Civil Engineering

Civil engineering shapes the physical infrastructure on which modern society depends. Roads, bridges, tunnels, dams, water treatment plants, railways, and the foundations of buildings are all products of civil engineering, and the discipline must ensure that these structures are safe, durable, sustainable, and affordable. Civil engineers work across the full project lifecycle from initial design and site investigation through construction and into maintenance, and they must integrate technical knowledge with project management, environmental awareness, and the ability to work in large interdisciplinary teams.

At Nottingham Trent University, this four-year, full-time programme includes a foundation year, which provides the mathematical, scientific, and engineering foundations needed before you enter the main degree. The foundation year is designed for students who have the aptitude for engineering but may not have studied all the prerequisite subjects at A-level. From the first year of the BEng itself, you will study structural mechanics, fluid mechanics, geotechnics, materials, surveying, and construction technology, building an integrated understanding of how civil engineering works in practice.

Computer-aided design, modelling software, and laboratory work are integral to the programme, developing both technical competence and practical confidence.

Nottingham Trent has strong employer relationships in the civil engineering and construction sector, and the programme is designed to prepare you for graduate employment as well as further professional development.

Graduates work in structural engineering, infrastructure design, highways and transport, construction project management, water and environmental engineering, and consultancy. Many begin their careers with engineering consultancies or contractors and work toward chartered engineer status with bodies such as the Institution of Civil Engineers. Further study at master's level is a route open to those who wish to develop specialist expertise or pursue research careers in the discipline.