BEng Hons in Civil Engineering with Construction Management

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Brighton

Program Overview

This unique combined degree is perfect for students who are not only fascinated by the technical design of infrastructure but also want to lead the teams that build it. You'll master the core principles of civil engineering while developing the essential commercial and managerial skills to deliver projects on time, within budget, and to the highest standards.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Students begin with core modules like Land and Construction Surveying, Structural and Stress Analysis, Construction Materials, Engineering Geology and Soil Mechanics, and Mathematics for Civil Engineering.

Year 2:
The second year builds technical depth with modules such as Construction Methods and Technology, Construction Project Management, Structural Analysis, Concrete Technology and Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures, Fluid and Soil Mechanics, and Computational Mechanics.

Year 3:
In the final year, students undertake the BEng Individual Project plus core modules like Design of Steel Structures and Construction Management. They also get to choose optional modules like Project Planning and Analysis, Sustainable Construction, Building Information Modelling (BIM), Dynamics of Structures, or Integrated Approach to Design of Structures. This year emphasises independent work, design responsibility, modern tools, and sustainability in construction.

Focus areas: Structural Design, Geotechnical Engineering, Construction Planning, Project Management, Sustainable Construction, Commercial Management

Learning outcomes: Design and analyse civil engineering structures; Plan, manage, and execute construction projects; Control project costs, quality, and timelines; Apply legal and commercial principles to engineering projects; Lead multidisciplinary teams.

Professional alignment: This degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM: ICE, IStructE, IHE, CIHT) on behalf of the Engineering Council, fully satisfying the academic requirement for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status and partially satisfying the academic requirement for Chartered Engineer (CEng). It is also designed to meet the requirements of relevant construction management professional bodies.

Reputation: The University of Brighton has a strong reputation for producing highly employable, practical graduates. Its engineering courses are known for their industry focus, and the university is ranked in the top 50 in the UK for General Engineering (The Guardian University Guide 2024).

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This programme is designed to immerse you in the real world of civil engineering and construction from day one, using our industry-standard facilities to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Your learning will be brought to life through a variety of practical activities:

Specialist Engineering Laboratories: You'll gain hands-on experience in our heavy structures lab, geotechnics lab, and hydraulics lab, testing materials and soil mechanics and analysing the behaviour of structures and water flow.
Industry-Standard Software: Develop vital digital skills using the same professional software used in industry, including AutoCAD for drafting, Revit for Building Information Modelling (BIM), and Tekla Tedds for structural analysis and design.
Live Construction Projects: Apply your management skills to real-world scenarios through group projects that often involve live briefs from our industry partners, tackling the planning, budgeting, and logistical challenges of a real construction project.
Field Trips and Site Visits: See theory in action through regular visits to major infrastructure and building sites across the South East, observing construction management techniques, ground engineering, and health and safety protocols on live projects.
Optional Placement Year: Gain a significant competitive edge by applying for a salaried professional placement year, building your CV and professional network with companies like Balfour Beatty, Costain, or local consulting firms.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates are well prepared for careers in both engineering design and construction management, combining technical expertise with project leadership skills. Typical roles include site engineer, project manager, structural engineer, and construction manager across industries such as infrastructure, housing, and commercial projects.

Key advantages for students include:

University career services: Support through the Careers and Employability team, placement support, and industry mentoring schemes.
Graduate outcomes: 90% of Brighton engineering graduates are in work or further study within 15 months (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2023).
Salary prospects: Average starting salary for civil engineers is around £28,000–£32,000, rising with chartership.
Industry links: Strong partnerships with companies like Balfour Beatty, Network Rail, and Mott MacDonald offer placement and graduate opportunities.
Accreditation value: The course is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM), supporting progress towards Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can progress to postgraduate study, such as the MSc Civil Engineering, MSc Construction Project Management, or related research degrees, enhancing specialisation and career advancement.