Civil Engineering with a Foundation Year

Civil engineers are vital to the design of our built environment. From bridges, tunnels and transport systems, to buildings, flood defences and water management, their performance is fundamental to modern society.

This degree gives you a strong grounding in the design and analysis of civil engineering structures. You will develop complex problem-solving skills, gain the ability to sketch and model engineering solutions, and will become comfortable preparing technical reports.

As you progress, your developing analytical abilities will combine with hands-on experience, using state-of-the-art equipment, and establishing skills which are vital to securing employment in the civil engineering industry.

You will be taught by a team of research-active academics and staff with wide civil engineering industry experience. This combination ensures that you benefit from both cutting-edge research and practical experience.

You will also benefit from having access to advanced facilities with high grade laboratories that support innovative testing across the various civil engineering sectors. The fluids laboratory has a suite of experiments to demonstrate the fundamental behaviour and properties of fluids, as well as a five-metre experimental flume with wave paddle for real-world studies. Our well-equipped geomechanics laboratory enables the analysis of a wide range of soil parameters. You can also use our sophisticated range of Topcon surveying equipment to get hands-on experience before going out on site.

The optional Foundation Year for this programme can give you an exciting introduction to higher education, setting you up with the skills, confidence, and knowledge that you’ll need to be successful in your undergraduate degree. It’s ideal if you need a little more support after further education, or are returning to education after a gap. Following successful completion of the Foundation Year, you will progress onto Year 1 of your degree.

In Year 0, you will typically study areas including: Fundamentals of Engineering Design, Chemistry of Materials, Fundamentals of Engineering Science, Engineering Tutorials: Foundation Year, Fundamentals of Engineering Science.

In Year 1, you will typically study areas including: Introduction to Civil Engineering Materials, Engineering for People Hackathon, Applied Mechanics (Aero), Surveying and Introductory Highways Design.

In Year 2, you will typically study areas including: AI, Machine Learning and Data Analysis, Civil Engineering Design Methods, Civil Engineering Management, Research Project Preparation.

In Year 3, you will typically study areas including: Finite Elements for Civil Engineers, Hydrology and Unsteady Flow, Civil Engineering Design Practice & Management, Coastal processes and engineering.