Program Overview

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Environmental and Civil Engineering with a Year in Industry

Overview

This degree is designed to provide students with a good basis for a professional career as a chartered Civil Engineer working with environmental scientists and geologists. Emphasis is placed on the practical application of theory through design and laboratory work. The degrees contain an element of choice, but all students are required to take courses which will equip them with the technical, management and professional skills needed for a career in environmental and civil engineering. The university study is complemented by a year in industry.

Course Structure

Introduction

This degree is designed to provide students with a good basis for a professional career as a chartered Civil Engineer working with environmental scientists and geologists. Emphasis is placed on the practical application of theory through design and laboratory work. The degrees contain an element of choice, but all students are required to take courses which will equip them with the technical, management and professional skills needed for a career in environmental and civil engineering. The university study is complemented by a year in industry.

Stage 1

Students study the fundamentals of civil engineering theory and practice. This forms the transition from the basic mathematics and sciences studied at secondary level to engineering applications.
Stage 1 courses provide a foundation in engineering mathematics, construction materials, fluids mechanics, structural behaviour, surveying, and engineering design.

Stage 2

This is a very important year of study, when the major knowledge of civil engineering subjects and their application within design are developed.
Students following the sandwich degree will take an Industrial Placement Year between Stages 2 and 3, or between Stage 3 and 4.
Stage 2 courses develop students' understanding of the core areas of geotechnics, structures, mathematics and design. Students specialise in civil engineering by taking hydraulics and highways.

Stage 3

Theory is now applied in a professional context. Students can develop their knowledge in specialist subjects by choice of modules. They are introduced to water treatment and management and economics within the civil engineering profession. All students undertake a major individual research project.
Stage 3 courses extend students' understanding of the core areas of geotechnics, structures, construction management and design. Students specialise in civil engineering by taking hydraulics.

Stage 4 (Year in Industry)

Placement Year.

Stage 5

The MEng is an Integrated Masters programme, so this stage is set at Masters level. In this year students develop knowledge of environmental and business management. They work in teams on large integrated designs, which form a substantial part of their studies.
Students also broaden their knowledge by a wide choice of environmental engineering modules while being required to take relevant core civil engineering subjects to advanced level.
Stage 5 courses focus on design, construction management and environmental impact assessment.

Professional Accreditations

Civil Engineering at Queens is an Academic Partner of the Institution of Civil Engineers and we have one of the highest graduate employment rates in the Russell Group of Universities.
This degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) comprising the Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, Institute of Highway Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and the Permanent Way Institution on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). See for further information.

Career Development

Many of our students have gained international work placements
through, for example IAESTE.

Student Testimonials

"I decided to study Environmental & Civil Engineering with an Industrial Placement year at Queens University Belfast due to the broad and exciting career prospects it provides. At university, my passion for Environmental and Civil Engineering has continually grown due to the unwavering support from lecturers and interesting projects we have been exposed to. Completing an industrial placement throughout my degree has helped me to gain practical experience to complement the theoretical knowledge gained within Queens."

Phillipa Thiele.
Student Civil Engineer

Entry Requirements

A level requirements

AAB including Mathematics and at least one from Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Digital Technology, Environmental Technology, Geography, ICT (not Applied ICT), Physics, Software Systems Development or Technology and Design.
A maximum of one BTEC/OCR Single Award or AQA Extended Certificate will be accepted as part of an applicant's portfolio of qualifications with a Distinction* being equated to a grade A at A-level.

Irish leaving certificate requirements

H2H3H3H3H3H3 including Higher Level grades H2 and H3 in Mathematics and a Science subject (see list under A-level list requirements)

International Baccalaureate Diploma

34 points overall, including 6,6,5 at Higher Level, including Mathematics and a Science subject (see list under A-level requirements)

Graduate

A minimum of a 2:2 Honours Degree, provided any subject requirement is also met.

Access/Foundation Course

Not considered. Applicants should apply for the BEng Civil Engineering degree.

Note

All applicants must have GCSE English Language grade C/4 or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.
Applicants not offering Physics at A-level should have a minimum of a grade B/6 in GCSE Physics or GCSE Double Award Science grades BB/66.

Further information

Applicants for the MEng degree will automatically be considered for admission to the BEng Civil Engineering degree if they are not eligible for entry to the MEng degree both at initial offer making stage and when results are received.

