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BSc (Hons)

Civil Engineering

Your BSc in Civil Engineering will give you the knowledge and skills you need to change the world.

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

Key Course Details

  • UCAS Code

    H201

  • 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.

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Pontypridd

  • Campus Code

    A

Fees

  • Home students

    £785*

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

  • UCAS Code

    HF00

  • 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.

We take civil engineering seriously. You'll learn fundamental and advanced engineering principles, as well as key industry-relevant IT skills. With your degree, you’ll become part of one of the world’s oldest professions and enjoy a career that has a lasting impact on humanity.

DESIGNED FOR

From building block towers as a toddler to marvelling at the world’s wonders, you’re someone who has always been fascinated by buildings and construction. You’ll be a problem solver who craves the sense of achievement of a job well done and is focused on the future and ready to be a part of it.

Accredited By

The Joint Board of Moderators (JBM), comprising:

  • The Institution of Civil Engineers
  • The Institution of Structural Engineers
  • The Institute of Highway Engineers
  • The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation
  • The Permanent Way Institution on behalf of the Engineering Council

Career Paths

  • Civil engineering  
  • Flood management  
  • Project management  
  • Mechanical engineering   
  • Civil engineering  
  • Accountancy / finance  
  • Teaching  

Skills Taught

  • Structural mechanics and design  
  • Project management  
  • Engineering Communication  
  • Analytics  

A close-up of a round pressure-style gauge on a piece of civil engineering equipment that measures in 0.01mm in a civil engineering workshop at the Treforest campus

Course Highlights

Hands-on opportunities

You’ll have opportunities to apply your classroom learning in work settings and field courses throughout your studies.

Expert teachers

Our faculty is drawn from across academia and industry to give you the widest teaching and broadest knowledge.

Study part-time

We’re one of the only providers to offer the BSc in Civil Engineering as a part-time degree.

Module Overview

This course will prepare you for your future career as a civil engineer. The areas you will study include all the subjects necessary to meet the expectations of employers. Project modules are based on 'live' schemes, supported by guest lectures from professional engineers.

Year One  
Engineering Maths 1 
Structural Analysis and Design 1 
Thermo-Fluid Mechanics 
Civil Engineering Materials 
Site Practice and Surveying 
Conceptual Modelling and Sustainable Design 

Year Two  
Structural Analysis and Design 2 
Geotechnics and Hydrology 
Analytical and Hydraulic Methods 
Sustainable Design 
Practicing Civil Engineering 
Engineering Surveying and Highway Design

Year Three  
Individual Project 
Integrated Project 
Structural Analysis and Design 3 
Geotechnical Engineering 
Environmental Management and Sustainable Transport 
Civil Engineering Management and Business

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

Engineering Maths 1 
Develop mathematical skills to solve engineering problems and understand the relevance of maths in engineering.

Structural Analysis and Design 1 
Prepare technically appropriate simple, safe, sustainable structures.

Thermo-Fluid Mechanics 
Learn foundational thermodynamics and fluid dynamics concepts, heat transfer and fluid properties.

Civil Engineering Materials 
Learn fundamental properties of cement, concrete, timber, rock, soil and steel as construction materials.

Site Practice and Surveying 
Learn fundamental construction project elements and the structure and purpose of site organisation.

Conceptual Modelling and Sustainable Design 
Understand the role and responsibilities of an engineer in designing sustainable infrastructure.

Year two is when you learn how to apply your knowledge through a series of modules covering engineering topics including structures and hydraulics.

Structural Analysis and Design 2 
Consolidate and expand upon the basics of integrated structural analysis and design.

Geotechnics and Hydrology 
Learn the principles of soil mechanics and geology and their application in practical situations.

Analytical and Hydraulic Methods 
Understand fluid flow behaviour and measurement and solve advanced civil engineering problems.

Sustainable Design 
Appreciate and understand international protocols and environmental laws relating to sustainable development.

Practicing Civil Engineering 
Understand the application of planning to civil engineering and the methods used.

Engineering Surveying and Highway Design 
Develop skills and awareness of the latest equipment and techniques in surveying.

In your final year, you’ll consolidate your learning with a series of projects designed to test your skills and knowledge. You’ll complete an individual project, an integrated project and a project on managing civil engineering.

Individual Project 
Carry out an in-depth individual investigation into a particular topic.

Integrated Project 
Examine the impact of construction projects on the environment and understand sustainability in construction.

