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Civil Engineering Top-up (Part-time) BSc (Hons)
- Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
- Start Date(s): September 2023
- Duration: Two years part-time day release
- Study Mode(s): Part-time
- Campus: City Campus
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Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
Civil engineers find creative ways to solve real-world problems by developing the physical infrastructure society needs to exist – from bridges and houses, through to roads, hospitals and train stations.
Taught for one day a week, this part-time BSc (Hons) Civil Engineering Top-up course enables those who have already completed their HND and are working in the industry, or who have relevant work experience, to acquire further professional qualifications.
It is accredited by professional industry bodies and designed to provide you with both a practical and broad civil engineering education – focusing on both the theory and practice of civil engineering, with a strong emphasis on practical and project work.
Take a look at our course comparison page to see the differences between our BSc, BEng and MEng Civil Engineering degrees.
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Take the first step in gaining Incorporated Engineer status – this course is accredited as fully satisfying the educational base for an Incorporated Engineer (IEng). -
You'll study alongside students from civil engineering and construction companies, enabling you to learn from each other and develop a wide appreciation of the industry. -
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 part-time degree develops together the theory and practice of civil engineering, with a strong emphasis on practical and project work.
Our part-time route is designed for those already working in the industry, or who have experience, to acquire further professional qualifications and apply their learning to their live working experience. NTU provides support and resources to make studying as easy and flexible as possible, including a virtual learning environment, enabling you to study from home or work.
Further Structural Engineering (20 credits)
- This module aims to broaden your knowledge of the conceptual design of structural elements to the recommendations of published guidance.
- You'll be introduced to the factors that affect the stability of framed building structures, and to the common methods of ensuring the stability and robustness of these types of structures.
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.
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 and 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.
Individual with Group 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.
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.
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How you’re taught
How will I study?
- The part-time study route is taught one day a week and, where possible, part-time students are taught alongside full-time students on the BSc Civil Engineering full-time course.
- Your typical day will run from 9 am through to 7.30 pm, and normally three different subject areas are taught on each day. In Year Four, the formal contact hours are reduced to allow time to focus on the individual project.
- The course is organised into structured modules and is delivered through lectures, seminars, and extensive practical and project work.
NTU provides support and resources to make studying as easy and flexible as possible, including a virtual learning environment that enables you to study from home or work.
The course aims to develop your intellectual, practical and personal skills, together with the theory and practice of civil engineering.
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.
Optional trips may also be organised which can provide additional opportunities to enhance your knowledge and experience. These optional trips may incur a cost to the student.
How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed through a mix of coursework, practical exercises and exams. The coursework will make up the majority of your assessment and will consist of group and individual projects, reports, presentations and essays. You will receive feedback throughout each module.
Careers and employability
Our course is designed to prepare you to succeed in the construction industry. As well as providing the necessary vocational and professional skills for a successful career, this course also develops transferable qualities such as communication, time management, analysis, teamwork, and IT skills.
Recent growth in UK industry has revealed a skills shortage in this area. You'll graduate with desirable skills and knowledge, boosting your employment prospects.
Where do Civil Engineering graduates from NTU work?
NTU has a strong civil engineering alumni community, with many graduates working in senior positions in leading national and international companies.
Recent BSc Civil Engineering graduate destinations include:
- Balfour Beatty: graduate civil engineer, junior civil engineer, junior site engineer, site engineer, trainee civil engineer
- VolkerFitzpatrick: site engineer, site engineering assistant, assistant engineer
- Clugston: assistant site manager
- Jackson Civil Engineering: site engineer
- Laing O'Rourke: civil engineer
- Martin Redston Associates: structural engineer
- Morgan Sindall: tunnel engineer
- North Midland Construction: project engineer, design coordinator.
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. .
Find out more about career options in civil engineering on the Institution of Civil Engineers website.
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 concrete, materials, hydraulics, geotechnical and technology labs, surveying equipment, and structural testing machinery.
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
What are we looking for?
For advanced entry to Year One of the course:
- a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Civil Engineering or equivalent qualification.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions team or call +44 (0)115 848 4200.
Fees and funding
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, that’s why we’re here to help.
Take a look at our fees and funding pages for lots of handy advice and guidance.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
Additional costs
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our modern library, industry-standard workshops and study spaces, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.
Library books
You’ll need to cover the cost of your own books, standard drawing and writing equipment and consumables. However, our City Campus library is home to four floors of books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! Our library team work closely with our academics to ensure that our library collection closely matches the topics you’ll be studying, to provide relevant resources for you to use, free of charge.
Printing and materials costs
Students should also budget approximately £100 per year to cover any printing or materials that they may require to support their studies. Students may choose to apply for a placement option during their course.
Our Students’ Union shop and Bonington art shop are great places to pick up drawing and writing equipment at reasonable prices and are located right in the centre of our City Campus.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
Our Building Blocks financial package: supporting you throughout your studies
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.
- £20 pre-paid printing allowance for use at the NTU Print Shops, and library photocopiers. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
ICE Scholarship
The Institution of Civil Engineers have a yearly opportunity to apply for the ICE QUEST undergraduate scholarships. These scholarships provide:
- £8,000 over the course of your study
- paid work placements every summer
- the potential of a full-time job with a leading civil engineering or construction company when you graduate
- experience and knowledge that are good for your CV and your career – especially if you want to become an incorporated or chartered civil engineer
For more information, please visit the Institution of Civil Engineers website.
How to apply
Applications to this course can be made through our NTU Applicant Portal - click on the Apply button at the top of the page.
Candidates are not required to attend an interview for this course.
Application deadline
Applications can be submitted up until the start of the course in September, but places are subject to availability so we advise applying early.
Non-standard applicants
We welcome applications from students who may not meet the entry criteria but hold relevant work experience. We will assess applicants of this nature on an individual basis. Non-standard applicants can submit their applications through the NTU Application Portal too.
Keeping up to date
After you've applied, we'll send you important emails throughout the application process – so please check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder. You can find more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions team or call +44 (0)115 848 4200.