BSc Civil Engineering

This programme is built around a practical, industry-focused approach to learning, ensuring you develop the real-world skills and confidence to excel as a civil engineer from the very start of your career. You'll have access to our excellent facilities in the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering at our Docklands Campus, which houses modern civil engineering laboratories, including our structures lab, materials testing equipment, and hydraulics facilities. Your learning is enhanced by industry-standard software and features design projects that address the unique challenges of urban infrastructure, giving you valuable experience that employers in the London market actively seek.

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

• Industry-Standard Software: You'll gain proficiency in essential professional tools including AutoCAD for technical drawing, Revit for Building Information Modelling (BIM), and specialist analysis software used in civil engineering design.

• UEL Design Projects: A key feature of your degree is the series of group design projects where you'll work in teams to solve complex civil engineering problems, often with an urban focus, developing crucial project management and teamwork skills.

• Structures Laboratory: You will conduct hands-on experiments in our dedicated structures lab, equipped with modern testing frames and equipment for analysing structural components and material performance.

• Hydraulics Laboratory: You'll use our hydraulics equipment with flow channels and measurement tools to model water behaviour and environmental processes relevant to civil engineering projects.

• Geotechnical Engineering Equipment: You'll test soil properties and foundation behaviour using our geotechnical testing apparatus, gaining practical insight into ground engineering principles, particularly relevant to London's complex geology.

• Materials Testing Laboratory: You'll work with our concrete and construction materials testing equipment, learning about material properties and performance characteristics through hands-on experimentation.

• London Site Visits: The curriculum includes valuable site visits to major construction projects and infrastructure sites across London, providing crucial real-world context for your studies.

• Placement Opportunities: You can choose to take an optional salaried industrial placement year, with dedicated support from the University's Careers and Student Enterprise team to help you secure a role with one of our industry partners in the London market.

ULE alumni often begin their careers as structural, site, or transport engineers, or infrastructure project coordinators—backed by exceptional teaching and London-based industry exposure. The course is fully accredited for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status, and many graduate with strong technical foundations and real-world readiness.

Progression & Future Opportunities:
Here’s how UEL helps you launch and grow your engineering career:

• University Services to Boost Employability

  • Weekly visits to major London construction projects and supervised field study give you real-world insights and practical knowledge source

  • The Career Zone offers mentoring from industry experts, job boards, 1-to-1 career coaching, workshops, and employer events to guide your path source

• Employment Stats & Salary Figures

  • Median salaries for UEL civil engineering graduates are approximately £25,000 at 15 months, rising to £29,000 at three years and £32,500 at five years source

  • These earnings are slightly below national civil engineering averages — £28,663, £31,250, and £35,302 respectively source , source

• University–Industry Partnerships

  • UEL’s degree is shaped by an Industrial Advisory Board, featuring experts from Atkins, WSP, Morrish, Careys, Waterman Group, Siemens, Newham Council, and more source

  • Graduates find roles at respected organisations such as Balfour Beatty, Transport for London, Canary Wharf Group, Network Rail, Careys, and Atkins source

• Long-Term Accreditation Value

  • The course is professionally accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM)—fully meeting academic requirements for IEng, and laying the foundation for CEng with further study or professional development source

• Graduation Outcomes

  • With strong accreditation, hands-on learning, industry-backed teaching, and robust employability support, you’ll graduate ready to step into the civil engineering profession—whether as a structural designer, transport planner, geotechnical engineer, or site/project lead—with both confidence and credible skill.

Further Academic Progression:
Many graduates choose to deepen their expertise with postgraduate study—such as UEL’s MSc in Civil Engineering, which is accredited for Further Learning toward Chartered Engineer (CEng) status. Alternatively, students may switch to UEL’s integrated MEng during their degree or pursue master's study elsewhere, accelerating both technical knowledge and professional qualification