BEng Civil Engineering (H205)

2025 entry

Course summary

If you are creative, enjoy design and aspire to improve the world around us, then civil engineering is for you. This degree will equip you to find solutions to global environmental problems and design large and unique structures, such as buildings, bridges and other critical infrastructure assets that shape society - for example, water supply and treatment systems, transport networks and renewable electricity generation.

The course balances deep theoretical knowledge with practical application. At Bristol, you will have access to our world-class laboratory facilities in which to do this, including the most advanced earthquake shaking table in Europe.

The first two years provide a strong foundation in engineering, including mathematics, structures, soil and fluid mechanics, computing and surveying. In your third year, you will undertake a major individual research project and continue to develop key practical and professional skills such as project management, entrepreneurship, economics and risk analysis.

Design is central to the course and this is reflected in the projects and real-world challenges you will face. In the first year, you will develop a sustainable solution to an open-ended problem, such as designing and making a model bridge. The second year includes designing with steel, concrete and timber, geotechnical design and water engineering.

We work closely with industry to ensure we equip you with the skills and experiences needed to become a future leader in civil engineering. Our graduates are highly sought after by top employers, including civil engineering consultancies and construction companies, utility companies, the military, public transport, power generation, supply companies and environmental management.

Accreditations

Our Civil Engineering BEng is approved by major professional bodies in the UK (IStructE, CIHT, IHE, ICE, PWI) so as a graduate you can gain exemptions from a number of their examinations or credits for prior learning.

Course structure

First-year students studying Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, and Design Engineering all start their degrees with a broad knowledge of the fundamentals and a command of the skills that underpin modern engineering.

You will share common units with your peers in other disciplines and work on an interdisciplinary project, based on global challenges and inspired by Engineers Without Borders.

You will meet and work closely with more people from the start of your degree, broadening your social circle and long-term professional network. Interdisciplinary working is now the norm in industry, and a good understanding of disciplines other than your own will serve you well when you enter the workplace.

Starting your degree with a broad foundation of knowledge will expand your frame of reference, enabling you to be more creative as you progress with your course and become more specialist in later years of study. The skills-based approach will provide you with technical abilities that will enable you to be successful in your degree and your career.

Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.

Go to programme catalogue

Entry requirements

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.

A*AA including A*A (in any order) in Mathematics and a science-related subject. Science-related subjects include: Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Further Mathematics; Geography; Geology; Physics; and Electronics.
AAB including AA in Mathematics and a science-related subject. Science-related subjects include: Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Further Mathematics; Geography; Geology; Physics; and Electronics.

Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer
D*DD in either Engineering BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, plus A in Mathematics at A-level (or equivalent), or in Applied Science BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, plus A in Mathematics at A-level (or equivalent). Applicants taking Engineering BTEC may be invited to take the University of Bristol mathematics test in place of A-level Mathematics

Find out more about BTEC entry requirements
38 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 7, 6 (in any order) at Higher Level in Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations) and a science-related subject. Science-related subjects include: Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Further Mathematics; Geography; Geology; Physics; and Electronics.
34 points overall with 17 at Higher Level, including 6, 6 at Higher Level in Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations) and a science-related subject. Science-related subjects include: Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Further Mathematics; Geography; Geology; Physics; and Electronics.

Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer
88% overall, with 9.0, 8.5 in Mathematics and a science-related subject (in any order). Science-related subjects include: Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Further Mathematics; Geography; Geology; Physics; and Electronics.
Advanced Higher: AA in Mathematics and a science-related subject, and Standard Higher: AAAAA. Science-related subjects include: Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Further Mathematics; Geography; Geology; Physics; and Electronics.
Access to HE Diploma in Engineering, Science, or Computing (or similar titles) with 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit, including at least 12 credits at Distinction from units in a science subject other than mathematics, plus A in A-level Mathematics, Or Access to HE Diploma in Engineering, Science, or Computing (or similar titles) with 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit, including at least 12 credits at Distinction in Mathematics (including algebra, calculus and trigonometry), 12 credits at Distinction from units in another science subject, and achieving the required level in the University of Bristol mathematics test.. Science-related subjects include: Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Further Mathematics; Geography; Geology; Physics; and Electronics.

More about Access to HE entry requirements
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

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