Civil Engineering BEng
London, Bloomsbury
Civil Engineering BEng (2025)
Civil Engineering BEng at UCL offers a unique curriculum constructed around a series of multidisciplinary group projects, which focus on real-world engineering problems. This three-year programme covers the traditional fields of civil engineering along with broader professional skills needed to apply them and connect them in design and construction projects.
Study mode
Duration
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
Programme starts
September 2024Application deadline
31 Jan 2024UCAS course code
Entry requirements
- Grades
- A*AA
- Subjects
- No specific subjects, but please note the GCSE requirements below if you are not taking A level Mathematics. At least two A level subjects should be taken from UCL's list of preferred A level subjects.
- GCSEs
- English Language at grade C or 5. Mathematics and Physics (or Double Award) at grade A or 7 if not offered at A level.
Contextual offer information
- Grades
- AAB more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- No specific subjects. At least two A level subjects should be taken from UCL's list of preferred A level subjects.
- GCSEs
- English Language at grade C or 5. Mathematics and Physics (or Double Award) at grade A or 7 if not offered at A level.
- Points
- 39
- Subjects
- A total of 19 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5. Physics must be offered at either higher or standard level.
Contextual offer
- Points
- 36 more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- A total of 17 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5. Physics must be offered at either higher or standard level.
UK applicants qualifications
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
Equivalent qualification
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF - teaching from 2016) with Distinction*, Distinction*, Distinction*, with all units passed with Merit or better.
D2,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects
A1,A,A at Advanced Highers (or A1,A at Advanced Higher and A,A,A at Higher)
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades A*AA.
International applications
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
If you do not meet the entry requirements for direct entry to this undergraduate programme, you may be eligible to apply for the Engineering Foundation Year at UCL. Designed for individuals from non-traditional educational backgrounds who do not meet standard entry requirements for UCL's undergraduate engineering degrees, this pre-degree programme helps you develop confidence, academic and study skills, and subject specific knowledge. On successful completion of the Engineering Foundation Year, you can gain access to a selection of the engineering undergraduate degree programmes at UCL. Find out more about the Engineering Foundation Year.
Access and widening participation
UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates
The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.
Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.
For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.
English language requirements
The English language level for this programme is: Level 1
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Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.
A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
Course overview
Year 1 develops the theoretical basis of civil engineering and is structured around a series of real-world engineering problems (known as Engineering Scenarios and Challenges), intended to put your acquired knowledge into practice. You will share classes in mathematics with other engineering students, and take part in two interdisciplinary Engineering Challenges. At the end of Year 1, there is a residential field trip to Wales, which includes surveying, dam design, health and safety risk management, and the environmental impact assessment of engineering activities.
In Year 2 core civil engineering knowledge is developed further, and you will also choose an IEP Minor subject from a wide range of engineering and non-engineering disciplines. At the end of this year there is a residential field trip to develop your construction and project management skills on a bespoke construction site.
Study of your IEP Minor subject continues in Year 3, as you also take compulsory advanced core modules and complete a substantial research project.
This degree is part of the Integrated Engineering Programme (IEP), a teaching framework that engages students in specialist and interdisciplinary activities designed to create well-rounded graduates with a strong grasp of the fundamentals of their discipline, and a broad understanding of the complexity and context of engineering problems.
What this course will give you
The programme offers a world-class education brought to you by leading researchers, educators and practising engineers. It is supported by a structured personal tutorial scheme, subject-specific clinics and student mentoring.
Centred around week-long project-based team activities, this programme enables you to work with your peers to design solutions to real-world engineering problems.
Studying in London is the perfect setting for civil engineering students because of the exciting range of projects underway (e.g. major rail projects), and the access to professional institutions (e.g. the Institute of Civil Engineering).
This programme is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators.
Teaching and learning
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded a BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering.
Modules
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. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.
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All modules on this programme are compulsory with the exception of the three minor modules (one module in Year 2 and two modules in Year 3) which can be selected from any of the available IEP minor subjects. Students also carry out a research project in Year 3, the topic of which can be agreed from a wide variety of research areas.
Your learning
Teaching is delivered in a number of ways, designed to stimulate and inspire effective learning. These include group projects, lectures, problem-solving classes, drawing and design workshops, tutorials, laboratory classes, site visits and field trips. External lecturers who are practising engineers deliver lectures specific to their areas of expertise.
The residential field study courses at the end of Year 1 and Year 2 are heavily subsided by the department but do require financial contributions from participants. Please note both these trips are subject to change, and incur certain costs.
There are a number of opportunities to find summer work placements within civil engineering companies based in London. Although it is down to the student to find a suitable placement, the department will provide support in producing CVs and cover letters, and providing career advice and opportunities. The work placements can be recognised by the Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR).
A 15 credit module has a typical learning load of 150 hours which are a blend of self-study, contact hours with staff (lectures, workshops, tutorials, laboratories, and field trips) and working on assessment (exam revision and coursework assignments).
Assessment
We employ a wide range of techniques to assess your knowledge and learning, including written examinations, coursework, video submissions, practical tests, laboratory reports, online quizzes, group projects, dissertations and poster presentations.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team.
The foundation of your career
Typical employment sectors for civil engineers include consulting, contractors, local authorities, non-governmental organisations, research, the railway industry, law firms and finance.
Engineering problem-solving skills are appreciated by many employers, and can lead to promotion into management roles. Our well-rounded graduates are increasingly sought after in professions beyond engineering, including banking, law and advertising.
Employability
This programme equips graduates with a comprehensive range of knowledge and problem solving skills. In addition to core engineering skills, the degree places emphasis on the development of transferable skills such as project management, team work, engineering software and communication, all of which will be essential in your career.
Accreditation
In order to meet the Engineering Council requirements for an accredited degree (which apply to all programmes professionally accredited by the Engineering Council, across all universities), students on this programme must pass all modules, with some possible specific exceptions for a limited number of optional modules. If a student fails a module (two attempts are permitted) they may be eligible to transfer to a related non-accredited degree.Fees and funding
Fees for this course
| Fee description | Full-time |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees (2024/25) | £9,250 |
| Tuition fees (2024/25) | £37,500 |
The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2024/25 academic year. The UK fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2024/25 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.
Foundation Year fees for UK students are £6,000.
Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.
Additional costs
Field trip costs are estimated to be £500. It is difficult to give exact figures, but as a guide books and equipment (i.e. drawing kit, waterproofs and safety boots) usually cost students £200 each year.
A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).
Funding your studies
The Errol Yarimer Undergraduate Scholarship is a competitive award available for UK resident undergraduates from low-income households for the duration of a continuous full-time course of study.
Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.
Scholarships
Funding opportunities relevant to the department may appear in this section when they are available. Please check carefully or confirm with the programme contact to ensure they apply to this degree programme and 2024/25 entry.
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Baxter Healthcare Scholarship
Deadline: 8 July 2024Value: £25,000/yr (based on a 3yr programme) (duration of study)Criteria Based on financial needEligibility: UK
The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.
Next steps
Your application
Successful candidates would typically demonstrate an appreciation of the broad skillsets required to be a successful civil engineer and an awareness of the impacts that engineers can have on society and the planet.
How to apply
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
Selection
For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.
Selection is based upon the strength of your personal statement and references as well as your academic achievements. Applications from students with alternative qualifications are welcome. Go to the Undergraduate Admissions Enquiries (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate/admissions-enquiries) to discuss your suitability for the programme.
Got questions? Get in touch
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