MEng Hons in Civil Engineering

The MEng Civil Engineering at Heriot-Watt gives you a full-master’s level education in core civil engineering disciplines—structures, geotechnics, water engineering, transportation—while developing design, materials behaviour, analytical, and management skills. It suits students who want both technical depth and practical readiness, preparing them for professional engineering roles and chartered status. 

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: In your first year you’ll build foundational skills in mechanics, mathematics, construction, and building services. Modules like Mechanics A and Mechanics B, Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists 1 & 2, Construction Technology: Small Scale Buildings, Building Services Technology help you understand forces, statics, basic construction principles, and the mathematical tools required for engineering. 

Year 2: The second year introduces more specialised civil engineering topics. You tackle Analysis of Determinate Structures, Hydraulics and Hydrology A, Civil Engineering Materials, Stress Analysis and Element Strength, plus Surveying and GIS. These teach you how to assess structural loads, manage water flow, characterise materials, and map and measure real land/surface conditions. 

Year 3: In Year 3 the complexity increases: you’ll study Design of Steel Elements, Design of Concrete Elements, Indeterminate Structures, Geology and Soil Properties, Hydraulics & Hydrology B, and Transportation Systems Planning. You’ll be designing more complex structural elements, understanding soil-material behaviour and drainage, and considering transport infrastructure planning. 

Year 4: The fourth year offers more choices and advanced design. Optional modules such as Structural Element Design, Finite Element Method Linear Analysis, Urban Drainage Design and Analysis, Sustainability for Construction Professionals, Water and Wastewater Treatment allow you to tailor your studies. You also complete a Dissertation (Civil and Architectural Engineering) and/or a Civil Engineering Design Project, developing independent design thinking and research skills. 

Year 5: In Year 5 you focus on professional level design, specialist topics, and management. Mandatory work includes the Civil Engineering Professional Design Project 1 and (in many cases) Project 2. Optional modules include Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, Project Management: Theory and Practice, Risk and Reliability, Climate Change, Sustainability and Adaptation, and Design of Low Carbon Buildings, among others. You will integrate your accumulated knowledge to tackle complex, real-world civil engineering challenges.

Focus areas

Structural engineering, geotechnics, water engineering, transportation engineering, environmental engineering, construction management.

Learning outcomes

Ability to analyse and design complex civil engineering structures; apply engineering principles in environmental and transportation contexts; manage engineering projects; communicate effectively; and incorporate sustainability and safety in engineering solutions.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

Fully accredited by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT), and the Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE), enabling progression to Chartered Engineer status.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Heriot-Watt University is ranked within the top 151-200 in the QS World University Rankings for civil and structural engineering, with graduates highly employable and sought after by leading firms worldwide.