Civil Engineering (with Placement Year)

With challenges such as climate change and resource scarcity, engineers have an important part to play in designing, planning and future-proofing our built environment.

By studying BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering at ARU, you’ll focus on the design and analysis of infrastructure.

From day one of this civil engineering degree, you will be working on real built environment projects. Our course is project-based, meaning you’ll be getting hands-on experience – and learning to think and work like an engineer.

Designing and building structures like bridges, roads, airports and flood defences demands a high degree of technical skill. Our Civil Engineering BEng course will teach you to approach projects competently, ethically and safely.

It’s a practical course where you’ll learn to carry out site investigations and land surveys, select materials, analyse and design infrastructure and engineering systems, and plan the construction process. There’s a strong focus on sustainability and understanding the environmental impact of your work. You’ll also become skilled at using computer-aided design and specialist software.

You’ll learn from expert tutors in specialist facilities, including labs for geotechnics, hydraulics, concrete testing and more.

Outside of the lab, there’s the chance to join lectures given by guest speakers and take an optional placement year in industry. You'll also take part in three week-long construction projects during your course.

This degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators, comprising the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Institution of Structural Engineers, Institute of Highway Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) and the Permanent Way Institution on behalf of the Engineering Council, for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Going to university can offer you a series of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. As part of your course, you could study abroad with one of our short-term Global Experience programmes. Opportunities include summer schools and placements, lasting from one to four weeks and funded by ARU’s UK Turing Scheme grants.