, geography, geology, computing, computer science or further maths

Access to HE Diploma

Access to HE Diploma 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction (to include a minimum of 15 Level 3 credits at Distinction in Mathematics and 15 Level 3 credits at Distinctions in Engineering/Science units) and 15 Level 3 credits at Merit

Contextual offers

We make contextual offers to students who may have experienced barriers that have restricted progress at school or college. Our standard contextual offer is usually one grade lower than the advertised entry requirements, and our enhanced contextual offer is usually two grades lower than the advertised entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must have Home/UK fee status and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.

Foundation progression options

An Engineering and Physical Sciences foundation year is available for those who are not taking the required subjects.

Mature students

At the University of Nottingham, we have a valuable community of mature students and we appreciate their contribution to the wider student population. You can find lots of useful information on the mature students webpage.

Study abroad

On this course, you can apply to study abroad at one of our partner institutions or at University of Nottingham China or University of Nottingham Malaysia.

If you are successful in applying to study abroad, you will get the opportunity to broaden your horizons and enhance your CV by experiencing another culture. Teaching is typically in English, but there may be opportunities to study in another language if you are sufficiently fluent.

You can choose to study similar modules to your counterparts in the UK or expand your knowledge by taking other options.

The school you are joining may also have additional study abroad options available. Please visit the school website for more information.

Please note

In order to study abroad you will need to achieve the relevant academic requirements as set by the university and meet the selection criteria of both the university and the partner institution. The partner institution is under no obligation to accept you even if you do meet the relevant criteria.

Disclaimer

Please be aware that study abroad, compulsory year abroad, optional placements/internships and integrated year in industry opportunities may change at any time for a number of reasons, including curriculum developments, changes to arrangements with partner universities or placement/industry hosts, travel restrictions or other circumstances outside of the university’s control. Every effort will be made to update this information as quickly as possible should a change occur.

Tuition fees

2026/27 (UK undergraduate students)

This is the UK undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 25/26. It may increase for the academic year 26/27 and we will update our information once we have received confirmation of the fee from the UK Government.

For full details including fees for part-time students and reduced fees during your time studying abroad or on placement (where applicable), see our fees page.

Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.

As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses:

Books – You should be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies or more specific titles which could cost up to £200.
Printing – Back and white printing costs 4p per side.
Trips – The department covers the travel cost of compulsory field trips.
PPE – Workshop PPE is provided to you in first year for the duration of your course.
Year in industry – If you do a work placement, any costs associated with travel or accommodation will need to be factored in.
Year abroad – If you study abroad, you will need to consider the travel and living costs for the country you choose. This could include visa costs and medical insurance.
Design materials – Although most graphical materials for use in design projects are supplied, there will be some items you will need to buy – please budget around £180 for this. Additionally, design projects have printing costs and you should budget for around £150.
Laptop – Although there are PCs available for your use on campus, you will need to purchase your own laptop. Read more about our recommended specifications.
Calculator – While the calculator you used for your former study is usually sufficient some students will choose to purchase a new calculator which will cost around £10.

Please note that these figures are approximate and subject to change.

There may also be costs issued by the university for replacement student ID cards, additional transcripts or certification letters, reassessments and library fines.

Scholarships and bursaries

The University of Nottingham offers a wide range of bursaries and scholarships. These funds can provide you with an additional source of non-repayable financial help. For up to date information regarding tuition fees, visit our fees and finance pages.

Home students

Over one third of our UK students receive our means-tested core bursary, worth up to £1,000 a year. Full details can be found on our financial support pages.

A 'home' student is one who meets certain UK residence criteria. These are the same criteria as apply to eligibility for home funding from Student Finance.

Faculty of Engineering Scholarships

Students applying to the Faculty of Engineering may be eligible for faculty-specific or industry scholarships.

Quick glance

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements listed apply to 2026 entry.

32 points overall

A levels

AAB

IB requirements

IB score

32 points overall or 665 in 3 HL certificates

IB requirements

A level and GCSE requirements

Required subjects

Excluded subjects

General studies, critical thinking and citizenship studies, global perspectives, quantitative methods and research, thinking skills

GCSEs

GCSE English grade 4 (C)

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

Alternative qualifications

We recognise that applicants have a wealth of different experiences and follow a variety of pathways into higher education.

Access to HE Diploma
Advanced Diploma
BTEC HND/HNC
BTEC Extended Diploma

RQF BTEC Nationals

RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma in Engineering – DDD including Distinction in units:
- Engineering Principles
- Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems
- Further Engineering Maths
RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma in Engineering or Applied Science and A levels – DDM plus A in A level maths
RQF Level 3 BTEC National Diploma in Engineering or Applied Science and A levels – DD plus A in A level maths
RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate in any subject and A levels – D plus A in A level maths plus B in one of physics, economics, psychology, 3D design, chemistry, biology, design and technology, geography, geology, computing, computer science or further maths

Access to HE Diploma

IELTS/English requirements

IELTS

6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element)

English language requirements

As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. Check our English language policies and equivalencies for further details.

