UCAS code
H200 (BEng), H202 (MEng)Mode of Study
Full-time, Full-time sandwich with work placementDuration
3 years full-time, 4 years full-time, 4 years sandwich with work placement, 5 years sandwich with work placementStart date
September 2023Accredited
Yes
Overview
Look up at skyscrapers you’ve designed, drive on roads you’ve engineered and lead on global infrastructure projects.
Learn to design, construct, operate and maintain infrastructure that supports everything from buildings, transportation, and flood defences to providing safe drinking water and sanitation.
Study this accredited Civil Engineering degree in the city that gave the world Isambard Kingdom Brunel and step into a career that could shape the world.
BEng or MEng?
The 3-year Bachelor's degree (BEng) and 4-year integrated Master's degree (MEng) share many of the same modules in years 1–3.
When you finish the BEng course successfully, you'll meet the educational requirements for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status. The MEng allows you to achieve a Master’s level degree with just one extra year of undergraduate study and when you finish the MEng course successfully, you'll meet the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer status (CEng).
Course highlights
- Visit constructions sites across the city, such as the new Ravelin Sports Centre or the upcoming Southsea Coastal Scheme
- Explore soil types and rock formations on visits to the Isle of Wight and take a field trip to the National Construction College
- Enter a global design competition, run by Engineers Without Borders
- Learn from industry specialists – recent guest speakers have come from the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Atkins, Portsmouth Water, Mott MacDonald, Portsmouth City Council, Colas and WSP
- Study practical diving and underwater engineering and infrastructure, due to our coastal location, and get a recognised PADI diving qualification
95%
of BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering graduates in work or further study 15 months after this course
(HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2018/19)
90%
of MEng (Hons) Civil Engineering graduates in work or further study 15 months after this course
(HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2018/19)
90%
overall student satisfaction for our MEng Civil Engineering course
NSS, 2022
Accreditation
BEng Civil Engineering
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 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. See the JBM website for further information and details of Further Learning programmes for CEng.
MEng Civil Engineering
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 as fully satisfying the educational base for a Chartered Engineer (CEng). See the JBM website for further information.
Entry requirements
BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering degree entry requirements
Typical offers
- A levels – ABB–BBC
- UCAS points – 112-128 points from 3 A levels, or equivalent, including an A level in a numerical subject. (calculate your UCAS points)
- T levels – Merit
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) – DDM–DMM
You may need to have studied specific subjects – see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
See alternative English language qualifications
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
If you don't meet the entry requirements, you may be able to join this course after you successfully complete a foundation year.
MEng Civil Engineering Master's degree entry requirements
Typical offers
- A levels – AAB–ABB
- UCAS points – 128-136 points from 3 A levels, or equivalent, with 40 points from Mathematics. (calculate your UCAS points)
- T levels – Merit – Distinction
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) – DDD–DDM
- International Baccalaureate – 27
You may need to have studied specific subjects – see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
See alternative English language qualifications
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Alumni profile: Mimi Nwosu, civil engineer
Find out about Mimi's life and success after University
Mimi Nwosu graduated from Portsmouth with a degree in civil engineering. She's now a civil engineer, and has been called one of the top women in engineering in the UK.
Find out more about Mimi's experience of building Amazon's London HQ, her advocacy for civil engineers, and the ability to really see a structure.
My name is Mimi Nwosu and I'm a civil engineer.
Growing up, I always wanted a career that saved lives. However, at the time, I only knew of medicine and being a doctor, so I aimed towards that way. It was actually a friend who told me about civil engineering. I attended a lecture and I fell in love and I started studying civil engineering at the University of Portsmouth.
Our lecturers at university are very supportive. I didn't have the prerequisite grades to study civil engineering, so I didn't study A-level maths or physics. However, lecturers believed in me more than I actually believed in myself, which therefore spurred me on to be the best person I could be.
After my second year, I took a placement year in central London, where I worked on Amazon's HQ as an undergraduate engineer. I don't actually work too far from it now, so everytime I walk past it with my family and my friends, I can tell them I built this and tell them all the technical know how behind it.
With civil engineering, I feel like most people see buildings, see bridges, see tunnels, see roads, but they don't know the technical details. So having that speciality to be able to pass it on to somebody else and educate them really makes me proud.
Before I finished university, I went to the Careers and Employability service to help me with my CV, my cover letter and interview techniques in order for me to find graduate jobs. I attended loads of different workshops, spoke to the advisors who offered fantastic advice, and also sent me jobs to apply for, for top engineering firms. Before leaving university, I was actually offered five jobs.
In June, as part of International Women in Engineering Day, I was named as one of the top women in engineering in the UK. I'm really proud of that because I love my job so much. It's not just a job, it's a career for me as well and I really love advocating for women in engineering. It's a career for absolutely everybody and I'm so proud to be one of the faces of that.
I like to describe civil engineers as undercover superheroes. I've always wanted to contribute to people's lives, save lives and have an active impact on sustainability measures, the economy and actually do something that means something to me. Civil engineering just means a lot to me.
Since leaving the university, I still feel very much part of the community. At times, the lecturers have called me to come to speak to the first years students to talk about my career, my time at the university and my time studying civil engineering, which I think is really, really important. People need to see the link between the university and the industry. Without the University of Portsmouth, I just feel like I wouldn't be the passionate civil engineer that I am today.
Facilities
The Hydraulics Laboratory
This lab has a 7-metre long tilting channel for investigating open channel flow, a wave generator and mobile hydraulics benches – all the equipment you need to research and test your understanding of infrastructure.
Welcome to the hydraulics lab.
This is a powerful piece of apparatus that can show you what happens really when flow, like in a river, passes over a weir. You can get the sense of typical flow patterns.
If we've got a given flow rate, what happens when an obstacle is placed in the flow and also what happens downstream of it. So we get a different sort of flow regime on one side compared to the other and you'll see this as it fills up, that we get a flow rate of something like 20,
The flow builds up on one side, passes over the weir and then reaches the other side like this. So it's the same flow rate, but you can see it's kind of smooth, and then it degenerates into a much rougher profile on the other side.
We call this subcritical and supercritical flow. Subcritical flow is just typically what we might find in a water treatment works during distribution of water around different parts of the works. The other side, this supercritical flow, we have to be quite careful because it can cause damage to the environment. It can cause what we call scour or erosion.
Weirs are really very important in civil engineering because what we're trying to do is to obtain a relationship between flow rate and water level. Pretty obviously really, the higher the water level is, the faster the flow rate.
There are some very precise mathematical equations that can relate that flow rate to the water level here.
Environmental Technology Laboratory
This lab hosts all the facilities you need to conduct simple water tests for biochemical oxygen demand to suspended solids, nutrient analysis, pH and conductivity.
Environmental Technology Field Station
Conduct tests and analyse samples currently in the ecosystem in a fully-operational waterworks in nearby Petersfield complete with microbiology and environmental chemistry labs.
Concrete Laboratory
Design, mix and test different concrete mixes, and observe and record all stages of the concrete production process via a built in camera system and live stream in this lab.
Soil and ground facilities
The Geotechnics lab hosts fully automated testing equipment and kit for characterising fine and coarse grained soils.
If you are thinking about the soil and the soil mechanic, the load of the house needs to transfer into the ground. So the structural element, which helps you to transfer the load of the structure into the ground, is a foundation.
We are going to teach you how you should design the foundation and everything, so you should know about the soil parameters.
In the first year of your study, I'm going to talk about the different types of soil, the soil classification, and also how we are going to take a sample from the site and doing some sieve analysis, classify the soil as a coarse material and defined soil. So this is the basic stuff that you need to know about the soil mechanics.
So when you are starting your second year of your study, you have a chance to do more experimental tests, doing some probability tests. You are going to do some odometer tests or the direct share to figure out what is the soil behaviour when you are checking the bearing capacity of the foundation, or what is this soil behaviour when you are loading or unloading.
When you are starting your third year of your study, you have a better idea about the soil mechanic, so you are going to do more traxial tests using the GDS test. And also we are going to teach you some numerical modelling because when you are graduating, you should have a nice CV.
As part of your final year, you have a chance to do some research work which will help you to become independent in the research. If you're thinking about the great material that we have, which is improving the tension of the soil, we can see that the soil particle is moving between the descript and this information is very important for the manufacture to find out what is the best shape of the descript or what is the best shape of this apparatus.
So this is a type of research that you are able and you have a chance to do, as a final project.
I hope I see all of you here in the future.
My favourite part of the course was acquiring knowledge from the module 'Behaviour of Structures' and applying it to the 'ENISE bridge challenge' that took place in France, where I designed a model bridge that would not fail in torsion when an external load is applied.
Careers and opportunities
All civil engineering roles are listed in the UK Government’s 'skills shortage list' and you can expect an average salary from £30,000 up to £70,000.
In fact, 95% of our BEng graduates and 90% of our MEng course graduates are in work or further study 15 months after they graduate and 100% of those MEng graduates are in highly skilled work – which means the skills you’ll learn on our course are in high demand. 80% of those graduates work as engineering professionals.
What’s more, 100% of our graduates find their work meaningful. So start making a difference, and be rewarded well for it.
Graduate destinations
Our graduates have worked for companies such as:
- Sir Robert McAlpine – a civil engineering company that’s contributed to the construction of the NHS Nightingale Hospitals and the expansion of the Royal Albert Hall
- Skanska – a recent project, Haymarket Edinburgh, provides more than 380,000 sq. ft designed to benefit the local residential and business community
- Multiplex Construction Europe – with offices in Australia, the Middle East, United Kingdom and Canada, this company has completed more than 1,000 projects globally
- Balfour Beatty – a leading international infrastructure group developing projects from the UK to the United States and Hong Kong
- Gallagher Group – a UK company delivering civil engineering contracts ranging in value from £100,000 to £15 million
Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.
Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.
What jobs can you do with a civil engineering degree?
Roles you could go into include:
- materials engineer
- geotechnical engineer
- civil engineer
- construction manager
- transport planner
- structural engineer
Placement year (optional)
Taking an optional placement year will give you the experience you need to increase your chances of landing your perfect role after graduation. Our students earn an average salary of £19,000 during their placements.
We'll give you all the support you need to find a placement that prepares you for your career, and we'll continue to mentor you throughout your placement.
See where a placement year with Civil Engineering can take you
Hear from some of our alumni who took a placement with Hampshire County Council and ended up with careers are graduation there.
As a council we decided to take on placement students and form a partnership with the University of Portsmouth with a view to building relationships with with undergraduates through our bursary program.
And then when they graduate potentially considering them for permanent employment with the County Council I decided to do a placement due to employers required in Real World experience and it's hard to go into a field without any background knowledge.
Good way to get early experience whilst you're still learning.
I felt that it would help with my study.
But also I could come to a workplace learn a lot from people and not have too much pressure on some of our undergraduates.
They've never had a real job.
They come in.
They're quite fresh to the working environment, but they quickly get to grips without we will make them feel relaxed.
We'll help them to establish themselves within the workplace.
One of the most important things that you can't be taught in class is the importance of good communication skills and good interpersonal skills.
I learned how to liaise with members of the public counselors other members of staff and the contractor as well.
So sort of really getting a broad range of that communication side of how we're skiing should work and how it should run.
Advice I'd give to students considering doing placements is absolutely go for it.
Like you will not regret it.
It is one of the best things you can possibly do to prefer yourself for a career and civil engineering afterwards.
Hampshire County Council actually offered me my current role as a drainage engineer.
I came back to Hampton County Council after my pleasure because they've offered me a role essentially.
It was amazing.
It was the most fun exciting year of my University degree.
I enjoyed my time here.
I thought like I was a good member of the team so that sort of made me want to come back and to try and Branch out into various other departments to see what else Hampshire has to offer.
I mean incredibly proud of how far we've come with our scholarship program, and I'm equally proud of the relationship that we built up with the University of Portsmouth.
When I spoke to my [company] director, he was shocked at how much I already knew. I explained that this was because of my course and my placement. The University equipped me well for life outside university. I was actually offered five jobs before I left.
