Civil Engineering
Civil engineers design and build monumental structures (such as the Channel Tunnel) and provide the skills and expertise to design, build and maintain the country’s infrastructure, including water supply and treatment, power supply, transportation and shelter.
- 95% of our Civil Engineering graduates are either in work or further study (Unistats 2010).
Accreditation
MEng: this degree is accredited as fully satisfying the educational base for a Chartered Engineer.
BEng: this degree is accredited as:
- fully satisfying the educational base for an Incorporated Engineer.
- partially satisfying the educational base for a Chartered Engineer. A programme of accredited Further Learning will be required to complete the educational base for CEng.
Study abroad
There are study abroad opportunities available in years two, three and four.
Programme structure
You will study the same courses in the first three years whether you are on the BEng or MEng degree programme.
Year 1
You will receive a thorough grounding in the fundamentals that underpin civil and structural engineering, taking courses in mathematics, mechanics, materials, geology, communication studies, design projects and applications software.
Years 2 and 3
You will take a range of courses within structural engineering, water engineering, transportation, geotechnical engineering and construction management. Courses cover both fundamental principles and practical applications. We place considerable emphasis on practical work, in the form of laboratory classes, physical and computational modelling exercises, project work, surveying fieldwork, design projects and site visits.
In third year you will take part in a multidisciplinary design project called INTERACT. Together with students of architecture and quantity surveying from other universities, you will work in small teams to solve real-life design problems, just as you would do in professional life.
Years 4 and 5
The main route to becoming a fully chartered civil engineer is through the MEng degree, which usually takes five years. The BEng degree remains popular and can normally be completed in four years. To become a fully chartered engineer with a BEng degree requires further study after graduation, which can be done part-time while you are working.
Your selection for BEng or MEng depends on your progress record in your first three years.
In fourth year, MEng students study a greater range of advanced analytical topics than BEng students. Year five of the MEng programme is largely devoted to a series of case studies, based on real problems and with strong industrial input, which are intended to develop high-level problem-solving skills.
Special feature
There is an optional London visit to view civil engineering structures, usually planned for after the Easter vacation in third year, with visits arranged to places such as the Thames Barrier, the London Eye and the Millennium Bridge. Other local site visits are also organised, eg to the Falkirk Wheel and the Forth Road Bridge.
Partnership and industry links
We have excellent links with industry, with industrialists contributing to projects, lectures and case studies. Many engineering employers are involved in the University’s prestigious Club 21 work experience programme, which offers well-paid summer placements and, in some cases, sponsorship.
Our international links
You may apply to study abroad in years two and three. In addition, MEng students can work on their fourth-year project at overseas institutions.
Career prospects
95% of our Civil Engineering graduates are either in work or further study (Unistats 2010).
Our recent graduates have been employed by
- ARUP, civil engineer
- Jacobs Engineering Ltd, civil engineer
- Balfour Consultancy Ltd, structural engineer
- BAM Nuttall, civil engineer
- Laing O’Rourke, civil engineer
- Scottish Southern Energy, civil engineer
- WSP Group, civil engineer
- Atkins Global, graduate civil engineer
- SEPA, trainee flood risk scientist
Glasgow International College
For international students entry to this programme is supported by courses from GIC.
Faster Route
The University offers this degree as a Faster Route programme to highly qualified students. This means that the time you take to complete your MEng degree is one year less than usual.
BEng
Highers: AAAB in first sitting, including Mathematics and Physics = unconditional offer.
Applicants who achieved between BBB and AABB at their first sitting may receive a conditional or unconditional offer once all applications have been reviewed in March 2012. Conditional offers will include the requirement of BA or AB in Mathematics and Physics.
A-levels: ABB including Mathematics and Physics.
IB: 32 points including Mathematics and Physics at 5(HL), or 6(SL).
MEng
Highers: AAABB/AAAA in first sitting including Mathematics and Physics at AB/BA = unconditional offer.
Applicants who achieved between BBB and AABBB/AAAB at their first sitting may receive a conditional or unconditional offer once all applications have been reviewed in March 2012. Conditional offers will include the requirement of BA or AB in Mathematics and Physics.
A-levels: AAB including Mathematics and Physics.
IB: 34 points including Mathematics and Physics at 5(HL), or 6(SL).
MEng (Faster Route)
Highers: Minimum of AA at AH in Mathematics and Physics plus AB at Higher preferably including English.
A-levels: AAA including Mathematics and Physics.
IB: Considered on a case-by-case basis.
For a full list of alternative qualifications please see: Entry requirements.Tuition fees
How and when you pay tuition fees depends on where you’re from: see Tuition fees for details. If you’re from outside the EU, please see International students for more information.
Scholarships
We offer a wide range of scholarships to our undergraduates, including both home/EU and international students. The University is committed to supporting students and rewarding academic excellence. That’s why we’ve invested more than £1m in additional scholarship funding over the last year.
For a full list of scholarships including eligibility criteria and how to apply, please see: