Casimir de Bonneval
Engineering (Civil), BEng
Introduction
Civil Engineering is all about the environment and infrastructure that makes up the modern world. Civil Engineers design, build and maintain our roads, railways, airports, dams, industrial facilities, power stations, coastal protection and harbour works, hospitals, sports stadiums and much more.
If you are interested in making lasting, positive improvements to society, in sustainable design for the protection of the natural environment on land or at sea, in improving the quality of life for millions of people using novel building techniques and materials, then civil engineering is an excellent choice.
Study Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- BEng
- Duration
- 48 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time
- Start Month
- September
- UCAS Code
- H200
- Pathway Programme Available
- Undergraduate Foundation Programme
Civil Engineers design, build and maintain (and decommission where appropriate) everything from transport infrastructure to power stations, from oil refineries to renewable energy schemes, hospitals, stadiums and much more. Civil Engineers also design water supply and effluent treatment systems and flood protection and environmental protection schemes and help keep our infrastructure working effectively by adapting to challenges like population growth or climate change.
At Aberdeen, you will be taught by leading Civil Engineering experts whose research covers areas such as environmental and industrial fluid mechanics, soil mechanics, structural mechanics and transport studies. Our teaching is supported by our excellent workshop and laboratories, with state-of-the-art equipment, including some of Scotland’s very best hydraulic equipment.
The first two years of our engineering degrees cover general engineering, with elements of chemical, mechanical, petroleum and electrical/electronics, as well as civil. In the later years, you specialise, following your chosen discipline in greater depth. You do not need to finalise your choice of specialisation until you begin your third year.
Our 4-year Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) programmes are accredited as fully meeting the educational requirements for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and partially meeting the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng). After the first two years, students on the four-year Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) have the opportunity to pursue the 5-year Masters of Engineering in their chosen discipline.
The School of Engineering has strong links with industry, including local, national and international organisations, who
support our teaching through guest lectures and seminars, placement opportunities, site visits and scholarships.
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.
View the Aberdeen Global ScholarshipWhat You'll Study
The first two years cover general Engineering, with elements of Chemical, Mechanical, Petroleum and Electrical/Electronics, as well as Civil. In the later years you specialise, following your chosen discipline in greater depth. You do not need to finalise your choice of specialisation until you begin third year.
It is possible to move between MEng and BEng and this can be accomplished at any point until the second half session of fourth year. Successful BEng candidates will be offered the chance to change to the MEng and there is no quota, meaning that if grade requirements are met that transfer is guaranteed.
- Year 1
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Compulsory Courses
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
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This course, which is prescribed for level 1 undergraduate students and articulating students who are in their first year at the University, is studied entirely online, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across the first 4 weeks of term.
Topics include University orientation overview, equality & diversity, MySkills, health, safety and cyber security, and academic integrity.Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
- Principles of Electronics (EG1008)
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15 Credit Points
The aim of the course is to introduce basic concepts of electrical & electronics within a context of general engineering. The topics covered are kept at an elementary level with the aim of providing the foundational material for subsequent courses at levels 1 and 2. The course adopts the philosophy of application oriented teaching. During each topic the students will be provided with examples of day-to-day devices. Topics covered include dc circuit analysis, electronic amplifiers, digital circuits, optoelectronics, and ac theory.
- CAD and Communication in Engineering Practice (EG1010)
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15 Credit Points
The course is designed to introduce the students to different methods of communication in the process of interchanging ideas and information. Oral presentation and writing of technical reports are introduced. The importing data from web-based and library-based sources will be integrated through information retrieval and investigative skills training. Professional ethics are covered on plagiarism, copyright and intellectual property. Engineering drawing skills and knowledge of relevant British and International Standards will be developed through intensive training in the use of computer aided design and modelling package, SolidWorks. Standard drawing formats including 3D depiction of stand alone parts and assemblies are covered.
- Fundamentals of Engineering Materials (EG1012)
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15 Credit Points
Engineering design depends on materials being shaped, finished and joined together. Design requirements define the performance required of the materials. What do engineers need to know about materials to choose and use them successfully? They need a perspective of the world of materials. They need understanding of material properties. They need methods and tools to select the right material for the job. This course will help you develop knowledge and skills required for the successful selection and use of engineering materials.
