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The University of Plymouth’s MEng (Hons) Civil and Coastal Engineering program is an exciting and comprehensive course designed for students passionate about tackling the challenges of infrastructure in coastal environments. This program combines core civil engineering knowledge with specialist training in coastal processes and coastal infrastructure design, offering pathways to professional engineering roles with a focus on protecting and developing coastal communities.
Curriculum structure
Year 1: Students gain foundations in Engineering Mathematics, Civil Engineering Design Project 1, and Surveying. These modules build analytical, technical, and practical skills essential to engineering practice.
Year 2: Learning advances through Structural Analysis and Design, Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics, and Geotechnics. Fieldwork and laboratory activities strengthen understanding of real-world coastal and civil systems.
Year 3: Modules such as Coastal Engineering, Concrete Structures, and Soil Mechanics deepen expertise in structural design and coastal processes. A group design project develops teamwork and problem-solving abilities.
Year 4: Students take advanced subjects including Harbour and Coastal Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, and Sustainable Construction. An Individual Research Project allows in-depth exploration of specialist topics.
Focus areas
Coastal and structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, hydraulic engineering, flood risk management, port and harbour engineering, project management.
Learning outcomes
Advanced skills in coastal and civil engineering design; application of digital and modelling techniques; integrated project management; effective communication; sustainable and ethical engineering practices.
Professional alignment (accreditation)
Fully accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators, covering the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), and other bodies, fulfilling requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.
Reputation (employability rankings)
Recognised for strong ties to coastal industries and research, graduates benefit from excellent career support and employability, with many gaining industry placements and leading roles in marine and civil engineering sectors
You'll have access to our world-class facilities in the Marine Building, home to the Coastal, Ocean and Sediment Transport (COAST) Laboratory – one of the UK's most advanced facilities for modelling complex coastal, ocean, and estuary processes.
Here’s how you’ll gain advanced, specialised practical experience:
Specialist Coastal Engineering Software: You'll master industry-specific tools including MIKE by DHI for integrated coastal modelling, Revit for BIM in marine structures, ANSYS for fluid-structure interaction analysis, and GIS applications for coastal zone management.
The Plymouth Coastal Design Project: A major highlight of your final year is this research-intensive group project, where you'll tackle complex, industry-relevant challenges such as climate-resilient sea defences, harbour redevelopment, or sustainable coastal management schemes.
COAST Laboratory Research: You'll conduct advanced experiments in our state-of-the-art wave basin (30m x 15m) and flumes, capable of generating multi-directional waves combined with currents and wind to test marine structures and study complex coastal processes.
Advanced Hydraulics Research: You'll use our instrumented flow channels and wave generation equipment to model nearshore hydrodynamics, sediment transport patterns, and structure-fluid interaction at a sophisticated level.
Geotechnical and Environmental Testing: You'll work with advanced apparatus for testing marine sediments, coastal geology, and foundation behavior in dynamic environments, including specialist equipment for erosion analysis.
Graduates are equipped for careers in civil, structural, and marine engineering, with roles such as Coastal Engineer, Structural Engineer, Geotechnical Engineer, and Project Manager. The program’s strong industry connections and accredited status support excellent employability:
Career support through the Careers and Employability Service and the School of Engineering’s employer network.
95% of Plymouth engineering graduates secure work or further study within 15 months, with salaries averaging £28,000–£35,000.
Partnerships with leading organisations like Balfour Beatty, Royal HaskoningDHV, and the Environment Agency create placement and job opportunities.
Accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM), ensuring recognition towards Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.
Strong outcomes, with graduates contributing to sustainable infrastructure and coastal resilience worldwide.
Further Academic Progression:
Graduates may progress to a PhD in Coastal or Civil Engineering or pursue specialist postgraduate study in Marine Engineering, Sustainable Infrastructure, or Environmental Engineering
120 UCAS pointsA- Level- The most direct and common A-level equivalent for 120 UCAS Tariff points is BBB. Grade B in A-level Mathematics is also required. International Baccalaureate 30 to 34 points overall to include 5 in Higher Level Maths and all applicants must be studying a second relevant Higher Level subject.India- Applicants must have completed the High School Certificate, Indian School Certificate, or All India Senior School Certificate Examination (Year 12) with a minimum of 60%, USA- GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 in a US High School Graduation Diploma with a minimum of one of the following: AP at grade 3, 4 or 5 (usually two or three subjects relevant to the course), SAT 1200 or above, ACT 25 or above.IELTS - 6.0 overall- 5.5 in all four components (listening, reading, speaking and writing)TOEFL: overall 76, minimum component scores of listening 17, reading 18, speaking 20, writing 18SQA Advanced Higher 120 points, including grade B in Advanced Higher Maths and all applicants must be studying a second relevant Advanced Higher subject. GCSE equivalent English and Maths accepted within.Coastal EngineerChief EngineerCivil EngineerProject EngineerEngineering AssistantCoastal Zone Manager
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University of Plymouth
