BEng Civil Engineering

At Birmingham, you’ll move beyond textbooks from day one. Through a rich blend of practical labs, hands-on projects, group collaborations, and real-world site encounters, our curriculum is built to let you experience engineering as it’s truly practiced. You’re not just studying civil engineering—you’re becoming an engineer, gaining the kind of skills and intuition that employers value and that make you ready for impactful careers.

Here’s how that comes together concretely at Birmingham:

• Cross-disciplinary design projects – In your early years, you’ll work in teams that include Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering students to deliver design solutions to real-world global challenges, such as designing load-bearing structures, foundations, and integrated architectural-technical systems. 

• Laboratory learning – You’ll get your hands on materials and structures in dedicated labs—learning by testing concrete, exploring fluid mechanics, and conducting experiments that bring classroom theory to life. 

• Design Centre + Makerspace access – These state-of-the-art facilities invite you to prototype, tinker, and test ideas collaboratively—whether you’re using design tools, experimenting with models, or brainstorming solutions alongside peers across disciplines. 

• Real-world site visits – You’ll visit construction and infrastructure projects across Birmingham, seeing first-hand how concepts like structural mechanics and hydraulics apply to ongoing developments—and what working life in civil engineering actually looks like. 

• Digital and analytical tools – From early modules focusing on digital skills to advanced analytical software in later years, you’ll develop computational fluency for modern engineering challenges—enhancing labs, projects, and problem-solving tasks. 

• Collaborative learning in everyday spaces – Whether it’s teaming up for a project in the library, gathering in the Makerspace, or flexibly working in drop-in study areas, the programme encourages collaboration, peer learning, and innovation in dynamic environments

A Civil Engineering degree from the University of Birmingham opens the door to a dynamic global career where you can design, build, and maintain the world's essential infrastructure. Our graduates are highly valued for their strong technical foundation and problem-solving skills, securing roles with leading consultancies, contractors, and government agencies worldwide. This program is specifically designed to equip you with the expertise to tackle grand challenges like sustainable development and climate-resilient design.

Here’s how we support your journey to a successful career:

• Dedicated Careers Service: You will have access to the University's Careers Network, which offers specialised support including one-to-one advice, CV and interview workshops, and exclusive events like the STEM Careers Fair that connects you directly with top graduate employers in the engineering sector.

• Strong Employment Outcomes: According to the latest Graduate Outcomes survey, the University of Birmingham has an outstanding record for employability. The College of Engineering and Physical Sciences reports that a significant majority of its graduates secure professional-level employment or further study shortly after graduation.

• Industry Partnerships: The School of Engineering has strong, established links with major industry players such as Atkins, Arup, Jacobs, and Balfour Beatty. These partnerships often result in guest lectures, live project briefs, and sponsorship opportunities, providing you with invaluable industry insight and networking.

• Path to Chartered Status: This BEng degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) on behalf of the Engineering Council. This provides the foundation to become a Chartered Engineer (CEng) after completing a period of further learning, such as an accredited MSc or an MEng.

• Diverse Graduate Roles: Our graduates quickly move into exciting and impactful positions such as Graduate Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer, Geotechnical Engineer, and Building Services Engineer, working on everything from transport systems to sustainable urban developments.

Further Academic Progression:
This BEng degree provides a perfect springboard for advanced study. Many of our graduates choose to pursue an accredited MSc in Civil Engineering right here at Birmingham to meet the full academic requirements for Chartered Engineer status. The university also offers a range of specialised MSc programmes, such as Geotechnical Engineering or Railway Systems Engineering, allowing you to become an expert in your chosen field. Your strong foundation also makes you a competitive candidate for PhD research programmes, where you can contribute to groundbreaking engineering discoveries.