Structural Analysis and Design 3 
Analyse existing structures for refurbishment and conceptual structures for sustainability.

Geotechnical Engineering 
Interpret and analyse geotechnical theory and data applied to practical design and construction problems.

Environmental Management and Sustainable Transport 
Consider technology and sociology of enhancing and managing the environment.

Civil Engineering Management and Business 
Develop and apply best practice construction management techniques.

Course Highlights

How you’ll learn

When it comes to civil engineering, you need to test your learning outside the classroom. That’s why we combine the teaching of the theory with practical opportunities to apply your knowledge. Using the University’s dedicated resources, work experience and field trips, you’ll complete practical tasks and projects. You’ll also have access to the latest research undertaken by the University’s Engineering Research Centre. We collaborate locally, nationally and internationally with partners from industry and academia. Assessments include assignments, coursework, class tests, presentations and exams.

Teaching staff

Our teaching team comes from a mix of industry and academia. No matter where you might dream of working in the future, someone on our faculty will have a connection there.   

The skill mix of our lecturers is vast. Our combined experience includes conducting research, presenting at conferences, publishing their work, and informing your studies with the latest insights. You will also benefit from guest speakers from the engineering world.

Placements

If you are completing the course full-time, we strongly encourage you to take a work placement year between years two and three of your studies. Having the opportunity to learn on the job, put your learning to the test and develop an understanding of the challenges faced by those working in the field of civil engineering will all stand you in good stead for developing your individual project and finishing your studies while helping you develop your skills for life after university. Our part-time students have the benefit of working in engineering companies and can apply these skills at work.

Facilities

Our civil engineering labs are equipped with the latest computer-aided and controlled machinery. Over the next two years, you’ll have the opportunity to be part of a live structural project as we build the new USW Computing, Engineering, and Technology development.  Featuring cutting-edge teaching, learning, and research spaces you’ll get the chance to bring your experience as a student and your newly acquired technical knowledge to bear on the development.

We also take our students far beyond the perimeter of the University of South Wales campus, using field trips, site visits and industry placements to enhance and embed your learning.

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

A BSc in Civil Engineering sets you up for a career working in the field. You can apply your skills to a civil engineering role or across any number of engineering professions. Our graduates also go on to roles as project managers, accountants and teachers.   

A big growth area is environmental sustainability. Civil engineers hold the key to solving many of the challenges we will face, from water scarcity to renewable energy and flood management. Our BSc in Civil Engineering will give you the skills to tackle these challenges.

Careers support

As a USW student, you will have access to advice from the Careers and Employability Service throughout your studies and after you graduate. We provide some great resources to enhance your skills, connect with others, and support your career success. This includes one-to-one appointments from faculty-based Career Advisers. Our employer database has over 2,000 registered employers targeting USW students, you can receive weekly email alerts for jobs.

Industry Partners

We work as part of an industrial advisory board with industry and local authority partners.   

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

Learn more about sandwich years

Sandwich years

A sandwich year enables you to apply the knowledge gained during your degree to real-world work situations. You’ll equip yourself with a transferable skillset and gain invaluable work experience that will help you to stand out to potential employers in future job applications. A sandwich year also provides a fantastic opportunity to network and, if you impress your employer, you may even find you have a job waiting for you when you graduate. Many employers like to take on dedicated employees as showcased via a sandwich year placement scheme.

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

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

UCAS points: 96 (or above)

Typical qualification requirements:

  • A Level: CCC to include Mathematics or a numerate subject such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Geography
  • Welsh BACC: Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales Grade C and CC at A Level to include Mathematics or a numerate subject such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Geography 
  • BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma Merit Merit Merit in a relevant Maths, Science or Engineering subject 
  • Access to HE: Pass an Access to HE Diploma in Maths, Science or Engineering Diploma and obtain a minimum of 96 UCAS tariff points
  • T Level: Pass (C and above)

 

Additional requirements include:

The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics/Numeracy and English at Grade C or 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*
International Full-time Fee

£16,200

per year*
UK Part-time Fee

£785

per 20 credits*

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

As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. 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 travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.

student-25
Read about campus developmentsOur new STEM Hub

Introducing Calon

We are investing in the future of STEM at USW with an exciting new Computing, Engineering and Technology building at our Pontypridd Campus.

STEM Hub Pontypridd Campus

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.

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.
 

Work, earn and learn!

This course is also available through Network75, a combined work and study route.

Learn more

Related Courses

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

Next Steps

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