Civil Engineering
Learn to solve global challenges across the natural and built environment through a world-leading education on this integrated Master’s degree.
Explore topics such as geotechnics, energy systems, materials, statistics, and fluid and structural mechanics.
Access state-of-the-art laboratories, develop design and practical skills, and benefit from strong industry links as you prepare you for a career in engineering
Challenge yourself in a different academic and cultural environment with an optional integrated year abroad.
Course key facts
Qualification
MEng
Duration
4 years
Start date
October 2026
UCAS course code
H201
Study mode
Full-time
-
Fees
Not set Home
Not set Overseas
Delivered by
Location
-
South Kensington
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Applications: places
4 : 1 (2024)
Minimum entry standard
A*A*A or A*AAA (A-level)
40 points (International Baccalaureate)
Course overview
Civil engineering is about shaping the built and natural environments in which we live. It is a broad discipline that improves many aspects of our everyday lives, from the provision of safe drinking water to the development of earthquake-resistant structures, while also protecting our natural environment.
Civil engineers will play a crucial role in tackling climate change and leading sustainable development.
Exploring topics such as geotechnics, energy systems and professional engineering practice, this course will provide you with a strong foundation in engineering science and technology. You will then have the option to tailor your studies to suit your interests through a range of specialist modules, or continue with a broad programme.
Throughout this course, you'll integrate theory and practice and apply the knowledge you have gained in class to the real world. You will participate in a number of field trips, including practical land surveying and a geology field course, and Constructionarium, where you'll work in teams to construct scaled-down versions of well-known buildings, bridges, dams and other civil engineering projects.
You will also benefit from our department’s strong industry links and teaching and research facilities, which include a range of testing rigs, extensive computing provision, tension and compression machines, and wave generators and tanks.
At the end of this course, you'll have fully met the educational requirements for professional registration and taken the first step to becoming a Chartered Engineer.
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
You’ll take the following core modules during your first year.
Core modules
Understand the wide scope of the civil engineering profession and the types of projects that you may contribute to in the future. Develop and strengthen key practical, professional and transferable skills that are required to meet the major challenges in society.
Develop essential engineering skills, working in groups and using problem-based learning to find solutions to real engineering projects
Build the mathematical knowledge, skills and techniques required throughout your civil engineering programme, and learn how mathematics is applied to help solve engineering problems.
Explore basic concepts in computer programming and numerical analysis and understand their importance within the discipline of civil engineering.
Learn the fundamental principles of mechanics, static and dynamic systems, and the different types of mechanics issues that can arise in civil engineering.
Examine the behaviour of common structural forms and how they carry external forces through the development of internal forces in structural elements.
Analyse the behaviour of commonly used civil engineering materials, and learn how to evaluate and select appropriate materials for different civil engineering applications.
Understand the physical processes governing the behaviour of fluids at rest and in motion, and gain insight into the practical world of civil engineering fluid mechanics.
Learn about fundamental soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering, geotechnical design principles and the importance of developing a detailed understanding of ground conditions in successful civil engineering.
Explore the interdisciplinary nature of major processes in energy and environmental engineering. Gain an overview of the fundamental science in disciplines such as microbiology, chemistry and thermodynamics, focusing on their application to energy technologies and the environment.
Professional accreditation
This degree is accredited on behalf of the Engineering Council by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM), comprising:
- Institution of Civil Engineers
- Institution of Structural Engineers
- Institute of Highway Engineers
- Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation
- Permanent Way Institution
With this integrated Master’s degree, you’ll fully meet the educational requirements for professional registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
With a professionally accredited degree, you’ll be able to demonstrate to employers that you have achieved an industry-recognised standard of competency. Professional accreditation also provides international recognition of your qualifications, which you can use to launch a career abroad.
Becoming a Chartered Engineer can further enhance your career prospects and earning potential. It demonstrates your competencies and commitment to lifelong learning – providing you with recognition in your field and greater influence and opportunities.
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
In addition to your degree, you’ll receive the Associateship of the City and Guilds of London Institute (ACGI) upon completion of this course. This associateship is awarded by one of our historic constituent Colleges.
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
Key
- Lectures, seminars and similar
- Independent study
Year 1
- 39% Lectures, seminars and similar
- 61% Independent study
Year 2
- 35% Lectures, seminars and similar
- 65% Independent study
Year 3
- 23% Lectures, seminars and similar
- 77% Independent study
Year 4
- 12% Lectures, seminars and similar
- 88% Independent study
Teaching and learning methods
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Lectures
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Laboratory activities
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Tutorials
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Personal tutorials
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Presentations
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Individual research project
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Site visits and field trips
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Group exercises and design projects
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Virtual learning environment
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Constructionarium
Balance of assessment
Key
- Coursework
- Examination
Year 1
- 32% Coursework
- 68% Examination
Year 2
- 51% Coursework
- 49% Examination
Year 3
- 37% Coursework
- 63% Examination
Year 4
- 67% Coursework
- 33% Examination
Assessment methods
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Written examinations
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Coursework
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Laboratory experiment reports
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Computer-based exercises
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Dissertation
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Presentations
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Design projects
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Self-reflective writing
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
Minimum entry standard
A*A*A or A*AAA
To include:
- A* in Mathematics
- A/A* in Physics (A* is required if applying with three A-levels. At least an A is required if applying with four A-levels)
- A in a third/fourth subject
Not accepted: General Studies and Critical Thinking
Science Practical Endorsement: 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.
