Civil Engineering

From transport networks to housing developments, bridges to energy security; our hands-on degree will build the knowledge, practical experience and industry connections you need to make a real impact on the world around you.

Hands-on projects from day one
You’ll build valuable problem-solving and team-working skills before you know it, working on real-world engineering challenges that get you thinking, designing and constructing.

Industry-aligned teaching
You’ll join a course co-designed with industry partners ensuring that we deliver a course that is closely aligned with future industry needs, making your degree truly future-proof.

Stand-out work experience
Work as a paid student engineer in an optional placement, applying your knowledge in real-world settings and building helpful industry contacts to kickstart your career.

This course is for you if...

• you're passionate about designing and constructing infrastructure that benefits society

• you aspire to address sustainable development challenges

• you're eager to get hands-on experience from site visits and in the lab

• you aim to become a Chartered Civil Engineer with global opportunities.

Course Modules

Year 1
Get ready for an exciting start to your career as a civil engineer! Our "learning by doing" ethos is at the heart of our teaching approach. You will join forces with fellow engineering students in our unique, purpose-built laboratories to experience the fascinating world of engineering materials, structures and fluid mechanics. Alongside this hands-on approach, you will develop insight into the underpinning engineering science and mathematics that govern how the real world behaves.
By the end of this year, you will have developed capabilities in core IT and computer aided design skills, and used your imagination and creativity to resolve real-world engineering challenges.

Year 2
In your second year, you will deepen your core understanding of Civil Engineering required for the creation of infrastructure essential for our society. This will include structural design, geotechnics, fluid dynamics and the management of large-scale projects. You will grow your creative skills with advanced CAD tools and industry-standard software, while learning to think like a civil engineer. In parallel, an extensive programme of career development support will supercharge your professional and transferrable skills in readiness for the workplace, helping you to find the perfect placement.
You will be introduced to Coastal Engineering, a specialism of the University of Plymouth. You will start to explore how engineers protect coastal communities from the impacts of climate change, developing the expertise to tackle some of the world's most urgent challenges.

Optional placement year
The optional placement year is a fantastic opportunity to advance your career as a professional engineer by working in a commercial engineering team. The placement gives you invaluable experience beyond the classroom environment, developing skills crucial to your future employment. This will be your opportunity to experience day-to-day life on a construction site or in a design office, for example, in buildings, railways, bridges, highways, and river engineering schemes.

Final year
The most significant element of this year is your dissertation project where you will apply all the skills and knowledge that you have learned to explore a topic that you find truly fascinating. This hands-on research challenge allows you to develop deeper insight and knowledge into an area that aligns to your careers aspirations.

Alongside your dissertation you will deepen your understanding of the core technical subjects in civil engineering with a particular focus on designing sustainable infrastructure solutions.

For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• Civil Engineers, Institution of
• Highway Engineers, Institute of (IHE)
• The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation
• Structural Engineers, Institution of
• Permanent Way Institution