BEng/MEng Civil Engineering with an Integrated Foundation Year

From the moment you arrive—starting with the Foundation Year through to your final degree studies—you’ll be learning by doing, not just listening. You’ll gain hands-on experience using real-world civil engineering tools, working in purpose-built labs, collaborating with peers on genuine design challenges, and applying your growing technical skills in supported, practical settings. Plus, as a Foundation Year student you enjoy full access to these same facilities right from day one, ensuring you’re learning in the same environment as other engineers.

Here’s how that plays out in practice:

• State-of-the-art laboratories — You’ll work with equipment like wave flumes, a geotechnics centrifuge, materials-testing rigs, and 3D laser scanners for surveying, all housed within the Engineering and Materials Building.

• Group projects from day one — During the Foundation Year, you'll complete a group project related to your future studies in civil engineering — a great way to build teamwork, communication, and project-based learning skills under academic guidance.

• Computing and IT integration — From Foundation Year modules like ICT to engineering-specific software tools used in labs and projects, you'll develop competence in applying digital tools to solve engineering problems.

• Seamless access to all university facilities — Foundation Year students enjoy the same high-quality labs, workshops, study spaces, and support services as all undergraduates, fostering a real sense of belonging and academic equality.

• Engineering Campus (Nancy Rothwell Building) — Your learning takes place in the UK’s largest Engineering and Materials building—also known as the Nancy Rothwell Building, offering 76,000 m² of modern space for labs, collaboration, and research innovation.

• Links with industry and potential placements — The programme benefits from strong industry connections, which means opportunities to engage with employers and explore work-experience pathways even beyond those embedded in the curriculum. 

Graduates from the BEng/MEng Civil Engineering with an Integrated Foundation Year at the University of Manchester enjoy strong career prospects, stepping into roles such as Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer, Project Manager, and Consulting Engineer. With world-class education and close industry links, Manchester equips students to confidently enter a diverse, evolving job market:

• The award-winning University Careers Service provides tailored support including career guidance, graduate job fairs, internship placement assistance, and access to employer networking events.

• According to the Graduate Outcomes Survey (2021), the median salary for civil engineering graduates is around £29,600 within 15 months of graduation.

• The program benefits from strong partnerships with major employers such as Arup, AECOM, Atkins, Buro Happold, Mott MacDonald, and Network Rail, offering placement and project opportunities.

• It is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators, meeting the educational requirements for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and Chartered Engineer (CEng) status, valued throughout the engineering profession globally.

• Graduates leave equipped with technical expertise, practical problem-solving skills, leadership capabilities, and professional recognition, providing a strong foothold in the civil engineering sector.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, students can choose to advance their education through postgraduate options such as MSc or PhD programmes in specialized civil engineering fields, environmental engineering, or project management. Many also pursue Chartered Engineer (CEng) accreditation or combine their engineering skills with business qualifications like an MBA to widen their career paths.