Civil (and Structural) Engineering

Our philosophy is one of world-class teaching in an atmosphere of research. Staff in the School have won national awards, and strong links with industry ensure teaching is in line with today's requirements.

Why Aberdeen?

Engineering is one of the most satisfying professions. You get results. You make things happen. You generate new solutions to other people's problems and at the end of the day, you have the job satisfaction of being able to see your work in action. Engineering is an intellectually demanding profession, mainly because of the wide range of skills you need to deploy. You are expected to be good at mathematics, to have a sound grasp of basic sciences, to be inventive and creative, to be able to sell your ideas to clients and colleagues and, in due course, to organise and lead fellow professionals.

• Integrated Engineering School, containing award-winning staff and modern, well-equipped laboratories
• Common core in years 1 and 2 for all engineering students
• Programmes reflect 'systems engineering' approach in modern industry
• Final choice of specialisation can be made at start of year 3
• Philosophy of world-class teaching in an atmosphere of research

Programmes

Accreditation

Most engineers achieve professional status in the UK through membership of one of the Engineering Institutions and register as Chartered Engineers. Chartered Engineers can practice in Europe and our Honours degrees are recognised by the European Federation of National Engineering Associations.

The Engineering Institutions regularly review degree programmes and accredit those they find suitable on behalf of the Engineering Council (UK) and Engineering and Technology Board.

According to your choice of curriculum, our MEng Honours degree is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineering, Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Structural Engineers, the Institution of Engineering and Technology or by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. The BEng Honours degree is also accredited, but to complete the academic requirements for professional membership, you would need to follow your degree studies with advanced study equivalent to the final year of an MEng programme.

The Petroleum Engineering programmes will be accredited as part of the portfolio of programmes offered by the School of Engineering to the Engineering Council.

Our degrees are also recognised world-wide as an accredited route to professional engineering status. 

Degree Programmes

Study Abroad

Study abroad information

The opportunity to take Enhanced Study options as part of your degree and participate in co-curricular activities. See www.abdn.ac.uk/thedifference for more information.

Honours Degrees of MEng & BEng

The MEng is a five-year Honours programme and the BEng is a four-year Honours programme both of which are fully accredited by the Engineering Institutions (see Professional Accreditation section). For the first two years you study a common core covering the basic principles of all branches of engineering. In these two years you will follow courses which will give you choice of at least three of the School's main disciplines to specialise in. In the later years you specialise, following your chosen discipline in greater depth, including design applications.  

Pre-Honours Years

In the first year you can study topics such as Engineering Mathematics, Electronics, Engineering Chemistry, Mechanics, Fundamentals of Engineering Materials and Computer Aided Design & Communication.

Following this, in the second year, the topics covered can include, Engineering Mathematics, Engineering Chemistry, Transport Processes, Fluids and Thermodynamics, Solids and Structures, Electronic Systems, Geology, Electrical and Mechanical Systems and Design & Computing. The first and second year courses are complement4ed by hands on practical exercises and case studies from real–life engineering projects.

Honours Years

You do not need to finalise your choice of specialisation until you begin third year. This is also the point at which a final decision between MEng and BEng must be made. Successful BEng candidates will be offered the chance to change to the MEng programme. A wide range of both MEng and BEng programmes are available across the entire engineering spectrum, reflecting the multi-disciplinary nature of the School.

In your third year, you have the opportunity to study from a range of courses leading to specialisation in your chosen discipline. The major feature of the fourth year is the undertaking of an individual project in the area of your specialisation. The project occupies half of your study time and can be undertaken in Aberdeen or abroad. The opportunity exists to study a European language to support this study. Formal courses continue to develop your specialist interests.

If you are studying for the MEng degree then in fifth year you undertake a group design project in addition to courses in Engineering Analysis & Methods and Engineering & Project Management. The study of Advanced Special Topics further deepens your specialist knowledge.

The specialisations come under five main disciplines. Some more information on each of these is detailed below. 

Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering is concerned with creative use of engineering principles and science to shape and improve our lives and our environment.

The work of the Civil Engineer centres on sustainable design for the built and natural environment. Civil Engineers design, build, maintain and manage roads, railways, dams, buildings, airports, hospitals, schools, harbours and sports stadia. They design water supply and water treatment systems and river management, flood and coastal protection schemes.

Civil Engineers are involved in seeing major infrastructure projects through from design to construction to completion.

If you are interested in making lasting, positive improvements to society, in sustainable design for the protection of the natural environment, in improving the quality of life for millions of people using novel building techniques and materials, then Civil Engineering is the career choice for you.

Following specialisation in third year, Honours studies will include: Engineering Analysis & Methods, Fluid Mechanics, Stress Analysis, Engineering Design, Geotechnics, Mechanics of Structures, Design of Structural Elements, Professional Development in the Construction Industry, Economics, Resource & Safety Management, Safety & Reliability Engineering, Field Survey & Engineering Hydrology (field course), Engineering Project & Manufacturing Management.

[MEng only] Solid Mechanics & Materials Modelling, Civil Engineering Hydraulics, Engineering Management, Mathematical Optimisation. 

Teaching and Assessment

The main methods of teaching are lectures, tutorials, laboratory and design classes. You can expect an average of 20 hours of lectures, labs and tutorials per week, which you are expected to supplement with private study. Self-study is vital as it develops the confidence to enable you to tackle unfamiliar problems, an essential skill for the professional engineer.

Laboratories and design classes are used to develop practical and communication skills. They are also valuable for giving practical demonstrations of the concepts covered in the lecture courses.

A number of coursework exercises are carried out each year, aimed at developing and improving communication skills. These include written laboratory reports, dissertations, and presentations. The main method of assessment is examinations in January and May. Presentations, laboratory reports and other coursework are submitted and marked individually throughout the year.

Careers

A degree in Engineering is fundamental to a career as an engineer today. At the moment there is a shortage of good engineers, which means that there are many and varied employment opportunities throughout the country and, indeed, the world. It will also hold you in good stead for more specific careers such as accountancy or management consultancy. The School of Engineering at Aberdeen is justifiably proud of its students and graduates, believing them to be the best advert for the work of the School. With their excellent reputation our graduates are in high demand from employers.

An Engineering degree at the University of Aberdeen can also lead to the opportunity of further study. Every year many of our students come back for postgraduate study either on one of our taught programmes or to gain higher degrees by research.

Finding your direction

There are many opportunities at the University of Aberdeen to develop your knowledge, gain experience and build a competitive set of skills to enhance your employability. This is essential for your future career success.  The Careers Service can help you to plan your career and support your choices throughout your time with us – from first to final year – and beyond.

• More information on employability at the University of Aberdeen.
• More information on the Careers Service.
• More information on careers prospects and employability with a degree in Civil and Structural Engineering.

Entrance Requirements

For details on entrance requirements please click here

Please click on the links below to find out more information on funding in your area.

• Scotland and EU (Excluding England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
• Rest of UK (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
• International
• Scholarships

Related Links

• Scholarships
• Entrance Scholarships
• Funding Database
• England Wales and Northern Ireland Finance Guide