Program Overview

Overview

The Civil Engineering with a Foundation Year BEng (Hons) course is designed to meet the requirements of relevant professional bodies, providing students with the best start to their career in civil engineering. The course focuses on developing key transferable skills, such as problem-solving, project planning, presentation, and communication, with a strong emphasis on hands-on learning and industry links.

About the Foundation Year

The Foundation Year course option enables students to study for the BEng (Hons) degree over an extended full-time duration of four years by including a Foundation Certificate (year one of four) in their studies. The Foundation Certificate provides a broad study program that underpins the follow-on degree.

What's Covered in This Course?

On this course, students will develop the key transferable skills that modern employers require, such as problem-solving, project planning, presentation, and communication. The course covers a range of topics, including:

• Civil Engineering Principles 1 and 2
• Mathematical Modelling 1 and 2
• Practical Skills 1 and 2
• Engineering Science 1 and 2
• Structures I and II
• Soil Mechanics
• Numerical Analysis
• Civil Engineering Materials
• Civil Engineering Applications
• Integrated Digital Design for Complex Structures
• Hydraulics and Drainage
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Advanced Analysis and Design Methods
• Individual Honours Project

Entry Requirements

Essential Requirements

• 80 UCAS Tariff points
• GCSE Maths at grade C/4 or above
• A Level, BTEC, and other level 3 requirements:
  • A Level: 80 UCAS Tariff points / CDD (or equivalent)
  • AS Level: Must be in a different subject to A Levels
  • A maximum of four subjects will be considered
  • Pearson BTEC (Diploma / Extended Diploma/ Extended Certificate): 80 UCAS Tariff points
  • Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications
  • Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications
  • T Level: Pass overall (C or above on the core) All subjects considered
  • Access to HE Diploma: Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at level 3
  • OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications: 80 UCAS Tariff points
  • NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications: 80 UCAS Tariff points
  • WJEC Level 3 qualifications: 80 UCAS Tariff points
  • Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers): Minimum of 80 UCAS Tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects
  • Scottish Higher / Advanced Higher: 80 UCAS Tariff points from three Advanced Highers (DDD) or two Advanced Highers (DD) plus two Highers (DD)
  • Welsh Baccalaureate: 80 UCAS Tariff points. Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications

International Qualifications

• International Baccalaureate Diploma: Obtain a minimum of 24 points overall
• EU / International students: Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept

Fees & How to Apply

UK Students

• Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study
• The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament
• Award: BEng (Hons)
• Starting: Sep 2025
• Mode: Full Time
• Duration: 4 years
• Fees: £9,535 in 2025/26

International Students

• Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study
• The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament
• Award: BEng (Hons)
• Starting: Sep 2025
• Mode: Full Time
• Duration: 4 years
• Fees: £17,690 in 2025/26

Course in Depth

Foundation Year

• Mathematics for Engineers 1 and 2
• Practical Skills 1 and 2
• Engineering Science 1 and 2

First Year

• Civil Engineering Principles 1 and 2
• Mathematical Modelling 1 and 2
• Civil Engineering Design Project
• Integrated Digital Design - Residential

Second Year

• Structures I
• Soil Mechanics
• Numerical Analysis
• Civil Engineering Materials
• Civil Engineering Applications
• Integrated Digital Design for Complex Structures

Final Year

• Hydraulics and Drainage
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Structures II
• Advanced Analysis and Design Methods
• Individual Honours Project

Employability

• We will develop the skills, understandings, and personal attributes that will help you stand out from the crowd when it comes to securing employment
• We will ensure you are professional, work-ready, and enterprising, with a global outlook and the ability to solve problems creatively
• This course has been mapped against the UKSpec subject benchmarks for engineering, and we will support you to work towards a range of competencies linked to these benchmarks
• We will also support your readiness for work by offering placements, where you can gain vital work experience in a real-life business

Facilities & Staff

• The facility our students value most is not actually on campus, but is the location of the campus in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside opposite the new High Speed 2 station construction, and minutes from dozens of fascinating live projects within the city centre
• Birmingham as it changes constantly on our doorstep really is our ‘living lab’
• The facilities on offer to our students reflect the work environment you will enter as you start your career
• Learn more about what we have to offer below
• Software
• Built Environment Space in Millennium Point
• Concrete and Hydraulics Labs
• Built Environment facilities