Degrees Offered

• MEng Honours Environmental and Civil Engineering (UCAS Code: H252)
• MEng Honours Environmental and Civil Engineering (5-year sandwich) (UCAS Code: H255)

Contact Information

For entrance requirements
E: admissions@qub.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)28 9097 3838

For course information
Dr V Sivakumar 
School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering 
T: +44 (0)28 9097 4001 
E: space@qub.ac.uk 
W: www.qub.ac.uk/space

Entrance Requirements

MEng Honours
Environmental and Civil Engineering 4 yrs (H252)
Environmental and Civil Engineering 5-yr SW (H255)


Entrance Requirements

A-level: AAB including Mathematics and a Science subject (Physics (preferred), Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Design/Technology, Geography or ICT).
Note: applicants not offering Physics at A-level should have a minimum of a grade B in GCSE Physics or Double Award Science.

BTEC Extended Diploma: a relevant BTEC Extended Diploma with 16 Distinctions and 2 Merits. Distinctions will be required in stipulated relevant units.

Irish Leaving Certificate: AB2B2B2B2B2 including Higher Level grade A and B2 in any order in Mathematics and a Science subject (see list under A-level requirements).

Option to Transfer: transfers between BEng Civil Engineering and MEng may be possible at the end of Stage 2.

For students whose first language is not English
An IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs

If you are an international student and you do not meet the entrance requirements, you should consider a preparation course at INTO Queen's University Belfast, which will prepare you for successful study on these degree courses. INTO Queen's University Belfast is based on the University campus and offers a range of courses including:

International Foundation in Engineering and Science

The Subject

Environmental and Civil Engineering is concerned with the impact of infrastructure on the natural environment. It encompasses planning, design, construction, sustainability and management of the built environment. Fields of activity include water engineering, waste management, structures, transportation and foundations. Environmental engineers require not only technical skills but also project management and communication skills. 

Civil Engineering was one of the founding degrees at Queen's, making it one of the oldest in the UK and Ireland. Staff are leading high-quality research and are recognised for their excellence in teaching and for the application of their research in teaching.

Course Content

This degree programme contains elements of both a theoretical and practical nature, and is designed to provide students with a good basis for a professional career as a chartered civil engineer. Emphasis is placed on the application of theory to the practical situation through design and laboratory work. 

The degrees contain an element of modular choice, but all students are required to take modules which will equip them with the technical, management and professional skills needed for a career in environmental and civil engineering. 

Stage 1 
In Stage 1, students study the fundamentals of civil engineering theory and practice. This forms the transition from the basic mathematics and sciences studied at secondary level to engineering applications. In addition, they develop their communication skills and understanding of health and safety issues, risk management and professional skills. 

Stage 2 
Stage 2 is a very important year of study, when the major knowledge of civil engineering subjects and their application within design are developed. The application of communications in a professional context is further developed. Students following the sandwich degree will take an Industrial Placement Year between Stages 2 and 3, which can count towards a City & Guilds Senior Award. 

Stage 3 
In Stage 3, the understanding of theory developed in the previous years is applied in a professional context. Students can choose to develop their knowledge in specialist subjects by choice of modules. They are introduced to water treatment and management and economics within the civil engineering profession. 

All students undertake a major individual research project. Students may opt to study a foreign language in this year. Students may graduate with a BEng at the end of this year. 

Stage 4 
The MEng is an Integrated Masters programme, so Stage 4 is set at Masters level. In this year students develop knowledge of environmental and business management. In addition, they work in teams on large integrated designs, which form a substantial part of their studies. They broaden their knowledge by a wide choice of environmental engineering modules while being required to take relevant core civil engineering subjects to advanced level.

Learning and Teaching

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential.

On the MEng in Civil Engineering we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners.   Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

• Lectures: introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading.  Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers).
• Practicals:  where you will have opportunities to develop technical skills and apply theoretical principles to real-life or practical contexts.  You will be expected to attend a number of practicals per week depending on your year of study.  These are designed to reinforce the core subjects you are studying.
• E-Learning technologies:   Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online.  A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, for example:  interactive group workshops in a flexible learning space; IT and statistics modules; podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use specialist IT programmes associated with design in practicals and project- based work etc.
• Seminars/tutorials:  Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students).  These provide an opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers.  You should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.
• Self-directed study:  This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.
• Work placements:  Students may opt to undertake a vacation work-placement after Level 2.  This is a significant learning and employability enhancement opportunity and is accredited by the University.
• Supervised projects:  In final year, you will be expected to carry out a significant piece of research on a topic or practical methodology that you have chosen.  You will receive support from a supervisor who will guide you in terms of how to carry out your research and will provide feedback to you on at least 2 occasions during the write up stage.
• Personal Tutor:  Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor during Level 1 and 2 who meets with them on several occasions during the year to support their academic development. 