Option to transfer

Transfers between BEng Civil Engineering degree and this MEng may be possible at the end of Stage 2 depending on performance.

How we choose our students

Applications are dealt with centrally by the Admissions and Access Service rather than by the School of Natural and Built Environment. Once your application has been processed by UCAS and forwarded to Queen's, an acknowledgement is normally sent within two weeks of its receipt at the University.
Selection is on the basis of the information provided on your UCAS form, which is considered by an Admissions Manager/Officer from the Admissions and Access Service and, if appropriate, the Selector from the School. Decisions are made on an ongoing basis and will be notified to you via UCAS.
Applicants for MEng Honours Degrees in Civil Engineering, Environmental and Civil Engineering and Structural Engineering with Architecture must be able to satisfy the University's General Entrance Requirement; it should be noted that a strong performance at GCSE is essential. For last year's entry, applicants for this MEng programme must have had, or been able to achieve, a minimum of 6 GCSE passes at grade B/6 or better (to include Mathematics and Physics/Double Award Science). Selectors will also check that any specific subject and grade requirements in terms of A-level can be fulfilled (see Entry Requirements).
Offers are normally made on the basis of 3 A-levels. Applicants repeating A-levels require BBC at the first attempt and offers will be made in terms of A-level grades AAA including Mathematics plus a relevant Science (see entry requirements). Applicants are not normally asked to attend for interview.

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

An IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at:

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, Queen's University Belfast International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 | £4,855
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Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 | £4,855
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 | £9,535
EU Other 3 | £25,300
International | £25,300

1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase in each year of the course. Fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Additional course costs

In year 1 students are required to buy safety boots, basic boots start at £10.

There is a residential field trip at the end of year 1 which is a compulsory part of the Surveying Module, costs are approximately £220.

Students undertake a placement in year 3 and are responsible for funding travel, accommodation and subsistence costs. These costs vary depending on the location and duration of the placement. Students may receive payment from their placement provider during their placement year.

Career Prospects

Introduction

All major infrastructure developments require environmental assessment for their design and construction. Expertise in environmental assessment and civil engineering is therefore in demand. Graduates from the environmental and civil engineering degree course are ideally suited to this role. They can expect to find employment in the expanding areas of environmental management and regulation.

Studying for a civil engineering degree at Queen’s will assist you in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions. Graduates from this degree at Queen’s are well regarded by many employers (local, national and international) and over half of all graduate jobs are now open to graduates of any discipline, including Civil Engineering.

Although the majority of our graduates are interested in pursuing careers in Civil Engineering significant numbers develop careers in a wide range of other sectors.

Employment Links

Consultations
We regularly consult and develop links with a large number of local, national and international employers including, some of who provide sponsorship through the national QUEST Scholarship Scheme. Queen’s is among the top universities in the number of scholarships gained. In addition, we have a Civil Engineering Advisory Panel including members from the major employer sectors. This panel forms the benchmark for the UK Civil Engineering Accrediting body, the Joint Board of Moderators.

Placement Employers
Many of our students have also gained international work placement through organisations such as the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience.

Degree Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Scholarships

Each year, we offer a range of scholarships and prizes for new students. Information on scholarships available.

International Scholarships

Information on scholarships for international students, is available at

Modules

Year 1

• Hydraulics 1 (20 credits)
• Design and Communications 1 (20 credits)
• Construction Materials (20 credits)
• Solids and Structures 1 (20 credits)
• Mathematics 1 (20 credits)
• Surveying and Measurement 1 (20 credits)

Year 2

• Preparation for Civil Engineering Placement (0 credits)
• Project Management and Coding (20 credits)
• Infrastructure Site Characterisation (20 credits)
• Design and Communications 2 (20 credits)
• Hydraulics 2 (20 credits)
• Structural Mechanics (20 credits)
• Geotechnics 2 (20 credits)

Year 3

• Civil Engineering in a Changing Environment (20 credits)
• Geotechnics 3 (20 credits)
• Hydraulics 3 (20 credits)
• Project 3 (30 credits)
• Design and Communications 3 (30 credits)

Year 4

• Civil Engineering Placement (120 credits)

Year 5

• Land, Water & Air Quality (20 credits)
• Assessment of Environmental Impacts (20 credits)
• Eng Hydrology and Hydrogeology (20 credits)
• Construction and Business Management (20 credits)
• Design and Communication 4 (40 credits)