For presessional English or one-year foundation courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations.

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a Presessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) course. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

High school qualifications

Check our country-specific information for guidance on qualifications from your country.

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

Mature students

Study abroad

On this course, you can apply to study abroad at one of our partner institutions or at University of Nottingham China or University of Nottingham Malaysia.

You can choose to study similar modules to your counterparts in the UK or expand your knowledge by taking other options.

The school you are joining may also have additional study abroad options available. Please visit the school website for more information.

Please note

Disclaimer

Tuition fees

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).

For full details including fees for part-time students and reduced fees during your time studying abroad or on placement (where applicable), see our fees page.

Additional costs

As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses:

Books – You should be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies or more specific titles which could cost up to £200.
Printing – Back and white printing costs 4p per side.
Trips – The department covers the travel cost of compulsory field trips.
PPE – Workshop PPE is provided to you in first year for the duration of your course.
Year in industry – If you do a work placement, any costs associated with travel or accommodation will need to be factored in.
Year abroad – If you study abroad, you will need to consider the travel and living costs for the country you choose. This could include visa costs and medical insurance.
Design materials – Although most graphical materials for use in design projects are supplied, there will be some items you will need to buy – please budget around £180 for this. Additionally, design projects have printing costs and you should budget for around £150.
Laptop – Although there are PCs available for your use on campus, you will need to purchase your own laptop. Read more about our recommended specifications.
Calculator – While the calculator you used for your former study is usually sufficient some students will choose to purchase a new calculator which will cost around £10.

Please note that these figures are approximate and subject to change.

There may also be costs issued by the university for replacement student ID cards, additional transcripts or certification letters, reassessments and library fines.

Scholarships and bursaries

International students

We offer a range of international undergraduate scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.

Faculty of Engineering Scholarships

Students applying to the Faculty of Engineering may be eligible for faculty-specific or industry scholarships.

There are so many industries out there who really look for civil engineers because it shows you can do maths skills, you can do physics skills and it shows problem solving and team working skills too. If you study civil engineering at university it opens up so many doors for other jobs, not just civil engineering."

Eva Hallas

Careers overview

Students will be equipped to embark on a career in civil engineering, or other disciplines that require numerate problem-solving graduates.

Key sectors for our graduates are:

civil engineering consultancy
civil engineering contracting
civil engineering management
finance
surveying

Find out how our links with industry could give you a head start while you study with us.

Job prospects

Average starting salary and career progression

94.7% of civil engineering undergraduates secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual starting salary for these graduates was £32,458 (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2021/22-2022/23).

Careers advice

Studying for a degree at the University of Nottingham will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take.

Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service can work with you to improve your employability skills even further; assisting with job or course applications, searching for appropriate work experience placements and hosting events to bring you closer to a wide range of prospective employers.

Have a look at our careers page for an overview of all the employability support and opportunities that we provide to current students.

The University of Nottingham is consistently named as one of the most targeted universities by Britain's leading graduate employers (Ranked in the top 10 in The Graduate Market in 2013-2024, High Fliers Research).

Joint Board of Moderators

This degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators of the ICE, IStructE, CIHT, IHE and PWI.

It is accredited as:

fully satisfying the educational base for an Incorporated Engineer (IEng).
partially satisfying the educational base for a Chartered Engineer (CEng). A programme of accredited Further Learning will be required to complete the educational base for CEng.

See the Joint Board of Moderators website for further information.

Welcome to your campus

At University Park, nature, architecture and student life come together on one unforgettable campus. Explore beautiful green spaces, unwind by the lake and enjoy a vibrant sense of community. It’s the perfect setting for an extraordinary university experience where you can learn, grow and thrive.

Civil Engineering - U6UCVENG

Course overview

Teaching and learning

Modules

Core modules

6 modules

Hydraulics 1

Introduction to Construction Management and Design

Portfolio of Civil Engineering Studies 1

Structural Analysis 1

Civil Engineering Mathematics 1

Geotechnics 1

Core modules

7 modules

Hydraulics 2

Fundamentals of Materials

Civil and Structural Steel Design Project

Portfolio of Civil Engineering Studies 2

Structural Analysis 2

Geotechnics 2

Civil Engineering Mathematics 2

Core modules

5 modules

BEng Individual Investigative Project

Structural Concrete Design

Geotechnics 3

Construction Management and Retrofit Design

Hydraulic Design

Optional modules

Language study as part of this degree

Select student type

Entry requirements

3 years full-time

£9,535 per year

Entry requirements

3 years full-time

£33,000 per year

Careers

Accreditation

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