- Engineering Mathematics 1 (EG1504)
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15 Credit Points
The course presents fundamental mathematical ideas useful in the study of Engineering. A major focus of the course is on differential and integral calculus. Applications to Engineering problems involving rates of change and averaging processes are emphasized. Complex numbers are introduced and developed. The course provides the necessary mathematical background for other engineering courses in level 2.
- Fundamental Engineering Mechanics (EG1510)
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15 Credit Points
Engineering Mechanics is concerned with the state of rest or motion of objects subject to the action of forces. The topic is divided into two parts: STATICS which considers the equilibrium of objects which are either at rest or move at a constant velocity, and DYNAMICS which deals with the motion and associated forces of accelerating bodies. The former is particularly applied to beams and truss structures. The latter includes a range of applications, such as car suspension systems, motion of a racing car, missiles, vibration isolation systems, and so on.
Optional Courses
Select a further 45 credit points from courses of choice at Levels 1 or 2.
- Year 2
-
Compulsory Courses
- Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics (EG2004)
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15 Credit Points
The fluid mechanics section of the course begins with the material properties of fluids. This is followed by studying fluid statics and principles of fluid motion. Bernoulli’s equation is used to explain the relationship between pressure and velocity. The final fluids section introduces the students to incompressible flow in pipelines.
The thermodynamics section presents: the gas laws, including Van Der Waals’ equation; the first law of thermodynamics with work done, heat supply, and the definitions of internal energy and enthalpy. The second law is introduced including entropy through the Carnot cycle.
- Process Engineering (EG2011)
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15 Credit Points
A general engineering course that provides insight into the two main conservation principles, mass and energy. Processes are usually described through block diagrams. This language, common to many disciplines in engineering, helps the engineer to look at their processes with an analytical view. Degree of freedom analysis is addressed, emphasising its importance to solve a set of linear equations that model fundamental balances of mass. Practical examples of Energy balances are displayed, bringing Thermodynamics to a practical level. Heat Transfer is introduced. Process control is introduced, explaining basic control techniques and concepts, i.e sensors, feedback, control loops and PID controllers.
- Engineering Mathematics 2 (EG2012)
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15 Credit Points
This course follows Engineering Mathematics 1 in introducing all the mathematical objects and techniques needed by engineers. It has three parts:
- Matrices: definitions, operations, inverse and determinant; application to systems of linear equations.
- Ordinary differential equations: 1st order (linear and separable), 2nd order with constant coefficients, forced oscillations and resonance.
- Functions of two variables: partial derivatives and extrema, the chain rule, the heat equation and the wave equation.
- Design and Computing in Engineering Practice (EG2501)
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15 Credit Points
A general engineering course that provides an insight into the principles of engineering design process, computer programming in MATLAB and its application in parametric study and basic design optimisation, environmental ethics and sustainability in the context of design, and Computer Aided Design (CAD) using Solidworks. The course also includes hands-on exercises on the manufacture of simple parts using a variety of machine tools and joining processes.
- Electrical and Mechanical Systems (EG2503)
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15 Credit Points
This course provides students with an integrated development of methods for modelling, analysing and designing systems comprising electrical and mechanical components. In doing so it intends to emphasise to the students the similarity in behaviour between electrical and mechanical systems. The course aims to give an introduction to both electrical machines, circuit and systems, transformers, and similar mechanical systems like gearbox, vibrating system and principles of dynamics, and thus provide the foundation material for several courses at level 3 .
Optional Courses
Select a further 30 credit points from courses of choice at Levels 1 or 2.
- Year 3
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Compulsory Courses
- Geotechnics 1 (EA3027)
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15 Credit Points
This course is aimed principally at students interested in civil engineering and its focus is to familiarise students with the fundamental concepts involved in soil mechanics and engineering geology. The first course in the civil engineering programme includes the importance of soil mechanics in structural design. The main emphasis is on understanding the main principles of soil mechanics through the introduction of laboratory tests commonly used to obtain the engineering properties of different types of soil such as sand and clay. Discussion of the consequences of some soil failures (such as in the case of the Tower of Pisa) is also introduced.
