Studying
Civil Engineering
in the U.K.
British universities offer a wide range
of degree and higher diploma courses in Civil Engineering and related
areas, such as Construction Management and Structural Engineering.
Most B.Eng. and M.Eng. courses are accredited by the Joint Board
of Moderators, representing the relevant professional engineering
institutions (Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural
Engineers, Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers).
Successful completion of these accredited courses gives exemption
from the academic examinations leading to Chartered Engineer status.
Construction Management courses are frequently accredited by the
Chartered Institute of Building. Similarly, a higher diploma (HND)
will lead to Incorporated Engineer status, or may be accepted for
progression to a degree course, often with exemption from at least
one year of study.
The U.K. professional bodies are recognised around the World and
accredited U.K. degrees are accepted for entry to the engineering
professions in most countries. A U.K. degree therefore provides
a global passport to a rewarding professional career in civil engineering.
The demand for qualified civil engineers and construction managers
is very strong, and in many parts of the world, the salaries offered
to young construction professionals are amongst the highest of any
graduate group. They may be involved in a very wide range of projects,
ranging from highways, railways, bridges and tunnels, through to
the responsibility for the structure and foundations of major buildings,
dams, water supply, irrigation and public health schemes, and many
more too numerous to list. Because of its role in the design, construction
and operation of the major infrastructure systems on which society
depends, the industry provides an exciting, challenging, satisfying
and fulfilling career.
The range of courses offered in U.K. is very broad. Some universities
offer courses in engineering science, which may involve general
study of all areas of engineering for the first two years, followed
by specialisation in later years. Others offer courses that are
specific to civil engineering throughout. These normally entail
three years of study for a B.Eng. and four years for an M.Eng. Some
universities also offer "sandwich courses" which incorporate
a year of structured and supervised professional training in the
industry in addition to the academic study. The range, style and
emphasis of course provision in different universities varies widely,
from those with a strong emphasis on basic theory through to courses
with more emphasis on engineering and construction management practice.
Potential students should therefore find out as much as possible
about the style of each course so that they apply for those which
suit their interests and career aspirations.
Some Universities, offer a range of interlinked courses at HND
and degree level. These cover civil engineering, structural design
and construction management, whilst others may focus on only one
degree course. A co-ordinated programme of courses allows students
to progress from HND to degree level study and to change the emphasis
of their study should they wish to do so. I am a strong advocate
of the sandwich course and the University of Teeside, for example,
provides good support for students to find them salaried sandwich
training placements in U.K. and overseas and monitor their professional
development during the placement. The benefits of such placements
include increased commitment to final year studies, resulting in
improved degree classifications, and enhanced employment prospects
at the end of the course. In these days of tight student budgets,
the income earned during the year also helps to ease the financial
pressures during final year.
Thus the U.K. has a great deal to offer potential students in civil
engineering and other construction related areas. Any university
will be happy to provide detailed information on its particular
course provision in the area and course tutors will be willing to
explain the particular features of their courses to potential applicants.
Author: Professor Brian Hobbs B.Sc. C.Eng. FIStructE.MICE,
The University of Teesside, Middlesbrough, U.K.
This article first appeared in Educational Courses in Britain
