Engineering (Civil)

Lectures provide you with key information on a particular field of study and allow you to work through practical examples. Practical sessions give you direct experience of practical and interpretative skills through laboratory classes, design activities and a Professional Engineering Applications Course (PEAC).

The balance of these activities changes over the course of the degree, as you develop your knowledge and independence.

Advancing through the years, tasks in practical sessions become more open-ended, moving towards greater emphasis on independent study and research skills which is echoed through the research and development project that you will undertake in Year 4. This project will be supervised by a member of academic staff, and will result in a significant piece of independent research.

Assessment

In the first three years, most modules are assessed primarily by examinations. However, modules typically also include a coursework component, covering subjects such as CAD, programming and engineering design.

The balance of examination/coursework changes towards the end of the degree – half of the final-year mark is based on a dissertation research project, working one-to-one with an academic or industry partner.

A level offer – A*AA

Contextual offer – AAB

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma – D*DD and Mathematics at grade A at A level (or equivalent) are required.

IB Diploma score – 38 with 666 in higher level subjects including Mathematics and one STEM subject (Biology, Chemistry or Physics).

In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note:

• We also consider other level 3 qualifications, including T-levels.
• Science A levels: Applicants taking Science A levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This applies only to applicants sitting A levels with an English examination board.
• We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements and from mature students with non-standard qualifications or who may have had a break in their study.
• If you do not satisfy our general entry requirements, the Foundation Programme offers multidisciplinary degrees to prepare you for a range of specified degree courses.
• If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take an International Foundation Year pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.
• We are pleased to consider applications for deferred entry.

including Mathematics and one of either Biology, Chemistry, Geology or Physics.

including A in Mathematics and one of either Biology, Chemistry, Geology or Physics.

Alternative qualifications

• Other UK qualifications

• EU qualifications 

• International qualifications

International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year.

English language requirements

Country specific information

The fees for this academic year have not been confirmed yet.

Full-Time Study

The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full-time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.

The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full-time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and will be subject to an annual inflationary increase expected to rise throughout the programme of study. The fee listed above is for the first year of the course only; fees for subsequent years will be confirmed not less than 3 months before the start of the academic year to which the increase is intended to apply and will be published on the Finance webpages.

In deciding the annual level of increase, the University will take into account inflationary pressures on the costs of delivery. Tuition fees will rise annually by up to the higher of:

• 6%, or
• the latest annual percentage increase in the Consumer Prices Index.

Part-Time Study

The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of part-time study and are charged proportionately to the Full-Time fee. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

We have an outstanding reputation for employability. Our students have a dedicated careers contact who is available to offer advice and carry out mock interviews. Our Industrial Partnership Committee of around 20 local, national and international companies will ensure you have access to the best employment opportunities.

With subject specific skills, industry knowledge and transferable skills, such as problem solving, information technology, teamwork, presentation, project planning and management, you will be attractive to employers across many sectors.

Our graduates are employed in many sectors across the world including roles in civil, mechanical, electronic, electrical, manufacturing, design, aeronautics and systems engineering, and as consultants, technology analysts and software developers. Examples of high-profile employers include BP, Rolls Royce, and BAE Systems.

Of those students who graduated in 2020-21:

• 92% in work or further study.

Of those in employment:

• 97% in highly skilled employment.
• £33,000 is the average salary.

(Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk)

Enter the exciting world of engineering and gain the skills you need to plan, design and analyse engineering projects aligned to the needs of local, national and global industry.

Engineering at Durham is designed to develop talented, modern engineers who are equipped with the skills to solve problems across traditional discipline boundaries – from offshore wind turbines to electro-mechanical devices manufactured on a microchip.

With an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and employability, we are one of only a small number of general engineering departments in the UK. We offer a range of BEng and MEng qualifications with flexible pathways to suit your interests and career goals, including the possibility of a work placement or year abroad. 

We consider Engineering as an integrated subject so, whichever degree you choose, you will study common General Engineering for the first two years. After this time, you will have developed enough knowledge to make an informed decision about your future, both in terms of your discipline and the length of your degree, with transfer possible between the courses up to the end of the second year.

All courses are accredited by the relevant professional institution. Our MEng programmes fulfil the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer status.

From research-led study to project-based learning, our courses are designed to develop students who will take on the challenges of the twenty-first century.

For more information see our department pages.

Rankings

• 4th The Complete University Guide 2025

• 6th The Guardian University Guide 2025

• 6th The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Staff

For a current list of staff, please see our department web pages.

Facilities

We are located on the main campus at Lower Mountjoy, close to other departments, colleges, the Bill Bryson library and the Teaching and Learning Centre.

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