Civil and Structural Engineering BEng

Program Overview

This JBM-accredited BEng in Civil and Structural Engineering from the University of Leeds empowers students to design and engineer sustainable infrastructure solutions considering societal, environmental, and economic factors. Through hands-on experience and industry-standard software training, graduates are prepared for successful careers in the construction and engineering sectors.

Program Outline

Civil and Structural Engineering BEng | University of Leeds

Degree Overview:

This JBM-accredited BEng degree develops civil engineers who actively contribute to sustainable and economic growth while maintaining the highest ethical standards and delivering the infrastructure we all rely on in everyday life.

Objectives:

• Develop theoretical and practical abilities in civil and structural engineering.
• Learn to solve problems using analytical, technical, and decision-making skills.
• Gain hands-on experience in excellent laboratory facilities, a design studio, and extensive library facilities and computing equipment.
• Develop skills in industry-standard software such as Revit (Building Information Modelling), IES (dynamic thermal modelling), and Robot (structural analysis).
• Prepare students for careers in the construction sector, consultancies, local authorities, government departments, utility companies, and environmental organizations in the UK and internationally.

Outline:

Year 1:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Architecture and Sustainability (20 credits):
Learn the history, theories, and cultural context of the built environment and architecture, and its impact on people, society, and the environment. Focus on the sustainability and environmental impact of projects and infrastructure, especially in the context of climate change.
• Surveying, Construction Technology and Management (20 credits): Introduction to construction processes, highlighting applicable codes of practice and industry standards.
Covers aspects of management associated with a construction project.
• Structural Analysis and Design (20 credits): Learn the fundamental principles of structural analysis and design, used to determine and describe the behavior of various structural and architectural forms.
Develop basic skills in structural and stress analysis and design for more advanced courses in years 2 and 3.
• Materials, Water and Soils (20 credits): Understand the fundamentals of the behavior of water, soil, steel, and other key materials, and their relevance to the design of structural elements.
Covers the application of fundamental mechanics principles to fluids, design and analysis of simple hydraulic structures, and the geological processes that result in the formation of engineering soils. Provides sufficient mathematical competence to manage the compulsory content of the degree.
• Integrated Design Project 1 (including Design Studio 1) (20 credits): Learn how to prepare and present building design projects in response to a brief.
Covers constructional and structural systems, environmental strategies, and regulatory requirements that apply to a comprehensive design project.

Year 2:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Water Engineering and Geotechnics (20 credits):
Builds on year 1 knowledge in geotechnics and water engineering. Addresses ultimate load problems, discusses the concepts of fluid friction in pipes, and understands the demand and requirements for water.
• Engineering Mathematics and Modelling 2 (20 credits): Builds on mathematical techniques learned in year 1 to further understand how mathematical models can be applied to real-life civil engineering problems.
Develops confidence in mathematical abilities to understand the results of mathematical solutions to engineering problems.
• Integrated Design Project 2 (20 credits): Increases knowledge and understanding of the engineering design process.
• Structural Design and Materials 1 (40 credits): Covers the behavior of structures and how their design is influenced by the characteristics of structural materials.
Gains understanding of cement, concrete, and steel, with a focus on their relevance to buildings and civil engineering structures, the elastic analysis of statically indeterminate structures, and the design of structures in steel and reinforced concrete.
• Optional Modules (selection below indicative of typical options):
• Transport Planning and Modelling 1 (10 credits)
• Sustainable Engineering Solutions (10 credits)
• Architectural History and Theory 2 (10 credits)
• Highway Engineering (10 credits)
• Building Physics 1: Fundamental Principles (10 credits)

