Course overview
This accredited course will equip you with the knowledge and skills you’ll need to become a chartered engineer with a strong understanding of the design of structures such as bridges and buildings.
The course has a strong practical focus right from the start, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take part in site visits and placements. You’ll also carry out hands-on work in our specialist labs and facilities.
You’ll develop your research skills in your final year through an investigative research project. You’ll also study advanced topics in structural engineering, such as:
- seismic-resistant design
- unique and unusual structures
- structural reliability and analysis
You’ll graduate as a well-rounded engineer with an in-depth understanding of key civil and structural engineering topics, including seismic-resistant design, unique and unusual structures, and structural reliability and analysis.
BEng or MEng?
Both our BEng degree and specialist MEng degrees provide a pathway to becoming a Chartered Engineer. This is one of the most recognisable international engineering qualifications.
Our MEng degrees are a direct route to becoming a Chartered Engineer (CEng). You don’t need to study any more qualifications after your degree to work towards chartered status.
Our three-year BEng degree can also lead to Chartered Engineer status. However, you’ll need to complete further study, such as an approved master’s degree.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Additional information
This degree allows you to explore several engineering disciplines in year one. This flexible route is taught across Civil, Electrical & Electronic and Mechanical Engineering.
You’ll gain an understanding of engineering in a multidisciplinary context. You’ll develop diverse skills relevant to the needs of industry and today’s global challenges.
After successfully completing Stage 1, you’ll have the option of transferring on to one of the accredited Civil, Electrical & Electronic or Mechanical Engineering degrees. This is subject to the degree programme regulations and capacity of the degree you are transferring to.
Quality and ranking
- 12th in the UK – The Guardian University Guide 2025 (Civil Engineering category)
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Top 100 for Engineering – Civil and Structural – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- Top 140 for Engineering and Technology – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
Professional accreditation and recognition
- Joint Board of Moderators (JBM)
This degree is professionally accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM), which is made up of the following five professional bodies:
- Institution of Civil Engineers
- Institution of Structural Engineers
- Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation
- Institute of Highway Engineers
- Permanent Way Institution
The JBM works with universities to ensure their degree programmes develop professional engineers who will continue to provide a global contribution to sustainable, economic growth and ethical standards.
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.
Modules and learning
Modules
The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you’ll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Engineering Mathematics I | 20 |
| Electrical and Magnetic Systems | 15 |
| Electronics and Sensors | 10 |
| Thermofluid Mechanics | 15 |
| Properties & Behaviour of Engineering Materials | 15 |
| Mechanics I | 15 |
| Introduction to Programming Languages (C, Matlab and Python) | 15 |
| Sustainable Design, Creativity and Professionalism | 15 |
You’ll also take part in a site visit to Edinburgh.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Statistics and Numerical Methods for Civil Engineers | 10 |
| Design of Sustainable Engineering Systems 2 | 20 |
| Construction Management | 10 |
| Water Treatment Engineering for the 21st Century | 10 |
| Environmental Systems and Quantification | 10 |
| Geotechnics | 10 |
| Design of Building Elements | 10 |
| Land Traffic and Highways | 10 |
| Hydraulics | 10 |
| Engineering Surveying | 10 |
| Engineering Mechanics: Statics | 10 |
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Architecture | 10 |
| Construction Management | 10 |
| Design of Sustainable Engineering Systems 3 | 20 |
| Engineering Ethics and Sustainability | 10 |
| Sustainable Engineering Systems Design Project | 20 |
| The Data-Centric Urban Environment | 10 |
| Foundation Design | 10 |
| Design of Building Systems | 10 |
| Structural Mechanics | 10 |
| Spatial Data Engineering and BIM | 10 |
You’ll also have the opportunity to choose from modules such as Global Engineering, Business Enterprise in Science and Engineering, and Career Development.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Public Policy: Infrastructure and Climate Change | 10 |
| Digital Engineering and Analytics | 10 |
| Construction Project Management | 10 |
| Investigative Research Project | 30 |
| Structural Reliability | 10 |
| Engineering Mechanics of Composites | 10 |
| Seismic Resistant Design | 10 |
| Advanced Structural Modelling | 10 |
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Global Engineering – An International Design and Build Challenge | 20 |
| Bridge to Industry | 20 |
| Design, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Science and Engineering | 20 |
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
You’ll learn through:
- lectures
- practical work
- site visits
- individual study
- group work
Skills and experience
Practical skills
Throughout your studies, you’ll carry out practical work in our specialist labs, including testing your design decisions, learning how different materials behave, and carrying out experimental work in the structures labs.
You’ll also have access to our new multidisciplinary environmental lab, as well as full-scale facilities off campus, including flood defence schemes, electric vehicles, and an engineering embankment.
Business skills
Real business skills are embedded throughout the course, through design-focused modules.
In your final year, you’ll also have the option to study Global Engineering, a unique international design and build challenge, Business Enterprise in Science and Engineering, where you’ll learn how to set up and operate a business in the construction sector, or Career Development including a work placement.
Research skills
Throughout the programme, you’ll be exposed to cutting-edge research and be taught by some of the leading researchers in the field.
You’ll also undertake independent projects based around the latest industry developments, conducting your own research.
Opportunities
Study abroad
Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.
You can choose to spend up to a year studying at a partner institution overseas.
If you choose to study abroad, it will extend your degree by a year.
Find out more about study abroad
Work placement
This civil and structural engineering degree is also available with a year’s work placement, as a five-year programme.
You’ll apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place in Stage 3.
You’ll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.
Placements are subject to availability.
Facilities and environment
Facilities
Our Civil Engineering courses are taught at our city-centre campus within the School of Engineering, and are based in the Cassie Building.
You’ll benefit from world-class facilities and living labs, ranging from microbiology laboratories through to at-scale engineering equipment.
Each engineering discipline has its own specialist facilities, including:
- the Millennium Laboratory – home to a wide range of facilities and experimental rigs
- Merz Court Pilot Plant Laboratory – a pilot plant with 28 experimental rigs
- BE:WISE – Europe’s largest wastewater treatment research facility
- the Urban Observatory – with sensors gathering over 50 types of data across the city
- Electronics Teaching Lab – home to state-of-the-art Agilent/Keysight digital test equipment
- Clean-Room Microfabrication Lab – home to two class 100-10000 clean rooms
Support
To support you in your studies, all new students entering year 1 or year 2 will receive:
- a tablet so you can download the online learning resources you’ll need for your course (helping us to make our campus more sustainable)
- a start-up pack containing essential personal protective equipment
You’ll receive comprehensive support from the moment you arrive at the University. You’ll be supported by personal tutors, stage tutors, and degree tutors. You’ll also benefit from the School’s student buddies scheme.
Your future
Civil and Structural Engineering graduates are highly employable with a diverse and transferable skill set, alongside the very specialist skills needed to succeed as a civil or structural engineer.
Recent graduates have gone on to work in roles such as:
- graduate civil engineer
- graduate structural engineer
- consultant to architect
- design-build contractor
They’ve taken on these roles with companies such as:
- AtkinsRéalis
- Arup
- AECOM
- Jacobs
- Transport for London
- Balfour Beatty
Others have secured roles within the mining, nuclear, oil and gas, and renewable energy industries.
Careers support
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Visit our Careers Service website
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Check the government’s website for more information.
Entry requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2025 entry.
| A-Level | |
|---|---|
| AAB including Mathematics or Further Mathematics. | |
| International Baccalaureate | |
|---|---|
| 34 points with Mathematics at Higher Level grade 6. | |