- Engineering Analysis and Methods 1a (EG3007)
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15 Credit Points
Modern engineering analysis relies on a wide range of analytical mathematical methods and computational techniques in order to solve a wide range of problems. The aim of this course is to equip students with the necessary skills to quantitatively investigate engineering problems. Examples applying the methods taught to practical situations from across the full range of engineering disciplines will feature heavily in the course.
- Stress Analysis A (EM3015)
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15 Credit Points
One of the roles of an engineer is to ensure that engineering components perform in service as intended and do not fracture or break into pieces. However, we know that sometimes engineering components do fail in service. Course examines how we determine the magnitude of stresses and level of deformation in engineering components and how these are used to appropriately select the material and dimensions for such component in order to avoid failure. Focus is on using stress analysis to design against failure, and therefore enable students to acquire some of the fundamental knowledge and skills required for engineering design.
- Mechanics of Structures (EA3518)
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15 Credit Points
The major topic of this course is an introduction to modern methods of elastic structural analysis. In this topic, direct, energy and matrix methods are jointly used to solve, initially, problems of the deformation of simple beams. The theorem of virtual work is introduced in the context of beams and frameworks.
The rigid-plastic analysis of beams is then introduced along with the upper bound theorem and their importance to engineering design.
- Design of Structural Elements (EA3519)
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15 Credit Points
This course is an introduction to Structural Design using steel, concrete and composite steel/concrete.
The emphasis is on the design of individual components – the ‘Structural Elements’ – these being members in tension, compression, bending – in either steel or reinforced concrete – and in the bolted and welded connections between steel members.
There is an extensive laboratory exercise testing reinforced and un-reinforced concrete to destruction.
It should be noted that students are also required to do the separate course EA3720, half of which consists of a 9 week Steel Design exercise.
- Structural Dynamics (EA3538)
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10 Credit Points
This course introduces the theory of dynamics and the vibration of single and multi-degree of freedom systems.
- Civil Engineering Design and Surveying (EA3720)
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10 Credit Points
This course consists of two quite separate halves. The first is a 9 week Civil Engineering Design activity, which runs concurrently with the associated course EG3519 (Design of Structural Elements). Generally there will be two half days of timetabled sessions in each of those 9 weeks. The second half of the course is a one-week residential Field Surveying and Hydrology field trip, which usually takes place in the first week of the Easter break. There will be a charge to students to cover the specific transport, food and accommodation costs associated with that field trip.
- Year 4
-
There are three core courses of study in 4th year. Students then pick from two options when it comes to choosing choices.
Compulsory Courses
- Group Design Project (BEng) (EG4578)
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15 Credit Points
This course is a concentrated design and reporting exercise which requires application of project management and team liaison skills in addition to technical design ability. Specific exercises will include interdisciplinary aspects and will relate to design requirements arising from the professional activities of the School of Engineering or its industrial contacts. Written and oral presentations form part of the course.
Optional Courses
Select one of the following options:
- BEng Individual Project (EG45PC)
- BEng Individual Industrial Project (EG45PD)
- BEng Individual Project Abroad (EG45PA)
Students must also choose one of the following:
- Advanced Structural Analysis (EA4026)
- Environmental Engineering (EA4027)
- Dynamics 2 (EA40JP)
- Advanced Structural Analysis (EA4026)
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15 Credit Points
Course extends the basic stiffness method of analysis developed in the pre-requisite courses. Fundamental principles of the stiffness method of analysis, with automatic assembly of the stiffness matrix for rigid jointed plane frames and space structures, are presented in some detail. Elastic instability of frames, and the design of continuous steel beams and portal frames using plastic methods will be undertaken. Analysis of flat plates and slabs using yield line theory, and an introduction to shells also covered. The course concludes with a brief outline of the finite element method of analysis, with computer-based applications forming an important practical component.
- Environmental Engineering (EA4027)
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15 Credit Points
This course will deal with various aspects related to:
- Surface Waters: sources of water pollution and their impact on aqueous environment and public health, water quality and water supply, wastewater treatments;
- Soil and Groundwater: groundwater flow, groundwaters contamination, contaminants' subsurface transport mechanisms, sustainable land-groundwater management;
- Solid Wastes: sources of solid wastes, characterisation and treatment of solid waste, integrated solid waste management;
- Air Pollution and Control: air pollutants and sources, air pollution meteorology, pollutant dispersion in the air, air pollution control.