Potential roles
Previous students have taken placement roles such as:
- service auditor
- trainee civil engineer
- student site engineer
Potential destinations
They've completed placements at organisations including:
- Osborne
- Network Rail
- Francis Jackson Homes
- Wentworth House Partnership (Keltbray)
- Cappagh
- Dyer and Butler
Joshua's story
"I would definitely recommend Portsmouth..."
Joshua is going into his third year of study on our BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering degree, having just finished a placement year at Geoffrey Osborne, a UK contractor. Find out why he chose to study with us, and what's next for him after graduation.
What you'll study on this BEng (Hons)/Meng Civil Engineering degree
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, four modules worth 20 credits and one module worth 40 credits.
Modules
Core modules
What you'll do
You'll examine the risks and mitigation methods in cost and quality management, health and safety, and environmental management.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Recognise basic techniques used in common construction activities
- Identify health, safety, environmental and quality considerations relevant to the construction site
- Outline materials for permanent and temporary construction structures
- State appropriate construction methods and quantify resources
- Identify common risks and mitigation measures appropriate for the construction process
What you'll do
You'll begin with algebraic manipulation and equation solving, then work with vectors and matrices before moving on to differentiation and integration.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Solve linear and polynomial equations
- Manipulate vectors and matrices, and solve systems of linear equations using matrix methods
- Apply differentiation and integration techniques to functions of one variable
- Apply differentiation techniques to functions of two or more variables
- Solve first-order and linear second-order differential equations
- Select and apply appropriate mathematical methods to the solution of civil engineering problems
What you'll do
You'll learn skills that underpin consultancy and contracting, identify skills required for roles that interest you, and understand the roles of professional bodies in the industry.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Create intelligible scaled drawing using computer-aided design (CAD) software
- Complete hand drawings in isometric projection, orthographic projection and eye height perspective
- Recognise and apply the creative design process
- Measure angles and heights with appropriate instruments and recognise sources of error
- Distinguish the career paths and development needs in civil engineering and construction
What you'll do
In this module, you'll test steel, concrete and other materials in the lab to understand and describe their behaviour. You'll also learn to classify soil types and test their permeability and shear strength.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Describe the constituents and properties of different types of materials and soils
- Recognise concepts relevant to the behaviour and selection of materials and soils
- Explain how changing the proportions when mixing concrete affects its manufacture and performance
- Outline soil testing procedure
What you'll do
To choose this module, you'll need an A-level in mathematics or engineering analysis, or similar.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Derive loads, resolve forces and carry out simple equilibrium checks
- Analyse the forces in pin jointed frames
- Calculate and draw shear force and bending moment diagrams
- Calculate the required properties of non-standard beams
- Evaluate the stresses in members that are subject to multiple actions
What you'll do
You'll study the behaviour of fluids, and how they operate in conduits and channels. You'll also explore environmental science in its relation to civil and water engineering.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Identify and apply key analytical principles of fluid mechanics
- Apply the principles of fluid mechanics to a range of common engineering problems
- Identify and propose solutions for closed conduit flow problems
- Analyse the hydraulics of rotodynamic machines in association with their pipe systems
- Perform flow analysis calculations relating to through open channels, control and gauging structures
- Assess the impact of water engineering on the natural environment
Core modules
What you'll do
To take this option, you'll need to take Understanding Structures – Analysis and Design in year 1.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Apply the virtual work method to determine displacements in structures
- Examine and evaluate buckling behaviour of structures
- Investigate and evaluate the degree of static indeterminacy of structures
- Analyse statically indeterminate structures using both flexibility and stiffness methods
- Evaluate the collapse load for steel structures, and predict their collapse mechanisms
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Apply basic philosophies of structural engineering design
- Employ appropriate Eurocodes for a range of common structural elements in steel and reinforced concrete
- Design simple structural elements in steel and reinforced concrete and present calculations in an appropriate format
- Analyse loading paths in buildings and formulate calculations of basic structural elements
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Analyse data using statistical software
- Present your findings with appropriate graphical and statistical techniques
- Perform risk calculations based on probability models of engineering and business scenarios
- Explain basic economic principles and use common economic appraisal methods for construction projects
- Develop cash flow streams for business within the construction industry
What you'll do
You'll work on a design project that considers social, economic and environmental issues and follow our Department of Employability's Graduate Employment Unit.
