Civil and Coastal Engineering

Do you want to protect coastal communities from the threat of flooding? Are you interested in how engineers think about the sustainability of our coastlines and the consequences of climate change? Would you like to design large structures that withstand the strength of storms and the sea? Our Coastal Engineers graduate with the skills and knowledge of a Civil Engineer combined with specialist skills for designing and creating infrastructure that functions in the coastal environment.

• In the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), also known as the Shanghai Ranking we are eighth out of 50, and the highest ranked UK university, for Marine/Ocean Engineering.

• Distinguish yourself professionally with an accredited degree. Our BEng (Hons) is accredited by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE), The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation and the Permanent Way Institution on behalf of the Engineering Council, for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and partly meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). You'll qualify for membership of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and Institution of Structural Engineers.

• Flexibility to change to other civil engineering programmes.

• Benefit from our £19 million Marine Building, where you’ll find facilities for teaching water and coastal engineering. You’ll be taught modules in coastal engineering and water management, preparing you to specialise in design or flood risk management.

• Students in engineering, science and the arts will have access to a range of specialist equipment and innovative laboratories in our new engineering and design facility.

• Lay strong foundations for a successful career using our extensive industry links to secure a paid, one-year work placement. Gain the confidence, real-world know-how and vital industry experience employers are looking for.

• Learn a host of design skills from problem solving to sustainable development, as well as enhancing the critical thinking that plays a key role in the work of a civil engineer.

• Work with the latest industry-standard software, in our high specification laboratories. You’ll develop a strong understanding of fundamental principles, while honing your skills at the same time.

• Learn from professionally qualified experts with relevant experience from the civil engineering industry, and researchers with national and international reputations.

• Increase your employability by taking an extra-curricular Health and Safety Executive (HSE), recognised diving qualification (subject to availability).

• Progress onto MEng (Hons) Civil and Coastal Engineering at the end of the second year, subject to achieving the required level of academic performance on the BEng (Hons).

• Develop your professional skills including communication, self-management, team working and leadership so you’re ready to hit the ground running in your future career.

• We offer a mentoring scheme that puts you in touch with our professional network of alumni.

• Learn in a progressive environment, the University of Plymouth is a recipient of the Athena Bronze award, in recognition of advancing the careers of women scientists and engineers.

• You will receive support and inspiration from enthusiastic academic staff from the day you arrive through to your joining our exciting profession as a graduate Plymouth Engineer.

In the first year of your civil and coastal engineering course you will study alongside other engineering students to learn about the fundamental principles that underpin technical subjects which are studied throughout the course. You will develop your mathematical skills and study engineering materials, structural mechanics and fluid mechanics. You will learn about generic design and computer-aided design, and work in a team to undertake a real-world design challenge. Laboratory sessions will form an important part of your learning.

The second year introduces core civil engineering disciplines that comprise structural analysis and design, geotechnics and fluid dynamics. These subjects are explored in lectures, through practical activities, and field trips. You will be introduced to the special topic of coastal engineering, and you will develop essential and professional transferable skills and tools for the management of projects. At this point of the course, it is still possible to swap between our ‘civil’ and ‘civil and coastal’ engineering degrees.

By taking the opportunity to spend an optional year in paid employment whilst still a student civil engineer, you will obtain recordable professional experience, build a network of industry contacts and often obtain offers of summer work, sponsorship or employment on graduation. Our placements team will support you in finding a placement, and we have an extensive network of employers across all sectors.

In your final year, you will deepen your understanding of the core technical subjects in civil engineering with a particular focus on designing infrastructure solutions in a coastal context. You will immerse yourself in the execution of your individual project throughout the year. These projects will focus on a research question or a practical issue relevant to your chosen specialism and might involve the use of the COAST laboratory facilities, state of the art modelling software supervised by an academic member of staff.

The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry and up to date information can be found on our website.

45% of assessment is by exam, 55% by coursework

For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• Engineering Council
• Structural Engineers, Institution of
• Civil Engineers, Institution of
• The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation
• Highway Engineers, Institute of (IHE)

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Course does not award QTS