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page. In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips.
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- Field Trips
- Group Projects
- Individual Projects
- Lab Work
- Lectures
- Research
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:
- coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course;
- practical assessments of the skills and competencies learnt on the course; and
- written examinations at the end of each course.
The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, year of study and individual courses.
Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.
Why Study Engineering (Civil)?
- 1st in Scotland for General Engineering (Complete University Guide 2022)
- Teaching is supported by an excellent workshop and laboratories with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. Civil Engineering at Aberdeen has one of the best hydraulic laboratory facilities in Scotland associated with a high-level research profile.
- The University of Aberdeen Engineering Society is a student-run group for both professional and social events. They welcome students from all disciplines and have a wide range of activities to suit your interests.
- Our interdisciplinary approach means students gain experience in each engineering discipline, making them highly sought-after by employers. This flexibility also means you choose your specialisation once you have experienced all five disciplines.
- According to the Royal Academy of Engineering, Aberdeen is one of 13 engineering hot spots in the UK with over 8,000 engineering businesses across the city and surrounding region. The School of Engineering has strong links with industry, who support our teaching through guest lectures and seminars, placement opportunities, site visits and scholarships.
- There are many student societies directly related to engineering, where you can meet fellow engineering students and develop your interests and new skills, including Chemical Engineering Society, Civil Engineering Society, Electrical & Electronic Engineering Society, Mechanical Engineering Society as well as other than comprise of students from various disciplines, such as the Aerospace Engineering Society, Energy Transition Society, TAU Racing Society and PrototAU.
What Our Students Say
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
General Entry Requirements
- 2025 Entry
-
SQA Highers
Standard: BBBB (Mathematics and Physics or Engineering Science required*)
Applicants who achieve the Standard entry requirements over S4 and S5 will be made either an unconditional or conditional offer of admission.Minimum: BBC (Good performance required in Mathematics and Physics*)
Applicants who have achieved BBC at Higher and meet one of the widening participation criteria above are encouraged to apply and are guaranteed an unconditional offer for MA, BSc and BEng degrees.Adjusted: BB (Good performance required in Mathematics*)
Applicants who have achieved BB at Higher, and who meet one of the widening participation criteria above are encouraged to apply and are guaranteed an adjusted conditional offer for MA, BSc and BEng degrees.We would expect to issue a conditional offer asking for one additional C grade at Higher.
* These subjects can be either held at the time of application or be achieved during the appropriate admissions cycle.
Foundation Apprenticeship: One FA is equivalent to a Higher at A. It cannot replace any required subjects.
More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.
A LEVELS
Standard: BBC*. Applicants who are predicted to achieve the Standard entry requirements are encouraged to apply and may be made an offer of admission.
Minimum: BCC* Applicants who are predicted to achieve the Minimum entry requirements are encouraged to apply and will be considered.
- *NOTE: Good performance required in Mathematics, plus at least one from Physics, Design & Technology, Engineering or Chemistry.
Adjusted: CCC (Good performance required in Mathematics)
Applicants who meet one or more Widening Participation criteria and who are predicted to achieve a good performance in Mathematics and one other subject may be made an Adjusted offer of entry.More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.
International Baccalaureat
Minimum of 32 points including Mathematics and Physics at HL (6 or above).
Irish Leaving Certificate
Five subjects at Higher, with 3 at H2 and 2 at H3. H2 or above in Mathematics and H3 or above in Physics required.
FOR CHEMICAL & PETROLEUM ENGINEERING
Please note: for entry to Chemical and Petroleum Engineering an SQA Higher or GCE A Level or equivalent qualification in Chemistry is required for entry to year 1, in addition to the general Engineering requirements.
- 2026 Entry
-
SQA Highers
Standard: Applicants that present with BBBB will usually receive an unconditional offer. Where we have more applicants than places we may need to ask for more than the minimum so continued engagement in school is recommended.
Highers in Mathematics and Physics or Engineering Science are required.
For Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Higher Chemistry (or equivalent) is also required.
