BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering with Sandwich Placement

This module is designed for programmes across the university where professional development is not already embedded through placements or regulated frameworks. Schools with established professional development pathways (e.g., Nursing, Pharmacy, Initial Teacher Training) may opt out or adapt the module to complement their existing provision. Building on the foundational skills and reflective practices introduced in Level 4 Succeeding at University (or equivalent), this module supports Civil Engineering students in developing their professional identity, career readiness, and the knowledge and skills essential for continuous growth in the engineering workplace. Through practical exercises and professional development sessions, you will explore key themes such as personal effectiveness, leadership, communication, ethical practice, and lifelong learning. Drawing on work experience, placements, case studies, or sector examples, students will reflect on real-world engineering practice to connect theory with professional application. They will engage in self-assessment, goal setting, and action planning to identify strengths and areas for development. Reflective practice is central to the module, enabling students to critically evaluate their experiences and performance in Civil Engineering contexts and to develop as competent, professional engineers.

This module develops your understanding of structural analysis and the design of common civil engineering structures. Building on Level 4 principles, students will analyse and design structural elements such as beams, columns, and simple frames under various loading conditions. Key topics include bending, shear, axial forces, deflection, and structural stability, with consideration of material properties for steel, concrete, and timber. The module also introduces design codes and industry standards, including Eurocodes, to ensure compliance with professional practice. Practical workshops, problem-solving exercises, and mini-projects allow students to apply theoretical knowledge to realistic design scenarios. Emphasis is placed on safe and sustainable design, clear presentation of calculations, and professional documentation of design solutions. By the end of the module, students will be able to perform structural analysis, design simple elements, and communicate engineering solutions effectively, supporting progression toward Partial CEng accreditation and future professional development in civil engineering.

This module will introduce you to the principles of transportation engineering and develop your knowledge and practical expertise in both transportation planning and transport system modelling. As part of traffic engineering, the module introduces fundamental principles, focusing on those that underpin the operation of road transport systems. Furthermore, the transportation planning component introduces you to the assumptions and applications of the four-step travel demand model, covering trip generation, trip distribution, mode choice and route assignment. You will explore the theoretical foundations of these steps and the requirements for producing reliable planning outputs. Finally, the modelling component equips you with hands-on experience in traffic simulation and analysis tools, enabling you to design and assess transport systems at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. Through practical exercises, you will learn to translate planning outputs into operational designs and analyse them using traffic engineering principles.

The Final Year Dissertation module enables students to integrate and apply the knowledge and skills developed throughout the programme by undertaking an independent investigation into a specialist area of Civil Engineering. The module provides an opportunity to explore a topic of personal and professional interest while developing research, analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills relevant to contemporary engineering practice. Students will define the scope of their investigation, undertake a critical review of the relevant literature, select and apply appropriate research methods, collect and analyse data, and evaluate their findings to address a clearly defined engineering problem. Dissertation topics will reflect current challenges and developments in Civil Engineering, with industrial relevance where appropriate. Throughout the module, students will demonstrate independent learning, project planning, technical analysis, and professional communication by presenting their work in a well-structured academic dissertation. By the end of the module, students will be able to undertake an independent engineering investigation, critically evaluate evidence, develop well-justified conclusions, and communicate their findings effectively, supporting the academic requirements for progression towards Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status.

This module builds on Level 5 knowledge in soil mechanics, geotechnical engineering, structural analysis, and design, developing an integrated understanding of soil–structure interaction and advanced engineering design practice. Students will explore the analysis and design of complex civil engineering systems, including foundations, retaining structures, beams, frames, slabs, and other structural elements subjected to a range of loading and ground conditions. Key topics include bearing capacity, settlement analysis, slope stability, lateral earth pressures, structural behaviour, bending, shear, torsion, deflection, and stability of structural systems. The module introduces the application of geotechnical and structural design principles in challenging conditions, considering factors such as groundwater, soil variability, sustainability, constructability, and environmental impacts. Practical laboratory exercises, design workshops, site investigation interpretation, and problem-solving activities provide hands-on experience in analysing engineering data, applying Eurocodes and relevant industry standards, and developing safe and sustainable design solutions. Emphasis is placed on professional design documentation, engineering judgement, and effective communication of technical information. By the end of the module, students will be able to analyse soil–structure systems, develop appropriate foundation and structural solutions, and evaluate alternative designs, demonstrating professional competence and supporting progression towards Partial CEng accreditation in civil engineering.

This module develops advanced understanding of water engineering principles and their application to civil and environmental engineering projects. You will analyse open channel and pipe flow, hydraulic structures, and water distribution systems using practical engineering methods. Key topics include fluid flow theory, energy and momentum principles, pump selection, storm drainage, flood estimation, and river engineering. The module also explores environmental aspects of water engineering, including urban drainage design, flood risk management, water quality, sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), and the impact of climate change on water resources. Students will use industry guidance such as CIRIA SuDS Manual and Environment Agency standards to inform design solutions. Practical problem-solving, data analysis, and design exercises are used to develop professional competence. By the end of the module, you will be able to design and assess hydraulic systems and apply environmentally responsible engineering approaches, balancing technical, sustainability, and safety considerations in line with Incorporated Engineer (IEng) professional standards.