MEng Civil Engineering with a Year Abroad
Enrich your study of civil engineering with a year abroad in this professionally accredited, integrated Master’s degree.
Key information
Award
MEng
Duration
4 years
full-time
Applications : admissions ratio
5 : 1
Based on 2020 entry data
- UCAS course code: H202
- ECTS: 240
- Start date: October 2022
- Department: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Campus: South Kensington
Overview
Civil Engineering is a broad discipline that covers many aspects of our everyday lives, from the provision of safe drinking water to the development of structures that can withstand earthquakes. It aims to improve our quality of life while also protecting the natural environment.
Our Department has strong industry links and excellent facilities for teaching and research, including a range of testing rigs, extensive computing provision, tension and compression machines, and wave generators and tanks.
You also have the chance to complete an integrated year abroad in your final year at one of our partner universities where you can challenge yourself in a different academic and cultural environment.
In the first two years of the course you will take a range of core modules, covering topics such as computational analysis, structural mechanics, geotechnics and fluid mechanics. These will provide you with a strong foundation in engineering science and technology, and prepare you for advanced study.
During the third year, you can continue with a broad programme or tailor your studies to suit your interests through a range of specialist modules and a group design project.
You will reach Master's level study in the fourth year, with a wide choice of advanced modules and a major research-based project. Studying to this level means that graduates have fully met the educational base required for a chartered engineer and they can then go on to acquire the necessary work experience (see Professional accreditation below).
Year Abroad
You will spend your fourth year at a leading university overseas. This is an integrated year abroad, so the grades you achieve will count directly towards your Imperial degree. You will study modules and complete a major project at your host university, undertaking a similar programme of study to the fourth year at Imperial.
Teaching is normally in the language of your host country, so an acceptable proficiency is required for placements in France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Free language classes are available at the College to help you prepare.
Limited places means competition for placements abroad is strong, so only students with average year one and two marks of 67% and above at the time of selection in the third year will be eligible.
Field work
Field work is a great way to integrate theory and practice, and apply the knowledge you have gained in class to the real world. We run a number of field trips throughout the course, including practical land surveying in the first year and a geology field course in year two.
Working in teams, you will form your own companies and over the course of a week, construct scaled down versions of well-known buildings, bridges, dams and other civil engineering projects.
Each team member is assigned a role from Project Manager to Health and Safety Officer to ensure that their building is completed successfully and on time.
There are also a number of field visits associated with different optional modules in the third and fourth years.
Transfer between degrees
This degree is also available without a year abroad, and you can transfer on to that course from this one at any point before you go overseas.
If you are an international student, transferring to a different course could have an impact on your student visa. Please visit our International Student Support webpage for further information.
Structure
Find out more about the limited circumstances in which we may need to make changes to or in relation to our courses, the type of changes we may make and how we will tell you about them.
Year 1
Core modules
- Civil Engineering Design I
- Computational Methods I
- Energy and Environmental Engineering
- Fluid Mechanics I
- Geotechnics
- Materials
- Mathematics I
- Mechanics
- Professional Engineering Practice (including Construction Week)
- Structural Mechanics I
Year 2
Core modules
- Business and Project Management
- Civil Engineering Design II
- Computational Methods II
- Environmental Engineering: Water Resource and Supply Engineering
- Fluid Mechanics II
- Mathematics II
- Soil Mechanics and Engineering Geology
- Statistics
- Structural Design
- Structural Mechanics II
Year 3
Core modules
- Civil Engineering Design III
- Computational Engineering Analysis
- Structural Mechanics III
- Dynamics of Structures
- Fluid Mechanics III
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering: Water and Wastewater Treatment, Waste and Resource Management
- Transport Systems
- I-Explore
Your I-Explore module offers you choices from a range of subjects hosted outside of the department. You will be taught alongside students from other courses with options including business, management and many more.
Optional modules
You will choose one elective from Group A and one from Group B.
The list of elective modules is indicative. In the event that an elective module is suspended or discontinued, we will communicate the changes to you.
Group A
- Nonlinear Structural Analysis
- Theory of Shells
- Coastal Engineering
- Highway Engineering
Group B
- Concrete Structures
- Design of Timber and Masonry Structures
- Traffic Engineering
Year Abroad
Opportunities
Your fourth year consists of an agreed programme of study at an approved university in either Australia, China, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland or the USA. We currently have exchange agreements with:
- University of Melbourne, Australia
- University of Queensland, Australia
- Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China
- University of Grenoble, France
- Ecole de Ponts et Chaussees, France
- RWTH Aachen, Germany
- Politecnico di Torino, Italy
- Technical University of Delft, Netherlands
- UPC Barcelona, Spain
- University Polytechnic of Madrid, Spain
- ETH Zurich, Switzerland
- University of California, USA
This is an integrated year abroad so the grades you achieve will count directly towards your Imperial degree.
Conditions
Language proficiency
Teaching is in the language of your host country in France, Germany, Spain and Italy, so you will need to reach an acceptable proficiency in the relevant language before you go. Free language classes are available at the College to help you prepare.
Availability
There are limited places available on the Year Abroad programme, which means that competition for selection is strong and a placement cannot be guaranteed.
Normally, only students with marks of 60% or above will be eligible for placements in France and Germany. Only students with marks of 70% or above will be eligible for placements in Singapore and the USA.
Other
- Please note the above is an illustrative list of universities located abroad which the Department is currently partnered with. Partnerships with universities are subject to continuous review and individual partnerships may or may not be renewed.
- There may be limitations placed upon your ability to live and study in these locations. If applicable you will need to successfully apply for the relevant visa. This applies to all students, including Home students, in light of the UK's decision to leave the European Union. Find the latest information on Imperial and the EU.
- Study abroad placements in Europe are currently available through the Erasmus scheme. Imperial College now has approval to continue implementing its 2020-21 Erasmus project into 2021-22. Find the latest information on the Erasmus scheme.
Field trips
Surveying trip (Year 1)
As part of the Surveying module you will go on a field course to learn about practical land surveying. The six-day course is currently held at the National Trust's Stackpole Outdoor Learning Centre in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
Geology field trip (Year 2)
There is a seven-day Geology field course as part of the Soils and Engineering Geology module. The field course is currently held in Minehead, Somerset.
Constructionarium (Year 2)
You will take part in the Constructionarium at the end of the second year. This is an exercise in putting theory into hands-on practice to build scaled-down versions of engineering projects.
The Constructionarium is currently held at the Construction Industry Training Board’s campus at Bircham Newton, Norfolk on a specially designed site, where students build projects often at about 1:10 scale.
Our students have previously made scaled-down replicas of dams, oil rigs, tunnels, towers, bridges and a stadium. The activity is supported by a teaching team comprised of a contracting firm, a consultant engineering firm and staff from Imperial.
The field trips listed above are included within the cost of your tuition.
Download the programme specification [PDF] – this is the most up-to-date version available for this course. It may change for your year of entry. If/when changes to this course are approved by the College, we will update this document and the information on this course page.
I-Explore
Through I-Explore, you'll have the chance to deepen your knowledge in a brand new subject area, chosen from a huge range of for-credit modules.
All of our undergraduate courses include one module from I-Explore's wide selection. The module you choose will be fully integrated into your course's curriculum and count as credit towards your degree.
Professional accreditation
This degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) comprising the Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, Institute of Highway Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and the Permanent Way Institution on behalf of the Engineering Council as fully satisfying the educational base for a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
See www.jbm.co.uk for further information.
Achieving a professionally accredited integrated Master's degree (MEng) means that you have satisfied the first step to becoming a Chartered Engineer (CEng) in your chosen field by meeting the educational requirements of professional registration. To gain Chartered status, you will need to demonstrate your ability to meet additional graduate level competences described in the Engineering Council's UK-SPEC.
A CEng is a highly respected qualification earned by professionals working in engineering, which can lead to higher earning potential and better career prospects. Professional registration also brings international recognition of your qualification, which is particularly useful for students preparing for a career abroad.
Our accreditation agreement with members of the Joint Board of Moderators is renewed every five years. The current accreditation agreement is due to be renewed in 2026.
Associateship
As well as your main Imperial degree, you will also receive the award of the Associateship of the City and Guilds of London Institute (ACGI) on completion of this course.
The City and Guilds of London Institute is one of three historic Colleges that came together to form Imperial College London in 1907.
