Civil Engineering
  • Undergraduate
  • MEng

Civil Engineering

Learn to solve global challenges across the natural and built environment through a world-leading education on this integrated Master’s degree.

  • Undergraduate
  • MEng

Civil Engineering with a Year Abroad

Learn to solve global challenges across the natural and built environment through a world-leading education on this integrated Master’s degree with a year abroad.

Explore topics such as geotechnics, energy systems, materials, statistics, and fluid and structural mechanics.

Access state-of-the-art laboratories, develop design and practical skills, and benefit from strong industry links as you prepare you for a career in engineering

Challenge yourself in a different academic and cultural environment with an optional integrated year abroad.

How would you like to study?

Study option:

Showing course information for 2024 View 2025 course information

Course key facts

  • Qualification

    • MEng

  • Duration

    4 years

  • Start date

    October 2024

  • UCAS course code

    H201

  • Study mode

    Full-time

  • Fees

    • £9,250 Home

    • £40,940 Overseas

  • Delivered by

  • Location

    • South Kensington

  • Applications: places

    5 : 1 (2022)

Minimum entry standard

  • A*A*A or A*AAA (A-level)

  • 40 points (International Baccalaureate)

View full entry requirements
  • Qualification

    • MEng

  • Duration

    4 years

  • Start date

    October 2024

  • UCAS course code

    H202

  • Study mode

    Full-time

  • Fees

    • £9,250 Home

    • £40,940 Overseas

  • Delivered by

  • Location

    • South Kensington

  • Applications: places

    5 : 1 (2022)

Minimum entry standard

  • A*A*A or A*AAA (A-level)

  • 40 points (International Baccalaureate)

View full entry requirements

Study option:

Course overview

Civil engineering is about shaping the built and natural environments in which we live. It is a broad discipline that improves many aspects of our everyday lives, from the provision of safe drinking water to the development of earthquake-resistant structures, while also protecting our natural environment.

Civil engineers will play a crucial role in tackling climate change and leading sustainable development.

Exploring topics such as geotechnics, energy systems and professional engineering practice, this course will provide you with a strong foundation in engineering science and technology. You will then have the option to tailor your studies to suit your interests through a range of specialist modules, or continue with a broad programme.

Throughout this course, you'll integrate theory and practice and apply the knowledge you have gained in class to the real world. You will participate in a number of field trips, including practical land surveying and a geology field course, and Constructionarium, where you'll work in teams to construct scaled-down versions of well-known buildings, bridges, dams and other civil engineering projects.

You will also benefit from our department’s strong industry links and teaching and research facilities, which include a range of testing rigs, extensive computing provision, tension and compression machines, and wave generators and tanks.

At the end of this course, you'll have fully met the educational requirements for professional registration and taken the first step to becoming a Chartered Engineer.

Civil engineering is about shaping the built and natural environments in which we live. It is a broad discipline that improves many aspects of our everyday lives, from the provision of safe drinking water to the development of earthquake-resistant structures, while also protecting our natural environment.

Civil engineers will play a crucial role in tackling climate change and leading sustainable development.

Exploring topics such as geotechnics, energy systems and professional engineering practice, this course will provide you with a strong foundation in engineering science and technology. You will then have the option to tailor your studies to suit your interests through a range of specialist modules, or continue with a broad programme.

In your final year, you'll complete an integrated year abroad at one of our partner universities and challenge yourself in a different academic and cultural environment.

Throughout this course, you'll integrate theory and practice and apply the knowledge you have gained in class to the real world. You will participate in a number of field trips, including practical land surveying and a geology field course, and Constructionarium, where you'll work in teams to construct scaled-down versions of well-known buildings, bridges, dams and other civil engineering projects.

You will also benefit from our department's strong industry links and teaching and research facilities, which include a range of testing rigs, extensive computing provision, tension and compression machines, and wave generators and tanks.

At the end of this course, you'll have fully met the educational requirements for professional registration and taken the first step to becoming a Chartered Engineer.

Study option:

Structure

This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.

Find out more about potential course changes.

Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.

You’ll take the following core modules during your first year.

Core modules

You’ll take the following core modules during your second year.

Core modules

You’ll take the following core modules during your third year.

You’ll also choose one optional module from Group A and one from Group B.

The list of optional modules is indicative.

Core modules

Optional modules - Group A

Optional modules - Group B

You’ll complete an individual research project during your fourth year.

You’ll also choose five optional modules from the indicative list below.

Core modules

Optional modules

You’ll take the following core modules during your first year.

Core modules

You’ll take the following core modules during your second year.

Core modules

You’ll take the following core modules during your third year.

You’ll also choose one optional module from Group A and one from Group B.

The list of optional modules is indicative.

Core modules

Optional modules - Group A

Optional modules - Group B

Your fourth year consists of an agreed programme of study at an approved university in either Australia, China, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland or the USA.

We currently have exchange agreements with:

  • University of Melbourne, Australia
  • University of Queensland, Australia
  • Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China
  • University of Grenoble, France
  • Ecole de Ponts et Chaussees, France
  • RWTH Aachen, Germany
  • Politecnico di Torino, Italy
  • Technical University of Delft, Netherlands
  • UPC Barcelona, Spain
  • University Polytechnic of Madrid, Spain
  • ETH Zurich, Switzerland
  • University of California, USA

 

This is an integrated year abroad, so the grades you achieve will count directly towards your Imperial degree.

