• Undergraduate

Civil and Environmental Engineering (work-based day-release) FdEng

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Overview

Overview

Why study at the University of West London?
  • Ranked 30th university in the UK - The Guardian University Guide 2025
  • Our Civil Engineering courses are ranked #1 in London for modern universities* - Guardian University Guide 2025
  • Number 1 London university for overall student satisfaction - National Student Survey 2024**
  • Best university for Student Experience and Teaching Quality in the UK - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024

Are you looking for a professionally accredited course in engineering that fits around your work commitments?

This civil and environmental engineering course aims to provide you with the key analytical and practical skills and knowledge you need to become a chartered civil or structural engineer.

Throughout your studies, you will gain a full understanding of the key civil engineering disciplines of structures, geotechnics, water engineering and highway engineering.

This course also boasts multiple professional accreditations, giving your qualification industry-wide recognition that can boost your career.

Day-release

This fast-track foundation degree combines work-based and university-based learning. Its structure lets you complete the course in two years on day release (one day per week), while you are employed in the industry or gaining work experience.

Please note that this day-release course is classed as full-time study. This means that you are able to apply for a full-time student loan - find out further information at Student Finance. It may also affect your eligibility for state benefits.

Professional accreditation

This degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) comprising the:

This degree fully meets the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng).

Two Engineers in hi-vis jackets looking at in turbines

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Study options:
We support flexible study by offering some of our courses part-time or via distance learning. To give you real world experience before you graduate, we also offer some courses with a placement or internship. All available options are listed here. Your choices may affect some details of your course, such as the duration and cost per year. Please re-check the details on this page if you change your selection.

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Civil and Environmental Engineering (work-based day-release) with us?

Why study Civil and Environmental Engineering (work-based day-release) with us?

A collage of students

What our students say…

The course is challenging but fun at the same time. The lecturers are helping with my personal development and always make time for me.

Ahmed Baraka
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This course gives you the opportunity to work while you study
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Multiple accreditations - IHE logo, ICE logo, ICES logo, CIHT logo, IStructE logo.png
Lifelong careers support from the UWL Careers Service.
Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

This Civil and Environmental Engineering course is designed to prepare you for the ever-changing needs of the sector. We make sure that contemporary matters, including sustainability, are covered and you will be taught by industry experts at the forefront of the latest research. This access to expertise gives you valuable knowledge of developments relevant to environmental engineers and civil engineers more broadly.

You will study all the main subject areas, concentrating on analysis and materials behaviour, and focusing increasingly on design and management as the course progresses. Throughout, there is an emphasis on your personal development within a professional environment.

You will begin by developing core knowledge in the areas of structural mechanics, mathematics and health and safety legislation. This knowledge will support your learning as you go on to study particular civil and environmental engineering disciplines in your second year.

We emphasise practical work, so you will apply the principles you are learning to real-world situations through laboratory classes, project work, surveying fieldwork, design projects and site visits.

This course is accredited by the:

  • Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
  • Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE)
  • Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT)
  • Institution of Structural Engineers
  • Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES).

Once you have completed your civil engineering course, you will fulfil the education base for an Engineering Technician (EngTech), a globally recognised qualification. You will also partly fulfil the academic requirements for the ICE grade Member and for the ICES grade Technical Member.

Compulsory modules

  • Civil Engineering Materials

    You will advance knowledge on the use of concrete as a building material including its properties, application in different environments and safety precautions.

  • Structural Mechanics

    This module covers a core subject of civil and structural engineering courses. It will help you to understand the fundamental principles that determine how structures are analysed. You will learn to analyse the forces and stresses that normally act on the parts of structures.

  • Civil Engineering Construction

    The module aims to give you a clear appreciation of the physical reality of civil and environmental engineering, so that your designs and proposals can be constructed as efficiently and safely as possible.

  • Construction Materials

    This module will give you an overview of the principal materials used by the construction industry. By studying various materials' engineering performance characteristics, their impact on users and their sustainability factors, you will learn how the most appropriate materials are chosen.

  • CAD for Civil Engineering

    On this module, you will gain the practical experience and skills for drawing of civil engineering maps by using sketches and the most relevant computer software tool known as CAD. This will enable you to produce executive plans used for various sections of construction such as structure and architecture.

  • Land Surveying for Civil Engineers

    In this module, you will gain both theoretical understanding and practical skills through hands-on land surveying exercises. The curriculum focuses on mastering key surveying techniques, using essential equipment such as level and theodolite instruments. Regular practice will help you develop core competencies, preparing you for real-world surveying challenges.

  • Applied Mathematics

    On this module you will gain the mathematical background you need to study engineering. You will work with algebra and trigonometry principles, specifically matrix algebra, the essential principles and applications of differential calculus and the use of associated functions. In addition, you will learn how to apply mathematics to engineering problems involving vectors and statistics.

  • Mathematics for Engineers

    On this module you will study the mathematical background needed for undergraduate engineering studies. Topics include integration, separation of variables to solve first order differential equations, applications of calculus in areas such as maxima and minima, velocity and acceleration, centroids, volumes and solids of revolution, root mean square and average values. An introduction to statistics and probability will cover studies of measures of central tendency, mean, median and mode, measures of dispersion (standard deviation and variance), variables and graphs, elementary probability theory, binomial and normal distribution, elementary sampling theory and curve fitting.

