Environmental and Civil Engineering

Description

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential.

On the MEng in Civil Engineering we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

• Lectures: introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers).
• Practicals: where you will have opportunities to develop technical skills and apply theoretical principles to real-life or practical contexts. You will be expected to attend a number of practicals per week depending on your year of study. These are designed to reinforce the core subjects you are studying.
• E-Learning technologies: Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online. A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, for example: interactive group workshops in a flexible learning space; IT and statistics modules; podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use specialist IT programmes associated with design in practicals and project- based work etc.
• Seminars/tutorials: Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students). These provide an opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers. You should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.
• Self-directed study: This is an important part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.
• Work placements: Students may opt to undertake a vacation work-placement after Level 2. This is a significant learning and employability enhancement opportunity and is accredited by the University.
• Supervised projects: In final year, you will be expected to carry out a significant piece of research on a topic or practical methodology that you have chosen. You will receive support from a supervisor who will guide you in terms of how to carry out your research and will provide feedback to you on at least 2 occasions during the write up stage.
• Personal Tutor: Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor during Level 1 and 2 who meets with them on several occasions during the year to support their academic development.

Careers

All major infrastructure developments require environmental assessment for their design and construction. Expertise in environmental assessment and civil engineering is therefore in demand. Graduates from the environmental and civil engineering degree course are ideally suited to this role. They can expect to find employment in the expanding areas of environmental management and regulation.

Studying for a MEng degree at Queen’s will assist you in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions. Graduates from this degree at Queen’s are well regarded by many employers (local, national and international) and over half of all graduate jobs are now open to graduates of any discipline, including Civil Engineering.

Degree Plus and other related initiatives: Recognising student diversity, promoting employability enhancements and other interests is part of the developmental experience at Queen’s. Students are encouraged to plan and build their own, personal skill and experiential profile through a range of activities including; recognised Queen’s Certificates, placements and other work experiences (at home or overseas), Erasmus study options elsewhere in Europe, learning development opportunities and involvement in wider university life through activities, such as clubs, societies, and sports.

Queen’s actively encourages this type of activity by offering students an additional qualification, the Degree Plus Award (and the related Researcher Plus Award for PhD and MPhil students). Degree Plus accredits wider experiential and skill development gained through extra-curricular activities that promote the enhancement of academic, career management, personal and employability skills in a variety of contexts. As part of the Award, students are also trained on how to reflect on the experience(s) and make the link between academic achievement, extracurricular activities, transferable skills and graduate employment. Participating students will also be trained in how to reflect on their skills and experiences and can gain an understanding of how to articulate the significance of these to others, e.g. employers.

Detailed Course Facts

• EUR 4160 Year (EEA)
• EUR 13380 Year (Non-EEA)

England, Scotland and Wales £9,000; EU £3,575; International: £11,500

• English

Course Content

This degree programme contains elements of both a theoretical and practical nature, and is designed to provide students with a good basis for a professional career. Emphasis is placed on the application of theory to the practical situation through design, laboratory and field courses. The degrees contain an element of modular choice, but all students are required to take modules which will equip them with the management and professional skills needed for a career in environmental and civil engineering.

Stage 1

In Stage 1 students study the fundamentals of civil engineering theory and practice. This forms the transition from the basic mathematics and sciences studied at secondary level to engineering applications. In addition, they develop their communication skills and understanding of health and safety issues, risk management and professional skills.

Stage 2

Stage 2 is a very important year of study, when the major knowledge of civil engineering subjects and their application within design are developed. The application of communications in a professional context is further developed. Students following the sandwich degree will take an Industrial Placement Year between Stages 2 and 3. This experience can count towards a City & Guilds Senior Award.

Stages 3/4

In Stage 3, the understanding of theory developed in the previous years is applied in a professional context. Students can choose to develop their knowledge in specialist subjects by choice of modules. They are introduced to water treatment and management and economics within the civil engineering profession. All students undertake a major individual research project. BEng students graduate at the end of this year.

The MEng is an Integrated Masters programme so Stage 4 is set at M-level. In this year students develop knowledge of environmental and business management. In addition, they work in teams on large integrated designs and also broaden their knowledge by choice of modules. They are required to take a relevant core civil engineering subject to advanced level. In this year students may opt to study an additional language.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

MEng

• A-level AAB including Mathematics and a Science subject (Physics (preferred), Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Design/Technology, Geography or ICT).
  Note: applicants not offering Physics at A-level should have a minimum of a grade B in GCSE Physics or Double Award Science.
• BTEC Extended Diploma A relevant BTEC Extended Diploma with 16 Distinctions and 2 Merits. Distinctions will be required in stipulated relevant units.
• Irish Leaving Certificate AB2B2B2B2B2 including Higher Level grade A and B2 in any order in Mathematics and a Science subject (see list under A-level requirements).

Option to Transfer

Transfers between BEng Civil Engineering and MEng may be possible at the end of Stage 2.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than Queen's University Belfast.

Funding

Although the majority of our graduates are interested in pursuing careers in Civil Engineering significant numbers develop careers in a wide range of other sectors. The following is a list of the major career sectors (and some starting salaries) that have attracted our graduates in recent years:

• Management Consultancy - £25-30,000
• Accountancy: £15, 000

• Fast Stream Civil Service - £23,500
• Varied graduate programmes (Times Top 100 Graduate Recruiters/AGR, Association of Graduate Recruiters UK)

Accreditation

MEng Accredited CEng (Full): this degree is accredited as fully satisfying the educational base for a Chartered Engineer (CEng).