Assessment and Feedback

Assessment (general):  The way in which you are assessed will vary according to the Learning objectives of each module.  Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments.  Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations.  Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction.

Feedback (general):  As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and peers.  University students are expected to take a greater role in reflecting on this and taking the initiative in continuously improving the quality of their work.  Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

• Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted. 
• Face to face comment.  This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to address a specific query.
• Placement employer comments or references.
• Online or emailed comment.
• General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
• Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid.  In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time. 
• Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
• Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work. 

Careers

All major infrastructure developments require environmental assessment for their design and construction. Expertise in environmental assessment and civil engineering is therefore in demand. Graduates from the environmental and civil engineering degree course are ideally suited to this role. They can expect to find employment in the expanding areas of environmental management and regulation.

Studying for a MEng degree at Queen’s will assist you in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions.  Graduates from this degree at Queen’s are well regarded by many employers (local, national and international) and over half of all graduate jobs are now open to graduates of any discipline, including Civil Engineering. 

Although the majority of our graduates are interested in pursuing careers in Civil Engineering significant numbers develop careers in a wide range of other sectors.  The following is a list of the major career sectors (and some starting salaries) that have attracted our graduates in recent years:

Employer Links

Consultations:  We regularly consult and develop links with a large number of local, national and international employers including, some of who provide sponsorship through the national QUEST Scholarship Scheme. Queen’s is among the top universities in the number of scholarships gained.  In addition, we have a Civil Engineering Advisory Panel including members from the major employer sectors.  This panel forms the benchmark for the UK Civil Engineering Accrediting body, the Joint Board of Moderators.

Placement Employers: Many of our students have also gained international work placement through organisations such as the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience.

Graduate Careers and Achievements

Many of our former graduates have risen to the top of their fields and include many famous figures; for example:

• Mr Peter Rice; Designer of Sydney Opera House; the Lloyds of London Building; Centre Pompidou; Louvre Pyramid.

• Mrs Naomi Long MP; former Lord Mayor of Belfast and second Civil Engineer to hold this position.
• Tan Sri Datuk (equivalent to Lord) Chin Fung Kee; led the design and construction supervision of the Penang Bridge; helped found the University of Malaya and was Vice Chancellor.
• Mr David Orr; Past President of the Institution of Civil Engineers.
• Prof John Hill; Past President of the Institution of Structural Engineers.

You should also take a look at www.prospects.ac.ukfor further information concerning the types of jobs that attract Civil Engineering Graduates.

Further study is also an option open to Civil Engineering graduates. Students can choose from a wide range of Masters programmes as well as a comprehensive list of research topics, see the School website for further information.

Other Career-related information: Queen’s is a member of the Russell Group and, therefore, one of the 20 universities most-targeted by leading graduate employers.  Queen’s students will be advised and guided about career choice and through the Degree Plus initiative, will have an opportunity to seek accreditation for skills development and experience gained through the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer.  See Queen’s University Belfast fullemployability statementfor further information.

Degree Plus and other related initiatives:  Recognising student diversity, promoting employability enhancements and other interests is part of the developmental experience at Queen’s.  Students are encouraged to plan and build their own, personal skill and experiential profile through a range of activities including; recognised Queen’s Certificates, placements and other work experiences (at home or overseas), Erasmus study options elsewhere in Europe and learning development supports as well as involvement in wider university life through activities, such as clubs, societies,  and sports. 

Queen’s actively encourages this type of activity by offering students an additional qualification, the Degree Plus Award (and the related Researcher Plus Award for PhD and MPhil students).  Degree Plus accredits wider experiential and skill development gained through extra-curricular activities that promote the enhancement of academic, career management, personal and employability skills in a variety of contexts.  As part of the Award, students are also trained on how to reflect on the experience(s) and make the link between academic achievement, extracurricular activities, transferable skills and graduate employment. Participating students will also be trained in how to reflect on their skills and experiences and can gain an understanding of how to articulate the significance of these to others, e.g. employers.

Overall, these initiatives, and Degree Plusin particular, reward the energy, drive, determination and enthusiasm shown by students engaging in activities over-and-above the requirements of their academic studies.  These qualities are amongst those valued highly by graduate employers.

Special Features

Accreditation: this degree is accredited as fully satisfying the educational base for a Chartered Engineer (CEng), see www.jbm.org.uk for information. 

Placement: many of our students have also gained international work placement through organisations such as IAESTE.

Last updated 12.09.13