BEng Civil Engineering with a Year in Industry

This programme is specifically designed to give you the ultimate competitive advantage by combining rigorous academic study with a full year of paid professional experience. You'll begin by building your practical foundation in our outstanding facilities in the Queen's Buildings, mastering industry-standard software and testing methods in our structures, hydraulics, and geotechnics laboratories. 

Here's how this programme provides exceptional practical experience:

• Industrial Placement Year: You'll spend your third year on a salaried placement with major companies like Arup, Atkins, Jacobs, or Mott MacDonald, working on live projects and gaining professional experience that significantly enhances your employability.

• Industry-Standard Software: You'll develop expertise in AutoCAD for technical drawing, Revit for Building Information Modelling (BIM), and LUSAS for finite element analysis, making you immediately valuable to your placement employer.

• Structures Laboratory: You'll test structural components using our modern loading frames and strong floor facilities, gaining practical understanding of material behaviour before applying this knowledge in industry.

• Hydrodynamics Laboratory: You'll use our tilting flumes and wave generation equipment to model water behaviour and environmental processes relevant to civil engineering projects.

• Geotechnical Engineering Centre: You'll conduct soil testing and foundation analysis using advanced geotechnical equipment, including triaxial testing apparatus, providing hands-on experience with ground engineering principles.

Graduates frequently move into hands-on roles like Civil Engineer, Site Engineer, Design Engineer, or Project Manager—often with leading consultancies and contractors such as Arup, Ramboll, Mott MacDonald, and Sir Robert McAlpine. Because your third year is a paid placement, you’ll graduate with professional experience and a network that puts you ahead of the curve:

• Career Services & Employability Support
  The Cardiff School of Engineering partners closely with the University’s Careers Service and Student Futures to offer placement guidance, CV and interview workshops, and targeted industry events to get you prepared and noticed.

• Employment Stats & Salary Outlook

  • A healthy 95% of graduates successfully enter employment or further study within 15 months of finishing their degre. 

  • Median salaries for Cardiff civil engineering graduates are approximately £29,000 at 15 months post-graduation, rising to £30,500 after 3 years and £34,500 by year five. 

• University–Industry Partnerships
  The programme’s embedded placement year reflects strong ties with top employers. Students have interned at organizations such as Arup, Mott MacDonald, WSP, and work with consultants across diversified sectors—from transport to infrastructure.

• Accreditation & Long-Term Value
  This degree is professionally accredited by ICE, IStructE, CIHT, and IHE via the Joint Board of Moderators—meeting academic benchmarks for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and partially toward Chartered Engineer (CEng) pending further study or experience. 

• Graduation Outcomes & Recognition
  Graduates report highly meaningful and relevant employment: 85% say their job aligns with their career goals, 75% apply skills from their studies, and 95% enter highly skilled roles. This speaks to the strong professional readiness ingrained in the course.

Further Academic Progression:
Once you’ve completed your BEng with the Year in Industry, there are some exciting options ahead:

• Move into an integrated MEng programme at Cardiff—or elsewhere—for deeper technical learning and streamlined chartership preparation.

• Follow up with specialist MSc or PhD pathways in areas like structural, environmental, or transport engineering—supported by Cardiff’s renowned research and strong industry alignment.

• With your degree accreditation and workplace experience, you're well on track toward gaining Chartered Engineer (CEng) status and stepping into leadership roles.