Engineering (Civil), BEng

Engineering (Civil), BEng

Introduction

Civil Engineering is all about the environment and infrastructure that makes up the modern world. Civil Engineers design, build and maintain our roads, railways, airports, dams, industrial facilities, power stations, coastal protection and harbour works, hospitals, sports stadiums and much more.

If you are interested in making lasting, positive improvements to society, in sustainable design for the protection of the natural environment on land or at sea, in improving the quality of life for millions of people using novel building techniques and materials, then civil engineering is an excellent choice.

Study Information

At a Glance

Learning Mode
On Campus Learning
Degree Qualification
BEng
Duration
48 months
Study Mode
Full Time
Start Month
September
UCAS Code
H200
Pathway Programme Available
Undergraduate Foundation Programme

Civil Engineers design, build and maintain (and decommission where appropriate) everything from transport infrastructure to power stations, from oil refineries to renewable energy schemes, hospitals, stadiums and much more. Civil Engineers also design water supply and effluent treatment systems and flood protection and environmental protection schemes and help keep our infrastructure working effectively by adapting to challenges like population growth or climate change.

At Aberdeen, you will be taught by leading Civil Engineering experts whose research covers areas such as environmental and industrial fluid mechanics, soil mechanics, structural mechanics and transport studies. Our teaching is supported by our excellent workshop and laboratories, with state-of-the-art equipment, including some of Scotland’s very best hydraulic equipment.

The first two years of our engineering degrees cover general engineering, with elements of chemical, mechanical, petroleum and electrical/electronics, as well as civil. In the later years, you specialise, following your chosen discipline in greater depth. You do not need to finalise your choice of specialisation until you begin your third year.

Our 4-year Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) programmes are accredited as fully meeting the educational requirements for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and partially meeting the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng). After the first two years, students on the four-year Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) have the opportunity to pursue the 5-year Masters of Engineering in their chosen discipline.

The School of Engineering has strong links with industry, including local, national and international organisations, who
support our teaching through guest lectures and seminars, placement opportunities, site visits and scholarships.

What You'll Study

The first two years cover general Engineering, with elements of Chemical, Mechanical, Petroleum and Electrical/Electronics, as well as Civil. In the later years you specialise, following your chosen discipline in greater depth. You do not need to finalise your choice of specialisation until you begin third year.

It is possible to move between MEng and BEng and this can be accomplished at any point until the second half session of fourth year. Successful BEng candidates will be offered the chance to change to the MEng and there is no quota, meaning that if grade requirements are met that transfer is guaranteed.

Compulsory Courses

Optional Courses

Select a further 45 credit points from courses of choice at Levels 1 or 2.

We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

  • Field Trips
  • Group Projects
  • Individual Projects
  • Lab Work
  • Lectures
  • Research
  • Tutorials

Assessment Methods

Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:

  • coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course;
  • practical assessments of the skills and competencies learnt on the course; and
  • written examinations at the end of each course.

The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, year of study and individual courses.

Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.

Why Study Engineering (Civil)?

    • 1st in Scotland for General Engineering (Complete University Guide 2022)
    • Teaching is supported by an excellent workshop and laboratories with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. Civil Engineering at Aberdeen has one of the best hydraulic laboratory facilities in Scotland associated with a high-level research profile.
    • The University of Aberdeen Engineering Society is a student-run group for both professional and social events. They welcome students from all disciplines and have a wide range of activities to suit your interests.
    • Our interdisciplinary approach means students gain experience in each engineering discipline, making them highly sought-after by employers. This flexibility also means you choose your specialisation once you have experienced all five disciplines.
    • According to the Royal Academy of Engineering, Aberdeen is one of 13 engineering hot spots in the UK with over 8,000 engineering businesses across the city and surrounding region. The School of Engineering has strong links with industry, who support our teaching through guest lectures and seminars, placement opportunities, site visits and scholarships.
    • There are many student societies directly related to engineering, where you can meet fellow engineering students and develop your interests and new skills, including Chemical Engineering Society, Civil Engineering Society, Electrical & Electronic Engineering Society, Mechanical Engineering Society as well as other than comprise of students from various disciplines, such as the Aerospace Engineering Society, Energy Transition Society, TAU Racing Society and PrototAU.

    Aberdeen Global Scholarship

    The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.

    View the Aberdeen Global Scholarship

    What Our Students Say

    Casimir de Bonneval

    Casimir de Bonneval

    Casimir de Bonneval

    If like me, you like big things - bridges, huge ships, the field of energy are going to need a lot of very competent engineers in the future and civil engineers are definitely going to be needed.

    Entry Requirements

    Qualifications

    The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.


    General Entry Requirements

    SQA Highers

    Standard: BBBB (Mathematics and Physics or Engineering Science required*)
    Applicants who achieve the Standard entry requirements over S4 and S5 will be made either an unconditional or conditional offer of admission.

    Minimum: BBC (Good performance required in Mathematics and Physics*)
    Applicants who have achieved BBC at Higher and meet one of the widening participation criteria above are encouraged to apply and are guaranteed an unconditional offer for MA, BSc and BEng degrees. 

    Adjusted: BB (Good performance required in Mathematics*)
    Applicants who have achieved BB at Higher, and who meet one of the widening participation criteria above are encouraged to apply and are guaranteed an adjusted conditional offer for MA, BSc and BEng degrees.

    We would expect to issue a conditional offer asking for one additional C grade at Higher. 

    * These subjects can be either held at the time of application or be achieved during the appropriate admissions cycle.

    Foundation Apprenticeship: One FA is equivalent to a Higher at A. It cannot replace any required subjects.