Year 3:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Water Engineering and Geotechnics 2 (20 credits):
Covers the principles of water engineering and geotechnics gained in years 1 and 2. Develops the concepts of integrated river management and examines the use of numerical methods in open channel flow. It will cover the approach to design, analysis, and construction.
• Structural Design and Materials 2 (20 credits): Builds on knowledge acquired in the first two years to develop a more profound understanding of steel and concrete structures complemented by an introduction to more complex structural analysis methods (stiffness matrix method, plastic analysis, finite element analysis).
Learns to design multi-storey buildings, considering advanced aspects such as progressive collapse, sway stability, bracing, and connections. In relation to concrete, this module covers the technological principles and the analysis of prestressed concrete elements, and learns to design prestressed structural elements.
• Integrated Design Project 3 (40 credits): Undertakes a feasibility study of a civil engineering project considering various aspects, resulting in a recommended general scheme, followed by an element of detailed design, demonstrating that the proposal is practicable.
Includes further CAD-thread teaching, providing an understanding of software used in route alignments, and practical ability to use this and other software in drawing production.
• Individual Research Project 1 (20 credits): Chooses one aspect of civil engineering and develops a deeper knowledge and understanding of it.
Includes the underlying principles and an awareness of current and future developments within a chosen field of research. Develops independent learning and research skills, critical analysis, self-direction, and decision making.
• Optional Modules (selection below indicative of typical options):
• Transport Planning and Modelling 2 (10 credits)
• Architectural History and Theory 3 (10 credits)
• Wastewater Engineering (10 credits)
• Environmental Health Engineering in Developing Countries (10 credits)
• Highway Engineering 2 (10 credits)
• Computational Methods for Civil Engineering (10 credits)
• Building Physics 2: Services Design (10 credits)
• Engineering Geology (10 credits)

Assessment:

• Methods:
• Project work
• Written examinations (both open and closed book)
• Coursework in the form of reports, projects, presentations, and posters
• Criteria:
• Assessments are designed to closely match the type of work and tasks undertaken in a professional work environment.
• Assessments support the development of key transferable skills.
• Many submissions are submitted digitally through the virtual learning environment.

Teaching:

• Methods:
• Integrated style of learning and teaching
• Laboratory classes
• Project work
• Industry-sponsored fieldwork
• Interactive, team-based study
• Blended learning technology
• Online resources
• State-of-the-art lecture recording system
• Industrial visits
• Seminars delivered by practicing engineers, researchers, and other professionals
• Personal tutors
• Peer-Assisted Study Support (PASS) scheme
• Faculty:
• Expert academics, from lecturers to professors
• Industry professionals with years of experience
• Trained postgraduate researchers

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Assistant Civil Engineer
• Assistant Engineer
• Assistant Resident Engineer
• Bridge Engineer
• Chartered Civil Engineer
• Civil & Structural Design Engineer
• Civil Engineer
• Design Engineer
• Geotechnical Engineer
• Graduate Civil Engineer
• Structural Engineer
• Water Resources Engineer
• Opportunities:
• Large construction organizations
• Specialist building design consultancies
• Multi-disciplinary firms
• International finance
• Investment banking
• Large-scale project management
• Outcomes:
• University of Leeds students are among the top 5 most targeted by top employers according to The Graduate Market 2024, High Fliers Research.
• The majority of graduates secure careers in the core contracting and consulting arms of the civil engineering industry.

Other:

• Accreditation:
• Joint Board of Moderators (JBM)
• Engineering Council
• Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
• The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE)
• The Permanent Way Institution (PWI)
• Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE)
• The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT)
• EUR-ACE
• Work Placement:
• One-year optional work placement
• 100+ organizations to choose from, both in the UK and overseas
• Build industry contacts within the chosen field
• Advance experience and skills by putting course teachings into practice
• Gain invaluable insight into working as a professional in the industry
• Improve employability
• Successful completion results in the ‘industrial’ variant in the degree title
• Student Societies:
• Civil Engineering Society (CivSoc)
• Provides opportunities to meet like-minded people, network with industry professionals, and participate in social events.
• Rankings and Awards:
• Top 5 in the UK for Civil Engineering (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)
• Top 10 in the UK for Civil Engineering (Complete University Guide 2025)