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BSc (Hons)

Civil Engineering including Foundation Year

Prepare yourself for a career in Civil Engineering. Gain relevant expertise and get hands-on with state-of-the-art facilities at USW.

How to apply Apply Through UCAS Book an Open Day Chat to Us

Key Course Details

  • UCAS Code

    H207

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Pontypridd

  • Campus Code

    A

Fees

  • Home students

    £9,535*

  • International students

    £16,200*

  • Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.

If you didn’t get the grades you were looking for, USW offers a foundation year in Civil Engineering, paving the way to the BSc (Hons) degree. This comprehensive program equips students with practical skills and academic training for careers in structural design, project management, transport engineering, and sustainable development.

DESIGNED FOR

Civil engineering is all about people. From supplying energy and clean water to our homes, to processing and recycling our waste, civil engineers work on developing services and facilities we use every day.

Accredited By

  • Joint Board of Moderators (JBM)
  • Institution of Civil Engineers
  • Institution of Structural Engineers
  • Institute of Highway Engineers
  • Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation
  • Permanent Way Institution on behalf of the Engineering Council.

Career Paths

  • Design Engineer
  • Mechanical Engineer
  • Project Management
  • Research Engineer

Skills Taught

  • Problem solving through analysis using scientific and engineering theory
  • Developed knowledge of cutting-edge technology
  • Teamworking, management and leadership.
  • Communication skills
  • Understanding professional responsibilities

We make a difference in practice, not just on paper. Our courses are designed by people who offer jobs - and taught by people who have real work experience.

A lecturer in a yellow high visibility coat talks to a student in a yellow high vis jacket in the rain with surveying equipment
Dr Luan Al-Haddad smiles at the camera while wearing a navy engineering jacket from one of the civil engineering workshops at the Treforest campus
Two civil engineering students wearing yellow high visibility jackets use a piece of surveying equipment at an outdoor building site in Treforest
A mature student wearing a navy boiler suit uses a piece of equipment in a civil engineering workshop at USW Treforest
A group of civil engineering students wearing yellow high visibility jackets complete a practical exercise using a giant ruler and a piece of electronic surveying equipment outside in the rain at Treforest campus
A student mixes components in an industrial mixer in a USW Treforest workroom

Course Highlights

Professionally Recognised

This degree is accredited by the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Structural Engineers, Institute of Highway Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and the Permanent Way Institution.

Industry Focused

We have strong links with industry and place considerable emphasis on student projects and practical, problem-based learning.

Work Placement Opportunities

This course is also available through Network75, a combined work and study route. There are also opportunities for field trips and work placements.

Expert Knowledge

Staff are experts in their fields, some through research activities and some through professional practice in industrial careers.

Module Overview

You'll study core topics such as mathematics, structures, materials, geotechnics, hydraulics and surveying. Threads of design, sustainability, health and safety, and professionalism are also embedded in the civil engineering course. Your dissertation enables you to tailor your qualification to the area of industry you want to work in.

Your foundation year is all about providing you with a basis to successfully transition onto the full course. Here you will develop understanding of the fundamentals of the subject.

  • Foundations of Mathematics - 20 credits
  • Application of Mathematical Skills - 20 credits
  • Essential Engineering Skills - 20 credits
  • Engineering Project - 20 credits
  • Foundation Engineering Principles - 20 credits
  • English for Engineering (optional) - 20 credits
  • An Introduction to the Construction Industry (optional) - 20 credits

In your first year, you will learn fundamental engineering principles. You will explore the relevance of mathematics in engineering and gain an appreciation of issues in construction management, materials and the environment.

  • Mathematics for Engineers - 20 credits
  • Engineering Mechanics 1 - 20 credits
  • Thermo-Fluid Mechanics - 20 credits
  • Civil Engineering materials - 20 credits
  • Professional Engineering - 20 credits
  • Engineering Communication - 20 credits

In year two, you’ll have an opportunity to apply the principles learned in year one through a series of modules covering materials and structures, hydraulics and surveying. In both your first and second years, you will attend practical field courses covering subject areas such as engineering, surveying and geology/geotechnics.

Structural Analysis and Design 2 - 20 credits

Geotechnics and Hydrology - 20 credits

Analytical and Hydraulic Methods - 20 credits

Sustainable Design - 20 credits

Practicing Civil Engineering - 20 credits

Highways and Transportation - 20 credits

Supervised Work Experience - 120 credits

In year 3, you will focus on the analysis, design and implementation of engineering systems, and sustainability in civil engineering. You will have the opportunity to apply your skills and knowledge of geotechnical concepts to practical design and construction problems. Finally, you will undertake an individual project which gives you the chance to apply your technical knowledge.

Individual Project - 20 credits

Integrated Project - 20 credits

Structural Analysis and Design 3 - 20 credits

Geotechnical Engineering - 20 credits

Environmental Management - 20 credits

Managing Civil Engineering Projects - 20 credits

Course Highlights

How you’ll learn

You will learn through lectures, which are supported by tutorials, practical sessions and seminar groups. Wherever possible, your work will be based on live projects and case studies, with contributions from industry professionals.

The degree is assessed through assignments, coursework, ongoing class tests and exams. Presentations are included as elements of assessments in some modules, in order that key communication and presentation skills can be developed.

Teaching staff

Our Civil Engineering lecturers are experts in their subject areas, having worked in, or with, industry, conducting research, presenting at conferences, publishing their work, and informing your studies with the latest insights. Not only will you be taught by academics who are specialists in their fields, but you will also benefit from guest speakers from the engineering world.

Placements

We know the value of placement and work experience and are passionate about seeing our students take up these opportunities. We work with several local and national companies in order to assist students to take up these opportunities.

