Civil with Structural Engineering

Civil and structural engineering together address the challenge of designing, building, and maintaining the physical infrastructure on which society depends: roads, bridges, tunnels, buildings, dams, and the foundations beneath all of them. Civil engineering takes a broad view of the built environment, encompassing transport networks, water systems, and environmental engineering as well as structures. Structural engineering focuses specifically on how loads are transferred through built forms and how structures can be designed to withstand the forces they will face over their lifetime.

The two disciplines are deeply complementary, and engineers who understand both are particularly well equipped for complex projects where the boundaries between them are not always clear.

At the University of Brighton, this four-year full-time programme includes a placement year, giving you the opportunity to work within a professional engineering environment before completing your studies. This is one of the most valuable aspects of the programme: it puts you in contact with practising engineers, helps you understand how projects are managed and delivered, and gives you something substantial to discuss when you enter the job market. The programme covers structural analysis, geotechnics, hydraulics, construction materials, and project management, alongside the core mathematical and scientific foundations of engineering.

Laboratory and design studio work runs throughout the course, so you are developing practical skills alongside theoretical understanding from early in the programme.

Brighton's location in the South East provides access to a range of significant infrastructure and construction projects, and the university has connections with engineering employers in the region and beyond.

Civil and structural engineers work across the full range of built environment sectors, including infrastructure, construction, property development, transport, and environmental engineering. Graduates move into roles in consultancy, contracting, and the public sector, and the programme provides a strong foundation for chartered engineer status through the relevant professional institutions. Postgraduate study is also an option for those who wish to specialise further.