Civil Engineering (MEng)

This programme is built around a 'design and construct' philosophy, ensuring you develop the practical skills and confidence to excel as a civil engineer from the very start of your career. You'll have access to our outstanding facilities in the Queen's Buildings and our Cardiff Laboratory for Civil and Environmental Engineering, which feature state-of-the-art structures, laboratories, hydraulics flumes, and geotechnics research equipment where you can test designs and understand material behaviour in real-world conditions.

Here’s how you’ll gain practical, industry-relevant experience:

• Industry-Standard Software: You'll gain proficiency in essential professional tools including AutoCAD for design and drafting, Revit for Building Information Modelling (BIM), and LUSAS for finite element analysis, ensuring you're industry-ready upon graduation.

• Cardiff Design Projects: A key feature of your degree is the series of progressive group design projects where you'll work in teams to solve complex civil engineering problems, developing crucial project management and teamwork skills valued by employers.

• Structures Laboratory: You will conduct hands-on experiments in our dedicated structures lab, equipped with a strong floor, reaction wall, and modern loading frames for testing structural components and understanding their real-world performance.

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

• Geotechnical Engineering Centre: You'll test soil properties and foundation behaviour using our advanced geotechnical testing equipment, including triaxial testing apparatus and a geotechnical centrifuge, gaining practical insight into ground engineering.

Graduates of Cardiff’s MEng Civil Engineering programme often step confidently into roles such as Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer, Project Manager, or Transport Analyst. Because the course combines technical excellence with real industry insight—through field trips, design projects, and employer engagement—you’ll graduate with both ability and ambition, ready to join leading firms and make an immediate impact.

Here’s how Cardiff helps you take the next step:

• Career Services & Employability Support
  The School of Engineering offers dedicated career advisers who guide students from day one—through individual careers appointments, CV and interview workshops, and tailored advice. You’ll also have access to Careers and Employability support, including Student Futures for placements, global opportunities, and graduate roles. 

• Employment Stats & Salary Figures

  • Within 15 months, around 95% of engineering graduates are either employed or in further study. 

  • Salaries for Cardiff civil engineering graduates show a median of £29,000 at 15 months, rising to £31,500 at three years and £35,000 at five years. University–Industry Partnerships
    The course benefits from strong collaboration with major engineering employers—such as Sir Robert McAlpine, Ramboll, Arup, Mott MacDonald, Atkins, Jacobs. Industry professionals contribute through guest lectures, projects, and careers fairs, ensuring you gain insight into real-world engineering. 

• Accreditation & Long-Term Professional Value
  The MEng is professionally accredited by ICE, IStructE, CIHT, and IHE via the Joint Board of Moderators—fulfilling academic requirements for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and providing partial steps toward Chartered Engineer (CEng) status. 

• Graduation Outcomes & Reputation
  Cardiff Engineering graduates are known for being technically adept and career-ready, supported by practical learning experiences—from field-based study to individual design projects. Employers value their capability and adaptability. 

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the MEng, there’s a range of exciting pathways open to you:

• Explore MSc programmes in areas such as structural engineering, transport systems, or sustainable infrastructure.

• Consider PhD-level research, particularly in Cardiff’s key areas like sustainable civil infrastructure or digital modelling. And with your degree’s accreditation, you're already well on your way toward IEng or CEng professional status.