Professional accreditation

This degree is accredited on behalf of the Engineering Council by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM), comprising:

  • Institution of Civil Engineers
  • Institution of Structural Engineers
  • Institute of Highway Engineers
  • Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation
  • Permanent Way Institution

With this integrated Master’s degree, you’ll fully meet the educational requirements for professional registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

With a professionally accredited degree, you’ll be able to demonstrate to employers that you have achieved an industry-recognised standard of competency. Professional accreditation also provides international recognition of your qualifications, which you can use to launch a career abroad.

Becoming a Chartered Engineer can further enhance your career prospects and earning potential. It demonstrates your competencies and commitment to lifelong learning – providing you with recognition in your field and greater influence and opportunities.

Our accreditation agreement with members of the Joint Board of Moderators is renewed every five years. The current accreditation agreement is due to be renewed in 2026.

Associateship

In addition to your degree, you’ll receive the Associateship of the City and Guilds of London Institute (ACGI) upon completion of this course. This associateship is awarded by one of our historic constituent Colleges.

Study option:

Teaching and assessment

Balance of teaching and learning

Key

  • Lectures, seminars and similar
  • Independent study

Year 1

  • 39% Lectures, seminars and similar
  • 61% Independent study

Year 2

  • 35% Lectures, seminars and similar
  • 65% Independent study

Year 3

  • 23% Lectures, seminars and similar
  • 77% Independent study

Year 4

  • 12% Lectures, seminars and similar
  • 88% Independent study

Teaching and learning methods

  • Person at lectern giving speech
    Lectures
  • People collaborating and completing practical work.
    Laboratory activities
  • Four students sitting in a tutorial
    Tutorials
  • Personal tutorials
  • Presentations
  • Individual research project
    Individual research project
  • ID badge for site visit or facility tour
    Site visits and field trips
  • A group of people interacting
    Group exercises and design projects
  • Blackboard virtual learning environment
    Virtual learning environment
  • Constructionarium

Balance of assessment

Key

  • Coursework
  • Examination

Year 1

  • 32% Coursework
  • 68% Examination

Year 2

  • 51% Coursework
  • 49% Examination

Year 3

  • 37% Coursework
  • 63% Examination

Year 4

  • 67% Coursework
  • 33% Examination

Assessment methods

  • A person completing a written exam
    Written examinations
  • Person completing coursework
    Coursework
  • Laboratory experiment reports
  • Computer-based exercises
  • Dissertation
  • Presentations
  • Design project blueprints
    Design projects
  • Research project proposal document
    Self-reflective writing

Balance of teaching and learning

Key

  • Lectures, seminars and similar
  • Independent study

Year 1

  • 39% Lectures, seminars and similar
  • 61% Independent study

Year 2

  • 35% Lectures, seminars and similar
  • 65% Independent study

Year 3

  • 23% Lectures, seminars and similar
  • 77% Independent study

Teaching and learning methods

  • Person at lectern giving speech
    Lectures
  • People collaborating and completing practical work.
    Laboratory activities
  • Four students sitting in a tutorial
    Tutorials
  • Personal tutorials
  • Presentations
  • Individual research project
    Individual research project
  • ID badge for site visit or facility tour
    Site visits and field trips
  • A group of people interacting
    Group exercises and design projects
  • Blackboard virtual learning environment
    Virtual learning environment
  • Constructionarium

Balance of assessment

Key

  • Coursework
  • Examination

Year 1

  • 32% Coursework
  • 68% Examination

Year 2

  • 51% Coursework
  • 49% Examination

Year 3

  • 37% Coursework
  • 63% Examination

Assessment methods

  • A person completing a written exam
    Written examinations
  • Person completing coursework
    Coursework
  • Laboratory experiment reports
  • Computer-based exercises
  • Dissertation
  • Presentations
  • Design project blueprints
    Design projects
  • Research project proposal document
    Self-reflective writing

Study option:

Entry requirements

We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.

Study option:

How to apply

Applications are closed for 2024 entry.

Applications are closed for 2024 entry.

Applications are closed for 2024 entry.

Tuition fees

Home fee

2024 entry

£9,250 per year

Year abroad

£1,385 for that year

Overseas fee

2024 entry

£40,940 per year

Year abroad

2024 entry

100% of the fee for that year

Your future career

Man pointing to a screen

Get industry exposure through visiting lecturers, field trips, the Constructionarium, our creative design course, and group and individual projects.

Person surrounded by small images of other people

Take advantage of networking opportunities with potential future employers.

Lightbulb above a book

With specialised knowledge, you'll be highly sought after in a range of sectors.

Pencil Calculator Protractor

Transport planning, structural engineering, civil engineering, and geotechnical engineering are just some of your options.

Course data

Compare this course – Civil Engineering MEng

Compare this course – Civil Engineering with a Year Abroad MEng

Terms and conditions

There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.

Read our terms and conditions

You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.

Programme specifications