Civil and Structural Engineering MEng

Course description

With an ethos of sustainability guiding every decision, this course develops advanced technical and multidisciplinary design skills in the principles behind civil and structural engineering, leaving your options open for a range of careers in the industry.

Research-active academics and teachers with extensive industrial experience give you a broad-base understanding in this Civil and Structural Engineering MEng with the option to specialise in your final year - making it perfect if you're not sure which area of civil engineering you want to go into.

The course integrates a strong focus on civil and structural engineering analysis and design with the latest research on sustainable development, equipping you to tackle challenges in the built environment and design innovative solutions that minimise impact on the environment.

Years one and two will see you concentrate on the core disciplines of structural engineering, water infrastructure engineering, fluid mechanics, and geotechnical engineering, from both an analysis and design perspective.

The second half of the course prepares you for your future career, extending your design experience and allowing you to specialise in those advanced topics you're passionate about. You can unleash your ingenuity and creativity on a grand scale by designing conceptual solutions for a low-environmental impact urban regeneration project, and then engineering one aspect of the project in greater detail. You’ll also develop and carry out your own research project with one of the academic staff.

The course challenges you to solve increasingly complex problems - building on your core knowledge with specialist modules in the final year so that you'll graduate as a skilled, competent and well-rounded engineer.

Placements and study abroad

Placement

Study abroad

Modules

Title: Civil and Structural Engineering MEng course structure 2026
UCAS code: H210
Years: 2026

First year Second year Third year Fourth year

First year

Core modules:

Structural Mechanics

This module is delivered in both the Autumn and Spring Semesters. Teaching in the first semester is designed to provide a basis of knowledge and understanding of elastic structural analysis and will be applied to two key structural forms - trusses and beams. The focus of the second semester is on the analysis of stress, strain and elastic deformation of beams.

20 credits

Mathematics and Python Programming

This module aims to reinforce and extend students' previous knowledge of mathematics studied before university, and introduces the use of computer programming to solve engineering and mathematical problems. 

Mathematics is further taught to develop new basic mathematical techniques needed to support the engineering subjects taken at levels 1 and 2. It also provides a foundation for the level 2 mathematics courses in the department. Combined with the mathematics teaching, this module teaches the opensource programming language, Python, which can be used to efficiently solve a variety of practical scientific and numerical problems. 

A combination of formal lecture content, tutorials and assisted computer lab sessions, help the students learn and apply mathematical and programming theory. Practice problems are presented showing the links between mathematics and programming learning, to show how the skills learnt can solve practical problems of relevance to the students.

20 credits

Hydraulic Principles and Flow in Pipes

This module aims to build a common understanding of the principles of fluid mechanics, progressing from statics such as pressure and force on objects, through properties and laws of hydro-dynamics including continuity, energy and momentum principles of fluid in motion, leading to the ability to understand and analyse fluid flows in pipes including simple networks and the operation of pumps. Overall, you will gain the essential understanding of fluid mechanics and application to pipe flows. This will be achieved through a series of lectures, building to practical real world examples, laboratory classes and tutorial sheets. Theory is reinforced through practical experimentation and problem solving.

20 credits

Strength of Materials and Structures

This module focuses on materials for structural applications and covers all the main classes of materials (ceramics, metals, polymers, natural materials, and composites), describing the properties that they show, the root cause of their properties, the structure, and how we can use engineering processes to get the properties we want. The course will also introduce some ways to select the best material for a given purpose.                    The module also investigates how decisions made at the element and structural level alter the demands that are placed on the constituent material a structure is subjected to. For example, how the shape of an element's cross-section can change the failure mode from crushing (strength-governed) to buckling (stiffness-governed).

20 credits

Design Project 1: Make and Break

Get ready to shape the future and build a better world from day one! This isn't just theory; it's where you'll dive straight into solving real-life problems and see your designs come to life with tangible results. This dynamic first-year module introduces the essential knowledge and skills for 21st-century engineers. Through hands-on, interactive exercises, you'll develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, applying your practical maths and physics skills to real-world applications. You'll explore concepts like systems thinking and risk management, and learn from case studies of iconic projects. We'll also spark your passion for sustainability, as you learn to design and construct safe and efficient structures. You will work on exciting design challenges, and start to develop your project management skills. The highlight is a group practical project where you'll design, construct, and destructively test a physical structure.

20 credits

Design Project 2: Sustainable Buildings

This module is where you'll move from initial concepts to designing complex infrastructure that addresses real-world needs and shapes the built environment.

You'll begin with an intensive, interdisciplinary design project, to find a sustainable solution to an urgent societal problem. This immersive experience will rapidly advance your teamwork, detailed design, and communication skills.

Then, you'll dive into your main task: designing an entire building and its surrounding infrastructure. You'll synthesise your first-year engineering knowledge, informed by on-the-ground measurements, historical architectural precedents, and thorough site analysis. This is about creating holistic solutions that achieve a crucial balance of social, environmental, and economic needs.

You'll communicate your vision effectively using both hand sketching and computer-aided drawing in 2D and 3D. In this module you'll learn how to make a difference in communities and shape a better future for humanity and the planet.

