Civil Engineering

This degree leads to the award of a Master’s level qualification and the Associateship of the City and Guilds of London Institute (ACGI). 

It is one of two undergraduate programmes in the Department. Our Year Abroad degree includes an integrated year at an overseas institution that counts directly towards your Imperial degree.

Both programmes cover core subjects for the first two years that provide a solid foundation in engineering science and technology.

The first year includes an introduction to environmental studies and professional practice. It establishes a basic theoretical toolkit with fundamental studies in mathematics and mechanics, structural mechanics, fluid mechanics and environmental engineering science.

It introduces specific technology in civil engineering materials and geotechnics. You will also develop skills in computing, drawing, sketching, communication, team working, management and critical thinking.

YEAR 1

• Professional Engineering Practice
• Drawing
• Surveying
• Creative Design 1
• Materials
• Mechanics
• Structural Mechanics
• Fluid Mechanics
• Geotechnics
• Mathematics
• Environmental Engineering Science
• Computational Methods I
• Energy & Infrastructure I
• Introduction to Civil Engineering

YEAR 2

• Creative Design II
• Fluid Mechanics
• Structural Mechanics
• Soils and Engineering Geology
• Environmental Engineering
• Statistics
• Mathematics
• Computational Methods II
• Structural Design
• Fluids Design
• Project & Business Management

You will also take part in the Contructionarium, a week-long course held at the Construction Industry Training Board's site in Norfolk.

YEAR 3

Core modules

• Structure and Geotechnics Projects
• Structural Mechanics
• Fluid Mechanics
• Transport Systems
• Environmental Engineering
• Geotechnics
• Computational Engineering Analysis
• Dynamics

Option modules

You can also choose two optional modules from a list which currently includes:

• Concrete Structures
• Costal Engineering
• Highway Engineering
• Rock Engineering
• Nonlinear Structural Analysis
• Traffic Engineering
• Humanities/Languages

The year ends with a five-week group design project, which will involve integrating knowledge from several civil engineering disciplines.

YEAR 4

Core modules

• Individual Research Project
• Student Conference (Final Activity) ­– this will take place over two days. You will give an oral presentation on your final year project, and there will be poster presentations.

Optional modules

Your remaining modules are optional and span the expertise within the Department. Modules available currently include:

• Steel Structures & Design
• Applied Dynamics
• Traffic Engineering
• Operational Research and Systems Analysis
• Applied Hydrodynamics
• Water and Wastewater Engineering
• Geotechnical Hazards
• Transport, Environmental Impacts and Safety
• Transport Demand and Economics
• Water Resources Engineering
• Environmental Fluid Mechanics
• Waste Management Engineering
• Concrete Structures
• Rock Mechanics

A-LEVELS

Candidates offering A-levels as entry requirements should achieve passes in three A2 full A-level subjects. The minimum offer will normally be:

• A* in Mathematics, with a grade A in all Mathematics modules (AS and A2 level), including M1
• A* A in two further A-levels, one of which must be Physics

Candidates must have a good pass in GCSE English Language or the equivalent, and study of a foreign language is desirable.

MATHEMATICS REQUIREMENTS

In addition to pure mathematics, some knowledge of applied mathematics, particularly mechanics, is required. Module M1 is essential and M2 is desirable. Candidates will normally be required to obtain grade A in all their mathematics modules at the first attempt.

Although Further Mathematics is not a course requirement, it is an advantage and is encouraged.

AS-LEVELS

Applicants are encouraged to offer two AS-levels in place of a third A-level subject. Subjects in the arts or social sciences would be appropriate.

YEAR ABROAD PROGRAMME

For the Year Abroad course in continental Europe, a GCSE pass at grade A or B in the appropriate language is the minimum requirement. An A-level in the relevant language would be an asset.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

For students studying the International Baccalaureate, we require an overall score of 39 points, including 7 in Mathematics and 6 in Physics at higher level.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

We welcome applications from holders of other qualifications such as Scottish Advanced Highers, the Irish Leaving Certificate, Abitur and Baccalaureates. 

*admission of students with other competencies http://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/ug/apply/requirements/ugacademic/

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS (ALL CANDIDATES)

All candidates must have a minimum English language qualification of at least grade B at GCSE or other equivalent qualification. 

SELECTION PROCESS

Predicted A-level performance is only one of the factors on which we base selection. Based on the information provided on the UCAS application, we will either invite you to one of our recruitment days, or make you a conditional offer with an invitation to visit our Department.

On the recruitment day you will have the opportunity to express your motivation for a career in civil engineering, talk to academic staff and meet with current undergraduates.

There are design projects in the spring and summer term. In addition, a six-day field course in practical land surveying is normally held at the College’s field station at Silwood Park, Ascot. The cost is currently about £250.

In year two you will take part in engineering design projects and attend a seven-day geology field course. This is normally held in the Mendips or in the Yorkshire Dales and currently costs about £200.

Second year concludes with the Constructionarium, a week-long course held at the Construction Industry Training Board’s site in Norfolk. The actual cost of the Constructionarium per student is around £475. To date, we have been able to significantly lower this to under £300 with subsidies and donations received from industry, a practice that we hope to continue.

In years three and four you can continue with a broad programme or tailor your studies to suit your personal and professional interests. Specialist modules are available in structural engineering, environmental engineering, geotechnics and transport engineering. Year three comprises core modules, two optional modules and a five-week group design project.

Year four modules are all optional. You will also undertake a major research-based project. The work on this occupies most of the spring term and some of the summer term, starting after the examinations for the electives studied in the autumn term. The project gives you an opportunity to test your ability to use your engineering knowledge in a creative way, through the resolution of an individual investigation into a research problem.