MEng (Hons) Civil Engineering Integrated Master's degree at the University of Plymouth
MEng (Hons) Civil Engineering at University of Plymouth. Spanning four years full-time, the MEng (Hons) integrates core theory, research methods and applied practice alongside specialist options, an independent project and professional skills development.
About this course
MEng (Hons) Civil Engineering at the University of Plymouth. This accredited degree will help you gain the skills and knowledge needed to play a key role in the design, creation and maintenance of the vital infrastructures that support our lives. From the provider’s course page.
MEng (Hons) Civil Engineering is an Integrated Master's degree (MEng (Hons)) at the University of Plymouth, based in University of Plymouth Campus. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For Civil engineering graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 100% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £29,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Engineering, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Limited evidence Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 88% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
1 7 modules
- Civils Placement PreparationCore
Module details
Undertaking a sandwich-year placement (also known as an industrial or work placement) offers many benefits, including valuable hands-on work-experience and enhanced employability. This module is for first-year students who may undertake a placement in their third year. It is designed to support students in exploring placement opportunities and developing the skills and knowledge required to successfully secure one.
- Engineering ScienceCore20 credits
Module details
This module covers the essential scientific principles of fluid mechanics for civil, marine, and mechanical engineering applications. We'll also delve into thermodynamics, focusing on the interaction between systems and their surroundings. Lastly, we'll explore the fundamental principles of electrical engineering, providing you with a solid foundation in circuits and electrical systems.
Assessment: 50% Coursework 50% Examinations
- Engineering MathematicsCore20 credits
Module details
Build the maths skills every engineer needs. Want to design bridges, launch rockets, or create the next big tech breakthrough? It all starts here. This module gives you the core math skills and problem-solving techniques every engineer relies on. It's the foundation for everything you'll build in your engineering journey.
Assessment: 50% Coursework 50% Examinations
- Mechanics and StructuresCore20 credits
Module details
We'll teach you the fundamental scientific principles of engineering mechanics and structures appropriate for engineering applications. You'll develop a deeper understanding of these key scientific principles through practical applications using hands-on calculations and also computer software tools.
Assessment: 50% Coursework 50% Examinations
- Engineering MaterialsCore20 credits
Module details
Materials science is crucial for designing and manufacturing everything from bridges and airplanes to ships and medical devices. This module will teach you the properties and behaviours of different engineering materials, such as metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites, to allow you select or develop materials that meet specific performance, efficiency, safety and environmental requirements.
Assessment: 50% Coursework 50% Examinations
- Engineering DesignCore20 credits
Module details
Problem solving is at the heart of everything, but to solve a problem, you must first understand it. Engineering design sharpens this skill, helping you develop valid solutions to real challenges. In Semester 1, you'll develop essential techniques: sketching, computer-aided design, and application of the design process. Then, in Semester 2, you'll put those skills to the test, tackling real-world design problems head-on.
Assessment: 70% Coursework 30% Tests
- Engineering Practice and Experimental TechniquesCore20 credits
Module details
Here you'll take a hands-on, practical approach to learning the fundamental principles of engineering science, with engaging experiments in our modern, student-centred labs. Along the way, you'll develop essential study habits, strengthen teamwork skills, and build confidence in technical communication - key qualities for any aspiring engineer.
Assessment: 100% Coursework
2 6 modules
- Civil Engineering PracticeCore20 credits
Module details
This module deepens understanding of construction materials and site surveying through a blend of lectures and hands-on work, while enhancing Computer Aided Design (CAD) skills through real-world design projects, giving students practical experience in tools and techniques used by professional civil engineers.
Assessment: 50% Coursework 50% Tests
- Geotechnical Engineering 1Core20 credits
Module details
Geotechnics is the study of soil behaviour and its interaction with engineering structures. This module covers key Soil Mechanics concepts like effective stress and strength, essential lab tests, stiffness, consolidation, and groundwater flow. Learn how to analyse ground stability and deformation under load, applying material and load factors to ensure safe and reliable designs.
Assessment: 70% Examinations 30% Coursework
- Hydraulic and Coastal EngineeringCore20 credits
Module details
Clean water is essential for life, and our coast needs to be defended from flooding and erosion. Hydraulic engineering includes predicting flow in pipes and open channels. Coastal engineering topics include study of waves and tides, and their application to coastal engineering. Learning is supported by laboratory work and a site visit.
Assessment: 50% Coursework 50% Examinations
- Engineering AnalysisCore20 credits
Module details
In many civil engineering applications, mathematical methods and techniques are needed to obtain solutions. Building upon the stage one engineering mathematics module, you'll learn more advanced mathematical topics, statistical techniques and numerical methods. Interpreting the results obtained is an important that you'll develop. You'll learn to use industrially recognised software to solve engineering problems.
Assessment: 70% Examinations 30% Coursework
- Structural Analysis and Design 1Core20 credits
Module details
How do structural engineers design buildings that stand up? This module combines the basic principles of analysis and design to develop an integrated approach to solving structural problems. It is supported by the use of structural analysis and design software and laboratory work.
Assessment: 70% Coursework 30% Tests
- Construction ManagementCore20 credits
Module details
Effective management is vital to the success of construction projects. In this module, students develop core construction management skills by critically analysing commercial practices, professional responsibilities, and project planning systems. It equips future engineers with the knowledge to manage projects, make informed decisions, and uphold professional standards.
Assessment: 50% Coursework 50% Examinations
3 1 modules
- Civil Engineering Related PlacementOptional
Module details
A year-long work-placement, undertaken with an approved placement provider and in a role relevant to the students programme. Students will leave with practical and relevant work experience, where they put theory into practice. This module is attached to the Placement and provides students with a single digital space to refer to for key reminders, FAQs, contact details, top tips and their Placement-year handbook.
4 5 modules
- Geotechnical Engineering 2Core20 credits
Module details
Gain a solid understanding of geotechnical analysis and design, learning how to apply key concepts to real-world problems. Develop skills to choose the right mathematical methods for complex geotechnical challenges. Build confidence in using these techniques to tackle practical design and analysis tasks you'll face in professional engineering practice.
Assessment: 70% Examinations 30% Coursework
- Water EngineeringCore20 credits
Module details
Building on concepts from the 1st and 2nd years, this module integrates essential elements of water and hydraulic engineering. You will explore urban drainage, flood management, water resources, and river/channel engineering, crucial for shaping resilient and sustainable environments. Hands-on laboratory experimentation and a flood defence field trip bring classroom theory to life.
Assessment: 70% Examinations 30% Coursework
- Structural Analysis and Design 2Core20 credits
Module details
This module focuses on the analyses and design of complex structures, such as multi-storey buildings. It includes computer modelling and analysis, and validation methods using classical engineering methods.
Assessment: 70% Coursework 30% Examinations
- Structural Engineering DesignCore20 credits
Module details
This module challenges students to think like practicing engineers and prepares them for the complexities of modern structural design by immersing students in industry-standard design and construction practices. Students will strengthen their conceptual design skills of bridges and multi-storey buildings and adopt a holistic approach to sustainable design by considering the "whole" as well as the individual elements.
Assessment: 50% Coursework 50% Tests
- Individual ProjectCore40 credits
Module details
This individual project gives students the opportunity to explore a topic of personal interest within civil or coastal engineering. Under academic supervision, students carry out an independent investigation that may involve theoretical research, experimental testing, computational modelling, and analytical work - developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for professional practice.
Assessment: 100% Coursework
5 2 modules
- Project Management and Professional PracticeCore20 credits
Module details
This module combines the examination of project management process and practice together with the essential requirements of both operating as a professional, and operating in, a professional environment. The module focuses on embedding knowledge and understanding issues faced by modern construction professionals in delivering construction projects in a professional and ethical manner.
Assessment: 100% Coursework
- Advanced Geotechnical EngineeringCore20 credits
Module details
Develop a deeper understanding of geotechnical engineering theory and design tools, including modern methods and classical approaches like the Factor of Safety. Explore elasto-plastic soil behaviour
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This degree equips you with the skills and knowledge to design, create and maintain vital infrastructure. You'll usually start with engineering fundamentals: mathematics, mechanics and materials science, alongside CAD and practical workshop skills. In Year 2, you'll progress to core discipline knowledge, such as thermodynamics and fluids or circuits and systems, backed by engineering analysis, computing and a group design project. Year 3 and 4 move towards specialism and independent work: you'll choose options such as mechanical, electrical and electronic, civil and structural, robotics and mechatronics, energy and sustainability, or a Chartered (CEng) pathway. Throughout, you'll study professional practice, safety, ethics, sustainability and project management, and undertake an individual project that forms the degree's centrepiece.
Who it's for
This course suits you if you've strong analytical skills and genuine curiosity about how built environments work, from transport networks to water systems. You'll thrive if you enjoy problem-solving that bridges theory and real-world application, and if you're motivated by work that has tangible social impact. The four-year structure gives you time to develop both technical depth and professional maturity. This is demanding study that rewards focused engagement.
Careers & job market
Across engineering nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months; 80% of those working are in highly skilled roles. Early-career earnings typically range from £29,000 to £35,000, rising to £33,150–£46,800 after five years, according to national graduate outcomes data. The University of Plymouth's MEng holds Gold recognition for teaching quality, signalling consistent academic standing.
University & format
The University of Plymouth is a University located in Plymouth. This is a 4-year, full-time Integrated Master's degree (MEng (Hons)) taught in English. The course is accredited and recognised as a UK degree-awarding body; degrees are nationally recognised. The university holds Gold for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 90% |
| another higher-education qualification | 7% |
| a Baccalaureate | 3% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at University of Plymouth →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Engineering graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £29,000 | £24,500 – £38,000 | 10 |
| 3 years after | £29,500 | £26,500 – £34,500 | 140 |
| 5 years after | £35,000 | £31,000 – £41,000 | 140 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in engineering · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Engineering nationally
National figures for Engineering graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Engineering courses at the same study level.
Compared with 2,256 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Engineering professionalsSOC 2020 212 · 100% of published destinations · ASHE median £50,325
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 20; response rate: 70%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Engineering graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Engineering graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Engineering & manufacturing firms
- Automotive & aerospace
- Energy & utilities
- Defence & consultancies
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Engineering graduates.
Engineering Surveyor (Machine Control)BAM UK & IrelandEngineering Operations Project ManagerFdo Consulting LimitedEngineering ManagerVerto PeopleEngineering ManagerRobert WaltersEngineering ManagerPremier Technical RecruitmentEngineering ManagerRedline Group LtdIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £29,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.9 out of 10: NSS 88.7% · in work or study 90% · continued 88%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
University of Plymouth
Engineering and technology across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around University of Plymouth Campus
3,218 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Engineering right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to University of Plymouth from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £9,790 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check University of Plymouth’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with University of Plymouth and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Plymouth
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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