Civil and Environmental Engineering

Study Civil and Environmental Engineering at Abertay and gain the knowledge and skills you need to become a Chartered Civil Engineer. Our Civil Engineering undergraduate degree is vocational and has industry work placements integrated into the course. There is a big shortage of civil engineers in Britain and Europe, making you hugely employable as soon as you graduate.

You’ll gain a firm grounding across a wide range of civil and environmental engineering applications, with plenty of practical and hands-on experience through placements with industry partners such as Transport Scotland, Balfour Beatty and BEAR Scotland.

Practical, hands-on experience

You’ll also get hands-on experience with a practical construction challenge in year two. This is where you work in teams to plan, project manage and construct a scaled-down version of real-world structures such as bridges, pavilions, wind turbine footings and other civil engineering projects.

Almost 100% employment after graduation

You’ll contribute to the health and wellbeing of individuals, communities, and societies by understanding interactions between buildings, infrastructure, and the environment. Due to smaller class sizes our approach is more personal, as it means we have more time to spend with each student.

After following a common pathway for two years, you’ll take either the Standard or Applied route. The Applied route includes an 18-week work placement, crucial if you want to be a Biomedical Scientist in the NHS.

This course ranked 1st in Scotland for teaching satisfaction (Guardian University Guide 2023).

Accreditations

Integrated Masters: MEng Accredited CEng

This degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) comprised of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, Institute of Highway Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and the Permanent Way Institution on behalf of the Engineering Council as fully satisfying the educational base for a Chartered Engineer (CEng). See www.jbm.org.uk for further information.

You can choose to take either the five-year Integrated Masters (MEng) or the four-year Bachelor’s (BEng Hons) degree. If you leave after stage three (having passed 360 credits) you will be given the award title 'BEng in Civil Engineering'.

Core modules (subject to change over time) - Environmental Management; Research Methods; Innovation in Design; Advanced Structural Design; MEng Integrated Design Project and MEng Individual Research Project. Other modules that may be offered (subject to change over time) - Introduction to Environmental Sciences' Earth's Critical Zone; BIM Life Cycle; Advanced Geotechnical Engineering; Plate & Shell Design and Finite Elements Analysis and Water & Environmental Engineering 2.

We offer a broad range of learning environments, including a traditional lecture and tutorial format, student-led learning, interactive class sessions, and a substantial element of lab work. We encourage independent study, meaning that you take responsibility for your own learning.

Your study is assessed with a variety of methods, enabling you to demonstrate progress in different ways. Coursework typically includes laboratory reports, essays and oral presentations. Formal exams typically include questions that require short answers, problem-solving and design challenges. Your placement will be assessed by industrial and academic supervisors, as well as by report and oral presentation. In your final dissertation, you are individually supported by a research-active member of staff. Laboratory reports, design problems, essays and exams. Year 1 is approximately 30% exam and 70% coursework. Year 4 is approximately 70% exam and 30% coursework.