Civil Engineering BEng (Hons)

Overview

Look up at skyscrapers you’ve designed, drive on roads you’ve engineered and lead on global infrastructure projects.

Learn to design, construct, operate and maintain infrastructure that supports everything from buildings, transportation, and flood defences to providing safe drinking water and sanitation. 

Study this accredited Civil Engineering degree in the city that gave the world Isambard Kingdom Brunel and step into a career that could shape the world.

BEng or MEng?

The 3-year Bachelor's degree (BEng) and 4-year integrated Master's degree (MEng) share many of the same modules in years 1–3.

When you finish the BEng course successfully, you'll meet the educational requirements for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status. The MEng allows you to achieve a Master’s level degree with just one extra year of undergraduate study and when you finish the MEng course successfully, you'll meet the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer status (CEng).

Course highlights

  • Visit constructions sites across the city, such as the Southsea Coastal Scheme or construction sites within the University
  • Explore soil types and rock formations on visits to the Isle of Wight and take a field trip to the National Construction College
  • Enter a global design competition, run by Engineers Without Borders
  • Learn from industry specialists – recent guest speakers have come from the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Atkins, Portsmouth Water, Mott MacDonald, Portsmouth City Council, Colas and WSP
  • Study practical diving and underwater engineering and infrastructure, due to our coastal location, and get a recognised PADI diving qualification

Careers and Opportunities

All civil engineering roles are listed in the UK Government’s 'skills shortage list' and you can expect an average salary from £30,000 up to £70,000.

In fact, 95% of our BEng graduates and 90% of our MEng course graduates are in work or further study 15 months after they graduate and 100% of those MEng graduates are in highly skilled work – which means the skills you’ll learn on our course are in high demand. 80% of those graduates work as engineering professionals.

What’s more, 100% of our graduates find their work meaningful. So start making a difference, and be rewarded well for it.

Our graduates have worked for companies such as:

  • Sir Robert McAlpine – a civil engineering company that’s contributed to the construction of the NHS Nightingale Hospitals and the expansion of the Royal Albert Hall
  • Skanska – a recent project, Haymarket Edinburgh, provides more than 380,000 sq. ft designed to benefit the local residential and business community
  • Multiplex Construction Europe – with offices in Australia, the Middle East, United Kingdom and Canada, this company has completed more than 1,000 projects globally
  • Balfour Beatty – a leading international infrastructure group developing projects from the UK to the United States and Hong Kong
  • Gallagher Group – a UK company delivering civil engineering contracts ranging in value from £100,000 to £15 million

Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate

Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.

Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.

Roles you could go into include:

  • materials engineer
  • geotechnical engineer
  • civil engineer
  • construction manager
  • transport planner
  • structural engineer
BEng (Hons), MEng Award
September Start
Full-time, Sandwich Study Mode
3 years Duration

Entry Requirements For This Course

For the BEng (Hons):

  • 112-120 points from 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, to include a relevant subject.
  • English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.

For the MEng:

  • 120-128 points from 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, to include a relevant subject. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.

University of Portsmouth in Pictures

Location of University of Portsmouth