Widening Access: Applicants who meet one or more of our widening access metrics and present with BBC, are guaranteed an unconditional offer.
Foundation Apprenticeship: One FA is equivalent to a Higher at A. It cannot replace any required subjects.
Note: We do not double count a Higher and Advanced Higher in the same subject, but we do consider that a B grade at Advanced Higher is equivalent to an A grade at Higher.
National 5 in English at Grade C or above is also required.
A LEVEL
Standard: Three A Levels at BBC.
Good performance required in Mathematics, plus at least one from Physics, Design & Technology, Engineering or Chemistry.
For Chemical or Petroleum Engineering A Level Chemistry is required.
Widening Access: Three A Levels at CCC, for applicants who meet one or more widening access criteria.
GCSE English at Grade C/4 is also required.
BTEC LEVEL 3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA
DMM.
Note: BTEC in Applied Sciences is not normally sufficient on its own for entry into any of our Engineering degrees.
Good performance required in Mathematics and Physics.
For Chemical or Petroleum Engineering A Level Chemistry is required.
GCSE English at Grade C/4 is also required.
IRISH LEAVING CERTIFICATE
Five subjects at Higher, with Mathematics at H2 and four subjects at H3 (including Physics)
Mathematics and Physics are required.
For Chemical or Petroleum Engineering H3 Chemistry is also required.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
32 points with 5, 5, 5 at HL including Mathematics and Physics.
In addition for entry to Chemical or Petroleum Engineering Chemistry is required.
SL English is also required.
The information displayed in this section shows a shortened summary of our entry requirements. For more information, or for full entry requirements for Engineering degrees, see our detailed entry requirements section.
English Language Requirements
To study for an Undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 59 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
International Applicants who do not meet the Entry Requirements
The University of Aberdeen International Study Centre offers preparation programmes for international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for undergraduate study. Discover your foundation pathway here.
Fee Information
You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.
| Fee category | Cost |
|---|---|
| EU / International students | |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year | £24,800 |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year (Self-funded Students *) | £18,800 |
| Home Students | |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year | £1,820 |
| England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland | |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year | £9,535 |
Funding Opportunities
- We offer around 40 Entrance Scholarships of £1,000- £3,000 per annum, unless otherwise stated, to students with good academic potential while they study for an undergraduate degree at the University.
- 2 Talisman-Sinopec (£2000), and 2 CNR International (£1000) Engineering Scholarships available for students starting an undergraduate Engineering degree in September.
Scholarships and Funding
UK Scholarship
Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who pay tuition fees may be eligible for specific scholarships allowing them to receive additional funding. These are designed to provide assistance to help students support themselves during their time at Aberdeen.
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme. More about this funding opportunity.Funding Database
View all funding options in our Funding Database.
Careers
Civil engineering graduates are sought after in a wide variety of industries and business sectors. Civil engineering graduates work in civil and structural companies, working on site, in design offices, project management, buildings and environmental engineering. Civil engineers function very well in both onshore civil engineering sectors as well as the offshore renewable and oil and gas energy sectors.
Recent graduate job roles have included:
- Graduate Civil and Structural Engineer
- Graduate Design Coordinator
- Structural Engineer
- Bridge Engineer
- Site Engineer
- Graduate Transport Engineer
Recent graduates work at companies such as:
- Arch Henderson
- Atkins
- Fairhurst
- Jacobs
- Mott MacDonald
- Network Rail
- Skanska
- Petrofac
- Kier Group
- VolkerStevin
- Petrofac
Career Opportunities
- Assistant Structural Engineer
- Graduate Civil Engineer
- Graduate Riser Engineer
- Graduate Structural Engineer
- Offshore Structural Engineer
- Trainee Field Engineer
Accreditation
Our Civil Engineering degrees are accredited by the Engineering Council, Institution of Structural Engineers, Institution of Civil Engineers, Institute of Highways Engineers and the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and are your first step towards achieving Chartered Engineer status.
This degree holds accreditation from
What our Alumni Say
Nathan Aracena
Our Experts
- Programme Coordinator
- Dr Ana Ivanovic
- Programme Manager
- Dr Paul Davidson
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Features
Institution of Civil Engineers
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Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX