Course Structure

Introduction

This degree is designed to provide students with a good basis for a professional career as a chartered Civil Engineer working with environmental scientists and geologists. Emphasis is placed on the practical application of theory through design and laboratory work. The degrees contain an element of choice, but all students are required to take courses which will equip them with the technical, management and professional skills needed for a career in environmental and civil engineering. The university study is complemented by a year in industry.

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.

Stage 1 courses provide a foundation in engineering mathematics, construction materials, fluids mechanics, structural behaviour, surveying, and engineering design.

Stage 2

This is a very important year of study, when the major knowledge of civil engineering subjects and their application within design are developed.

Students following the sandwich degree will take an Industrial Placement Year between Stages 2 and 3, or between Stage 3 and 4.

Stage 2 courses develop students' understanding of the core areas of geotechnics, structures, mathematics and design. Students specialise in civil engineering by taking hydraulics and highways.

Stage 3

Theory is now applied in a professional context. Students can 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.

Stage 3 courses extend students' understanding of the core areas of geotechnics, structures, construction management and design. Students specialise in civil engineering by taking hydraulics.

Stage 4 (Year in Industry)

Placement Year.

Stage 5

The MEng is an Integrated Masters programme, so this stage is set at Masters level. In this year students develop knowledge of environmental and business management. They work in teams on large integrated designs, which form a substantial part of their studies.

Students also broaden their knowledge by a wide choice of environmental engineering modules while being required to take relevant core civil engineering subjects to advanced level.

Stage 5 courses focus on design, construction management and environmental impact assessment.

Contact Teaching Hours

Medium Group Teaching

0 (hours maximum)
Typically 5 hours of practical classes, workshops or seminars each week.

Large Group Teaching

0 (hours maximum)
Typically 15 hours of lectures.

Personal Study

0 (hours maximum)
Typically 15 hours studying and revising in your own time each week, including some guided study using handouts, online activities etc.

Small Group Teaching/Personal Tutorial

0 (hours maximum)
Typically 5 hours of tutorial (or later, project supervision) each week.

Learning and Teaching

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.

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:

E-Learning technologies

Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Canvas. 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.

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).

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.

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.

Self-directed study

This is an essential 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.

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.

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.

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.

Assessment

Details of assessments associated with this course are outlined below:

• The way in which you are assessed will vary according to the Learning objectives of each module. Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments. Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction.

Feedback

As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and peers. University students are expected to take a greater role in reflecting on this and taking the initiative in continuously improving the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

• Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted.
• Face to face comment. This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to address a specific query.
• Placement employer comments or references.
• Online or emailed comment.
• General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
• Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid. In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time.
• Feedback and outcomes from practical classes
• Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.
• Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work.

Modules

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Year 3
• Year 4
• Year 5

Entrance requirements

A level requirements

AAB including Mathematics and at least one from Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Digital Technology, Environmental Technology, Geography, ICT (not Applied ICT), Physics, Software Systems Development or Technology and Design.

A maximum of one BTEC/OCR Single Award or AQA Extended Certificate will be accepted as part of an applicant's portfolio of qualifications with a Distinction* being equated to a grade A at A-level.

Irish leaving certificate requirements

H2H3H3H3H3H3 including Higher Level grades H2 and H3 in Mathematics and a Science subject (see list under A-level list requirements)

International Baccalaureate Diploma

34 points overall, including 6,6,5 at Higher Level, including Mathematics and a Science subject (see list under A-level requirements).

Graduate

A minimum of a 2:2 Honours Degree, provided any subject requirement is also met.

Access/Foundation Course

Not considered. Applicants should apply for the BEng Civil Engineering degree.

Note

All applicants must have GCSE English Language grade C/4 or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

Applicants not offering Physics at A-level should have a minimum of a grade B/6 in GCSE Physics or GCSE Double Award Science grades BB/66.

Further information

Applicants for the MEng degree will automatically be considered for admission to the BEng Civil Engineering degree if they are not eligible for entry to the MEng degree both at initial offer making stage and when results are received.

Option to transfer

Transfers between BEng Civil Engineering degree and this MEng may be possible at the end of Stage 2 depending on performance.

How we choose our students

Applications are dealt with centrally by the Admissions and Access Service rather than by the School of Natural and Built Environment. Once your application has been processed by UCAS and forwarded to Queen's, an acknowledgement is normally sent within two weeks of its receipt at the University.

Selection is on the basis of the information provided on your UCAS form, which is considered by an Admissions Manager/Officer from the Admissions and Access Service and, if appropriate, the Selector from the School. Decisions are made on an ongoing basis and will be notified to you via UCAS.

Applicants for MEng Honours Degrees in Civil Engineering, Environmental and Civil Engineering and Structural Engineering with Architecture must be able to satisfy the University's General Entrance Requirement; it should be noted that a strong performance at GCSE is essential. For last year's entry, applicants for this MEng programme must have had, or been able to achieve, a minimum of 6 GCSE passes at grade B/6 or better (to include Mathematics and Physics/Double Award Science). Selectors will also check that any specific subject and grade requirements in terms of A-level can be fulfilled (see Entry Requirements).

Offers are normally made on the basis of 3 A-levels. Applicants repeating A-levels require BBC at the first attempt and offers will be made in terms of A-level grades AAA including Mathematics plus a relevant Science (see entry requirements). Applicants are not normally asked to attend for interview.

Applicants offering two A-levels including Mathematics plus a relevant Science (see entry requirements) and one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent qualification) will also be considered. Offers will be made in terms of the overall BTEC grade(s) awarded. Please note that a maximum of one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent) will be counted as part of an applicant’s portfolio of qualifications. The normal GCSE profile will be expected.

