Civil Engineering
Specialise in the design and analysis of built environment projects, focusing on infrastructure.
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.
Study at an award-winning university
We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.
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Find out more about studying Civil Engineering at ARU in this short video
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You'll be immersed in an integrated learning environment designed to foster environmentally sustainable approaches
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We intertwine in-class engineering theory, in-lab hands-on experience, and on-site practical construction activities throughout our course
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Bring the world of work to life through Live Briefs, developed with regional employers to give you exposure to ‘real world’ problem-solving
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Our course is developed by a dynamic collaboration of staff, students, and leading regional companies, meaning students on this course have maximum opportunity to gain critical skills for employment
Course options
Key facts
Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.
- Feasibility and Flood Hydrology Project (30 credits)
- Introduction to Engineering (15 credits)
- Applied Engineering Mathematics (15 credits)
- Structural Mechanics (15 credits)
- Building Information Modelling for Civil Engineering (15 credits)
- Materials, Design and Construction Project (30 credits)
- Into ARU
- Structure and Construction Project (30 credits)
- Sustainable Conceptual Design for Civil Engineering (30 credits)
- Ruskin Module (15 credits)
- Hydraulics (15 credits)
- Advanced Engineering Mathematics (15 credits)
- Structural Analysis (15 credits)
- Civil Engineering Design Project (30 credits)
- Geotechnics and Nature-based Solutions Project (30 credits)
- Research Methods and Individual Project (30 credits)
- Structural Dynamics (15 credits)
- Civil Engineering Materials and Manufacture (15 credits)
To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.
- Foundation in Engineering, Computing and Technology
You can choose to take an optional placement year as part of this course. Placements typically happen in Year 3, and your course will take four years overall. Find out more about placement years.
- Work placement
It's possible to study this course part-time. You'll take the same modules as BSc/BA (Hons) students, but sometimes in a different order or in different years.
As a part-time student you'll typically study for twice as long as full-time students; for example if the BSc/BA (Hons) course takes three years, you can expect to study over six years, though for some courses the part-time length may differ.
Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.
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Dr Binh LeSenior Lecturer
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Dr Maryam ImaniAssociate Professor
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Dr Yingang DuSenior Lecturer, Civil Engineering; Course leader
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Dr Cacin WongLecturer
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Dr Mariantonietta MorgaSenior Lecturer
Student experience
See how our Civil Engineering students put their ideas into practice.
Get hands-on experience - explore how our students discover the link between their design and the construction process within civil engineering.
Facilities
You’ll use our specialist engineering facilities in Chelmsford, which include labs for geotechnics, hydraulics, structures, engineering materials and concrete testing.
As well as getting hands-on experience in our labs, there’s the chance to join two week-long construction projects, carry out land surveys, use computer-aided design and specialist software, and make site visits.
You could also join our student-led Engineering Society.
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Beam testing apparatus
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Concrete compression machine
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Flow channel and flume apparatus
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Oedometers experiment and data logging
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Shearbox test
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Triaxial apparatus
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Universal testing machine
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Wind tunnel
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Careers
Civil engineers tend to specialise in two areas – design and production. The chances are that as a BEng (Hons) student your interests will lie in design, but our course will prepare you for both.
Design civil engineers work mainly in offices, looking at the need for projects and how a particular project can be achieved.
Production civil engineers work and plan on-site, check the quality of work, and oversee schedules and budgets.
Graduation doesn’t need to be the end of your time with us. If you’d like to continue your studies, we offer a range of postgraduate degrees including our MSc Construction and Civil Engineering Management, which will prepare you for CEng (Chartered Engineer) status. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.
Employability and personal career development
Informed by employers, our courses support an integrated approach to employability. You’ll have opportunities to develop the skills and abilities they are looking for and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work through Live Briefs and Ruskin Modules.
To amplify your career ambition, you will need to actively dedicate time outside of your studies, whether you choose to explore placements, internships or volunteering. Or you could make a social impact by collaborating with our partner organisations through our volunteer scheme Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE). These all give you an edge, providing you with experience that you will be able to evidence on your CV and talk about in interviews.
Our Employability and Careers Service offers a range of expert advice and support to build your unique professional profile, including tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, and help to complete job applications. You’ll have 24/7 access to the Careers Centre, our comprehensive online digital resource, which empowers you to start building a Personal Career Development Plan from the very start. Design your future at ARU.
Ujjwal
"Gain knowledge that you can deliver in your practical job."
UjjwalBEng (Hons) Civil Engineering
Engineering at ARU (360 video)Entry requirements
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Fees and paying for university
Apply for Civil Engineering
Clearing places available
UK students, apply through Clearing for a September 2025 start
UK students
Call our Clearing line
01245 686868
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