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Civil Engineering (MEng) (Full-Time, 2021 Entry)

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UCAS Code
H202

Qualification
Master of Engineering (MEng)

Duration
4 years full-time

Start Date
27 September 2021

Department of Study
Department of Engineering

Location of Study
University of Warwick


Civil Engineering (MEng) is the practice of improving and maintaining the built and natural environment. Develop expertise in the fundamental principles of analysis, design, sustainability and safety, to enhance the quality of life for present and future generations.

This course is accredited by The Joint Board of Moderators (ICE, IStructE, IHE and CIHT)


Course overview

Civil Engineering is everything you see that’s been built around us, the kind of things we take for granted everyday but would find life hard to live without: roads and railways, schools and hospitals or water and power supplies. Our Civil Engineering degrees will allow you to develop expertise in the fundamental principles of analysis, design, sustainability and safety, to enhance the quality of life for present and future generations.

Visits to construction sites and lectures from experts in industry provide insight into the latest civil engineering practices. Regular projects tackle industrial challenges such as the design, building and testing of structures, the development of a robotic construction scheme, designing civil engineering works on HS2 railway or providing engineered solutions for the urban development of poor communities. You will also enjoy fieldwork, which has previously included geotechnical engineering work.

You may choose to spend a year in industry, research or study abroad between Years Two and Three (BEng and MEng), or between Years Three and Four (MEng only). MEng students may apply to take their third year at a partner university abroad, subject to academic requirements and approval of study programme. If you choose to study abroad or take a year in industry, this will be reflected in your degree title. We have a dedicated Placement and Internship Officer who can support you to gain relevant work experience through a summer or year-long placement.

By choosing the MEng degree you can explore specialist areas of Civil Engineering through fourth-year core and optional module choices and a group project.


Course structure

We offer flexible degree programmes that enable you to experience a range of different engineering disciplines before you decide to specialise.

All first year students study a general engineering programme, which is much favoured by industry. In the second year, students continue to study the same core modules as all other students until the end of term one, after which they can specialise, or continue on the general Engineering pathway. Students can also switch from the three-year BEng to the four-year MEng if academic requirements and regulations are met, and from the MEng to the BEng if they prefer to graduate earlier.


How will I learn?

We use a variety of teaching methods, ranging from lectures and group tutorials to small-group teaching in laboratories.

There is strong support in the School from students and staff. Lecturers provide support and feedback hours for additional help with materials they’ve covered. To help you make the transition from school to university, in your first year you will meet your personal tutor each week in a group usually of five or six students.


Contact hours

Timetables will vary from week to week. In the first two terms of first and second year, students typically receive around 13 contact hours (of lectures, seminars and tutorials) per week in addition to between 2 and 12 hours of laboratory sessions. Years three and four will be more project heavy, and contact hours will come down.


Class size

Class sizes for lectures, practical laboratory sessions and seminars vary depending on the number of students taking the module.


How will I be assessed?

Assessment is through examinations (approx. 70%) and coursework (approx. 30%). Coursework assessment can include laboratory reports, projects, essays and oral presentations.


Study abroad

Students may choose to spend an intercalated year in industry, research or study abroad between years two and three, or between years three and four. If you choose to take an intercalated year this will be reflected in your degree title, and add a year to your degree programme.

MEng students may choose to take their third year at a partner university abroad, subject to academic requirements and approval of study programme.


Work experience

We have a dedicated Placement and Internship Officer who encourages students to gain relevant work experience through a summer or year-long placement.

Students may choose to take an intercalated year in industry, research or study abroad between years two and three, or between years three and four. If you choose to take an intercalated year this will be reflected in your degree title, and add a year to your degree programme.

General entry requirements

A level:

  • A*AA to include Mathematics and Physics
  • We also ask for a pass in the science practical assessment (if applicable)

IB:

  • 38 with 6, 6, 6 at Higher Level, Mathematics and Physics are required - at least one of these subjects should be at Higher Level

BTEC:

  • We welcome applications from students who offer a combination of relevant BTEC and A level subjects
  • We also ask for a pass in the science practical assessment (if applicable)

Applicants with a strong profile but without either A level Physics or A level Mathematics may be considered. Please contact us at ugadmissions at warwick dot ac dot uk to discuss your circumstances before you apply.

Additional requirements:

You will also need to meet our English Language requirements.


International Students

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

Find out more about international entry requirements.


Contextual data and differential offers

Warwick may make differential offers to students in a number of circumstances. These include students participating in the Realising Opportunities programme, or who meet two of the contextual data criteria. Differential offers will be one or two grades below Warwick’s standard offer (to a minimum of BBB).


Warwick International Foundation Programme (IFP)

All students who successfully complete the Warwick IFP and apply to Warwick through UCAS will receive a guaranteed conditional offer for a related undergraduate programme (selected courses only).

Find out more about standard offers and conditions for the IFP.


Taking a gap year

Applications for deferred entry welcomed.


Interviews

We do not typically interview applicants. Offers are made based on your UCAS form which includes predicted and actual grades, your personal statement and school reference.

