BEng Hons Civil and Structural Engineering (with Integrated Foundation Year) and Placement Year

This programme is expertly designed to build your practical engineering skills and professional confidence through a comprehensive, step-by-step journey that combines foundational learning with real-world industry experience. You'll begin in our supportive Faculty of Engineering and Digital Technologies environment, where you'll access modern laboratories and workshops to develop core skills before progressing to advanced facilities and ultimately applying your knowledge during a dedicated placement year. This unique structure ensures you gain both the fundamental practical experience and the professional industry exposure that makes graduates exceptionally employable.

Here’s how you’ll develop your practical engineering skills throughout your journey:

• Foundation Year Workshops: You'll begin with practical sessions in our engineering workshops, developing essential hands-on skills through targeted projects and experiments that build engineering intuition and confidence.

• Industrial Placement Year: You'll spend a salaried year working with major companies in the construction and engineering sectors, applying your academic knowledge to real projects and developing professional competencies.

• Industry-Standard Software: You'll develop skills in essential professional tools including AutoCAD for technical drawing, Revit for Building Information Modelling (BIM), and structural analysis software used in civil engineering design.

• Bradford Design Projects: You'll work on progressive group design projects throughout your degree, tackling increasingly complex structural engineering challenges and developing crucial teamwork skills.

• Structures Laboratory: You'll conduct experiments in our dedicated structures lab, equipped with modern testing equipment for analyzing structural components and material performance.

• Geotechnical Engineering Equipment: You'll test soil properties and foundation behavior using our geotechnical testing apparatus, gaining practical insight into ground engineering principles.

• Materials Testing Laboratory: You'll work with concrete and construction materials testing equipment, learning about material properties and performance characteristics.

• Dedicated Placement Support: The University's Careers Service provides specialised support including placement application reviews, interview practice, and access to opportunities with partner companies.

Graduates of this five-year programme—including a Foundation Year and an industry Placement Year—commonly secure roles such as Civil Engineer, Structural Design Engineer, Transport Infrastructure Consultant, or Water Systems Engineer. Because the course equips you with strong foundational knowledge, professional experience, and real-world problem-solving skills, you’ll graduate not just academically ready—but professionally prepared.

Here’s how Bradford supports your career trajectory:

• Career Services & Employability Support
  The University’s Career and Employability Services are embedded throughout your studies—helping with placements, part-time work, vacation positions, and graduate opportunities. You'll receive tailored advice, plus workshops and curriculum-integrated employability support.
  Employment Stats & Salary Figures
  While detailed placement-specific data isn't available yet, Discover Uni reports that 70% of civil engineering graduates are in highly skilled roles, including engineering professionals, within 15 months.
  
  Additionally, Bradford’s civil engineering graduates enjoy a 97% overall employability rate, one of the highest in the UK.
   

• University–Industry Partnerships
  The degree strongly emphasizes collaboration with industry. You’ll benefit from Bradford’s Industrial Mentoring Scheme, technical events like ICE “Beers and Careers,” and guest lectures from firms such as Arup, Mott MacDonald, and Jacobs.
   

• Accreditation & Long-Term Professional Value
  The programme is professionally accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (ICE, IStructE, CIHT, and IHE). It fully meets the educational base for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and partially for Chartered Engineer (CEng)—with accredited further learning required for full CEng status.
   

• Graduation Outcomes & Recognition
  Bradford’s civil and structural engineering courses have earned 91% overall satisfaction in the National Student Survey. Moreover, the subject routinely ranks 7th in the UK according to the Guardian University League Table—indicating high student satisfaction and course quality.
   

Further Academic Progression:
After finishing your BEng with the Foundation and Placement years, you’re in an excellent position to advance further:

• Progress into the MEng Civil & Structural Engineering programme—designed to fully satisfy the CEng academic requirement.

• Explore postgraduate study through MSc or PhD programmes in areas like structural dynamics, sustainable infrastructure, or advanced transport systems—aligned with Bradford’s research strengths.

• Alternatively, with your accredited degree, professional experience, and industry contacts, you’ll be well-equipped to step into roles with immediate responsibility and leadership potential.