BEng Civil Engineering

This programme is designed to transform theory into practice, giving you the hands-on experience and technical skills that employers in the civil engineering sector truly value. You'll have access to our exceptional facilities in the National Infrastructure Laboratory on our Boldrewood Innovation Campus, which includes a dedicated structures lab, a geotechnics lab, and one of the UK's most advanced wind tunnels for testing structures in high winds. Your learning is powered by the same industry-standard software used by top engineering consultancies, and you'll work on challenging design projects that prepare you for real-world engineering problems from the very start.

Here’s a closer look at the practical opportunities you'll experience:

• Industry-Standard Software: You'll gain proficiency in essential professional tools including Revit for Building Information Modelling (BIM), Tekla for structural analysis, and Plaxis for geotechnical design, ensuring you're industry-ready upon graduation.

• Group Design Projects: A key feature of each year is project-based learning, culminating in a major group design project where you'll collaborate to solve complex civil engineering challenges, developing crucial teamwork and project management skills.

• National Infrastructure Laboratory: You'll work in our world-class facilities that include a 100m-long wave flume for coastal engineering research, a heavy structures laboratory with a strong floor, and advanced geotechnical testing equipment.

• Wind Tunnel Complex: You'll have access to one of UK academia's largest wind tunnels, used for testing building designs, bridges, and other structures for wind effects and dynamic response.

• Field Trips and Site Visits: The curriculum includes valuable field trips to major infrastructure projects and construction sites, giving you firsthand insight into real-world engineering practices and challenges.

• Blast and Impact Laboratory: You'll have opportunities to engage with our unique testing facilities for understanding structural behaviour under extreme loading conditions.

• Boldrewood Innovation Campus: You'll study at our purpose-built campus that brings together university research, student education, and industry partners in one location, creating exceptional opportunities for collaboration and networking.

• Placement Support: The university's Careers and Employability Service provides dedicated support for securing optional placement years with major employers like Atkins, Arup, and Network Rail.

Graduating from Southampton’s BEng Civil Engineering programme often leads to fulfilling roles like Civil Engineer, Infrastructure Project Engineer, Structural Engineer, or Highways/Transport Engineer, working with major consultancies, construction firms, and public agencies. Because the course blends strong technical training, real-world projects, and professional networks, you're stepping into the industry with readiness and confidence:

• Employment Support & Career Services: The Careers and Employability Service provides personalized advice, CV and interview workshops, access to the MyCareerHub portal for job listings, employer networking events, and the Southampton University Corporate Civil Engineering Springboard Scheme (SUCCESS) offering salaried summer internships with industry mentors.

• Employment Stats & Salary Figures:

  • Within 15 months of graduation, about 94–95% of civil engineering graduates are in employment or further study, with an average starting salary of around £30,000 (typical range: £29,000–£32,000). 

  • Looking further ahead, median salaries rise to approximately £31,000 at three years and £36,500 after five years. 

• University–Industry Partnerships: The SUCCESS scheme connects you with leading employers through paid internships and potential long-term relationships. Graduates have moved into roles at notable organisations like Atkins, Balfour Beatty, and Transport for London. 

• Accreditation & Professional Value: The course is accredited by five professional institutions under the Joint Board of Moderators, satisfying academic requirements for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and providing strong foundation toward Chartered Engineer (CEng) status. 

• Graduate Outcomes & Recognition: Ranked 6th in the UK for civil engineering (Complete University Guide), Southampton boasts 94% of its BEng Civil Engineering graduates employed or in further study within 15 months—a clear sign of how highly respected the degree is.

Further Academic Progression:
After you complete your BEng, there are excellent paths ahead. You can continue with MEng study—integrated within the programme—or pursue postgraduate study such as an MSc or PhD in areas like structural engineering, transport engineering, or sustainable infrastructure. These routes not only deepen your expertise but also pave a clearer path toward full Chartered Engineer status and academic advancement.