    More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.

    A LEVELS

    Standard: BBC*. Applicants who are predicted to achieve the Standard entry requirements are encouraged to apply and may be made an offer of admission.

    Minimum: BCC* Applicants who are predicted to achieve the Minimum entry requirements are encouraged to apply and will be considered.

    • *NOTE: Good performance required in Mathematics, plus at least one from Physics, Design & Technology, Engineering or Chemistry.

    Adjusted: CCC (Good performance required in Mathematics)
    Applicants who meet one or more Widening Participation criteria and who are predicted to achieve a good performance in Mathematics and one other subject may be made an Adjusted offer of entry.

    More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.

    International Baccalaureat

    Minimum of 32 points including Mathematics and Physics at HL (6 or above).

    Irish Leaving Certificate

    Five subjects at Higher, with 3 at H2 and 2 at H3. H2 or above in Mathematics and H3 or above in Physics required.

    FOR CHEMICAL & PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

    Please note: for entry to Chemical and Petroleum Engineering an SQA Higher or GCE A Level or equivalent qualification in Chemistry is required for entry to year 1, in addition to the general Engineering requirements.

    The information displayed in this section shows a shortened summary of our entry requirements. For more information, or for full entry requirements for Engineering degrees, see our detailed entry requirements section.


    English Language Requirements

    To study for an Undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:

    IELTS Academic:

    OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0

    TOEFL iBT:

    OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21

    PTE Academic:

    OVERALL - 59 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59

    Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:

    OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

    Read more about specific English Language requirements here.

    International Applicants who do not meet the Entry Requirements

    The University of Aberdeen International Study Centre offers preparation programmes for international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for undergraduate study. Discover your foundation pathway here.

    Fee Information

    You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.

    Fee information
    Fee category Cost
    RUK £9,535
    Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year
    EU / International students £24,800
    Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year
    Self-funded international students commencing eligible undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £6,000 tuition waiver for every year of their programme - See full terms and conditions
    Home Students £1,820
    Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year

    Additional Fees

    • In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
    • For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.

    Funding Opportunities

    • We offer around 40 Entrance Scholarships of £1,000- £3,000 per annum, unless otherwise stated, to students with good academic potential while they study for an undergraduate degree at the University.
    • 2 Talisman-Sinopec (£2000), and 2 CNR International (£1000) Engineering Scholarships available for students starting an undergraduate Engineering degree in September.

    Scholarships and Funding

    UK Scholarship

    Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who pay tuition fees may be eligible for specific scholarships allowing them to receive additional funding. These are designed to provide assistance to help students support themselves during their time at Aberdeen.

    Aberdeen Global Scholarship

    The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme. More about this funding opportunity.

    Funding Database

    View all funding options in our Funding Database.

    Careers

    Civil engineering graduates are sought after in a wide variety of industries and business sectors. Civil engineering graduates work in civil and structural companies, working on site, in design offices, project management, buildings and environmental engineering. Civil engineers function very well in both onshore civil engineering sectors as well as the offshore renewable and oil and gas energy sectors.

    Recent graduate job roles have included:

    • Graduate Civil and Structural Engineer
    • Graduate Design Coordinator
    • Structural Engineer
    • Bridge Engineer
    • Site Engineer
    • Graduate Transport Engineer

    Recent graduates work at companies such as:

    • Arch Henderson
    • Atkins
    • Fairhurst
    • Jacobs
    • Mott MacDonald
    • Network Rail
    • Skanska
    • Petrofac
    • Kier Group
    • VolkerStevin
    • Petrofac

    Career Opportunities

    • Assistant Structural Engineer
    • Graduate Civil Engineer
    • Graduate Riser Engineer
    • Graduate Structural Engineer
    • Offshore Structural Engineer
    • Trainee Field Engineer

    Accreditation

    Our Civil Engineering degrees are accredited by the Engineering Council, Institution of Structural Engineers, Institution of Civil Engineers, Institute of Highways Engineers and the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and are your first step towards achieving Chartered Engineer status.

    This degree holds accreditation from

    What our Alumni Say

    Nathan Aracena

    Nathan Aracena

    Nathan Aracena

    Job Details
    Graduate Civil Engineer, Hinckley Point Nuclear Plant
    Graduated 2016

    As an engineer and as someone who likes to put 110% into everything I do, I saw civil engineering as a degree that would hugely challenge me - which it has!

    Our Experts

    Programme Coordinator
    Dr Ana Ivanovic
    Programme Manager
    Dr Paul Davidson

    Information About Staff Changes

    You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.

    Features

    Image for Institution of Civil Engineers
    Institution of Civil Engineers

    Institution of Civil Engineers

    Joining ICE as a student member helps you to build your future in civil engineering. It's FREE and you get lots of great benefits like career advice, resources to help you learn about the industry, and the chance to meet other civil engineers.

    Find out more
    Image for Student Societies
    Student Societies

    Student Societies

    The University is home to a broad range of student societies including professional teams, extra-curricular and subject-focused organisations and purely recreational groups based on a shared interest.

    Find out more

    Discover Uni

    Discover Uni draws together comparable information in areas students have identified as important in making decisions about what and where to study. You can compare these and other data for different degree programmes in which you are interested.

    87%of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.

    Data for courses in Civil engineering over two years at University of Aberdeen

    For more official course information visit Discover Uni

    See course data

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    Get in Touch

    Contact Details

    Address
    Student Recruitment & Admissions
    University of Aberdeen
    University Office
    Regent Walk
    Aberdeen
    AB24 3FX

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