Level 6 Civil Engineer Degree Apprenticeship BEng (Hons)
- Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
- Start Date(s): September 2024
- Duration: 5 years
- Study Mode(s): Part-time (day)
- Campus: City Campus
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Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
Our Level 6 Civil Engineer Degree Apprenticeship offers the opportunity to gain a full honours degree, whilst developing valuable industry-specific work experience and earning a wage.
Who is this route suitable for?
- School leavers looking to do an apprenticeship instead of the traditional study route.
- Existing employees within companies who do not have a degree but want to develop.
Why choose a Degree Apprenticeship - How does it differ from a part-time course?
- Through government funding, your employer will be responsible for apprenticeship course fees, meaning that you will not pay University tuition fees.
- A Degree Apprenticeship is a three-way agreement by the University, your employer and you. As well as gaining a degree, you'll also benefit from on-the-job training, provided by your employer, opening up opportunities for career development and progression.
- You'll have the added advantage of years of relevant work experience, while making industry connections along the way. This could enhance your future employability and boost your career progression.
Find out more information about Degree Apprenticeships at NTU, including advice for both apprentices and employers.
Course details
Our course offers a balance of vocational and theoretical content. You'll develop your general understanding of civil engineering, focusing on key core subject areas: geotechnics, materials, and structures. You'll develop your knowledge and skills in building technology; computer-aided design; health and safety; the environment; hydraulics; ground engineering; and structural engineering.
Please note, you will need to be in employment with a relevant company to undertake our Degree Apprenticeship. Contact our Apprenticeship team for more information.
You must ensure that the company you undertake your Degree Apprenticeship with meets the necessary employer requirements. Please read our guidance for employers for more information.
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This course is closely linked to our BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering degree. -
Experience hands-on learning in our specialist facilities and workshops, including dedicated concrete, materials, hydraulics, geotechnical labs and structural testing equipment.
What you’ll study
This course is designed around the core themes in civil engineering, relating your learning to applications in the real world. You will develop your general understanding of civil engineering, focusing on key core subject areas: geotechnics, materials, and structures.
Work Based Learning (WBL) is integrated throughout the modules you will study. These modules will require you to reflect on your work experiences in the role that you will be working in whilst studying on the course.
Year One
Graphical Communication and IT (20 credits)
- This module introduces you to the design processes and the graphical communication methods used within the civil engineering industry.
- You'll practice the fundamental skills of hand sketching and drawing, before moving on to use industry relevant two-dimensional (2D) Computer Aided Design (CAD) packages to produce engineering drawings.
- You'll be introduced to the fundamental principles of Building Information Modelling (BIM), including the compliance requirements at each level, whist emphasising the potential benefits of increased productivity and collaboration in the sector. In addition, you'll develop skills in other commonly used software, such as Microsoft Excel, to help solve and present engineering problems.
Work Based Learning Project (20 credits / WBL)
This module will include a work-based learning element.
- During this module you'll reflect on your own work environment to: develop an understanding of the stakeholders involved in civil engineering projects; acquire an appreciation of the organisation of the construction industry and the key roles played in it by civil engineering professionals; and outline your own career aspirations and how you'll achieve them.
- Using a negotiated project brief, you'll work to develop, evaluate and present your own design solutions to meet client requirements, within identified site and project constraints.
- You'll develop an understanding of the stages of a construction project, including design, tender and construction stages, and how civil engineering infrastructure is designed and built with due consideration to safety, environmental and sustainability issues.
Engineering Materials (20 credits)
- This module is designed to introduce you to the materials encountered in civil engineering and general construction.
- You'll look at areas such as geology, soil mechanics, steel, concrete, bricks and ceramics, and organic materials, developing an understanding of the materials' properties and applications.
Engineering Mathematics and Mechanics (20 credits)
- This module will furnish you with a comprehensive range of mathematical techniques, providing you with the foundation for the study of more advanced mathematical techniques in Year Two.
- You'll develop a strong foundation of skills and knowledge, enabling you to solve civil engineering problems.
Year Two
Engineering Surveying (20 credits)
- The aim of this module is to introduce you to the basic principles and purposes of engineering surveying. You'll learn the theory in lectures and tutors, with hands-on seminar and laboratory sessions introducing the practical surveying field skills required by industry.
- You'll learn how to use standard surveying instruments, how to set out and control construction works, and how to measure existing buildings.
- Towards the end of the module you will combine your practical and theoretical knowledge on the 6 day residential field course where you will undertake setting out and surveying tasks.
Introduction to Structural Analysis and Design (20 credits)
- The module aims to provide you with an initial qualitative and quantitative appreciation of the behaviour and design of skeletal structures.
- You'll explore a range of areas including the types of pin-jointed frameworks and their structural idealisation, types of beam structures and loadings, section analysis for direct bending stresses based on elastic theory, combined axial and bending elastic stresses with application to short columns, foundations and pre-stressed concrete and introductory timber design.
Construction Practice and the Environment (20 credits / WBL)
This module will include a work-based learning element.
- The aim of this module is to improve your knowledge of practice within the construction industry, introducing you to the roles and responsibilities that you may undertake during placement, after graduation, and as you progress in your career.
- You'll look at key areas such as project organisation, procurement, planning, programming, management, and contract and commercial documentation and administration.
Further Engineering Mathematics and Fluid Mechanics (20 credits)
- Building on the mathematical skills and knowledge developed in Year One, this module will provide you with the mathematical and fluid mechanics knowledge and techniques required as a civil engineer.
- In this module you will look at probability, calculus, vectors and matrices. You'll also examine fluid mechanics, dimensional analysis, flow through pipes, and hydraulic machinery.
Year Three
Ground Engineering (20 credits)
- This module will develop your appreciation of fundamental soil and geological properties.
- You'll measure and test different geological and geotechnical materials, allowing you to recognise and investigate ground-related problems and hazards.
Integration of Engineering Applications (20 credits / WBL)
This module will include a work-based learning element.
- This module will introduce you to new and emerging technologies within the construction industry, in relation to engineering surveying, CAD, and BIM.
- You will work in a project group with final year students to simulate a work situation where you will produce, present and defend a scheme design.
Structural Analysis, Design and Detailing (40 credits)
- This module will act as an introduction to the structural behaviour of elements in reinforced concrete and steelwork, looking in depth at their design and detailing.
- You'll also be introduced to a range of new and emerging technologies within the construction industry.
Year Four
Further Geotechnical Engineering and Design (20 credits)
- Building on the grasp of principles and theory you'll develop in Year Two, this module will provide a sound background to the decision making, design and implementation of geotechnical design.
- You'll learn to analyse and design some typical engineering problems involved in the construction of geotechnical structures, and develop informed solutions in line with current design standards and industry approach.
- You'll look at topics such as soil mechanics, foundations, slope stability, and the development of brownfield sites.
Further Structural Design (20 credits)
- This module will broaden your knowledge of the design of structural frameworks and how they withstand forces acting on them.
- It introduces the most common methods of providing stability and robustness to framed structures.
Infrastructure Engineering 1 (20 credits)
- This module will broaden your understanding of the wider urban environment through the introduction of infrastructure topics such as transport, highways, rail, asset management and water. You'll develop an appreciation of the issues that influence decision-making, design, and implementation of major infrastructure schemes.
- You'll study these topics within the context of sustainable developments, looking at key elements of environmental legislation.
Final year
Individual with Group project (40 credits / WBL)
This module will include a work-based learning element.
- The majority of this module will be formed by a self-led research project or dissertation; a significant body of work allowing you to research in depth an agreed topic relating to the construction industry.
- You'll also work on a group project over the course of the year, relating to a real-world engineering scheme. You'll work in a team environment, producing and presenting a design scheme.
Professional Responsibilities and Development in Civil Engineering (20 credits / WBL)
This module will include a work-based learning element.
- This module is based around four themes: health, safety and welfare; the profession and wider society; clients, stakeholders, communities and government; and sustainability.
- It's aim is to fully prepare you for graduate roles, with the knowledge, skills, awareness and professionalism expected by graduate employers.
How you’re taught
How will I learn?
- The Degree Apprenticeship route is taught one day a week during term time, and, where possible, you'll be taught alongside full-time students on the BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering course.
- Your typical day will run from 9 am through to about 7.30 pm, and normally three different subject areas are taught on each day.
- The course is organised into structured modules and is delivered through lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminar groups, site visits, laboratory sessions, and individual and group projects.
- The delivery of the course is enhanced by the incorporation of guest lectures delivered by external practitioner experts, extensive use of case studies and projects (some set by real companies).
- The duration of your Degree Apprenticeship is based on a typical 30-hour working week, with 6 hours per week being used for off-the-job training. If your weekly working hours are less than this, the apprenticeship may be extended.
Here's an example of how your 6 hours per week off-the-job training might look like:
Case Studies
Callum Finch
Callum, 24, works as a Site Engineer for Galliford Try. After gaining work experience on the A45/A46 Toll Bar End Project, he realised he wanted to do an apprenticeship to further his knowledge and experience in civil engineering. During his time at NTU, Callum states that the support he has gained from lecturers, support staff, and his employers have been fantastic, enabling him to enjoy his study and apply it to his work.
Read moreMatthew Sullivan
Matthew, 23, studies BEng Civil Engineering on a weekly release at NTU and works for Galliford Try. Matthew decided to take the apprenticeship route because he believes the apprenticeship will act as a “solid foundation” upon which he can build his career. Matthew commutes from Birmingham to study at NTU and expresses that “the student’s needs, especially in the case of part-time students, are understood and catered for”.
Read moreCareers and employability
Your future
This course is designed to support and develop your work-based learning, enabling you to progress in your career, equipped with the skills and knowledge to succeed.
During your Apprenticeship, you'll be allocated a workplace mentor, and an academic mentor to coach you, bringing together the skills, knowledge and experience of your employer with the academic expertise of the University.
Recent graduate roles from our BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering course include graduate engineer, site engineer, and design engineer.
Employability team
Our expert Employability team will work closely with you at every stage of your career planning, providing personal support and advice. You can benefit from this service at any time during your studies, and for up to three years after completing your course. Our Employability team runs a series of events throughout the year specifically for Construction students, including our Property, Design and Construction fair, bringing together our students with prospective employers.
NTU Enterprise
You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.
Campus and facilities
Facilities for Civil Engineering students
The School has a range of specialist industry-standard facilities to enable you to maximise your development and apply your project work to practice. These include dedicated surveying, concrete, materials, hydraulics, geotechnical and technology labs and structural testing equipment.
IT resources
Our IT resource rooms and PC clusters are distributed across the City Campus.
Books and library resources
In our modern library, you'll have access to an extensive and diverse range of books and periodicals that focus on specialist areas within the Built Environment. The library's OneSearch system provides access to all our electronic resources, journals and books.
Within the library there's a liaison librarian who has specialist Civil Engineering subject knowledge. They can offer detailed help in finding and using print and electronic resources, and also support on things such as Harvard referencing and research skills.
Entry requirements
120 UCAS Tariff points
To undertake our Civil Engineering Degree Apprenticeship you'll need to be in employment with a relevant employer. Your employer must also meet necessary requirements, read our guidance for employers for more information.
For help and advice about sourcing employment opportunities, please get in touch with our Apprenticeship team.
Entry requirements
120 UCAS Tariff points
Individual employers will set the selection criteria for their Apprentices in terms of employment and eligibility. Applicants for this course must meet the published entry requirements below:
- 120 UCAS Tariff points from up to three A-levels or equivalent qualifications, including an A-level grade C equivalent in Maths and excluding General Studies; or
- DMM from BTEC National Diploma (18 Units) in an Engineering subject. Applicants must gain Merit grades in both the Mathematics for Technicians AND Further Mathematics for Technicians units if they do not have a grade C in A-level Mathematics; or
- Merit from T-level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction; or
- A successfully completed Level 3 Apprenticeship as a Civil Engineering Technician.
And
- GCSEs – English and Maths grade C / 4.
Applicants applying without A-levels will have their qualifications assessed for subject compatibility.
All successful applicants must meet the criteria for Apprentices set by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA).
Other relevant qualifications or prior experience may also be considered as an alternative. NTU will liaise with the employer to determine their requirements.
Advanced entry
NTU may admit a student with advanced standing beyond the beginning of a course, through an assessment of that student's prior learning, whether it is certificated or uncertificated. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available to these prospective students, such as recognising experiential learning or transferring to a similar course at another institution, otherwise known as credit transfer.
All prospective students who wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning should initially contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email apprenticeships@ntu.ac.uk or call on +44 (0)115 848 2589.
Fees and funding
How is an apprenticeship funded?
As an Apprentice, you're not required to pay tuition fees to the University – your employer will sponsor you instead. As of April 2017, there is allocated funding accessible for many UK employers, and depending on the size of the organisation, certain co-investment or full funding is also available from the government.
All this means that Apprentices are not entitled to student finance and do not acquire student debt. Instead, Apprentices will earn a full-time wage from their employer alongside their learning.
For further details about how an Apprenticeship is funded, please visit our Information for Employers page.
Find out more
We can guide you through the complexities of applying, employer commitments, and fees and funding. Contact our Apprenticeship team via email.
How to apply
How to apply
Applications to this course can be made through NTU Applicant Portal
Candidates are not required to attend an interview for this course.
Information for your employer
We have lots of useful advice and guidance on our website to help you discuss your options with your employer.