Civil Engineering

• This course is available to study with an industrial year or without an industrial year
• You'll work on real life projects and case studies and go on site visits and fieldtrips, so you'll be able to put your theory into practice and develop the knowledge and skills employers are looking for
• BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering is accredited by the Institution of Structural Engineers, the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, the Permanent Way Institution and the Institute of Highway Engineers on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer and partly meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer. See the Joint Board of Moderators website (opens in a new window) for further information
• You'll be taught by experienced civil engineering practitioners who are highly skilled in this field, and you'll study in our fantastic facilities at Markeaton Street
• Our STEM centre houses a range of equipment which you'll use throughout your studies, including a 10m flume, a state-of-the-art ground penetrating radar and a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) with survey and thermal imaging capabilities

Civil Engineering and Construction - your questions answered

Programme Leader for Civil Engineering, Derek Spalton, answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Civil Engineering and Construction at the University of Derby. 

BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering at Derby

This course will enhance your skills in advanced areas of civil engineering theory, particularly structures and infrastructure design. You'll develop a thorough understanding of the process of civil engineering technical design and management. You'll also be introduced to key design skills in structures, fluids, geology, soil mechanics, surveying and materials.

Photos above are of a group of Civil Engineering students on a trip to Darley Park to study the river topography and analyse river flow paths.

Enhance your skills

If you decide to take an industry year placement it will be between the second and final year of your degree and there are a large number of SMEs, large, national and international companies who are looking for placement students each year. There is a plethora of support available for students who are looking to enhance their employability whilst studying including internships, placements and graduate roles. 

You can also get involved with local projects, for example Down to Earth Derby's 'New Commons'. For the last several years we have been working with Down to Earth Derby, on nature-based regeneration and connecting communities with nature and growing food. A major project we are working on at the moment, with the Eden Project, is a community garden on part of Sturgess Fields, a site owned by the University between Kedleston Road and Markeaton Street sites. The plan is to create a New Commons that will be managed with the community. There are opportunities for you to work on this project, designing sustainable buildings and structures.

Going on placement and into graduate roles: Civil Engineering student stories

Joe, Cally and Jacob are three Civil Engineering students that secured placements at Dorset Council, Graham, and Via East Midlands. Here they share their experience of going from practical classes to industry placements - discover why they chose the course, how classroom learning connects to real-world problems, and what's next for them.

Strong professional credentials

BEng (Hons) Accredited CEng (Partial), 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 partially satisfying the educational base for a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Civil Engineering students on a recent trip to scan a tunnel on the Monsal Trail in Derbyshire. Photographs provided by Luke Brammer.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

You'll learn through a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials, on and off site laboratory and site work, and visits to companies.

How you'll be assessed

You'll be assessed through workshop laboratories, surveying field work, group work and individual assignments. Some traditional exams maybe involved for design tests.

When you graduate, you'll have lots of career opportunities in civil engineering in fields such as design, maintenance, asset management and construction. You could work in private companies which specialise in contracting or consulting, for local authorities, water companies, Network Rail or the Highways Agency, for example. Or you may choose to continue your studies by taking a postgraduate course, such as our MSc Civil Engineering and Construction Management degree.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to

Additional costs and optional extras

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.