Find out more about our Associateships.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching
You can expect traditional teaching methods such as:
- Lectures
- Laboratory activities
- Tutorials
- Personal tutorials
- Presentations
- Individual research project
Additionally, our course aims to be practical and incorporate a variety of other teaching methods, such as:
- Site visits and field trips
- Group exercises and design projects
- Online exercises
- Constructionarium
Teaching and independent study
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures, seminars and similar | 579 hours | 524 hours | 343 hours | Varies |
| Independent study | 921 hours | 976 hours | 1,157 hours | |
| Based on the typical pathway through the course | ||||
Assessment
You can expect a range of assessment methods from traditional written examinations through to assessment on design projects.
- Written examinations
- Coursework
- Laboratory experiment reports
- Computer-based exercises
- Dissertation
- Presentations
- Design projects
- Self-reflective writing
Assessment types
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 32% | 51% | 37% | Varies |
| Practical | – | – | – | |
| Examination | 68% | 49% | 63% | |
| Based on the typical pathway through the course; percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number | ||||
Staff expertise
At Imperial, you will be taught by a range of teachers of all levels from Professors to PhD students, including some who undertake groundbreaking research and are regarded as experts in their field.
You may also experience peer teaching and be taught by specialists external to the College.
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis – see selection process below.
For advice on the requirements for the qualifications listed here please contact the Department (see Contact us).
We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. If the requirements for your qualifications are not listed here, please see our academic requirements by country page for guidance on which qualifications we accept.
A-levels
Minimum entry standards
Our minimum entry standard for 2022 entry is A*A*A or A*AAA overall, to include:
- A* in Mathematics
- A/A* in Physics
General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.
Typical offer range
As a guide, here are the typical offers made to at least 80% of A-level applicants for 2020 entry:
- Three A-level offer: A*A*A
Practical endorsement (practical science assessment)
If you are made an offer you will be required to achieve a pass in the practical endorsement in all science subjects that form part of the offer.
The practical endorsement is part of the reformed English linear A-levels.
Language requirement
The minimum requirement for the Year Abroad programme, where your exchange takes place in Europe, is GCSE grade A or B in the appropriate language.
Additional Mathematics support
Our A-level Mathematics online course covers a range of key topic areas to help you gain a deeper understanding of the skills and techniques required to succeed in your A-level Mathematics exams.
This optional course has been built around the A-level syllabus with the aim of developing your thinking skills, fluency and confidence.
Please note: this course is not compulsory and does not form part of the entry requirements for this course. It is available free of charge via the EdX website. It is self-paced so you can start it at any time.
International Baccalaureate
Minimum entry standards
Our minimum entry standard for 2022 entry is 39 points overall, to include:
- 7 in Mathematics at higher level
- 6 in Physics at higher level
Typical offer range
As a guide, the typical offer made to at least 80% of IB applicants for 2020 entry was 39 points.
Language requirement
The minimum requirement for the Year Abroad programme, where your exchange takes place in Europe, is GCSE grade A or B in the appropriate language.
Mathematics Higher Level for award in 2022
For entry in 2022, the Mathematics Analysis and Approaches or the Applications and Interpretation syllabi will be accepted at higher level with no preference.
Additional Mathematics support
We have launched an A-level Mathematics online course, which is available free of charge via the EdX website.
Although this optional course has been built around the A-level syllabus, it is relevant to your curriculum too.
Please note: this course is not compulsory and does not form part of the entry requirements for this course. It is self-paced so you can start it at any time.
Advanced Placements
The grades detailed below are the minimum requirements for students offering only Advanced Placements as their exams for entry to Imperial.
If you are studying a High School Diploma that is accepted by Imperial alongside Advanced Placements, requirements may apply to both your Diploma and Advanced Placements.
Please consult our country index to check whether we accept your High School Diploma programme for admission.
Our minimum requirement for this course is grades 5, 5, 5 to include:
- 5 in Calculus BC
- 5 in Physics
- 5 in another subject
You may also require a relevant language qualification for this year abroad degree.
Additional Mathematics support
We have launched an A-level Mathematics online course, which is available free of charge via the EdX website.
Although this optional course has been built around the A-level syllabus, it is relevant to your curriculum too.
Please note: this course is not compulsory and does not form part of the entry requirements for this course. It is self-paced so you can start it at any time.
Selection process
Assessing your application
Admissions Tutors consider all the evidence available during our rigorous selection process and the College flags key information providing assessors with a more complete picture of the educational and social circumstances relevant to the applicant. Some applicants may be set lower offers and some more challenging ones.
Post-application recruitment
If your UCAS application indicates that you have the potential to thrive at the College you will be asked to complete a short online test and a video submission.
The online test comprises a number of multiple-choice questions on A-level standard Maths and Physics. The video submission is also completed online, in your own time. We will ask you to respond to questions that touch on your motivation, experiences and reasoning skills.
The results of these will then be considered along with all the information on your UCAS form and a final decision will be taken. We do not apply a pass/fail criteria to either the maths test or the video submission.
Foundation programmes
Currently, Civil and Environmental Engineering courses do not accept UCL UPCSE or Warwick IFP Science and Engineering applications.
Contextual admissions
We want to make sure that the Imperial learning community is as diverse as the society we serve. So to make our admissions process as fair as possible, we have introduced admissions schemes for Home students that allow us to consider your application in the full context of any additional barriers you may face.
Find out if you meet the eligibility criteria for our contextual admissions schemes.
If your predicted grades meet the minimum College entry standard of AAA at A-level or an equivalent level qualification in the relevant subjects, this department will guarantee you an interview.
Read more about the contextual admissions scheme in this department and others.
English language requirement (all applicants)
All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.
For admission to this course, you must achieve the standard College requirement in the appropriate English language qualification. For details of the minimum grades required to achieve this requirement, please see the English language requirements for undergraduate applicants.
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students who apply for this course.
For more information about the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS), please see the International Student Support website.
View our terms and conditions on visas.
Competence standards
Our competence standards highlight the core skills students should be able to demonstrate by the end of this course.
View the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering's competence standards [PDF]
We believe in providing the widest practicable access to all of our degree programmes and will make reasonable adjustments wherever possible to support your study. For more information, please contact the Department using the contact details below.
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
T: +44 (0)20 7594 5965
E: ciugo@imperial.ac.uk
Tuition fees and funding
We charge tuition fees for every year that your course lasts. The fee you will be charged is based on your fee status, which is determined by government regulations.
Home rate of tuition
2022 entry
£9,250 per year.
Year abroad
£1,385 for that year.
Read more about funding for year abroad placements.
For each subsequent year, you should expect and budget for your tuition fee to increase by an amount in line with inflation. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPIX) value, taken from April in the calendar year in which the academic session starts.
For example, the RPIX value in April 2022 will apply to fees for the academic year 2022–2023.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Home fee depends on your fee status.
Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out more about how we assess your fee status.
Home fee eligibility
You can find the conditions you need to meet to pay the Home rate of tuition fees from the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA). These apply to higher education courses in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand, noting that these are subject to amendment.
Because of the UK’s exit from the European Union, some frameworks of eligibility have been amended. Individuals affected by the amended frameworks should refer to the UKCISA publication, Who pays ‘home’ fees for higher education in England [PDF].
Government funding
If you're a Home student, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the UK government to cover the entire cost of tuition for every year of your course.
You can also apply for a means-tested Maintenance Loan to help towards your living costs.
Overseas rate of tuition
2022 entry
£35,100 per year.
Year abroad
100% of the relevant fee for that year.
Read more about funding for year abroad placements.
For each subsequent year, you should expect and budget for your tuition fee to increase by an amount in line with inflation. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPIX) value, taken from April in the calendar year in which the academic session starts. For example, the RPIX value in April 2022 will apply to fees for the academic year 2022–2023.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Overseas fee depends on your fee status.
Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out more about how we assess your fee status.
Home fee eligibility
You can find the conditions you need to meet to pay the Home rate of tuition fees from the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA). These apply to higher education courses in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand, noting that these are subject to amendment.
Because of the UK’s exit from the European Union, some frameworks of eligibility have been amended. Individuals affected by the amended frameworks should refer to the UKCISA publication, Who pays ‘home’ fees for higher education in England [PDF].
Additional course costs
This section outlines additional costs relevant to this course. These are not included in your tuition fees. It's possible that all, or only some, of these will be relevant to you.
Figures are approximated, usually based on costs in the most recent academic year. They are likely to change each year but it's useful for you to be aware of the things you may have to pay for. This can help you budget for life at Imperial.
