Civil Engineering BEng (Hons)

Course code H200

What is special about this course?

Civil Engineers are responsible for the design and implementation of a wide range of infrastructure, energy and construction projects. The focus in these varies, from consultation, design and advisory, to site-based work. The BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering degree is designed to enhance career prospects by helping students to develop and demonstrate a sound grasp of civil engineering principles in both design and contracting.

You will benefit from strong industry links and professional practice, giving you the skills required to improve your employment opportunities in this key industry sector. The programme has the support of local employers such as Pat Munro, Mott MacDonald and The Highland Council. Currently 87% of our full time 3rd and 4th year students have secured work in the industry as trainee Civil Engineers.

The programme enjoys regular site visits, guest presenters and live project work designed to enhance your experience. Live projects include: working on a master plan with Architectural Technology students for developments with Inverness Caledonia Thistle; creating concept design and options appraisals for sports and student facilities on Inverness Campus; and designing replacement footbridges with Forest and Land Scotland.

You will be taught by a team of enthusiastic lectures with extensive experience and varied qualifications. We utilise expanding lab facilities and current technology in the delivery of our course and you will be introduced to themes of clean construction and digital innovation throughout the programme.

In addition, the programme offers those in employment the opportunity to study on a block-release basis, allowing you to combine work and study as part of our Higher and Graduate Apprenticeships.

Please click on the following links for information on Technology guidance and System requirements to study this course.

Special features

  • Block-release delivery with increased blended learning approaches using the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE) 
  • Employed students will also have the opportunity to complete an SVQ4 Construction Site Management
  • Vocational skills developed by taking part in industry projects for full-time students
  • Regular site visits and guest presenters
  • Live project work such as the replacement of footbridges with the Forestry Commission (work produced forms part of the coursework submissions)
  • Excellent lab equipment including structural analysis, geotechnical labs and materials testing
  • 3D surveying and modelling technologFree student membership of ICE, can find out more here - https://www.ice.org.uk/membership/grades-of-ice-membership/student-membership-of-ice
  • 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, 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). See www.jbm.org.uk for further information.

Entry requirements

  • For September 2023, entry to this course is only available from year 2, via an HNC Civil Engineering with grade B or above in the Civil Engineering Graded Unit 1
  • Applicants with other relevant qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis

 

 

Year 1 - HNC

For the academic year 2023/24, entry to this course is only available from year two.

Year 2 - DipHE

Core modules are:

  • Civil engineering project 2
  • Civil engineering technology 2
  • Geotechnical engineering 2
  • Hydrological engineering
  • Mathematics for civil engineering
  • Structural analysis and design

Year 3 - BEng

Core modules are:

  • Advance site surveying and communication or environmental studies
  • Applied structural analysis and design
  • Civil engineering measurement and management
  • Civil engineering project 3
  • Civil engineering technology 3
  • Geotechnical engineering 3

Year 4 - BEng (Hons)

Core modules are:

  • Alternative design technology
  • Collaborative design project
  • Professional practice (Civil engineering)

You must also complete a dissertation.

How will I study my course?

  • Full-time
  • Part-time (structured)
  • Part-time (unstructured)
  • You will learn through a combination of face-to-face lectures and tutorials, and online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors. You will also attend site visits (not mandatory) and undertake project work

How long will my course last?

  • Full-time: 4 years @ 48 hours per week for each semester (usually around 12 hours face-to-face per week, with 12 weeks per semester)
  • Part-time (structured): 6 years over two 3-week blocks and one 2-week exam/coursework block; all blocks will be 5 days a week

Where can I study my course?

  • Inverness

Start date

  • September

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

  • EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
Study Mode2022-232023-24
Full-time (120 credit modules) per year £1,820 £1,820
Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year £645 £915
Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) £215 £305

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term-time address in Scotland, studying full time, the following fees apply:

YearLevel2022-23 Full-time2023-24 Full-time
Year 1 CertHE £9,250 £9,250
Year 2 DipHE £9,250 £9,250
Year 3 Degree £9,250 £9,250
Year 4 Honours free free

4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,542.

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK and EU students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.

EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes.  Students will get an automatic scholarship of £4,000 per annum and the 4th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

YearLevel2022-23 Full-timeWith scholarship2023-24 Full-timeWith scholarship
Year 1 CertHE £14,310 £10,310 £15,360 £11,360
Year 2 DipHE £14,310 £10,310 £15,360 £11,360
Year 3 Degree £14,310 £10,310 £15,360 £11,360
Year 4 Honours Free Free Free Free

Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

Study Mode2022-232023-24
Full-time per year (120 credit modules) per year £14,310 £15,360
Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year £7,155 £7,680
Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) £2,385 £2,560

Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

Further information on international course fees.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

Funding

External scholarships and financial support may be available. Contact the relevant university partner college for more information.

What can I do on completion of my course?

Once you have successfully completed this course, you might like to consider careers in:

  • Civil Engineering in design and consultancy
  • Construction and contracting
  • Construction, energy, flood and river management
  • Environmental or marine sectors

Can I progress into further study?

After successfully completing the BSc (Hons) Civil Engineering, you may be able to progress onto MSc Civil Engineering.

Is there more information available online?

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After finishing my first year I started to apply for apprenticeships so that I could work and study at the same time. I was offered a job by The Highland Council who have encouraged me to carry on with my degree while working in their design office. Currently I work three days with the council, and study at the university the other two. I really like the fact that the class sizes are small; this means we get a lot of help and support from our lecturers.

Emily Currie is studying on the BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering at our UHI Inverness campus.

The course is right for me as it fits alongside my work. Most of my lecturers are from a site background so they can really link things to the working environment.

I have gained some great experience on projects for my employer, Balfour Beatty. These include the road and bridge project at Inveramsay Bridge in Aberdeenshire; the Newmill floor protection scheme near Keith; and currently, the A9/A85 project on the outskirts of Perth.

It can be tough finding the time to study on an apprenticeship, as well as work, but doing the theory and experience together will enable me to take half the time to gain my degree.

Bethany Welsh, BSc (Hons) Civil Engineering student, studied by block-release through the Graduate Apprenticeship scheme, UHI Inverness campus.

Apply for Civil Engineering BEng (Hons)

This course is not currently accepting applications, please return to this page for further information.

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.