BEng Civil Engineering Including Placement Year

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Bath

Program Overview

The BEng Civil Engineering Including Placement Year course at the University of Bath is designed for students driven to tackle real-world engineering challenges through innovative and sustainable infrastructure solutions. It suits those eager to combine strong technical training with practical industry experience, preparing graduates for a future in leading civil engineering roles.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: You’ll start by learning core technical foundations through units like Engineering Mathematics and Computation 1, Structural Mechanics and Materials, Geology, Hydrology and Surveying, Architectural Engineering 1, and Design Skills. These will give you a strong grounding in how materials behave, how to model structures, and basic surveying and environmental context, plus early design experience.

Year 2: In the second year the course deepens into infrastructure topics: Civil Infrastructure 1A: Hydraulics, Civil Infrastructure 1B: Transportation, Soil Mechanics and Foundation Design, Structural Design and Construction, alongside advanced mathematics and computational tools. You’ll apply engineering theory to real design challenges (roads, bridges, hydraulics systems), and use lab work and maths/software for analysis.

Year 3 (Placement Year): This year is spent working full-time in industry, giving you professional experience in projects, construction or engineering firms, so you can apply what you’ve learnt in practical settings and gain valuable insight into workplace practices.

Year 4: The final year brings together your earlier learning through integrative and advanced modules: Civil Engineering Infrastructure 2, Structural and Geotechnical Design and Analysis, Joint Design Project, BEng Individual Project, and options in hydraulics, materials, and structural topics. You’ll lead design work, conduct your own individual project, and refine skills needed for professional practice

Focus areas: Materials science, geotechnics, structures, digital design, project management, and sustainable infrastructure.

Learning outcomes: Proficiency in civil engineering principles, practical design and analysis, professional skills gained from industry experience, project management, teamwork, and communication.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The program is accredited by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), and Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT), fulfilling the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.

Reputation (employability rankings): The University of Bath ranks in the QS Top 50 globally for Civil and Structural Engineering and boasts excellent graduate employability supported by extensive industry links.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

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 Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering facilities, mastering industry-standard software and testing methods in our structures, hydraulics, and materials laboratories.

Here's how this programme provides exceptional practical experience:

Professional Placement Year: You'll spend your third year on a salaried placement with major companies like Arup, Atkins, Balfour Beatty, 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 testing equipment, gaining practical understanding of material behavior before applying this knowledge in industry.
Hydraulics Laboratory: You'll use flow channels and wave generation equipment to model water behavior and environmental processes relevant to civil engineering projects.
Concrete and Materials Laboratory: You'll conduct comprehensive materials testing using our advanced equipment, providing hands-on experience with construction materials analysis.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering with Professional Placement programme at the University of Bath are well-equipped to embark on successful careers in various sectors. Typical roles include:

Structural Engineer
Geotechnical Engineer
Transport Planner
Project Manager

These positions are supported by the university's strong industry connections and comprehensive career services.

Key aspects of the programme include:

Accreditation: The degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM), comprising the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT), and the Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE). This accreditation satisfies the educational base for becoming a Chartered Engineer (CEng) upon completion of further professional development.
Employment Support: The university offers robust career services, including CV workshops, interview preparation, and job fairs, to assist students in securing employment.
Industry Partnerships: The programme benefits from strong links with industry, providing students with opportunities for placements and projects that enhance practical experience.
Graduate Outcomes: While specific statistics for this programme are not detailed, the university's overall employability rate for engineering graduates is high, with many securing positions in leading engineering firms.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering degree, graduates have several pathways for further academic development:

MSc Programmes: Graduates can pursue Master's degrees in specialised areas such as Structural Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or Transport Planning.
PhD Research: For those interested in research, the university offers opportunities to undertake PhD studies in various civil engineering disciplines.
Professional Development: Graduates can also engage in continuous professional development courses to further their expertise and career prospects.