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The BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering course covers broad-based civil engineering subjects to equip you with knowledge and skills to plan, design and implement major civil engineering projects.
There is a 36-week period of paid industrial training incorporated into this degree, which is obtained competitively.
If you are successful in completing this period of employment, you will graduate with a 'Sandwich' degree, which demonstrates to employers that you're ready to make an immediate contribution to their teams. This thin sandwich placement is undertaken out-with term time/on a part-time basis, meaning it does not affect the duration of the degree.
The practical nature of the civil engineering course also means that you will visit construction sites and spend time doing practical field-work as part of the degree.
91% of Civil Engineering students were satisfied overall with the course (National Student Survey 2024).
This degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM).
This comprises 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 for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
Candidates must hold a masters or doctorate accredited as further learning for CEng to hold accredited qualifications for CEng registration. See www.jbm.org.uk for further information and details of further learning programmes for CEng.
There is a 36-week period of paid industrial training incorporated into the degree to develop your professional skills. Students are responsible for applying for civil engineering jobs. These are obtained competitively so they cannot be guaranteed, however we will assist you with the application process.
You will visit construction sites and spend time doing practical field-work, where you will study modern practices in sustainable construction including environmental awareness, health and safety, and construction technology.
UWS has over 100 years’ experience in training engineers. Many of our courses are professionally accredited and designed to anticipate industry demand. Their delivery is supported by excellent on-campus facilities. Our students graduate with the knowledge, skills and practical experience to succeed in engineering.
As a UWS Civil Engineering graduate, you will have the skills to make useful contributions to any professional civil engineering & construction team from the moment you start your full-time career.
There is a 36-week period of paid industrial training incorporated into this degree, which is obtained competitively. If you are successful in completing this period of employment, you will graduate with a 'Sandwich' degree, which demonstrates to employers that you are ready to make an immediate contribution to their teams.
This thin sandwich placement is undertaken out-with term time/on a part-time basis meaning it does not affect the duration of the degree. You are responsible for applying for civil engineering jobs/placements yourself. As these positions are competitive, they cannot be guaranteed. However, we will assist you with this.
The practical nature of the civil engineering course also means that you will visit construction sites and spend time doing practical field-work as part of the degree. You will study modern practices in sustainable construction including environmental awareness, health and safety, and construction technology.
In addition, industry experts will share their expertise with guest lectures throughout the course. Guest lectures further deepen your understanding and appreciation of real-world civil engineering practices. Invited speakers from civil engineering consultancies, construction contractors and professional bodies also take the opportunity to talk to students about the role of civil engineering in society.
The sandwich degree course meant I had the opportunity to undertake a 36-week work placement within my degree. I believe this work experience was essential in helping me find a job so quickly.
Katie Duff, BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering graduate
Major civil engineering and construction organisations actively seek university graduates, offering very competitive starting salaries and excellent career prospects. On successful completion of your BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering degree, you may gain employment with a major contracting or consulting engineering company. UWS graduates work with companies including Graham, Balfour Beatty, BAM Nuttall, Arup, Atkins, Amey, WSP, and Network Rail.
This course partially satisfying the educational base for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) with the relevant engineering bodies. This course prepares you for further study on an accredited master's degree which will allow you to apply for Chartered Engineer status.
For a full list of accredited and approved further study options see the Joint Board of Moderators website.
Some graduates have progressed to doctoral research (PhD) programmes.
UWS Civil Engineering graduate, Katie Duff is used to working in all weather as she keeps an eye on the condition of the country’s railway bridges.
Her work as an engineer stretches back to her days as a student at UWS. Katie spent her summer placement with Amey, a UK and international consulting and infrastructure support business, surveying railway bridges as part of a pilot project for Network Rail.
Katie actually received two job offers before graduating. One came from Amey. The other from AECOM, a US construction firm that had successfully pitched for the Network Rail infrastructure inspection and assessment project. She chose AECOM.
The course gave me a broad base of knowledge, which I can apply in my job. It has allowed me to go on to study towards a master's degree before I apply for Chartership status with the Institution of Civil Engineers.
Katie praised the practical nature of the UWS course and reckons practical modules like those on surveying, are particularly useful as it's something she does every day.
We welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page for information on our different entry requirements, including country-specific details for EU and non-EU qualifications.
Advanced entry is possible to Years 2 and 3 of this course for suitably qualified applicants (see below).
All academic degrees/awards at UWS are taught in English. For applicants whose first language is not English*, the University sets a minimum English language proficiency level. All English language qualifications must have been gained within two years of the start of your UWS course.
* applicants who are exempt from English language requirements include:
In general terms, if you are applying to study a course at, or above, Year 1 (SCQF Level 7) bachelor’s degree level, then the UKVI’s minimum level of English proficiency is Common European Framework for References of Languages (CEFR) at B2 (Upper Intermediate).
At UWS, we define our general English language requirements using the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training) as follows:
These are minimum requirements and some courses may require a higher standard for admission†.
