Engineering

Teesside University’s BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering degree course incorporates all the key aspects of civil engineering such as structural design, geotechnical design, construction, fluid mechanics, hydraulics and major project management. We have combined an employability-focused curriculum with manageable group sizes and friendly accessible professional lecturers to give you one of the best student experiences available.

The average income of Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) members is £47,000 and the average salary of fellowship ICE members is £78,000 (ICE salary survey 2009). Graduate starting salaries are around £24,000.

Civil engineering involves the development and application of the design, analysis, construction and management methods necessary for the building and maintenance of the infrastructure on which modern society depends. This can include domestic and industrial buildings, highways, bridges, tunnels and flood protection measures.

Studying at Teesside University, you have the option of a year-long work placement, or you can take advantage of our professional mentoring scheme with support from a mentor from one of the companies in the region, or further afield. This gives you experience of finding practical solutions to real industrial problems, enhancing your employability prospects.

You benefit from the invaluable support of an industrial mentor who stays with you throughout your degree. You can also gain the real-life experience all employers are looking for through your optional industry placement.

What you study

In Year 1 you're introduced to building technology, methods and materials. You gain experience in field surveying on a three-day field course and by study throughout the year. In Year 2 you progress to more advanced construction technology, structural, geotechnical and hydraulic design. Your final year allows you to develop your skills set at a high and more specialist level.

How you learn

You are expected to attend a range of lectures, tutorials, group work, hands-on practical sessions, field courses and site visits. Part of your course also involves a substantial research-based project.

The course has been designed to provide a number of contact teaching and assessment hours (lectures, tutorials, laboratory work, projects, examinations etc), but you are also expected to spend time on your own, called ‘self-study’ time, to review lecture notes, prepare coursework assignments, work on projects and revise for assessments.

Each year of full-time study consists of modules totalling 120 credits and each unit of credit corresponds to ten hours of learning and assessment (contact hours plus self-study hours). So, during one year of full-time study you can expect to have 1,200 hours of learning and assessment. A residential field course in the first year is focused around a civil engineering project and involves using many of the skills developed in the earlier part of the year. It allows you to work in a group to solve a civil engineering problem in a staged manner. A contribution of £30 towards the cost of the field course is required.

Some of the modules involve compulsory one-week block delivery periods (Monday - Friday: 9.00am - 5.00pm), one in stage one (first year), two separate weeks in stage 2 (second year) and two separate weeks in the final stage. These are designed to be intensive problem solving weeks, to enhance team-working and provide you with an opportunity to focus your attention on particular problems.

How you are assessed

Your course involves a range of types of assessment including coursework assignments and examinations.

Professional placements

We recommend that you take the four-year sandwich course, with your third year spent on placement in the construction industry. This provides the opportunity to gain relevant professional experience to enhance your technical knowledge and can improve employment prospects. Some find employment with their placement company after graduating.

Professional accreditation

This programme is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (representing the four professional bodies: Institution of Civil Engineering, Institution of Structural Engineering, Institute of Highway Engineers and the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation) as fully satisfying the educational base for an Incorporated Engineer (IEng). See www.jbm.org.uk for further information.

Further learning in addition to this programme with a strong technical focus is required to fully meet the academic requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

Career opportunities

Typical roles include construction project management, building/civil engineering for contractors or consultants, architectural practices, local authorities or government agencies.

Entry requirements

An indicative typical offer is 280 tariff points from two or more A levels – with at least a grade C in A level mathematics. If your qualifications do not meet these entry requirements, you may need to join an extended route.

The recommended extended route for this course is Civil Engineering - Extended

We welcome many different types of qualifications including BTEC National Diploma, Extended Diploma, ACCESS, International Baccalaureate and a range of overseas qualifications.

If you are a UK domiciled applicant you may be selected to attend an interview during which you will receive a tour of our fantastic campus, visit our excellent laboratory and teaching facilities, meet our staff and learn more about scholarships and bursaries. The interview process means we can consider applicants with a wide range of qualifications, work experience and non-traditional backgrounds, such as mature students. After your interview you will receive an individual offer tailored to your individual background. If you can't come for an interview and you are deemed eligible for an offer, you are likely to receive the indicative offer above or one appropriate to your qualifications if these are not based on A levels.

All students will be required to demonstrate a minimum level of competency in the English language. Appropriate qualifications include: GCSE English with grade C or higher, IELTS 5.5 or higher in all components, or other equivalent qualifications. We can consider you for advanced direct entry into Year 2 if you have good grades in a Level 4 or 5 qualification such as a HNC or HND in a relevant discipline. For example, if you have studied an Edexcel HNC then you will be required to have achieved at least 5 merits at level 4.

International students should also read the information on our international pages.

For additional information please see the entry requirements in our admissions section

International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting Your Country

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