Year One

Introduction to Engineering: Professionalism and Practice

What does it mean to be an engineer? Whether you have already decided to pursue a particular discipline, or are still wondering which engineering avenue to take, completion of this module will see you better informed on your direction of study, and equipped with essential tools for studying engineering, such as good communication skills, professionalism and ethical integrity. With a practical focus on demonstrating your skills, you will have time to prepare for internships, future employment and induction to the community of engineers, which embraces those working in academic, industrial and commercial environments.

Dynamics and Thermodynamics

You will gain a thorough understanding of the fundamental concepts of thermodynamics and the dynamics of mechanical systems. You will study kinematics and kinetics using Cartesian and curvilinear coordinates in 1, 2 and 3 dimensions and learn to solve a range of problems in using different base vector systems. You will learn the principles of impulse-momentum and work-energy and how these principles are applied to solve problems in dynamics. You will develop and apply your understanding of the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics, and learn to make appropriate assumptions to simplify and model real-life engineering problems.

Electrical and Electronic Circuits

You will gain a secure foundation in the fundamental concepts of circuits, devices and systems that underpin all branches of engineering. This will include study of the mathematical operations of AC quantities, including phasors, vectors and complex numbers. You will study the electronic components that comprise complex electrical and electronic circuitry, and control systems theory. You will be encouraged to develop your problem-solving and modelling skills to prepare you for more advanced material in later years.

Engineering Design

Design is a major activity within all branches of engineering. This module aims to introduce students to the complexities of the design task and equip them with some of the techniques and experience required to design for a function and manufacturing/construction process within their discipline. You will learn the ability to generate innovative designs and solutions to problems, to design for a particular manufacturing process, to collaborate effectively across teams and deliver compelling presentations of designs.

Engineering Mathematics

Through the practical problem-solving tasks provided in this module, you will gain the skills needed to apply the fundamental mathematical concepts that underpin all engineering disciplines, and prepare yourself for more advanced study. You will apply mathematical, probabilistic and statistical tools and techniques to real-life engineering problems, make appropriate, informed assumptions and examine models using analytical, statistical and numerical techniques.

Introduction to Engineering Business Management

Most professional engineers apply their skills in a business organisation, and so are required to appreciate the industrial and commercial environment in which they operate. You will use a systems approach to understand and work within the economic constraints affecting performance across a range and variety of businesses. By studying key aspects of business management including strategic marketing, accounting and costing, and product lifecycle you will develop your communication skills using different media, and gain the business acumen required to work in a competitive environment.

Materials for Engineering

As an Engineer, you will be required to evaluate and select appropriate materials and manufacturing processes, whilst taking due account of performance, cost and sustainability. During this module you will learn to distinguish the main classes of materials, explain how their structure affects their properties, and describe how their structure can be manipulated to enhance those properties. You will make decisions on the appropriateness of materials for a particular design and justify your choices, as well as being able to evaluate their environmental impact.

Statics and Structures

Statics and the behaviour of structures underpin civil engineering and many other branches of engineering science. You will acquire the knowledge required for further study in the design and analysis of structures, from buildings to infrastructures, and motor vehicles to wind turbines. There is a focus on increasing your competence in mathematical analysis and applying this to solve real-life problems in structures. You will develop practical knowledge of experimental work and the ability to observe and record hands-on experiments, including raising your awareness of health and safety issues in the laboratory.

Systems Modelling, Simulation and Computation

Systems modelling allows you to gather the information necessary to make decisions concerning the design and development of engineering solutions, or to investigate systems that are too costly, difficult or unethical to investigate physically. Vast numbers of bespoke software solutions are available, so you will focus on designing and programming models from first principles, learning how to apply mathematical techniques and avoid modelling errors. You will consider design principles that ensure robust development, covering verification and validation techniques. You will practice representing multi-domain systems graphically, derive models from data, and construct a simulation model to predict system responses.


Year Two

  • Dynamics and Fluid Mechanics
  • Electromechanical System Design
  • Engineering Mathematics and Data Analytics
  • Technical Operations Management
  • Civil Engineering Design 1
  • Civil Engineering Materials and Structural Analysis
  • Forensic Engineering

Year Three

Civil Engineering Design 2

Concrete Structures

The design of concrete structures is a mainstream activity of professional civil engineers, and represents a significant economic activity: concrete structures are of such scale and complexity that they require extensive management for their procurement, maintenance and reuse or demolition. You will learn the principles of limit state design, and the margins of uncertainty associated with loading, material properties and type of structural action. Through analysis of the structure and design of concrete sections, you will determine their form and size, and investigate the relationship between design, durability and ease of construction.

Geotechnical Engineering

As a civil engineer, you need the sound understanding of geotechnical engineering that this module provides. As well as attaining essential knowledge of geology and the principles of geotechnical engineering, you will have practical opportunities to construct and interpret maps, compare and categorise soil and rock types accurately, and apply appropriate tests to a range of geotechnical problems in order to predict the ground response under different conditions of loading, soil type and groundwater states. You will consider practical applications, for example related to seepage, instability and settling, and design earth-retaining structures.

Steel Structures

The design of steel structures is a mainstream activity of professional civil engineers, and represents a significant economic activity: steel structures are of such scale and complexity that they require extensive management for their procurement, maintenance and reuse or demolition. You will study the function of structures as load-bearers and the response of members, joints and frames, and propose the form and size of structural elements through sketches, plans and calculations. You will consider alternative structural solutions in the light of client requirements, and evaluate the results of structural analysis in order to satisfy requirements for both design and safety.

Water Engineering for Civil Engineers

Knowledge of water engineering is essential for good practice in civil and environmental engineering. You will gain underpinning knowledge in open-channel hydraulics and engineering hydrology that will serve as a sound base for other relevant civil and environmental modules and your professional practice. Specific areas you will cover include the principles controlling open channel flows and the differences between flow types, analysing free surface flow problems using friction, energy and momentum, and predicting rainfall and run-off characteristics for UK catchments.

Individual Project

On this project-based module you will gain experience in designing, developing and implementing a significant project, under supervision. From submission of the outline and detailed specification, you will produce regular progress reports throughout, before presenting your final results. This is an excellent opportunity to develop important employability skills, including independent learning, self-discipline, organisation and time management.


Year Four

Advanced Geotechnical Engineering

The 118-kilometer Crossrail project is just one example of the growing significance of underground space. Coupled the need for informed treatment of derelict and contaminated land, there is an increasing demand for professionals in geotechnical engineering. In your fieldwork, you will apply advanced techniques for ground improvement, and design appropriate construction systems to counter instability, for example on soft-clay sites. You will analyse data on the containment of waste, and consider hazards in tunnelling through an enhanced understanding of complex soils and the limitations on prediction resulting from disturbance caused, for example, by sampling, in-situ measurements and deep foundations.

Advanced Structural Engineering

Construction Management

You will gain a grounding in the management of construction projects in preparation for your career in the industry. With an equal focus on technical knowledge and business-related skills, you will analyse the processes and technologies involved in the design, construction and post-construction stages of civil engineering projects, including familiarity with contracts and an understanding of the role of temporary and permanent works. You will schedule, control and manage the project and implement the design economically and safely. The aim is to equip you with the ability to deliver safe, economic, timely and high-quality outcomes over the lifecycle of a project.

Global Water and Sanitation Technologies

You will cover the economically significant applications of hydraulic engineering to agriculture, which is a field of particular employment opportunity. By the end of your studies, you should be able to analyse water-supply and sanitation technologies and the underlying biological and physical processes, and be able to evaluate and determine the best choice between competing technologies for a specific site. You will design simple irrigation systems and evaluate the socio-technical interactions that constrain the construction of new irrigation or hydropower schemes. Along the way, you will improve your oral and written communication skills in addressing a variety of audiences.

Group Project

MEng students participate in a large group project worth 25% of the year, which simulates the multidisciplinary working practices you will experience in your career.

MEng students who take their third year abroad as an Exchange Year, and do not complete an individual project, will be required to do so as a core module during their MEng (fourth) year at Warwick.


Examples of optional modules/options for current students

  • Technology in International Development
  • Systems and Software Engineering Principles
  • Modern Foreign Language module
  • Starting a Business
  • Introduction to Secondary School Teaching (Physics)
  • Structural Dynamics and Health Monitoring
  • Design for Sustainability
  • Renewable Energy

Tuition fees

Find out more about fees and funding


Additional course costs

There may be costs associated with other items or services such as academic texts, course notes, and trips associated with your course. Students who choose to complete a work placement or study abroad will pay reduced tuition fees for their third year.


Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship 2021

We believe there should be no barrier to talent. That's why we are committed to offering a scholarship that makes it easier for gifted, ambitious international learners to pursue their academic interests at one of the UK's most prestigious universities. This new scheme will offer international fee-paying students 250 tuition fee discounts ranging from full fees to awards of £13,000 to £2,000 for the full duration of your Undergraduate degree course.

Find out more about the Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship 2021

Your career

Graduates from these courses have gone on to work for employers including:

  • Arup
  • Airbus Defence and Space
  • Aston Martin
  • Atkins
  • Babcock International Group
  • BAE Systems
  • Delphi Technologies
  • Deutsche Bank
  • Facebook
  • GE
  • IBM
  • Network Rail
  • NHS
  • Ricardo
  • Samsung Electronics
  • Tata Technologies
  • Vodafone

In addition to working as engineers and engineering professionals, other graduates have pursued roles such as:

  • Actuaries, economists and statisticians
  • Business and related associate professionals
  • Estimators, valuers and assessors
  • Finance and investment analysts and advisers
  • Production managers and directors in manufacturing
  • Programmers and software development professionals

Helping you find the right career

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

  • Options in Engineering
  • Meet and Engineer
  • Engineering, Science and Technology Fair
  • Considering a PhD in the STEM Subjects
  • Warwick careers fairs throughout the year

Find out more about careers support at Warwick.

Ollie, current student

"This year my individual project has been based around the performance of timber structures in fire. I'm pleased that I've been able to carry out research related to sustainability and efficiency of design. It has prompted me to consider the wider implications of a civil engineer's work."

Ollie

Civil Engineering

This information is applicable for 2021 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.