  • Civil Engineering Company Review (work-based)

Compulsory modules

  • Fluid Mechanics

    On this module, you will gain the understanding of fluid in the civil engineering structures such as pipelines, reservoirs, rivers and channels. This module will improve your technical knowledge and analytical skills to calculate forces and pressures in hydraulic structures based on a few well-known relations such as Archimedes Principle and energy equations.

    You will be able to calculate hydrostatic forces on hydraulic structures such as weirs, dams and calculate pressure and velocity of venturi meter and orifice.

     

  • Structural Design

    This module enables you to enhance your knowledge of structural analysis and structural design to:

    1. determine loads and material properties on structural elements
    2. apply hand calculation methods for the analysis and distribution of loads
    3. apply the code requirement for design of structural elements and
    4. develop skills in modelling engineering problems.

     

  • Highway Engineering

    On this module you will gain knowledge and understanding of traffic control systems and analysis, as well as the processes for designing and evaluating roads and road junctions. The module also covers the principles and practice of highway engineering.

  • Geology

    This module will focus on the significance and influence of geological history on the formation and behaviour of soils. It should also enhance your understanding of the engineering properties and behaviour of soil as an engineering material.

  • Soil Mechanics

    This module will help you gain a basic understanding of soil engineering and the behaviour of soil as an engineering material. Through practical laboratory work, you will develop your knowledge of basic soil mechanics tests, as well as the basic concepts and theories of soil mechanics and associated experimental tests.

  • Construction Laboratories

    On this module you will investigate and examine various material and structural properties, along with human comfort factors. You will do this through a series of laboratory experiments.

  • Concrete Design

    This module enables you to:

    1. understand and analyse how structures behave under load and why they fail
    2. apply design standards and codes to reinforced concrete
    3. make judgements on the choice of materials and their engineering properties as well as the effect of environmental conditions.

  • Sustainable Civil Engineering

    In this module you will study how civil engineering projects have been designed and built in response to sustainability objectives.

  • Work-based Project

    You will have the opportunity to develop your research and analysis skills, while investigating your own company's organisation and project profiles. Furthermore, you will be taught new subject-specific and generic skills and develop them through practical use and reflection on results.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

112-120 UCAS points required from level 3 qualifications

These can include:

  • A-Levels at grade B, B and C, or above
  • BTEC Extended Diploma with Distinction, Merit, Merit
  • Access to HE Diploma
  • T Levels

You also need GCSE English and Maths (grade 9 – 4 / A* - C) or Level 2 equivalents.

 

This course particularly welcomes you if you hold:
a Progression or Advanced Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment courses in a related subject area such as National Certificate in Engineering or Civil Engineering
Diploma in Construction.

You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, or a maintenance loan. Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as those with dependants and disabled students.

6.0 IELTS or above

You need to meet our English language requirement - a minimum of IELTS 5.5 for each of the 4 individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening). Visit our English language requirements page for information on other English language tests we accept. 

You also need academic qualifications at the same level as UK applicants. In some countries where teaching is in English, we may accept local qualifications. Check for local equivalents. 

We offer pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet these requirements.

Find out more about our English Language courses.

You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, or a maintenance loan. Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as those with dependants and disabled students.

Fees & funding

Fees & funding

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Please note:

  • Fees for the 2026/27 academic year and onwards may be subject to Government regulation and change.
  • Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year.
  • If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.
  • If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.
Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Reza Keihani staff profile

Dr Reza Keihani

Courses taught

  • BEng (Hons) Civil and Environmental Engineering 
  • MSc Civil & Environmental Engineering 

Courses taught

  • BEng (Hons) Civil and Environmental Engineering 
  • MSc Civil & Environmental Engineering 
Study & career progression

Study & career progression

Two Engineers in hi-vis jackets looking at in turbines

By itself, this qualification is on the same level as the Higher National Diploma (HND).

After completing this course successfully, you can progress straight to the final year of our BEng (Hons) Civil and Environmental Engineering.

We also have an extensive portfolio of Masters level courses, which provide excellent study progression routes if you want to gain a higher degree. See our range of postgraduate courses.

Alternatively, you could go on to find a civil engineering job with:

  • structural consultancies
  • utility companies
  • transportation authorities
  • research centres
  • civil engineering companies
  • local and national government
  • engineering consultancies.
How to apply

How to apply

Search for courses

Research grants

Atiyeh Ardakanian profile pic

Grant from COST

Atiyeh Ardakanian recently secured a highly sought-after grant from COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology), an EU funding organisation for research and innovation networks.  

This grant funds one of eight short-term scientific missions (STSMs) in support of the work of NexusNet – an international network of researchers collaborating with universities, research institutions, policymakers and the business sector to consider the links between water, energy and food in the quest for a low-carbon economy throughout Europe and beyond.

“My STSM is about developing the actor network in terms of who is doing what and where,” Atiyeh says. “Water, food and energy are interconnected, and my mission is about looking at the available resources as a whole to support and enhance the successful implementation of NEXUS research in policies and sustainable development strategies.” 

Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

*Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

**The National Student Survey 2023 and 2024 - Average of answers to all questions by registered student population. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.

Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.

Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.