Civil Engineering with Foundation Year

Boost your employability with a year on placement as part of your degree. Our strong industry links help you secure vital experience in engineering roles with SMEs, national and international firms.

Our foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.

KEY FEATURES OF THE COURSE:

• RANKINGS: Our Civil Engineering courses have been ranked in the Top 15 for student satisfaction with the Complete University Guide 2026 and in the Top 20 for learning resources in the National Student Survey 2025.

• ACCREDITATION: BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering is accredited by the Institution of Structural Engineers, the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, the Permanent Way Institution and the Institute of Highway Engineers on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer and partly meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

• FACILITIES: You'll study in our fantastic facilities at Markeaton Street. Our STEM centre houses a range of equipment which you'll use throughout your studies, including a 10m flume, a state-of-the-art ground penetrating radar and a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) with survey and thermal imaging capabilities.

• LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES: You'll learn through a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials, on and off-site laboratory and site work, and visits to companies. You'll work on real life projects and case studies, so you'll be able to put your theory into practice and develop the knowledge and skills employers are looking for.

• WORK EXPERIENCE: We offer a year industrial placement which will take place between the second and final year of your degree and there are a large number of SMEs, large, national and international companies who are looking for placement students each year. There is a range of support available for students who are looking to enhance their employability whilst studying including internships, placements and graduate roles.

• EXPERT TEACHING: You'll be taught by experienced civil engineering practitioners who are highly skilled in this field, ensuring you are taught to a high professional standard.

WHAT YOU'LL COVER:

• This course will enhance your skills in advanced areas of civil engineering theory, particularly structures and infrastructure design. You'll develop a thorough understanding of the process of civil engineering technical design and management. You'll also be introduced to key design skills in structures, fluids, geology, soil mechanics, surveying and materials.

HOW YOU'RE ASSESSED:

• You'll be assessed through workshop laboratories, surveying fieldwork, group work and individual assignments. Some traditional exams may be involved for design tests.

YOUR CAREER.

• When you graduate, you'll have lots of career opportunities in civil engineering in fields such as design, maintenance, asset management and construction. You could work in private companies which specialise in contracting or consulting, for local authorities, water companies, Network Rail or the Highways Agency, for example.

STUDY OPTIONS:

• This course is available with a Foundation Year option.

• This course is available with an Industrial Placement Year.