Civil with Environmental Engineering

A Brighton Civil with Environmental Engineering MEng degree prepares you to design, plan and deliver infrastructure that supports communities while protecting the environment – from flood defenses and water treatment systems to sustainable transport and renewable energy projects.

At Brighton you’ll become part of a welcoming, supportive community that helps you grow, no matter what your background. This integrated masters course combines advanced civil engineering knowledge with environmental expertise, giving you the confidence, technical skills and leadership tools to succeed at the highest level.

Brighton graduates go on to work in civil and environmental engineering consultancies, construction firms, water companies and local or national government or progress to Chartered Engineer status and senior leadership roles.

Top reasons to choose this course

• Accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) – professional recognition for your degree.

• Fully meets the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) – the MEng route provides the academic foundation for chartered status.

• Final year at masters level – develop leadership, project management and research skills through a major individual project and specialist modules.

• Excellent career prospects – Brighton civil engineering courses rank 2nd in the UK for student satisfaction and 12th for graduate prospects (Complete University Guide).

• Dual expertise – combine advanced civil engineering technical skills with construction management knowledge to give you a competitive edge.

• Industrial Advisory Board support – benefit from expert advice, networking opportunities and one-to-one meetings with professionals to help you plan your career and secure placements.

• Industry-focused learning – fieldwork, site visits and guest lectures from professionals.

• Specialist facilities – including concrete, hydraulics, soils and dynamics labs, plus a wave tank room.

• Learn Building Information Modelling (BIM) – gain a professional advantage with digital design skills.

• Placement opportunities – choose an optional paid placement year with employers such as Balfour Beatty, Mott MacDonald and South East Water.

Why Brighton is a great place to study Civil with Environmental Engineering
Less than an hour from central London, our Moulsecoomb campus puts you at the heart of a city powered by engineering, construction and infrastructure innovation. Brighton is home to thriving local industries, major civil engineering consultancies and active regional projects, all within easy reach of your lectures and labs.

You’ll study in a community that’s diverse, welcoming and well connected, with transport links that make site visits, employer events and placement opportunities part of everyday learning.

Course Modules

Year 1
You’ll build a strong foundation in civil engineering principles and learn skills in surveying, structural analysis, material science, soil mechanics and engineering geology, supported by practical labs and fieldwork. Maths and statistics for engineering problem-solving are introduced, and you will explore professional practice, health and safety and environmental considerations. You’ll also take part in a group project linked to the Engineering for People Design Challenge.

Core modules
Land and Construction Surveying
Structural and Stress Analysis
Construction Materials
Engineering Geology and Soil Mechanics
Mathematics for Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering Practice

Year 2
You’ll deepen your understanding of structural behaviour, concrete technology, soil mechanics and hydraulics and develop advanced analytical and numerical modelling skills. Practical lab work and computational techniques help you apply theory to real engineering challenges. You can also explore environmental themes such as pollution control, climate change and sustainable resource management, alongside digital skills in GIS and remote sensing. You will grow your technical expertise and environmental awareness.

Core modules
Structural Analysis
Concrete Technology and Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures
Geotechnical Engineering 1
Hydraulics
Computational Mathematics

Options*
Earth Surface Processes
Environmental Pollution
GIS and Remote Sensing Principles and Practice

Optional Placement Year
If you choose a salaried placement after year 2, you will gain hands-on experience in the civil engineering industry and apply your academic knowledge to real-world projects, develop technical and professional skills and build industry contacts. The placement enhances your employability and confidence to give you a competitive edge when starting your career.

Year 3
You will focus on advanced design and environmental engineering and tailor your studies through specialist options. You’ll deepen your understanding of structural and geotechnical design, environmental assessment and integrated approaches to complex projects. Practical experience is central; you’ll work on multidisciplinary group projects and design-and-build tasks, testing your solutions in the lab. Option modules allow you to explore areas such as hydraulic systems, digital design technologies, water quality and climate resilience.

Core modules
Design of Steel Structures
Integrated Approach to Design of Structures
Geotechnical Engineering 2
Environmental Impact Assessment

Options*
Applied Hydraulics
Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing
Building Information Modelling
Dynamics of Structures
Sustainable Construction
The Frozen Planet
Water, Sanitation and Health
Current Topics in Aquatic Environments

Final year
You’ll complete a major individual research project and develop advanced expertise in civil and environmental engineering. You’ll focus on project management and can specialise in areas like coastal and aquatic systems, water quality and recycling technologies, sustainable construction, environmental assessment and management and advanced geotechnical and structural design. This year equips you with high-level technical, analytical and leadership skills, preparing you for professional practice and progression toward Chartered Engineer status.

Core modules
MEng Individual Project

Options*
Wave Mechanics and Structural Loading
Bridge Loads and Analysis
Hydrology and Pollutant Transport
Sustainable Construction
Key Concepts in Environmental Assessment and Management
Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering
Dynamics of Structures with Earthquake Engineering Applications
Random Vibration of Structures
Transport Modelling for Civil Engineering Applications
Applications in GIS
Water Quality Assessment and Management
Water Recycling Technology

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.