20 credits

Learning and assessment

Assessment

We use a wide range of assessments designed to match the specific skills you are developing in each module, ensuring they mirror the tasks that you’ll face in your engineering career. Depending upon your module choices, you can expect a mix of:

• coursework: including reports, presentations, posters and a wide range of other formats used by engineers to communicate information
• practical work: assessing your hands-on capability to meet complex engineering challenges
• exams: written examinations and online assessments.

This variety ensures you’ll graduate with a range of both engineering and professional skills, ready to present ideas, write professional reports and solve industrial problems - exactly what you’ll need in your future career.

Entry requirements

Standard offer

The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
AAA
including Maths

A Levels + a fourth Level 3 qualification

AAB, including A in Maths + A in a relevant EPQ; AAB, including Maths + A in AS or B in A Level Further Maths

International Baccalaureate

36, with 6 in Higher Level Maths; 34, with 6 in Higher Level Maths, and A in a science-based extended essay

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDD in Engineering + A in A Level Maths

BTEC Diploma

DD in Engineering + A in A Level Maths

T Level

Not accepted

Scottish Highers + Advanced Higher/s

AAAAB + A in Maths

Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels

A + AA, including Maths

Access to HE Diploma

Award of the Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 39 at Distinction (to include Maths and Science or Engineering units) and 6 at Merit + A in A Level Maths

Routes for mature students

Other requirements

• GCSE Physics (or Combined Science) grade 6/B

• Acceptable Maths subjects include Maths, Maths with Mechanics, Further Maths or Applied Maths, but not Statistics or Use of Maths. Pure Maths is only acceptable when combined with Physics

Access Sheffield offer

The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
AAB
including Maths

A Levels + a fourth Level 3 qualification

AAB, including A in Maths + A in a relevant EPQ; AAB, including Maths + A in AS or B in A Level Further Maths

International Baccalaureate

34, with 5 in Higher Level Maths

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDD in Engineering + B in A Level Maths

BTEC Diploma

DD in Engineering + B in A Level Maths

T Level

Not accepted

Scottish Highers + Advanced Higher/s

AAABB + B in Maths

Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels

B + AA, including Maths

Access to HE Diploma

Award of the Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 36 at Distinction (to include Maths and Science or Engineering units) and 9 at Merit + A in A Level Maths

Routes for mature students

Other requirements

• GCSE Physics (or Combined Science) grade 6/B

• Acceptable Maths subjects include Maths, Maths with Mechanics, Further Maths or Applied Maths, but not Statistics or Use of Maths. Pure Maths is only acceptable when combined with Physics

Graduate careers

School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering

Our graduates work all over the world, from the UK to Australia and the USA. Recent graduates have gone on to work for AECOM, Arup, Atkins, Buro Happold, Eastwood & Partners, and Kier.

You'll be able to apply your knowledge and skills to fields as diverse as the built environment, sustainability and improving the environment.

In addition, architectural engineering graduates might go into a broad range of engineering areas ranging from building services to mechanical, electrical or acoustic engineering.

Or as a structural engineer, you'll be helping to shape the world around us. Structural engineers design and construct multi-storey buildings, bridges, sports stadiums, tunnels, airports and schools.

School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering

As part of a world top-100 university and a leader in excellent student experience, our school brings together expertise from across the mechanical, aerospace and civil engineering disciplines to help you create a better future. Whether you want to design sustainable transport, build resilient cities, or pioneer new technologies, we provide innovative teaching and practical experience to help you get there. And we inspire and empower our researchers and students to solve the challenges of today and tomorrow.

At Sheffield, we believe in learning by doing and our courses are designed to give you both the academic knowledge and practical experience that employers look for. You’ll take part in projects where you’ll connect engineering theory to practice, including our interdisciplinary Global Engineering Challenge and Engineering You’re Hired project weeks where you get to solve real-world problems alongside other student engineers. There’s also the opportunity to join our student-led engineering teams, building everything from single-seat racing cars, rockets and miniature locomotives, to sustainable wind turbines and human-powered aircraft.

From day one, you’ll be immersed in a research-led curriculum, taught by academics who are experts in their fields, with a wealth of experience, many involved in the latest engineering research. You'll also have the opportunity to work with our industrial partners, giving you experience that will support your employability. You’ll have an academic personal tutor who will support and guide your progress throughout your studies.

You'll be taught in The Diamond, one of the best teaching spaces in the UK.

Facilities

Our students connect engineering theory to practice in The Diamond, developing the skills, knowledge and experience that global employers demand. 

The Diamond features some of the best engineering teaching spaces in the UK.  You’ll be taught in specialist state-of-the-art teaching and dedicated lab facilities such as our structures and dynamics lab, fluids engineering lab, and our thermodynamics and mechanics lab. This means you'll directly apply what you’ve learnt in lectures to lab sessions helping you to put theory into practice. 

Alongside teaching and study spaces, the Diamond is also home to iForge – the UK's first student-led makerspace.

School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering

University rankings

Student profiles

I love staying busy and I can’t imagine spending my time at university any better!

Anna

International student,
MEng Civil and Structural Engineering

Fees and funding

Fees

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Offer holder days

If you've received an offer to study with us, we'll invite you to one of our offer holder days, which take place between February and April. These open days have a strong department focus and give you the chance to really explore student life here, even if you've visited us before.

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School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering