Civil and Structural Engineering

Civil and structural engineering together form the backbone of the built environment. Civil engineering addresses the design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure, from roads, bridges, and tunnels to water systems, harbours, and urban development. Structural engineering, a specialist dimension of civil engineering, focuses more specifically on how structures carry loads and resist forces, ensuring that buildings and other structures are safe, durable, and fit for purpose.

The two areas are closely related, and studying them together provides both breadth and depth.

At Newcastle University, this three-year full-time BEng programme builds on the university's established Civil Engineering degree while introducing key areas of structural specialism. You will study the foundational principles of civil engineering, including geotechnics, hydraulics, materials, and project management, alongside more advanced structural analysis methods that address how structures behave under complex loading conditions. Newcastle has a strong tradition in engineering education and research, and the degree reflects that in the rigour and relevance of what you study.

The programme includes a sandwich year and work placements, giving you direct experience in a professional engineering context and building the commercial awareness and practical competence that employers value. The typical entry tariff is 136 UCAS points.

Graduates of civil and structural engineering programmes work across a wide range of sectors: infrastructure development, building construction, environmental engineering, transport, offshore and coastal engineering, and public sector infrastructure management are all common destinations. Professional accreditation toward Incorporated or Chartered Engineer status with the Institution of Civil Engineers or the Institution of Structural Engineers is a natural aspiration for many graduates, and Newcastle's degree provides a strong foundation for that pathway. Many graduates also pursue postgraduate study to develop their expertise in a particular area of civil or structural engineering.