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Civil Engineering (with Foundation Year) BSc (Hons)

UCAS code: H209 (Full-time)

Start year

Information for 2025

About this course

Created as a unique gateway to our degree courses, this course prepares you for degree-level study through hands-on experience and core knowledge. You'll explore construction processes, surveying, sustainability, materials science, structural principles, and engineering maths. Live site visits, real-world projects, and team-based design challenges give you the skills and confidence to thrive in civil engineering.

This course will provide you with a broad civil engineering education, focusing on the design, analysis and construction skills that are so vital for the industry. You'll be equipped with abilities to develop sustainable and cost-effective design ideas, learning about key civil engineering concepts such as structures, materials, geotechnics and mathematics.

You'll become an expert in applying your understanding of practical engineering techniques to find innovative solutions to real-world built environment challenges. Through industry-facing projects, site visits, this course will give you all the skills needed to begin a successful career in Civil Engineering.

  • 2nd most sustainable university in the world (UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2024).
  • Our Employability team provides personalised support throughout your journey, available during and up to three years after your course.
  • 100% of BSc (Hons) Civil Engineering sandwich students find their course intellectually stimulating (NSS, 2024).
  • Experience hands-on learning at our state-of-the-art labs—concrete, materials, hydraulics, geotechnics, and structural testing.

What you’ll study

Our course exposes you to the exciting and rapidly expanding world of construction, preparing you to take on the challenges of developing and maintaining the infrastructure that underpins society. The course develops together the theory and practice of civil engineering, with an emphasis on the practical nature of civil engineering and the application and management of current technologies.

The final year of the course builds upon the engineering knowledge and practice developed in Years One and Two and broadens the curriculum, addressing issues such as people management, finance, professional ethics, and transportation issues.

During the course you will undertake the following modules:

Year One

  • Introduction to Construction Technology (20 credits)
  • Introduction to Surveying (20 credits)
  • Introduction to Construction Science and Materials (20 credits)
  • Sustainable Design Project (40 credits)
  • Managing a Small Scale Construction Project (20 credits)

Year Two

  • Civil Engineering Design Projects (40 credits)
  • Sustainable Engineering Materials (20 credits)
  • Engineering Surveying (20 credits)
  • Introduction to Structural Engineering (20 credits)
  • Mathematics (20 credits)

Year Three

  • Civil Engineering Construction (20 credits)
  • Construction Practice and the Environment (20 credits)
  • Engineering Skills (20 credits)
  • Further Engineering Mathematics (20 credits)
  • Ground Engineering (20 credits)
  • Structural Engineering (20 credits)

Final Year

  • Dissertation and Work Like Project (40 credits)
  • Management and Transportation Studies (20 credits)
  • Further Structural Engineering (20 credits)
  • Ground Engineering, Water Resources and the Environment (20 credits)
  • Professional Responsibilities and Development in Civil Engineering (20 credits)

Introduction to Construction Technology (20 credits)

  • You will explore how the built environment is designed, regulated, and developed, gaining insight into the key stages of construction from the ground up.
  • Understand the roles and responsibilities of industry professionals while considering health, safety, environmental, and sustainability factors in modern construction.

Introduction to Surveying (20 credits)

  • Gain hands-on experience in surveying for construction and civil engineering, using specialist equipment and techniques to plot, measure, and calculate areas and volumes.
  • Apply your learning to real-world projects through site visits, guest speakers, and practical assignments, building a portfolio that showcases your ability to interpret data and work safely in the industry.

Introduction to Construction Science and Materials (20 credits)

  • Discover the principles behind construction and civil engineering, exploring material properties, sustainability, energy efficiency, and regulatory considerations.
  • Develop a strong foundation in structural behaviour and material science, including stress-strain relationships and problem-solving using mathematical techniques.

Sustainable Design Project (40 credits)

  • Apply your knowledge to sustainably design and manage a construction project, developing 2D sketches, evaluating materials, and considering risks and regulations.
  • Explore key project stages and stakeholder roles while embedding sustainability and health and safety principles throughout the process.

Managing a Small Scale Construction Project (20 credits)

  • Learn how to manage a small-scale construction project from start to finish, using industry tools to oversee budgets, timeframes, and scheduling.
  • Develop an understanding of key roles and responsibilities in project management, applying practical skills to organise and evaluate real-world construction tasks.

Civil Engineering Design Projects (40 credits)

  • This module will form an introduction to the construction industry, and the key roles played by civil engineering professionals.
  • You'll look at areas such health and safety, environmental and sustainability considerations, legislation, and the role of construction in the UK economy.
  • The module will also focus on building your professional communication skills, through presentations, an introduction to computer-aided design, and career planning.

Sustainable 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 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 tutorials, 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 terrain and features.

Introduction to Structural Engineering (20 credits)

  • This module aims to provide you with knowledge of relevant statics, and a quantitative and qualitative appreciation of structural elements, loadings, and the behaviour and design of beams and triangulated frameworks.
  • The module will also develop your knowledge of statistical analysis.

Mathematics (20 credits)

  • This module will act as a thorough introduction to mathematics and statistics, improving your ability to apply numeracy to typical civil engineering tasks.

Civil Engineering Construction (20 credits)

  • In this module, you'll explore a range of techniques, materials, equipment and process that are used in the design and construction of civil engineering projects.
  • Site and project constraints will initially be considered on a project, before evaluating possible solutions in terms of efficiency, cost, practicality, aesthetics, risk, time, quality, safety, the environment, and sustainability.

Construction Practice and the Environment (20 credits)

  • 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, contract and commercial documentation and administration, and health and safety.

Engineering Skills (20 credits)

  • This module will develop your communication, information technology and practical skills relevant to the field of civil engineering.
  • You will be introduced to new and emerging technologies as used in the construction industry.
  • Using simulated work situations, you'll allow for the development of wider skills that will be of value in the world of work.

Further Engineering Mathematics (20 credits)

  • Building on the skills you developed in Year One, this module will further develop your mathematical and statistical abilities, appropriate for civil engineering at IEng level.

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.

Structural Engineering (20 credits)

  • This module aims to provide you with an introduction to the structural behaviour of elements in reinforced concrete and steelwork and timber.
  • The design procedures introduced will use standard codes of practice (Eurocodes).
  • This module will require you to create a structural scheme design for a multistorey building.

Dissertation and Work Like Project (40 credits)

  • 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.

Management and Transportation Studies (20 credits)

  • This module focuses on two main themes: management theory and practice within the construction industry, and transport policy. The aim of the module is to broaden your experience within the civil engineering discipline, providing useful context and skills for graduate roles.
  • You'll look at areas such as marketing, pitching or tendering for business, business audits, and scenario planning.
  • You'll also look at transport policy formulation and implementation from local to international levels, with module content ranging from the development of sustainable mobility to techniques for managing and controlling traffic.

Further Structural Engineering (20 credits)

  • The module will broaden your knowledge of the conceptual design of structural elements to the recommendations of published guidance.
  • You will also have an  introduction into the factors that affect the stability of framed building structures acting as three dimensional entities. It will also introduce common methods of ensuring the stability and robustness of these types of structures.
  • You will also have an introduction into the use of the Eurocodes for the design of structural elements in reinforced concrete, timber and structural steelwork.

Ground Engineering, Water Resources and the Environment (20 credits)

  • Within the context of sustainable development, this module will introduce you to the engineering implications of ground-based structures and water resources, examining the environmental and legislative context surrounding this type of project.
  • You will learn to analyse some typical engineering problems involved in the management of foundations, geotechnical structures, water supplies, and associated fluid principles.

Professional Responsibilities and Development in Civil Engineering (20 credits)

  • This module is based around four themes: health, safety and welfare; the profession and wider society; clients, stakeholders, communities and government; and sustainability.
  • Its aim is to fully prepare you for graduate roles, with the knowledge, skills, awareness and professionalism expected by graduate employers.

We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.

Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves

Student Profiles

Jake Atkinson

Civil Engineering

NTU should definitely be a first choice when applying for University. The range of activities and opportunities available to you are vast. You’ll grow as a person and become a better student at NTU.

Billy James

I did a yearlong placement with NMCN, a company which NTU has great links with. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and finished my placement with a graduate job offer from NMCN.

Alex Gentleman

Civil Engineering

What you get out is proportional to what you put into this degree – I'd recommend making the most of the facilities available and the support from staff, within the curriculum and extra-curricular activities.

Video Gallery

 

How you're taught

You’ll learn through a mix of:

  • lectures - covering the key theories
  • seminars - smaller-group sessions perfect for learning key skills and collaborative working
  • practical exercises - including IT sessions and computer-aided design (CAD), concrete testing and field work
  • project work  - self-directed study with the support of NOW, our virtual learning environment.

Beyond scheduled sessions, independent study is crucial. This involves preparing for lectures, research, coursework, portfolio development, and directed reading to broaden your knowledge.

A placement year may be taken between year 2 and year 3 of study.

100% of BSc (Hons) Civil Engineering sandwich students find their course intellectually stimulating (NSS, 2024).

Study trips

Field trips and study visits are an important part of your learning. Trips may include site visits to live projects and residential study trips. Where a trip is mandatory it will be aligned to your modules and inform project work, and substantive costs – including travel and accommodation – will be paid for by the school.

Please note that field trip locations may vary and are subject to availability and change.

Our links with industry

Our industry-connected course guarantees relevant content through live projects set by companies, guest lectures, site visits, awards, and placements.

For example, recent final year students took part in a project to design part of a new super cycleway between Toton and Nottingham city centre.

How you're assessed

People excel in different ways, and we want everybody to have the best possible chance of success. You will be assessed through:

  • coursework, this will make up the majority of your assessments and will consist of group and individual projects, formal reports, presentations, and essays.
  • practical exercises, such as individual and group presentations, and laboratory assessments
  • exams, including formal exams and written tests.

Staff Profiles

Bahareh Kaveh (Dr) - Principal Lecturer

School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment

Dr Kaveh is a Civil Engineer with a PhD in numerical modelling. She is teaching Advanced Structural Design to Undergraduate and Postgraduate Civil Engineering students at NTU.

David Russhard - Principal Lecturer

School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment

David Russhard is a lecturer / senior lecturer in civil engineering in the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment.

Zakwan Arab - Senior Lecturer

School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment

Zakwan Arab is the Module Leader of DESN30114: Ground Eng, Water Resources (BSc Finale year) and is responsible for designing, delivering and assessing lectures, seminars and labs.

Anton Ianakiev - Professor Emeritus

School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment

Learn about Dr Anton Ianakiev who serves as Professor Emeritus in Sustainable Energy Systems for the School of Architecture, Design and Built Environment.

Yasameen Al-Ameen - Senior Lecturer

School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment

Yasameen Al-Ameen

Matthew Newman - Senior Lecturer

School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment

Matthew Newman is a Senior Lecturer in Engineering Surveying in the school of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment, department of Civil Engineering and the Course Leader for the Civil…

Agnes Boscoe-Wallace - Senior Lecturer

School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment

Agnes Boscoe-Wallace

Hynda Klalib-Aoun - Senior Lecturer

School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment

Dr Klalib-Aoun is a qualified Engineer with a long career in Academia. She teaches Structural Engineering and Construction Materials.

Syed Mohyuddin - Head of Department

School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment

Syed Mohyuddin is the Head of the Civil Engineering Department of the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment. Within this role he is responsible for the management and

Careers and employability

Our course is designed to prepare you to succeed in the construction industry. Through working on real projects from industry, fieldwork, and regularly updated course content, you'll be equipped with skills and experience to carry with you for the rest of your professional career.

Where do Civil Engineering graduates from NTU work?

NTU's vibrant civil engineering alumni excel in leading national and international companies. Recent BSc (Hons) Civil Engineering grads secured roles including Graduate Engineer, Assistant Construction Manager, Assistant Surveyor and Graduate Development Manager and worked in companies such as:

  • VolkerFitzpatrick
  • Winvic
  • Amey plc
  • Jackson Civil Engineering
  • Milestone Infrastructure.

Employability team

Our Employability team provides personalised support throughout your journey, available during and up to three years after your course. Explore civil engineering career options on the Institution of Civil Engineers website.

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

Experience state-of-the-art learning environments at our school, equipped with industry-standard facilities tailored to elevate your skills. Unleash your potential in specialised labs for concrete, materials, hydraulics, geotechnics, and technology. Utilise cutting-edge surveying equipment and structural testing machinery to bring your projects to life.

IT resources

Our IT resource rooms and PC clusters are distributed across the City Campus.

Books and library resources

In our modern Boots 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 is 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

UK students

Standard offer: 72 UCAS Tariff points from three A-levels or equivalent. GCSE English and Maths grade C / 4.

To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.

International students

Academic entry requirements: 72 UCAS Tariff points from three A-levels or equivalent. GCSE English and Maths grade C / 4.  We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international entry requirements by country.

English language requirements:  See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.

Policies

We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.

Fees and funding

UK students

- see the fees for this course, as well as information about funding and support.

£9,535 per year

Find out about the extra support we may be able to provide to help pay for uni, including NTU bursaries and scholarships.

You will need to pay tuition fees for each year that you are at university. The tuition fees, including the placement year and study abroad options are subject to government policy and may change in future years of study.

Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but we don’t want you to feel anxious or confused about it. Visit our fees and funding pages if you have any concerns.

International students

- see the fees for this course, as well as payment advice and scholarships.
  • £17,500 per year

You will need to pay tuition fees for each year that you are at university. The tuition fees might increase from the second year of your undergraduate course, in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government.

Scholarships

We offer international scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for a scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.

Living costs

See our advice on managing your money and the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham.

Paying fees

As an international student, you'll need to make an advance payment of £6,000 when you've accepted your offer to study at NTU. You'll then need to pay your tuition fees in full, or have an agreement to pay in two further instalments, before the start date of your course.

Find out how and when to pay your fees, including information about advance payments, instalment dates and how to make payments securely to the University.

Enquiries

If you have any queries relating to advance payments or arrangements to pay, please contact our friendly and experienced international enquiries team.

Additional costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses. There are just a few additional things you may need to budget for:

Textbooks and library books

Most modules will recommend one or more core textbooks, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential textbooks, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) - meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.

Printing and photocopying costs

The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the printing and photocopying information on the Library website.

Building Blocks financial package

As a student at the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment, you’ll also benefit from our Building Blocks financial package, which aims to help minimise the additional costs of study, while you’re here at NTU.

What you’ll receive

  • All of the materials needed for induction workshops and activities, working within our workshops and laboratories.
  • Free personal protective equipment (PPE), which usually includes hard-wearing boots, goggles and high-vis vests, to keep you safe on site visits and while working in our workshops.
  • Access to the free professional body accreditation, as appropriate for your course.

Field trips

All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.

Year abroad

If you choose to study abroad for a year, you may need to consider additional costs such as visas, vaccinations, accommodation and travel expenses.

Fees and funding advice

For more advice and guidance, you can email our Student Money Team or phone us on +44 (0)115 848 2494.

Cost of living information and support

Managing your money can help you make the most of life at NTU. Here's how we can support you, and now you can make your funding go further.

How to apply

Apply through UCAS.

As part of your application, you’ll submit a personal statement. Tell us about your ambitions, skills and experience. You have 4,000 characters to impress us – here’s how to make your words count.

Keeping up to date

After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page.

You can apply for this course through UCAS.

If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU Applicant Portal.

Application advice

Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example.  After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

Writing your personal statement

Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:

Would you like some advice on your study plans? 

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.

Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.