Civil Engineering MEng

The basic principles of engineering analysis and design are covered in the first two years. These include structures, hydraulics, geotechnics and mathematics. Surveying is taught in the first year and includes a field course during the Easter vacation. Computing skills are taught from scratch together with an introduction to the most useful applications packages.

Design is the mainstream of engineering education at Bristol. Early in the first year you will be introduced to creative design of a civil engineering structure. The design course in the second year includes steelwork, reinforced concrete and geotechnical design. A water resources group project, in which you have to design a water supply system including a large dam in mid-Wales, is the highlight of the third year. There is a group design project in the fourth year based on real design problems which have emerged through our links with industry. This is the most important element of the fourth year and will occupy much of your time and creative effort. Many students have entered their designs in national competitions, with outstanding success.

The opportunity to study a specialist area in depth is provided in the third and fourth years through a wide range of optional courses which include Earthquake Engineering, Environmental Management and Slopes and Dams. Freedom of choice is broadened in the third year when you can also select a course from a department outside the Engineering Faculty if you wish. There is a major investigative project in the third year in which you can choose to tackle a problem closely related to one of the research areas of the department. This may involve experimental work, theoretical analysis and computing. It is the most important activity of the third year.

Courses in Professional Studies will widen your knowledge of the business, management and legal sides of the construction industry. Emphasis is placed on developing a range of transferable skills which will be of use to you throughout your career, including presentation skills, team-working and project leadership. You can also choose to study a European language as an optional course during your time at Bristol.

All our four year MEng degree programmes satisfy the UK requirements as leading directly towards chartered engineer status.