Civil and Structural Engineering (with Integrated Foundation Year)

Program Overview

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Civil and Structural Engineering (with Integrated Foundation Year)

Overview

This integrated programme is designed to prepare and support UK students for a strong and rewarding experience in their selected engineering discipline, Civil and Structural Engineering, immediately aligning students to the fundamentals of engineering from the moment they enrol.

In addition to providing all necessary science, technology, engineering and mathematics background to allow students to confidently enter year one of the BEng (Hons) Civil and Structural Engineering programme, the first year of study will also develop transferable skills such as communication, professionalism, teamwork and creativity, and provide an excellent transition period in preparation for learning and teaching methodologies used in the UK to support high engagement and achievement in the discipline.

The first two years are taken in common with three other engineering disciplines (Biomedical, Chemical, Mechanical) and therefore prior to being immersed in the technical depth of your selected engineering area in the final two years of study, your education will include an understanding of the relation and importance of other engineering areas to your own discipline - invaluable in the modern team-based multidisciplinary engineering sector.

Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate (CDIO) forms a core element of programme delivery, based around developing innovative and sustainable solutions to real-world problems and closely linked to our well-developed industrial collaborations.

Professional Accreditation

The BEng (Hons) in Civil and Structural Engineering is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) comprising the Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, Institute of Highway Engineers, and the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation on behalf of the Engineering Council as:

• fully satisfying the educational base for an Incorporated Engineer (IEng)
• partially satisfying the educational base for a Chartered Engineer (CEng)

A programme of accredited Further Learning will be required to complete the educational base for CEng.

The degree is also recognised by ENAEE (European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education).

Entry Requirements

• Typical offer - 64 UCAS tariff points.
• A levels: DDE
• T levels: Pass - Overall grading Pass (D or E in the Core) with no subject specific requirements.
• BTEC Extended Diploma:
  • Level 3 National Extended Diploma (from 2016) MPP, along with a minimum of GCSE Mathematics grade C/grade 4.
  • Any Engineering subject to include Mathematics for Engineering Technicians (Unit 4) Pass
  • Construction and Built Environment to include Mathematics in Construction and the Built Environment (Unit 3) Pass
  • Applied Science to inc. Mathematical Calculations for Science (Unit 7) and Using Statistics in Science (Unit 8)
• BTEC Nationals Level 3 (from 2016): Any Engineering subject to include Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems (Unit 7) Pass AND GCSE English grade D/grade 3 or equivalent.
• Applicants on Access Programmes: 64 UCAS tariff points. There are no specific subject requirements.
• International Baccalaureate Requirements: 64 UCAS tariff points with Maths at Standard Level grade 5 plus Higher Level grade 3 or Standard Level grade 4 in English.
• Plus minimum of GCSE Mathematics grade C/grade 4 and English grade D/grade 3 (equivalents accepted).
• Additional entry requirements: If you are a mature applicant (aged 21 and over), you will be eligible to apply for this course with level 2 qualifications (or GCSE equivalents). You will also need to provide a written statement, and will be interviewed as part of the process.

Your Learning Journey

All module information is for 2025 entry, and is subject to change.

First Year

• Core:
  • The Effective Learner
  • Foundation Mathematics
  • Computer Skills and Application
  • Foundation Physics
  • Fundamentals of Materials
• Optional:
  • Introduction to Coding
  • Introduction to Computer Visualisation

Second Year

• Core:
  • Computer Aided Engineering
  • Design, Build and Test (Civil and Structural Engineering)
  • Electronics and Mechanics
  • Mathematical Methods and Applications
  • Engineering Materials
  • Thermofluids

Third Year

• Core:
  • Design of Steel and Concrete Structures
  • Engineering Mathematics and Machine Learning
  • Soil Mechanics
  • Water Engineering
  • Structural Mechanics and Analysis
  • Structural Design Project

Fourth Year

Study abroad or placement year.

Final Year

• Core:
  • Geotechnical and Civil Engineering Design
  • Feasibility Study
  • Sustainability in the Built Environment
  • Individual Research Project (Civil and Structural Engineering)
  • Advanced Steel and Concrete Design
• Optional:
  • Project Management and Six Sigma
  • Sustainable Energy
  • Transportation Studies

Professional Placement

A placement year allows you to apply your academic learning within a wide range of industries, including private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. You will gain hands-on experience, develop skills such as communication, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship, and build a professional network that will benefit your future career.

We will support you throughout the process, offering:

• Access to a wide range of placement opportunities with top employers.
• Assistance with CV writing, applications, and interview preparation.
• Guidance on making the most of your placement experience.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

In your first year you will experience a wide range of teaching and learning environments. Concepts, principles and theories are typically explored in formal lectures, practised in tutorials, and demonstrated in laboratory classes. Practical skills are developed in laboratories. Cognitive and personal skills are developed in more open-ended problem solving and design exercises, often tackled by working in small groups supported by members of academic, technical, and library staff. Project work is used to bring various aspects of the programme together.

Typically, each module will involve 72 hours of timetabled contact except Mathematics for which you will have 96 hours of timetabled contact for each module. The expected weekly timetabled commitment will be around 21 hours.

After the foundation year the teaching and learning strategy accounts for learning outcomes that need to be achieved, progression through the levels of study, and the nature of the subject. One of the goals of Higher Education is that students develop lifelong learning skills and are increasingly able to take greater responsibility for their own learning (become independent learners) as they progress through the programme. Our strategy begins with the end in mind. We want students to become great engineers; that means great problem solvers and great team-workers with an inquisitive and curious mind. This should mean that by the end of your study with us you can move seamlessly into the world of work, academic research, or become an entrepreneur.

Our assessment methods incorporate a range of different methods designed to meet the needs of industry and accrediting bodies, as well as to prepare students for a research career.

Fees, Finance and Scholarships

Tuition Fee

• UK: £9,535 per year (Sandwich year: £954)

For international students completing an integrated course with our partner, University of Bradford International College (UBIC): Your UBIC fees will be different to your University of Bradford (UoB) fees. Your UBIC and UoB fees will be confirmed in your offer letter.

Additional Course Costs

While there are no compulsory additional costs associated with this course, there may be general additional costs that you may incur as a student. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Funding Your Studies

It can be hard to know what financial help is available to you as a student.

Further information about the variety of options that can help fund your studies and maximise the money available to you is available on our funding your studies section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Career Prospects

Civil Engineers are amongst the most employable and highly paid of all graduates. After six to seven years of experience you can satisfy the requirements of the professional institutions and become a Chartered Engineer, allowing you to move into more specialised areas. Recent graduate destinations include:

• AMEC
• ARUP Consulting Engineers
• Mowlem Civil Engineering
• Nottingham City Council
• W S Atkins Consulting Engineers

Career Opportunities

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Study Abroad

A study abroad year is a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons, build connections with people from different backgrounds and cultures, and strengthen your skills and experience to make you stand out in the job market.

We have opportunities for students to study, work or volunteer in more than 150 countries across the world and will support you every step of the way.

Support for Your Studies

At Bradford, we’re committed to supporting your success, well-being and future ambitions.

We’re here to provide everything you need to make the most of your time with us, ensuring you not only excel in your studies, but also step confidently into the world of graduate employment.

In addition to the support you receive from your academic tutors, our Student Support Services are here for you throughout your journey - before, during, and after your studies.

77%say staff value students views and opinions about the course

Data for courses in Civil engineering at The University of Bradford

92%of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.

Data for courses in Civil engineering at The University of Bradford

85%in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.

Data for courses in Civil engineering at The University of Bradford

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Terms and Conditions of Study

The University has a set of terms and conditions for all students accepting an offer to study on a course here at Bradford. This is called The Student Contract. This document sets out the Terms and Conditions which apply when you accept an offer of a place on a programme of study at the University of Bradford.

View our Student Contract for further details.

Transparency Statement

Information about this programme and its modules has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publication, but changes may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of teaching. Any change which impacts the terms and conditions of an applicant’s offer will be communicated to them.