To choose this option, you need to have taken Professional Development 1 in your first year.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Apply the creative design process to a brief
- Assess data required to undertake a design project
- Reflect on the social, economic and environmental outcomes of your project
- Articulate your design appropriately, using graphics, report writing and model making
- Recognise what you want from a career, and the skills and knowledge you have to offer
- Evaluate options and make an action plan to achieve your career goals in changing circumstances
What you'll do
You'll focus on structure-soil interaction, linking a fundamental understanding of geotechnical issues with its practical application.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Understand factors affecting the performance of construction materials
- Recommend construction materials that are fit for purpose
- Analyse and calculate the bearing capacity and settlement of shallow foundations
- Measure the mechanical strength of natural ground, the undrained shear strength, stiffness and consolidation coefficients of soils in the lab
- Describe the process of site investigation and compare different methods of sampling
- Design a retaining wall and check its geotechnical stability
Optional modules
What you'll do
The nature and complexity of projects in the AEC industry makes the industry very fragmented, using specialisms such as mechanical, electrical, structural steel, networking and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning to successfully complete projects. You'll learn how to use BIM to address these problems, focusing on the 3D aspect of BIM modelling, and look at further dimensions of BIM including 4D, 5D, 6D and 7D - BIM.
What you'll learn
When you successfully complete this module, you'll be able to:
- Evaluate the extent of fragmentation within the Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) and its impact on successful project outcome
- Evaluate the limitations of 2D CAD in the industry and the need to migrate to Building Information Modelling
- Model and create information outputs of a construction project in a 3D BIM environment
- Collaboratively work in multi-disciplinary teams to complete a construction project
What you'll do
To choose this option, you will have to make a medical declaration, pass a swimming test, and have a medical examination if necessary.
There is a fee for this unit.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Demonstrate the operation and use of SCUBA diving equipment
- Display proficiency in basic diving procedures
- Plan, organise and conduct safe diving activities appropriate to the circumstances
- Describe and explain the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) legislation, risk assessment and project reporting needed for a diving project
- Plan a scientific dive and produce a written project plan
- Use and explain a range of scientific and technical diving techniques
What you'll do
You'll then learn how to apply your diving skills to the theory and practice of underwater engineering operations. To choose this option, you must have a basic diving qualification (e.g. PADI Open Water diving certificate or equivalent). You will also have to make a medical declaration, pass a swimming test, and have a medical examination if necessary.
There is a fee for this unit.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Plan and execute a dive to 30m depth
- Navigate underwater using natural features and a magnetic compass
- Plan, organise and conduct safe diving activities appropriate to the circumstances
- Describe and explain the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) legislation, risk assessment and project reporting required to conduct a diving project
- Plan a scientific dive and produce a written project plan
- Use and explain a range of scientific and technical diving techniques
What you'll do
You’ll examine construction requirements and potential in this growing area.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Illustrate the mechanisms of climate change and their relationship with energy use and policy
- Analyse the thermodynamic cycles of energy generating technologies
- Summarise the main features of conventional, emerging and renewable energy and energy recovery technologies
- Appraise the construction issues associated with extraction, transportation and storage of energy resources and fuels and design appropriate features for such an installation
- Calculate the energy use of buildings and assess the contribution of energy conservation technologies
- Assess the influence of geological and geotechnical factors on the location of energy generation plants
What you'll do
You'll attend a one-week residential field course, working in groups, and will reflect on your activity on your return.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Apply practical engineering surveying techniques to collect field survey data