† Exceptions to this level of IELTS scoring exist for some accredited or professionally-recognised courses (see IELTS Score Exceptions section below for more information).
For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For Health, Nursing & Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (BSc Adult Nursing, MSc Adult Nursing, BSc Mental Health Nursing, MSc Mental Health Nursing, BSc Midwifery and MSc Midwifery), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
Our BSc Paramedic Science degree leads to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); it has different IELTS requirements than other Health-related courses. Although it is not possible to apply for this degree directly as an international student, for applicants who meet SAAS residency requirements and for whom English is not their first language, then the following IELTS scores are required:
For our BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science degrees, which may lead to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
Our BA (Hons) Social Work and MSc Social Work degrees are professionally recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council and applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
In additional to IELTS, we also accept a number of alternative English language for application and admission to our courses for both home/EU and international students at bachelor's degree study at Year 3 (SCQF Level 9), and above. From Cambridge to TOFEL iBT qualifications the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out about non-IELTS English Language Tests
UWS has also reviewed a range of High / Secondary School qualifications studied by non-EU applicants that can be used as a basis of entry to a UWS. These range from Botswana GCSEs to USA High School Graduation Diplomas, the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out more about international English Language high-hchool qualifications
Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. The UWS courses available are:
In addition to the core programme content, industry experts share their expertise with guest lectures throughout the course. Guest lectures further deepen your understanding and appreciation of real-world civil engineering practices.
Invited speakers from civil engineering consultancies, construction contractors and professional bodies also take the opportunity to talk to students about the role of civil engineering in society.
It's always possible to augment your studies and broaden your horizons by learning a new language and prepare for the best international opportunities.
You will commence your studies in Year 1 by establishing a solid engineering foundation. In the first year of study, subjects include mathematics, engineering mechanics, applied engineering science, communication, drawing and computing skills and an introduction to the engineering industry.
In Year 2, the curriculum will cover topics such as sustainable construction, civil engineering materials, design of structural elements, mathematics for design, hydraulics and surveying.
Year 3 includes structural engineering, water resources engineering, construction technology, project management and soil mechanics. Team building skills are developed via an interdisciplinary group design project (InterAct) module working with students from different universities in Glasgow.
The Honours year of the undergraduate degree includes structural engineering, ground and highway engineering, modern practices in construction, and advanced construction materials. The final year also includes, a major individual project which allows you to investigate the civil engineering subject of your choice.
The teaching and assessment methods employed by staff in the delivery of the course portfolio covers a wide range of established and contemporary approaches. The methods of assessment used include examinations, coursework, presentation, portfolio and case studies. Much of this is left to the professionalism of the staff delivering the modules. Lectures, tutorials and laboratory works form the basis for the majority of teaching and assessment within Civil Engineering. Extensive use is also made of computer suites, seminars, field work, group work, independent learning and laboratory demonstrations.
Programme Specification and Module Descriptors for Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses are available to download (PDFs). These provide you with core information concerning your chosen subject.
£1,820 cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£9,250 Cost per year of study, but not more than £27,750
£9,250 Cost per year of study, but not more than £27,750
£18,000 per year of study
£305 per module (20 credits)
£1,550 per module (20 credits)
£1,550 per module (20 credits)
£3,000 per module (20 credits)
£1,820 per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£9,535 per year of study (4 years of study for the price of 3 years)
£9,535 per year of study (4 years of study for the price of 3 years)
£18,000 per year of study
£305 per module (20 credits)
£1,590 per module (20 credits)
£1,590 per module (20 credits)
£3,000 per module (20 credits)
Ready to apply? All UK & EU Undergraduate applications should be made through UCAS. Further information for international, part-time and exchange applications can be found below.
Apply on UCASAll UK and EU applicants for undergraduate study, not applying through an agent or partner, should apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)
The on-time application deadline for 2025/26 entry is 29 January 2025, 18:00 (UK time). For some courses it may still be possible to apply beyond this period, subject to suitable vacancies remaining. The final deadline for late applications via UCAS is 30 June 2025. Beyond this deadline, you may be able to apply via ‘UCAS Clearing’ if the course you are interested in has remaining places.
Please refer to our Undergraduate Application Guide for domestic & EU/EEA to find more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS.
You can find out more about applying for this undergraduate course on UCAS.
Students from non-EU/non-EEA countries can apply directly to UWS via our dedicated online application system. The latest we can process your application is 6 weeks before the course start date to allow for visa processing times. For more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS please refer to our International Undergraduate Application Guide.
For part-time & online study, you should apply directly to the University through our online application system, not through UCAS. Please select the part-time mode of study when submitting your application. Before you begin your application, it is important to read the part-time application step-by-step guide for a smooth process.
To come to UWS as a visiting student on a study abroad or exchange programme, you must apply entirely through our online system.
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.
Do you have a question about applying for this course? Get in touch. We are here to help!
Going to university is about much more than getting a qualification, it’s also the chance to enjoy an exciting social life, gain some independence and make the most of the new opportunities available.
DiscoverWe will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.