A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not normally considered as part of a three A-level offer and, although they may be excluded where an applicant is taking 4 A-level subjects, the grade achieved could be taken into account if necessary in August/September.

For applicants offering the Irish Leaving Certificate, please note that performance at Irish Junior Certificate (IJC) is taken into account. For last year’s entry, applicants for this degree must have had a minimum of 6 IJC grades B/Higher Merit including Mathematics and Science. The Selector also checks that any specific entry requirements in terms of Leaving Certificate subjects can be satisfied (see Entry Requirements).

Applicants offering other qualifications, such as the International Baccalaureate will also be considered.

Applicants offering BTEC Extended Diplomas/National Extended Diplomas, Higher National Certificates and Higher National Diplomas are not normally considered for MEng entry but, if eligible, will be made a change course offer for the corresponding BEng programme. Subject to satisfactory academic performance during the first two years of the BEng course, it may be possible for students to transfer to the MEng programme in Civil Engineering, Environmental and Civil Engineering or Structural Engineering with Architecture at the end of Stage 2.

Access course qualifications are not considered for entry to the MEng degree and applicants should apply for the BEng Civil Engineering programme.

Subject to satisfactory academic performance during the first two years of the BEng Civil Engineering it may be possible for students to transfer to the relevant MEng programme at the end of Stage 2.

The information provided in the personal statement section and the academic reference together with predicted grades are noted but these are not the final deciding factors in whether or not a conditional offer can be made. However, they may be reconsidered in a tiebreak situation in August.

If you are made an offer then you may be invited to an Open Day, which is usually held during the second semester. This will allow you the opportunity to visit the University and to find out more about the degree programme of your choice; the facilities on offer. It also gives you a flavour of the academic and social life at Queen's.

If you cannot find the information you need here, please contact the University Admissions and Access Service (admissions@qub.ac.uk), giving full details of your qualifications and educational background.

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

Please Select Your Country/Region Please Select Your Country/Region Afghanistan Albania Algeria Angola Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bolivia Bosnia And Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Cambodia Cameroon Canada Chile China Mainland Colombia Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Ecuador Egypt Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Fiji Finland France Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Guyana Haiti Honduras Hong Kong (SAR) Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Ivory Coast Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Latvia Lebanon Liberia Libya Lithuania Luxembourg Macau (SAR) Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Malta Mauritius Mexico Mongolia Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nigeria Norway Oman Pakistan Palestine Panama Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russia Rwanda Saudi Arabia Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia South Africa South Korea Spain Sri Lanka St Vincent And The Grenadines Sudan Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates Uruguay USA Uzbekistan Venezuela Vietnam Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe

English Language Requirements

An IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs

Career Prospects

Introduction

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 civil engineering 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.

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.

Employment Links

Consultations
We regularly consult and develop links with a large number of local, national and international employers including, some of who provide sponsorship through the national QUEST Scholarship Scheme. Queen’s is among the top universities in the number of scholarships gained. In addition, we have a Civil Engineering Advisory Panel including members from the major employer sectors. This panel forms the benchmark for the UK Civil Engineering Accrediting body, the Joint Board of Moderators.

Placement Employers
Many of our students have also gained international work placement through organisations such as the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience.

Degree Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1	£4,855
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2	£4,855
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1	£9,535
EU Other 3	£25,300
International	£25,300

¹EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

² EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

³ EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

Tuition fee rates are calculated based on a student’s tuition fee status and generally increase annually by inflation. How tuition fees are determined is set out in the Student Finance Framework.

Additional course costs

In year 1 students are required to buy safety boots, basic boots start at £10.

There is a residential field trip at the end of year 1 which is a compulsory part of the Surveying Module, costs are approximately £220.

Students undertake a placement in year 3 and are responsible for funding travel, accommodation and subsistence costs. These costs vary depending on the location and duration of the placement. Students may receive payment from their placement provider during their placement year.

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

Scholarships

Each year, we offer a range of scholarships and prizes for new students. Information on scholarships available.

How to Apply

Application for admission to full-time undergraduate and sandwich courses at the University should normally be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full information can be obtained from the UCAS website at: www.ucas.com/students.

When to Apply

UCAS will start processing applications for entry in autumn 2025 from early September 2024.

The advisory closing date for the receipt of applications for entry in 2025 is still to be confirmed by UCAS but is normally in late January (18:00). This is the 'equal consideration' deadline for this course.

Applications from UK and EU (Republic of Ireland) students after this date are, in practice, considered by Queen’s for entry to this course throughout the remainder of the application cycle (30 June 2025) subject to the availability of places. If you apply for 2025 entry after this deadline, you will automatically be entered into Clearing.

Applications from International and EU (Other) students are normally considered by Queen's for entry to this course until 30 June 2025. If you apply for 2025 entry after this deadline, you will automatically be entered into Clearing.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as is consistent with having made a careful and considered choice of institutions and courses.

The Institution code name for Queen's is QBELF and the institution code is Q75.

Further information on applying to study at Queen's is available at: www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/How-to-apply/

Apply via UCAS 

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study. Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

Additional Information for International (non-EU) Students

1. Applying through UCAS
   Most students make their applications through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) for full-time undergraduate degree programmes at Queen's. The UCAS application deadline for international students is 30 June 2025.
2. Applying direct
   The Direct Entry Application form is to be used by international applicants who wish to apply directly, and only, to Queen's or who have been asked to provide information in advance of submitting a formal UCAS application. Find out more.
3. Applying through agents and partners
   The University’s in-country representatives can assist you to submit a UCAS application or a direct application. Please consult the Agent List to find an agent in your country who will help you with your application to Queen’s University.

Download Undergraduate Prospectus