Civil Engineering with International StudyMEng

You’ll learn how to design and build infrastructure like bridges, road links and buildings. Protect our communities from the impact of climate change with adaptive and resilient engineering, and become a leader in the industry. Broaden your horizons studying civil engineering in Birmingham and overseas.

Course structure

Discover your potential to solve environmental and social challenges on our four-year MEng programme, enhanced by a year abroad in Year 3.

Spend a year studying abroad at an English or foreign language speaking university. In your final year, deepen your specialist knowledge with a project that can be linked to industry.

From construction and infrastructure to energy and climate resilience, you’ll be ready for roles in a range of industries.

• Access our world class facilities (links to NBIF and TRAIN rig) and diverse academic team of research and education leaders
• Opportunities to engage with industry throughout the programme
• Participate in extra-curricular activities with our CivSoc student society
• Benefit from our JBM accreditation 

• Learn about cutting-edge developments in your chosen areas of interest, with lectures delivered by industry-leaders
• Receive tailored guidance and feedback in tutorials, enabling you to tackle specific challenges and improve your understanding of the topic
• Develop a range of skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, time management, and communication through project work
• Experience active learning and engagement in the lab which develop skills such as collaboration, teamwork, critical thinking, and independent problem-solving when conducting experiments and interpreting results 

You'll study in our state-of-the-art School of Engineering building featuring a Design Centre, drop-in study spaces, a full-size set of railway points as well as a test track and test rig, and a Makerspace facilitating modern flexible learning.

We also have our own Welfare Tutor/Wellbeing Officer who is able to provide practical and emotional support if you are experiencing personal problems that interfere with your academic work.

Assessment

Your degree will begin mostly with examinations, before shifting to continuous assessment in project work during later years. This will allow you to specialise after undertaking a thorough foundation of engineering principles at the start of your studies.

You'll receive plenty of feedback to help you progress, ranging from written feedback on your assessments to class feedback sessions and discussions with your tutor. The feedback will highlight the positives of your work as well as any areas that need more attention.

You'll be assigned a personal tutor who'll remain with you throughout your studies to help you in three important areas: supporting your academic progress, developing transferable skills and dealing with any welfare issues.

You'll also need to undertake a considerable amount of self study. It's an essential part of the programme, which requires self motivation and enthusiasm for your subject. It also allows you to pursue your own lines of enquiry and become an independent thinker.

The first year is shared across Civil, Mechanical, and Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering. You'll study eight core modules for a total of 120 credits.
In your second year, you'll specialise in Civil Engineering with sevent core modules that equal 120 credits.
During your third year, you'll study in an overseas university, and will collect 120 credits before returning to Birmingham to finish your degree.
In your final year, you'll take four core modules (100 credits) and 20 credits of optional modules. 

To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.

Number of A-levels required: 3.

Required subjects and grades: A level Mathematics.
If you have an alternative qualification to A-level mathematics the Admissions Tutor may wish to assess your mathematical ability during the application process. This will be via a Mathematics Aptitude test.
General Studies or Critical Thinking not accepted. However, a good performance in one of these may be taken into account if you fail to meet the conditions of the offer.

BTEC

BTEC Extended Diploma will be considered for MEng programmes providing there is sufficient Mathematics content and you satisfactorily complete our Mathematics Aptitude test at the required level.
Grades: MEng; D*D*D* plus Distinction in mathematics and further mathematics.

BTEC Diploma considered in combination with A-level.
Grades MEng; D*D*  plus A-level Maths grade A, and you must successfully complete our mathematics aptitude test at the required level.

BTEC Subsidiary Diploma considered in combination with 2 A Levels.
Grades: MEng; D* plus A, A including Mathematics and you must successfully complete our mathematics aptitude test at the required level.

Foundation Year

Would you like to study this course but lack the entry qualifications? You can consider a Foundation Year programme which can lead to entry onto one of our courses. Learn more:

• UK students (not eligible if studying A-level Mathematics)
• international students

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.

• TOEFL: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing.
• IELTS*: 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any band.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): PTE 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills.
• Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015)***: C1 Advanced - Minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component.
• Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 25 in each skill.
• Trinity ISE II: Distinction all skills.
• Trinity ISE III: Pass in each Skill

Presessional English courses

If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September, including additional online courses in the summer term.  Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.

The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If your offer is for 2025 year of entry, we expect that the tuition fee for your first year of study will be £9,535 for UK students.  If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay.  If you are applying for 2026 year of entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee closer to the time.

Undergraduate loans

To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.

Scholarships, grants and bursaries

At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.

Course scholarships

We offer a range of scholarships which are exclusive to our programmes.

Apply

The UCAS code for this course is H203.

View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.

You'll benefit from a wide range of opportunities within the Department, such as:

• Mentoring with a recent graduate or industry leader
• Site visits to get involved in real projects around Birmingham
• Engineering-specific careers events
• Work experience through your degree programme and/or our School of Engineering Employability Network (SEEN)

Careers Network

Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.