Mandatory costs are those that you will need to pay to fully participate in and complete your studies. Optional costs are not essential to your studies so you can opt-out of these.
| Description | Mandatory/optional | Guide to cost |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment (drawing – mandatory items) | Mandatory | From £46 |
| Equipment (drawing – useful items) | Optional | Varies (listed below) |
| Field trips (all student trips in years one and two) | Mandatory | Provided |
| Personal Protective Equipment (safety boots) | Mandatory | £30 |
| Personal Protective Equipment (other items) | Mandatory | Provided |
| Travel costs and living expenses such as accommodation (year abroad) | Mandatory | Variable |
| Travel and health insurance (year abroad) | Mandatory | Variable |
| Please review the information below for more information on the costs listed in the table. | ||
Drawing equipment
You will need to purchase the following items in order to complete the first year core module on drawing:
- Adjustable set square – minimum size 200mm/ 8" – £19.99
- Mechanical pencils (e.g. Rotring tikky or Pentel) – 0.35mm, 0.5mm and 0.7mm – £9.99
- Professional quality scale ruler – covering at least 1:1, 1:5, 1:20, 1:50, 1:100, 1:200 and 1:1250 and 1:2500 – £15.99
The prices provided are for the College shop for the 2016–17 academic year.
The items may also be useful in later stages of the course, if drawing by hand rather than using CAD programs.
Useful items
It is recommended that you purchase the following items as they are likely to help you improve the overall quality of your coursework (prices provided are for the College shop for the 2016–17 academic year):
- Quality large eraser – £2.99
- Pens for final inking in, e.g. Staedtler Fineliner – £9.99 for a set
- Eraser shield – £2.99
- Large bow compass – £9.99
- 2H wood pencil and a quality pencil sharpener – £1.99
- Coloured pencils for marking cut sections – £4.99
- Set square 30° and 45° for isometric and oblique projection – £4.99
- Large set of dividers for projecting circles – £15.99
Field trips
There are three field trips which all Civil Engineering students attend, and these trips are included within your tuition fees.
You can read more about what happens on each field trip in the Structure section of this page.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
All Civil Engineering students are required to have their own pair of safety boots. These can be purchased from a College-approved supplier during the first week of term. The cost for students beginning their studies in 2016 was £30. Cash payment is required direct to the supplier.
Alternatively, you can purchase boots independently providing they meet a particular safety standard. The minimum safety standard which the boots must meet is EN ISO 20345.
Other PPE will be provided by the Department where necessary.
Placements and year abroad
If you are undertaking a placement or year abroad, you may have to consider the costs involved. These will vary, depending on the location of your year abroad or placement.
Costs may include flights, transport, visas, travel insurance, health insurance and living expenses such as accommodation.
Find out more about the types of placement costs
Student status with the Year Abroad
If you spend an academic year abroad, you will retain your student status at Imperial so that you will normally remain eligible for the same loans and grants that you would receive in the UK. As an exchange student, you will not pay tuition fees to the host institution abroad.
Accommodation and living costs
Living costs, including accommodation, are not included in your tuition fees.
Most Imperial undergraduates choose to live in our halls of residence in their first year. You can compare costs across different accommodation options.
Bursaries and scholarships
Careers
All of our students gain valuable contact with industry throughout the course through visiting lecturers, field trips, the Constructionarium, our creative design course, and group and individual projects, offering valuable networking opportunities with future employers.
Recent graduates have become...
- Graduate Transport Planner, Mott McDonald
- Offshore Structural Engineer, Shell
- Structural Engineer, Engineering services company
- Graduate Civil Engineer, Transport for London
- Geotechnical Engineer, Jacobs
How to apply
UCAS key information
- UCAS course code: H202
- UCAS institution code: I50
Apply on UCAS
You can start and track your application on UCAS Hub. There you can add this course as one of your choices.
Application deadlines
Applications are now closed.
Any questions?
Find answers to your questions about admissions.
If you have a disability or impairment, the Disability Advisory Service are here to support you and answer your questions.
Related departments
You may also be interested in the following related departments and the courses they offer:
Connect with us
Got a question?
T: +44 (0)20 7594 5965
E: ciugo@imperial.ac.uk
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