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Prospectus

 

BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering

Course prospectus hero image

Key information

Degree

BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering

Types of study

Full time

Duration

Three or four years depending on entry qualifications

Start date

September 2025

Faculty

Civil Engineering / Faculty of Science and Engineering

Study model

2+2, 4+0

About the study model: For the 2+2 study model courses, the student will spend the last two years at our UK campus. For the 4+0 study model courses, the student will spend the entire degree programme in Ningbo, China with 'study abroad' opportunities from year three.

Introductory video

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Entry requirements

Depending on your academic and English language qualifications, you may be eligible for a traditional three-year degree programme, or a four-year programme with a preliminary year. The preliminary year enables you to gain the subject-specific knowledge and skills required to embark on degree-level studies.

Please find the entry requirement relevant to your country of origin here. If your country is not listed, please email international@nottingham.edu.cn.

If you are a mainland Chinese student, your Gaokao score should be in the first division as a minimum requirement, and your English test score should be no less than 115/150. For more details, please check the Chinese prospectus.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, you are required to provide evidence of your proficiency in English. The minimum requirements for our preliminary year entry are listed below:

  • IELTS 5.5 with no less than 5.0 in any element
  • PTE Academic 59 (minimum 53)
  • TOEFL iBT 80 (minimum 17 in Writing and Listening, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking) 

The minimum requirements for our qualifying year entry are listed below:

  • IELTS 6.5 with the writing band no less than 6.0
  • PTE Academic 71 (minimum 65)
  • TOEFL iBT 90 (minimum 19 in Writing) 

Minimum age requirements

You should be at least 18 years of age on admission to the University. The date of “admission” is defined as the first day of September in the relevant academic year. This requirement may be waived on an individual basis. If your parents or guardians provide their written agreement, in advance, to additional safeguards and requirements. Visit here for more information.

Course overview

Civil engineering is concerned with the techniques and procedures by which dams and reservoirs, water supply and sewage disposal systems, power stations, ports, offshore works, transport systems, bridges, tall buildings and other structures are planned, designed, built, surveyed, tested, operated, maintained and decommissioned. The course includes a broad range of activities including field courses, individual projects, design work and laboratory work.

This course will:

  • introduce the principles and context of civil engineering in a range of subject areas to enable students to specialise
  • develop students' understanding and critical judgement
  • improve students' abilities in communication and other transferable skills

Special features

We have developed excellent facilities with dedicated laboratories for structures, geotechnics and fluid mechanics. We also have an extensive range of surveying equipment; all of which are used for both research and teaching purposes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. With plans for a new strong floor facility for major structural testing, our research will cover a wide range of experimental investigations and predictive numerical modelling studies, supported by the latest in computing and laboratory facilities.

FoSE-Civil-Qianyi-Yang

I have found the skills I developed and acquired at UNNC have helped me in my career. I can broaden my knowledge and explore areas outside of my expertise. This is what I value in UNNC.

——Qianyi Yang, BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering, Class of 2020

Qianyi Yang gained a place at University College London for her master's degree in digital innovation for built asset management. She is now working at China Resources Mixc Lifestyle Services Limited.

Course structure

For domestic students, the course structure follows the Chinese higher education system. It is based on a four-year programme with the possibility of spending two years at the University of Nottingham, UK campus.

For international students, the course structure follows the UK higher education system. It is based on a three-year program with the possibility of spending two years at the University of Nottingham's UK campus.

Accreditations

BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering is accredited by the Institution of Structural Engineers, the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and the Institute of Highway Engineers on behalf of the Engineering Council to fully meet the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and partly meet the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). A programme of accredited further learning will be required to complete the educational base for CEng. See www.jbm.org.uk for further information and details of further learning programmes for CEng.

Year 1 modules

+

The preliminary year is designed to help you develop your English language skills so that you can make the most of your degree programme.

This special English language programme designed by the English for Academic Purposes experts at the University's Centre for English Language Education is carefully integrated with academic content modules so that you are prepared fully for years two to four of your degree programme.

