Course summary

If you are creative, enjoy design and aspire to improve the world around us, then civil engineering is for you. This degree will equip you to find solutions to global environmental problems and design large and unique structures, such as buildings, bridges and other critical infrastructure assets that shape society — for example, water supply and treatment systems, transport networks and renewable electricity generation. The course balances deep theoretical knowledge with practical application. At Bristol, you will have access to our world-class laboratory facilities, including the most advanced earthquake shaking table in Europe. The first two years provide a strong foundation in engineering, including mathematics, structures, soil and fluid mechanics, computing and surveying. In your third year, you will undertake a major individual research project and continue to develop key practical and professional skills such as project management, entrepreneurship, economics and risk analysis. Design is central to the course and this is reflected in the projects and real-world challenges you will face. In the first year, you will develop a sustainable solution to an open-ended problem, such as designing and making a model bridge. The second year includes designing with steel, concrete and timber, geotechnical design and water engineering. In the fourth year, you will be able to choose from a range of units, tailoring your studies to your interests and career aspirations. You will also take part in an exciting group design project that combines all your learning as you tackle a realistic design challenge identified through our industry links. Design projects range from transportation to smart cities and from skyscrapers to sustainable housing. We work closely with industry to ensure we equip you with the skills and experiences needed to become a future leader in civil engineering. Our graduates are highly sought after by top employers, including civil engineering consultancies and construction companies, utility companies, the military, public transport, power generation, supply companies and environmental management.