BEng Hons Civil and Structural Engineering with Placement Year

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 excellent Faculty of Engineering and Digital Technologies facilities, mastering industry-standard software and testing methods in our structures and materials laboratories. This hands-on preparation ensures you're fully equipped to excel during your industrial placement year, where you'll apply your skills on real projects with leading engineering companies, returning for your final year with invaluable professional insight and confidence.

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 in the construction and engineering sectors, 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 structural analysis software, making you immediately valuable to your placement employer.

• Structures Laboratory: You'll test structural components using our modern testing equipment, gaining practical understanding of material behavior before applying this knowledge in industry.

• Geotechnical Engineering Equipment: You'll use our soil testing apparatus to investigate ground conditions and foundation design principles relevant to structural engineering projects.

• Materials Testing Laboratory: You'll conduct concrete and construction materials testing using our comprehensive equipment, providing hands-on experience with material analysis.

• Bradford Design Projects: In your second year, you'll complete major group design projects, developing the teamwork and project management skills crucial for success during your industrial placement.

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

• Field Trips: The programme includes visits to construction sites and infrastructure projects, giving you practical context for your academic studies and industrial placement.

Graduates from Bradford’s four-year BEng Civil and Structural Engineering programme — which includes both a Foundation Year and a Placement Year — often step into impactful careers as Civil Engineer, Structural Design Engineer, Transport Infrastructure Consultant, or Water Systems Engineer. Because you’ll benefit from a strong academic foundation and a full year of real-world industry experience, you’ll graduate not only technically proficient but also workplace-ready.

Here’s how Bradford supports your path forward:

• Career Services & Employability Support
  The Career and Employability Services are fully integrated into your degree journey — offering dedicated help to secure placements, graduate roles, and regional industry events, all supported by built-in workshops and embedded curriculum support.

• Employment Stats & Salary Figures

  • An impressive 97% employability rate — one of the highest nationally.

  • Healthily trending salaries: LEO data indicates median earnings around £21,500 after one year, rising to approximately £26,300 by year three and £32,100 by year five.

• University–Industry Partnerships
  The programme is deeply connected with industry via the CDIO (Conceive–Design–Implement–Operate) teaching approach. Your Placement Year (taken in Year 3) offers hands-on experience and exposure to professional practice, with many students returning to placement employers for part-time work, final-year projects, or even graduate positions.

• Accreditation & Long-Term Value
  This BEng is professionally accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (ICE, IStructE, CIHT, IHE) — fully satisfying the academic requirements for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status and partially meeting those for Chartered Engineer (CEng), with further accredited learning needed for full chartership. It’s also recognised by ENAEE.

• Graduation Outcomes & Recognition
  Bradford’s Civil and Structural Engineering is ranked 7th in the UK by the Guardian University League Table, and the degree consistently receives 91% satisfaction in the National Student Survey.

Further Academic Progression:
Upon graduation, you’ll be well-positioned for powerful next steps:

• You can continue into the MEng Civil & Structural Engineering to further deepen your knowledge and fast-track full CEng status.

• You may also explore further study via MSc or PhD programmes at Bradford — perhaps in areas such as structural dynamics, sustainable infrastructure, or transport systems — supported by strong research capability.

• Alternatively, equipped with industry experience, accreditation, and professional readiness, you’re in an ideal position to step directly into engineering roles with responsibility and leadership potential.