*Note: This year is not compulsory for students with appropriate qualifications for year two entry.

Year 2 modules

+

Conceptual design project:

This project concludes the communication module and involves groups of students working on the conceptual design of a stadium, station, airport or other structure.

Surveying field course:

You will work on group exercises in surveying, mapping and setting out. This is a six-day residential course during the spring semester.

Year two compulsory modules (qualifying year)

Hydraulics 1

Group Design Project

Portfolio of Civil Engineering Studies

Mathematical Methods for Civil Engineering

Structural Analysis 1

Geotechnics 1

Year 3 modules

+

Steel design project:

You will be introduced to the civil engineering design process by a year-long project that follows the design of a civil engineering project, from initial concepts through to detailed design. You will work individually, and in groups to produce a design portfolio that includes outline solutions, project appraisal, loading calculations and engineering drawings. The project provides you with opportunities to facilitate your written and oral presentation skills.

Year three compulsory modules (Part 1)

Hydraulics 2

Fundamentals of Materials

Civil & Structural Steel Design Project

Portfolio of Civil Engineering Studies 2

Structural Analysis 2

Geotechnics 2

Advanced Mathematical Methods for Civil Engineering

    

Year 4 modules

+

Individual investigative project:

You can choose a project in your preferred discipline and plan a detailed investigation. Typically, projects involve lab work, field investigations or computer modelling, and require data collection and analysis. Once the investigation is complete, a detailed report is prepared.

Year four compulsory modules (Part 2)

Individual Investigative Project

Structural Concrete Design

Geotechnics 3

Group Design Project

Hydraulic Design and Experiments

  

Restricted - Group 1（Students must take a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 10 credits from this group）

Advanced Mathematical Techniques in ODEs for Engineers

Structural Deformation Monitoring

Railway Technology

Restricted - Group 2（Students must take a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 10 credits from this group）

Computerised Mathematical Methods in Engineering

Traffic Engineering

  

Careers and further study

The civil engineering industry continues to be one of the strongest industrial sectors, and the majority of our graduates continue with careers in the industry. 

Further study

Out of 18 graduates from the BEng Hons Civil Engineering in 2023, 14 chose to continue their studies, 3 went directly to work and 1 was engaged in freelance work.

Among students going into further study, 78.6% were admitted into top 50 universities worldwide.

University

Number
Imperial College London 7
University College London 2
New York University 1
The Australian National University 1
Total 11

*The highest ranking of the school within four authoritative research institutions is used for statistics: QS’s 2024 World University Ranking, ARWU’s 2023 Academic Ranking of World Universities, US News’s 2023 Best Global Universities Rankings, and Times Higher Education’s 2023 World University Ranking.

Fees

Chinese Mainland students

100,000 RMB / year (2024 Entry)

China's Hong Kong, Macao & Taiwan students

100,000 RMB / year (2024 Entry)

International students

120,000 RMB / year

Scholarships, sponsorships and bursaries

To encourage academic excellence, we offer a comprehensive and expanding range of full and partial scholarships.

Historically, nearly 30% of our undergraduate students were awarded scholarships for their entry. Once enrolled, current students are eligible for additional merit and/or performance-based scholarships and awards, which covers approximately 32.5% of our whole student body.

Please check here for scholarship types and policies for applicants from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas countries. If you are a mainland Chinese student, please visit the Chinese language prospectus.

More information

Click here to see more about Module Catalogue and Programme Specifications

 

Contact us

Student Recruitment and Admission Office

University of Nottingham Ningbo China
199 Taikang East Road, Ningbo, 315100, China

E. admissions@nottingham.edu.cn
T. +86 (0574) 8818 0182
W.


Faculty Office of Science and Engineering

Room 427, Sir Peter Mansfield Building
University of Nottingham Ningbo China
199 Taikang East Road, Ningbo, 315100, China

E. fose_global@nottingham.edu.cn
W.


Ready to apply? Browse our how to apply page to find out more on how to prepare and submit your application.