Facilities

Our civil engineering labs are equipped with the latest computer-aided and controlled machinery.

 

Civil engineering academic Joanna Thomas smiles at the camera from an engineering workshop at the Treforest campus

Top in Wales

Civil Engineering courses at USW are top in Wales for student satisfaction.

National Student Survey 2024

Careers and Employability

Graduate careers

Employment opportunities are excellent. Graduates of our Civil Engineering degree secure work with consulting engineers, civil engineering contractors and local authorities, with a range of companies that include Capita Symonds, BAM Nuttall, Hyder Consulting, Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd, Morgan Est, Carillion, Mott MacDonald, Atkins, Network Rail, United Utilities, and various international companies.

Possible career paths

You may have a clear career path that you are aiming for, and we can help you get there. On the other hand, you may still be unsure about the direction you wish to take and that’s why our lecturers, industrial contacts and careers services will want to talk to about these opportunities.

It’s an exciting time to be a Civil Engineer – the world is facing some major challenges and we are at the forefront of developing solutions to many of these.

 



Careers support

Our careers service offers a range of advice and guidance to students. We can link you up with industry, we can help you with interview skills and CVs and help you to focus on your own direction of travel.<Image>

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

UCAS points: 48 (or above)

Typical qualification requirements:

  • A Level: DD
  • Welsh BACC: N/A
  • BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma Pass Pass Pass or BTEC Diploma Pass Pass
  • Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 48 UCAS Tariff points
  • T Level: Pass (D or E)

Additional requirements include:

The University normally requires a minimum 3 GCSEs including Mathematics and English at Grade C/Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent but consideration is given to individual circumstances.

International applications welcomed:

We welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications of our entry requirements. For more details related to your country of residence, please view our dedicated country pages.

English language requirements

International applicants will need to have achieved an overall of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component/TOEFL 72 overall and a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing or equivalent.

Equivalents can be located on our English Language pages.

If you have previously studied through the medium of English, IELTS might not be required, please visit our country specific page for further details. If your country is not featured, please contact us.

If you do not meet the English entry criteria, please visit our Pre-Sessional course pages.

Contextual offers

We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended, for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer, and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions.

USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university.

 

We're here to help

Whether you a have a question about your course, fees and funding, the application process or anything else, there are plenty of ways you can get in touch, and we'd love to talk to you. You can contact our friendly admissions team by phone, email or chat to us online.

 

Fees and Funding

UK Full-time Fee

£9,535

per year*
International Full-time Fee

£16,200

per year*

Further Information

Studying at university is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).

*Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee is anticipated to remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course except as described below.

Please be aware that we may increase the maximum fee for home students on full-time undergraduate courses only where the Welsh Government increases the permitted level of inflation of fees. Fees for all students (including part-time, postgraduate and international students) may be amended in accordance with our applicable Fees and Debt Management Policy.  We will ensure that students are given clear, intelligible, unambiguous and timely information about our courses and costs in good time, ahead of the next academic year.

 

Fees and Funding Scholarships and Bursaries Cost of Living Support

Additional Costs

Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of stationery, printing, or equipment during your foundation year.  For costs after you progress to year 1 of your degree programme, please see the list below.

student-25
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University Quality Assurance

At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.

If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.

EVERY MEMBER OF STAFF I’VE COME ACROSS GENUINELY HAS AN INTEREST IN HELPING TO ENSURE MY LEARNING EXPERIENCE IS AS SMOOTH AS POSSIBLE.

Ngozi Blessing Orji-Chukwu

Civil Engineering Student

THE ENGINEERING SURVEYING AND HIGHWAYS DESIGN MODULE HAS BEEN THE MOST ENJOYABLE. ESPECIALLY THE HIGHWAY DESIGN ASPECT.

Ngozi Blessing Orji-Chukwu

Civil Engineering Student

A cutout of student Ngozi Blessing Orji-Chukwu smiling at the camera while wearing a large red turtleneck jumper and a black coat
A cutout of student Ngozi Blessing Orji-Chukwu smiling at the camera while wearing a large red turtleneck jumper and a black coat

Life at USW

Halls are a big part of your student experience and there’s accommodation at all three of our locations. If you don’t want to live near the campus, there are great transport links to keep you connected.

A student sat smiling and talking to friends off camera in Treforest Student's Union
Student Life
The University's Ty Crawshays building at Treforest, Pontypridd.
Pontypridd Campus, Treforest
A double room at our Pontypridd accommodation featuring a large window.
Accommodation

How to apply

All applications for full-time undergraduate courses or foundation degrees should be made via UCAS. Take the next step: Apply through UCAS. You can apply to us directly for all part-time undergraduate courses, if you’re seeking advanced entry or you’re an international student. To apply directly, please choose the application form below for your preferred start date and mode of study (full-time or part-time.)

Advanced entry

If you already have a relevant qualification or experience related to the course you're applying for, you may be eligible to start at a later stage of the course. For example, students from partner colleges can ‘top up’ their qualifications to a degree by joining us in Year Two or Year Three of a course. This process is known as ‘advanced entry’, you can apply directly to the University for 'advanced entry' using the application forms provided above.

International admissions

International applicants can apply to us directly. If the University has an in-country team in your region, your application will be assigned to them for assistance.
 

Related Courses

Civil Engineering - BSc (Hons) Learn more
Civil Engineering - HNC Learn more
Construction Project Management including Foundation Year - BSc (Hons) Learn more
Civil Engineering - BEng (Hons) Learn more

Next Steps

How to apply
Apply Through UCAS
Book an Open Day
Chat to Us