- Assess the usability of engineering surveying equipment
- Use independent methods to assess field survey data for integrity and consistency
- Calculate the data for positioning engineering works, and construct physical controls in the field
- Reflect on your performance as part of a team
- Create computer-aided design (CAD) drawings to present your survey results appropriately
What you'll do
You'll experience work-related learning in Portsmouth Dockyard and Portsea to enhance your communication and partnership skills. You'll also evaluate best practice by comparing historic industrial structures and residential buildings with examples of refurbishment and re-use.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Compare and contrast cultural and environmental factors that enhance the value and influence the retention of heritage property by individuals and society
- Evaluate the complex relationship between residential, commercial and museum needs when developing strategies and policies for heritage property management and development
- Distinguish between various heritage conservation and planning strategies, such as World Heritage sites, listings and conservation areas, used by national and local governments
- Analyse the key factors and evaluation techniques that must be included in a development plan for a heritage site, assessing their relevance and significance
- Critically discuss literature on the cultural and environmental development of heritage interpretation and property management
- Work as a member of a group to enable the researching, preparation and delivery of an oral presentation on the Portsea Heritage Project
What you'll do
You'll develop a fundamental understanding of project management processes. You'll also learn to apply basic principles and processes of project management.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Describe the principles of project management
- Apply project management principles, including programming
- Prepare a clear and well-presented project management report
What you'll do
The focus will enable you to make comparisons with markets in the UK. You'll also look at alternative models of construction and delivery, including the role that new funding and phasing methods may play.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Combine and apply international knowledge on property development
- Analyse construction, property market behaviour and/or the built environment in the subject country
- Compare, contrast and reflect on the roles and responsibilities of different international perspectives
- Engage actively and effectively in teamwork activities
What you'll learn
The learning objectives of this module are to be confirmed.
Core modules - BEng (Hons) only
What you'll do
Your project will normally involve the identification and analysis of a problem, and will involve investigations into:
- design
- analytical parametric study
- laboratory experiments
- field-based activities
- case studies
- surveys
- documentary or database research
- critical analysis
You'll be expected to comply with health and safety requirements and ethics procedures while completing your project.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Solve significant engineering or surveying problems, critically assessing the validity and limitations of your solution
- Critically analyse and compare relevant literature, data and experience
- Develop and plan a programme of work for an in-depth investigation
- Design appropriate data collection strategies
- Apply sound engineering or surveying principles to solve technical problems
What you'll do
You'll progress from conceptual design to a detailed design phase incorporating sustainability, health and safety, cost considerations and appraisals of your design choices.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Assess problems of civil engineering design and evaluate options
- Make decisions in open-ended situations, and develop and design schemes to meet a design brief
- Present and articulate design solutions in written, drawn, and oral forms
- Resolve issues related to working in small teams of your peers
- Assess and incorporate constructability, health and safety, sustainability and environmental processes relevant to your design project
- Carry out a costing and economic assessment of your design
What you'll do
You'll learn to validate your geotechnical hand calculations with industry-standard software and develop creative and economical solutions to live problems.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Evaluate failure mechanisms of soil slopes and compute slope stability analysis
- Evaluate the problems related to geotechnical design and construction of piled foundations and retaining walls
- Identify and propose remedial measures to slope and flexible retaining wall failure
- Perform geotechnical design using established formulas and approaches to risk
- Appraise the likely long-term performance of a range of construction materials.
- Design and specify construction materials to meet stated service conditions
What you'll do
You'll look at technology and policy, managing demand for transport, improving usage of current transport infrastructure and methods of influencing transport trends.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Discuss the processes affecting the demand for transport
- Predict traffic flows at junctions and on small networks
- Design and model simple road traffic networks
- Evaluate the social, economic and environmental impacts of new highway infrastructure
- Assess and evaluate traffic management techniques
What you'll do
You'll study rainfall and its effect on available water, its collection and distribution, wastewater, and water conservation.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Predict river flow and water resource availability by applying standard models
- Examine non-uniform flow in open channels
- Apply standard lab tests to examine flow behaviour, analyse water quality, and appraise compliance of results with appropriate standards
- Assess the treatment processes, technologies and strategies for drinking water
- Examine major wastewater treatment technologies, their application, and design criteria
Optional Modules - BEng (Hons) only
What you'll learn
When you successfully complete this module, you'll be able to:
- Propose a solution to a significant engineering problem, and assess its validity and limitations
- Analyse and compare relevant literature, data and experience
- Develop and plan a programme of work for an in-depth investigation
- Apply sound engineering principles to solving technical problems
What you'll do
You'll study AUTOCAD software and career skills.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Identify your employability strengths and weaknesses, and take steps to remedy areas of weakness
- Deliver strong presentations in a work-based interview
- Assess your learning against engineering council attributes
- Evaluate your opportunities for graduate level work in civil engineering
- Produce AUTOCAD drawings with appropriate layout and detailing
Core modules – MEng only
What you'll do
This module will introduce you to the holistic design of structures including multi-storey and residential buildings, bridges, and iconic structures. You'll investigate worst case effects from Ultimate Limit State (ULS) and Serviceability Limit State (SLS) loads using engineering and design codes to produce efficient and practical design solutions. You'll learn how individual structural components are analysed within a whole building design, from floors to connections, to foundations.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Develop creative solutions by conceptualising structures using sketches, drawings and emerging digital technologies
- Analyse combinations of load cases and design structures to the Eurocodes, ULS and SLS
- Clearly and effectively communicate a design of a whole structure
- Critically evaluate the stability and robustness of structural forms
- Develop a critical understanding of analysis, design and construction of various structural forms
- Understand the principles of structural dynamics, and relevance to structural analysis and design
What you'll learn
When you successfully complete this module, you'll be able to:
- Propose an investigation to solve a significant technical engineering problem and critically assess its validity and limitations
- Critically analyse and compare relevant literature, data and experience
- Develop and plan a programme of work for an in-depth investigation
- Design appropriate data collection strategies
- Apply sound engineering principles to solving technical problems and critically assess validity and limitations of the solutions
What you'll do
You'll study rainfall and its effect on available water, its collection and distribution, wastewater, and water conservation.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Predict river flow and water resource availability by applying standard models
- Examine non-uniform flow in open channels
- Apply standard lab tests to examine flow behaviour, analyse water quality, and appraise compliance of results with appropriate standards
- Assess the treatment processes, technologies and strategies for drinking water
- Examine major wastewater treatment technologies, their application, and design criteria
What you'll do
You'll look at technology and policy, managing demand for transport, improving usage of current transport infrastructure and methods of influencing transport trends.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Discuss the processes affecting the demand for transport
- Predict traffic flows at junctions and on small networks
- Design and model simple road traffic networks
- Evaluate the social, economic and environmental impacts of new highway infrastructure
- Assess and evaluate traffic management techniques
What you'll do
You'll learn to validate your geotechnical hand calculations with industry-standard software and develop creative and economical solutions to live problems.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Evaluate failure mechanisms of soil slopes and compute slope stability analysis
- Evaluate the problems related to geotechnical design and construction of piled foundations and retaining walls
- Identify and propose remedial measures to slope and flexible retaining wall failure
- Perform geotechnical design using established formulas and approaches to risk
- Appraise the likely long-term performance of a range of construction materials.
- Design and specify construction materials to meet stated service conditions
Core modules - MEng only
What you'll do
You'll learn how to use FEM software packages to solve engineering problems related to the design of real structures. You'll also learn about structural analysis, numerical analysis and engineering problem solving.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Critically appraise and solve engineering problems
- Formulate, analyse and test the behaviour of structures using a commercial FEM package
- Assess and evaluate the results from the computer analysis
- Evaluate proposed solutions to engineering problems by using constitutive relationships and material failure theorems
What you'll do
In this module, you'll get a grounding in environmental engineering and learn about the environmental impacts of civil engineering projects. You'll also get an advanced level of understanding of a variety of environmental issues.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you’ll be able to:
- Apply life cycle analysis and environmental impact assessments to Civil Engineering projects
- Assess whether pollutants or processes are causing contamination
- Propose remedial measures to mitigate environmental degradation
- Critically evaluate the assessment of sustainable urban drainage schemes
- Design and model basic water supply pipe networks using water distribution system modelling software packages
- Prepare technical reports on laboratory findings
What you'll do
The design projects are created with input from professional contacts in the civil engineering industry, so you'll experience what it's like to work in a civil engineering consultancy business. You'll make professional contacts, get advice and guidance from experts, carry out research and conduct off-campus site visits.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you’ll be able to:
- Assess complex matters of civil engineering design and make a critically informed and balanced selection, considering the economic, social and technical aspects of the problem
- Work independently and as part of small groups to develop and design appropriate civil/structural schemes to a project brief, using appropriate engineering analysis and tools
- Research, assess and use appropriate construction methods in a project, taking into account relevant constructability, health and safety, environmental and qualitative processes
- Develop a project cost plan and construction programme
- Present and explain design proposals and solutions orally and in written technical reports, supplemented by drawings
What you'll do
As well as studying project management tools and techniques, you'll also look in-depth at the project management processes within the project life-cycle, and study relationships between the participants at different project phases in real-life case studies.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you’ll be able to:
- Critically assess and use a wide range of project management tools, techniques and processes
- Justify appropriate project management tools, techniques and/or processes to suit different project scenarios, and evaluate their effectiveness
- Discuss the influence of project management in providing effective health and safety management in construction
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
The placement furthered my skills in problem-solving, communication, time management, teamwork and individual initiatives.
How you'll spend your time
One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.
We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies. As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.
A typical week
We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for your Civil Engineering degree. In your first year, you’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as lectures, seminars, practical classes and workshops for about 18 hours a week. The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course. You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2, 3 and 4, but this depends on which modules you choose.
Most timetabled teaching takes place during the day, Monday to Friday. Optional field trips may involve evening and weekend teaching or events. There’s usually no teaching on Wednesday afternoons.
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Teaching
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- workshops
- seminars
- group work
There's an emphasis on learning through field trips and lab work with many practical opportunities to put your knowledge into practice.
Interact with the 360 image below to see our civil engineering students using surveying equipment on a practical class in the centre of Northern Quarter campus.
How you're assessed
- written exams
- web assessments
- essays and reports
- project presentations
- a dissertation
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Supporting your learning
The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to postgraduate study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your Master's.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning support tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study in one-on-one and group sessions.
They can help you:
- master the mathematics skills you need to excel on your course
- understand engineering principles and how to apply them in any engineering discipline
- solve computing problems relevant to your course
- develop your knowledge of computer programming concepts and methods relevant to your course
- understand and use assignment feedback
All our labs and practical spaces are staffed by qualified laboratory support staff. They’ll support you in scheduled lab sessions and can give you one-to-one help when you do practical research projects.
As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University's Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- academic writing
- note taking
- time management
- critical thinking
- presentation skills
- referencing
- working in groups
- revision, memory and exam techniques
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
The Maths Cafe offers advice and assistance with mathematical skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your mathematics skills at a workshop or use our online resources.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (2023 start)
All fees may be subject to annual increase.
- UK, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man students: £9,250 per year
- EU students: £9,250 a year [includes Transition Scholarship]
- International (non-EU) students: £19,200 per year
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Costs breakdown
Our accommodation section show your accommodation options and highlight how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
We will provide you with hard hats and Hi-Vis vests. You will need to buy your own safety boots costing approximately £35.
If you go on the optional residential field trip in year 2, you’ll need to contribute around £230 to the cost.
If you do the optional Energy and Resources Infrastructure module, you'll need to contribute £100 to the cost of a field trip.
If you take either of the 2 optional Diving and Underwater Engineering modules in year 2, you’ll need to contribute to the cost.
This is approximately £858 for the Diving A module and approximately £768 for the Diving B module.
During your placement year or study abroad year, you’ll be eligible for a discounted rate on your tuition fees. Currently, this discount amounts to 90% of the year’s fees.
Tuition fees for that year are:
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £925 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £925 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £1,800 a year (subject to annual increase)
The costs associated with your specific destination will be discussed during your second year, as well as possible sources of additional funding.
Apply
How to apply
To start this course in 2023, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – H200 (BEng) or H202 (Meng)
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form:
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
How to apply from outside the UK
See the 'How to apply' section above for details of how to apply. You can also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.