Typical offer
AAA - A*AA (applicants studying three A-levels)
Offers made to at least 50% of 2024 entry A-level applicants.
Support for widening participation applicants
Our contextual admissions route for UK applicants may entitle you to additional considerations within the application process to help us form a more complete picture of your potential to succeed at Imperial.
Find out more about who is eligible and what support you may receive.
How to apply
Apply via UCAS
When applications open, you will be able to start your application via UCAS Hub. There you can add this course as one of your choices and track your application.
Applications open on 13 May 2025
Application deadlines – 14 January 2026 at 18.00 (UK time)
Admissions test (ESAT)
To be eligible for selection for this course for 2026 entry, you must sit the Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT) as part of the application process.
Check the entry requirements section on this page to learn more about the ESAT.
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.
Insight sessions
Applicants who have the potential to meet the minimum entry requirements are invited to an insight session. This is an online event which runs for around an hour and gives applicants the opportunity to find out more about the course itself, the academics who teach on the course and student life in the department of Civil & Environmental Engineering. Insight sessions will be held on Wednesday 5 November 2025 (for applications received by 15 October) and on Wednesday 28 January 2026 (for all other applications).
Video submission
Applicants who have the potential to meet the minimum entry requirements are invited to make an online video submission. We will ask you to respond to questions that explore your motivation, experiences and reasoning skills. Example questions are not available.
When does it take place?
The video submission requirements will be emailed on Thursday 13 November 2025 (for applications received by 15 October) and on Thursday 5 February 2026 (for all other applications). Applicants will have 48 hours to complete the video submission. The video submission takes around 15 minutes to complete.
When will you find out the results?
The results of the test and video submission will then be considered along with all the information on your UCAS form in order to make the decision on the application. Please note that it may take several months to make a decision on your application. This is because we accept applications right up until the UCAS deadline in January. We read and assess all applications very carefully, and we continue making decisions right up to the end of March. Accordingly, even if you have applied in October, you may not hear anything until the end of March.
An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.
This course is available with or without a Year Abroad.
The Year Abroad course gives you the chance to spend your final year studying at one of our partner universities overseas.
Selection takes place in the third year and placements are competitive, so only students with average year one and two marks of 67% and above at the time of selection will be eligible. Priority is given to applicants who have no prior overseas study experience.
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.
Year abroad
Language requirement
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.
Please note the list of universities located abroad that the Department currently has partnerships with is illustrative.
Partnerships with universities are subject to continuous review and individual partnerships may or may not be renewed.
Fees and funding
Home fee
2026 entry
Not set
As a guide, the Home fee for 2025-26 was £9,535 per year.
Year abroad
2026 entry
Not set
As a guide, the Home fee for 2025-26 was £1,450 for that year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
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.
The loan is paid directly to the university.
You will start repaying it only after you leave your course, have a job, and are earning above a certain amount.
Once the repayments start, the amount you pay each month depends on how much you earn, not on how much you owe in total.
Home students can apply for a means-tested Maintenance Loan to help with their living costs.
How you apply for student finance depends on whether you have studied before and where you’re from or normally live. Find out more on the UK government's website.
The Imperial Bursary is available to all Home undergraduate students with a household income below £70,000 per year.
The amount awarded is based on your household income, with up to £5,000/year available for students from the lowest income households.
It's money which you don't need to pay back, and it's paid on top of any government funding you may also receive.
It is available for each year of your course, as long as your annual household income remains below £70,000.
You might need to budget for additional costs related to your course that aren't covered by your tuition fees – like field trips, books and protective clothing.
Our extra costs page outlines the additional costs related to courses in each of our departments. It's not an exhaustive list and any additional costs you could incur will be determined by the course and modules you choose.
How will studying at Imperial help my career?
100% Of Imperial Civil Engineering graduates in work or further study*
- 100% Of Imperial Civil Engineering graduates in work or further study*
- 0%
93% Of Imperial Civil Engineering graduates in highly skilled work or further study*
- 93% Of Imperial Civil Engineering graduates in highly skilled work or further study*
- 7%
*2021-22 graduate outcomes data, published by HESA in 2024
Get industry exposure through visiting lecturers, field trips, the Constructionarium, our creative design course, and group and individual projects.
Take advantage of networking opportunities with potential future employers.
With specialised knowledge, you'll be highly sought after in a range of sectors.
Transport planning, structural engineering, civil engineering, and geotechnical engineering are just some of your options.
Further links
Contact the department
- Telephone: +44 (0)20 7594 5965
- Email: ciugo@imperial.ac.uk
Visit the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering website
Request info
Learn more about studying at Imperial. Receive useful information about our life in our undergraduate community and download our latest Study Guide.
Events, tasters and talks
Meet us and find out more about studying at Imperial.
Course data
Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications