Bachelor of Engineering (BEng)

BEng Civil Engineering

Society needs civil engineers now more than ever, and our graduates are among the most sought-after in the UK (THE Graduate Market, 2024)

  • Duration: 3 years
  • Year of entry: 2025
  • UCAS course code: H200 / Institution code: M20
  • Key features:
  • Field trips
  • Accredited course

Full entry requirementsHow to apply

Fees and funding

Fees

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £34,000 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

Additional expenses

There is a compulsory field course for Civil Engineering students which incurs a subsidised fee* (approx. £100) that contributes to travel, accommodation and subsistence. You are expected to bring your own wet weather clothing and footwear.

The exact cost and dates of the trip are confirmed at the start of your second year.

* In accordance with current University policy, this fee is restricted to be not more than 1% of the annual tuition fee of the course

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.

For further information about scholarships and bursaries you can explore our undergraduate fees pages , visit scholarships and bursaries , and check the Department's funding pages .

Course unit details:
Design 1 (Civil)

Course unit fact file
Unit code CIVL10321
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 1
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

Civil engineering is one of the oldest of the engineering professions. Civil engineers are responsible for determination of the right design for different infrastructures under various constraints (engineering, economic, social, environmental, etc.) and looking after the construction process so that the safety, reliability and durability of these structures are guaranteed after completion. Design is one the core modules in civil engineering programme.  As one of the introduction courses to the freshers in civil engineering, this unit is aimed at those stated in Section 2 of this specification and consists of 2 themes:  Engineers Without Borders (EWB) design project and a Design, Make and Test (DMT) project.

Aims

To enable students to develop an understanding and appreciation of architectural and structural form.

To provide students with fundamental knowledge of the design activities required for civil engineering.

To provide opportunities for students to learn about design, teamwork and communication through an inspiring, sustainable and cross-cultural Engineers Without Borders (EWB) project and an in-house design make and test (DMT) project presentation.

To help students to understand the importance of the interaction between engineering, the environment and society by working on real world development projects.

To introduces the concepts of humanitarian engineering and increase students’ awareness of the role of engineers, their individual responsibility and the initial implication of ICE code of professional conduct during the process of their design and decision-making.

Syllabus

The themes are supported by a 2 hrs lecture/tutorial/presentation per week for 6 weeks, a 2 hrs lecture/tutorial/laboratory workshop per week for 5 weeks and a 3 hrs practical destructive test comprising introduction to the EWB  challenge (delivered jointly with EWB-UK), design details and design practice; introduction to DMT and its design/failure test. Details are set as

The Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Project
1. Introduction to EWB project - 2 hrs project and requirement introduction;
2. EWB brainstorm sessions -2 hrs per week for two weeks;
3. EWB guest lecture and design presentation (from students);
4. EWB project design, tutorial, solution and report
Students are required to develop some innovative design ideas, acquire knowledge and resources nationally and internationally and present their design solutions to a specified local community.  The assessment will be carried out with a combination in-class and on-line blackboard  and an invited practice engineering design lecture will be given in the middle of the project progression.The concepts of humanitarian engineering  will be integrated  into the design of this project  and will increase students’ awareness of the role of engineers and their responsibility.

Design Make and Test Project
1. DMT project introduction-- two 1hr sessions;
2. DMT project design – 2 hrs tutorial;
3. DMT project make -- four 2 hrs-sessions in lab;
4. DMT test --  one 3hrs-session for destructive test
It is a more significant project where students are required to apply and exercise the knowledge and skills obtained during the courses of Tools for Civil Engineers, Structures 1  (even though they are not  necessary to be the specified pre-requisite units)  in a design, make and test style. The students, working in groups, are required to design, construct, test and decommission a 1/20 scale multiple span temporary timber bridge. This involves checking design calculation (by VBA in Tools), presenting fabrication drawings (using CAD) for each component and making a bridge deck support unit in lab workshop in given time limits with appropriate communication, investigation, collaboration and teamwork.  A group design report has to be submitted by the students.

Assessment methods

Assessed tutorial work, Written report, Oral presentation - 45%

Practical demonstration, assessed tutorial work, written report - 55%

Feedback methods

Two weeks after submission

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 11
Practical classes & workshops 3
Project supervision 11
Supervised time in studio/wksp 9
Tutorials 6
Independent study hours
Independent study 60

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Zhang-Jian Wu Unit coordinator

Return to course details