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The Civil Engineering Graduate Diploma is a conversion programme enabling applicants with a degree in a related subject (for example mathematics, physics or geology) to take a qualifying year before moving on to a Civil or Structural Engineering MSc degree. By studying this programme, you have a unique opportunity to be awarded an accredited level 7 Civil Engineering MSc after just two years of study, opening up your career path to becoming a chartered civil engineer.
Key information
Programme starts
September 2021
Modes and duration
Application dates
Tuition fees (2021/22)
Note on fees:
The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.
This pre-qualifying year is recognised by the JBM, and offers a unique opportunity to become a Chartered Engineer once you have completed an accredited MSc (i.e. UCL’s Civil Engineering or Earthquake Engineering with Disaster Management MScs). At the start of the programme your application will be sent to the JBM for assessment by the Individual Case Committee to ensure your academic background is suitable for Chartership.
Entry requirements
The Civil Engineering Graduate Diploma enables applicants with a degree in a related subject (for example mathematics, physics or geology) to take a qualifying year before moving onto our Civil Engineering MSc programme. Hence opening the path to a career in civil engineering as a chartered engineer. At the start of the programme your application will be sent to the JBM for assessment by the Individual Case Committee to ensure that your academic background is suitable for Chartership.
You will need to apply for the Graduate Diploma separately from the MSc programme – however please make sure you indicate which MSc programme you intend on pursuing. If you satisfy all admissions criteria for the Graduate Diploma you will proceed onto one of our MSc programmes for the following year.
Overseas students requiring a visa to study should note that the Graduate Diploma and the Civil Engineering MSc are treated as TWO separate programmes. You will only be able to obtain a one-year visa for the Graduate Diploma and then you will need to apply for a second visa if you are also provided with an offer for an MSc. You will almost certainly have to leave the UK between finishing the Graduate Diploma in June and commencing the MSc in September.
English language requirements
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.
The English language level for this programme is: Good
UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level. International Preparation Courses
Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.
International students
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below.
Select your country:
About this degree
This bespoke programme provides grounding in fluids, materials, soils and structures that are essential to any career as a Civil Engineer. The modules are taken from our second and third year BEng/MEng Engineering (Civil) programmes. In addition to the taught modules, you will work in pairs on a civil engineering research project.
Students undertake modules to the value of 120 credits.
The programme consists of six core modules (90 UCL credits), one optional module (15 UCL credits) and a research project (15 UCL credits).
Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a Grad Dip in Civil Engineering.
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.
Compulsory modules
- Structural Analysis and Design
- Materials and Applied Fluid Mechanics II
- Soil Mechanics and Engineering Geology
- Civil Engineering in Practice
- Structures and Materials
- Civil Engineering Project
Optional modules
You will need to choose one module from the optional list:
- Modelling and Analysis II
- Fluids and Soils III
- Further information about these modules is available on the department website.
Dissertation/report
Students conduct a civil engineering research project over two terms, usually working in pairs.
Fieldwork
- Six day residential field course where you construct scaled down versions of bridges and other structures.
- The basic model consists of a university, contractor and consultant working in partnership to deliver a unique learning experience, where students gain practical site experience.
- Students are required to contribute around £150 towards the cost of this field trip.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars and laboratory classes. The civil engineering project involves individual research and can include laboratory, computational or field work depending on the nature of your project and your supervisor. It is usually completed in pairs. The programme also includes a residential field course at the end of Term 3.
Additional costs
Circa. £150 (towards the cost of the field trip).
For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.
Funding
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Careers
Civil engineering graduates are readily employed by consultancies, construction companies and government departments.
Students who complete both this pre-qualifying year and a Civil Engineering MSc or Earthquake Engineering and Disaster Management MSc, have excellent career prospects with leading civil and structural engineering companies.
Employability
The are excellent employment prospects for our graduates. There is international demand for multi-skilled, solutions-focused professionals who can take a holistic approach to solving problems.
Why study this degree at UCL?
UCL Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering is an energetic and exciting multidisciplinary department with a long tradition of excellence in teaching and research, situated in the heart of London. Throughout your programme you will be taught by lecturers recognised as international leaders in their field.
At the end of term 3, you will go on a one-week residential field course gaining practical skills in construction site management and safety. You will work alongside practising engineers to develop and use technical drawings to build scaled structures. These are built to the same standards and using the same methods that are applied on professional construction sites.
Accreditation:
This pre-qualifying year is recognised by the JBM, and offers a unique opportunity to become a Chartered Engineer once you have completed an accredited MSc (i.e. UCL’s Civil Engineering or Earthquake Engineering with Disaster Management MScs). At the start of the programme your application will be sent to the JBM for assessment by the Individual Case Committee to ensure your academic background is suitable for Chartership.
Department: Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering
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Application and next steps
Applications
Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.
This programme only requires one reference in support of your application. Your reference should be academic unless you have been out of university education for more than four years. Further information regarding references can be found in our How to apply section.
There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at: ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.
Who can apply?
This programme is used as a pre-qualifying year for students whose first degree is not in civil or structural engineering. It enables students to progress on to either the Civil Engineering MSc or Earthquake Engineering and Disaster Management MSc.
Application deadlines
- All applicants
- 31 May 2021
For more information see our Applications page.
Apply nowWhat are we looking for?
When we assess your application we would like to learn:
- why you want to study Civil Engineering at graduate level
- why you want to study Civil Engineering at UCL
- what particularly attracts you to this programme
- how your personal, academic and professional background meets the demands of a challenging programme
- where you would like to go professionally with your degree
Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.
UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.
Page last modified on 11 June 2021
