Civil Engineering and Architecture (MEng) at University of Southampton

About

Combine civil engineering with architecture, and explore their importance in developing sustainable, urban areas. If you're interested in a career in structural engineering design, this course is for you. You’ll specialise in architecture and urban design, as well as studying structural and geomechanical engineering. You’ll also develop key design and manufacturing skills.

The first 2 years of the MEng Civil Engineering and Architecture degree are the same as our other civil engineering courses. You'll cover mechanics, materials, thermofluids and construction management. In year 3 you’ll specialise in civil engineering with a focus on urban design.

In year 4, you’ll put architectural principles into practice through design projects. These are taught by structural engineers and architects, and include:

an architectural group project, to design a complex building in an urban area
an individual architectural engineering project of your choice

As part of this course you'll have the opportunity to:

apply analytical techniques and problem-solving skills to engineering problems
develop technical design skills, such as sketching, computer-aided design (CAD) and model-making
develop surveying, construction practice and computer programming skills
take part in the Constructionarium challenge, where you’ll get practical construction experience and build scaled-down versions of famous structures
learn about the latest research developments as they happen, as part of your course
be taught by practicing engineers and architects, as well as University academics
apply to our SUCCESS scholarship scheme, with opportunities for work placements and an annual bursary
showcase your work in our annual Engineering Design Show

Design is integral to civil engineering and architecture. You’ll take part in laboratory sessions and design projects throughout your degree to put your knowledge into practice. These are often based on the requirements of a real site and a real client.

Our Design Show blog has examples of our students’ design work.

You'll get hands-on experience in our modern facilities. This includes our £48m National Infrastructure Laboratory and our:

testing and structures research lab
geotechnics lab
large structures testing lab
hydraulic flumes
dedicated student design studios and workshops

Year in industry

Enhance your employability by taking this course with a paid industrial placement year.

Apply using:

Course name: Civil Engineering and Architecture with Industrial Placement Year
UCAS code: K21K

You'll spend this extra year at an engineering firm, applying the skills and knowledge you've learned so far.

The fee is 20% of the standard annual tuition fee.

Follow our students on Instagram

Get a student's perspective on our Civil Engineering undergraduate degrees by following our student Instagram page.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Requirements

Entry Requirements

For Academic year 202526

A-levels

A*AA including mathematics (minimum grade A)

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. Applicants who have not studied the required subjects can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: AAA including mathematics, plus grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 38 points overall with 19 points required at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches) or 7 at Higher Level in Mathematics (Applications and Interpretation)

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

Applicants who have not studied mathematics at Higher Level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades A*A from two A-levels including mathematics (minimum grade A) or D* in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades AA from two A-levels including mathematics.

D*D in the BTEC National Diploma plus grade A in A-level mathematics or DD in the BTEC National Diploma plus grade A* in mathematics.

We will consider the BTEC National Extended Diploma if studied alongside A-level mathematics.

RQF BTEC

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. Applicants who have not studied the required subjects can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

QCF BTEC

D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades A*A from two A-levels including mathematics (minimum grade A) or D* in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades AA from two A-levels including mathematics.

D*D in the BTEC Diploma plus grade A in A-level mathematics or DD in the BTEC Diploma plus grade A* in mathematics.

We will consider the BTEC Extended Diploma if studied alongside A-level mathematics.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Show more entry requirements

Access to HE Diploma

Irish Leaving Certificate

Scottish Qualification offers

Cambridge Pre-U

Welsh Baccalaureate

T Level

Access to HE Diploma

Not accepted for this course. Applicants with an Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

H1 H1 H1 H2 H2 H2 including mathematics and applied mathematics

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

A1 A1 A1 A2 A2 A2 including mathematics and applied mathematics

Irish certificate additional information

Applicants who have not studied mathematics at Higher Level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

Scottish Qualification

Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.

Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

Cambridge Pre-U

D2, D3, D3 in three Principal subjects including mathematics (minimum grade D3)

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer, where D2 can be used in lieu of A-level grade A* or grade D3 can be used in lieu of A-level grade A. Applicants who have not studied mathematics a Principal subject can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

Welsh Baccalaureate

A*AA from 3 A levels including mathematics (minimum grade A) or A*A from 2 A levels including mathematics (minimum grade A) and A from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate.

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. Applicants who have not studied the required subjects can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

T-Level

A Distinction overall, with A in Core and Distinction in the Occupational Specialism, and grade A in A-level Mathematics

The following T levels are accepted:

Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction
Onsite Construction
Building Services Engineering for Construction
Science

English Program Requirements

Find the equivalent international qualifications for our entry requirements.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

IELTS score requirements

overall score: 6.5
reading: 6.0
writing: 6.0
speaking: 6.0
listening: 6.0

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Career

Careers

This course will put you on the path to becoming a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and is accredited by:

Institution of Civil Engineers
Institution of Structural Engineers
Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation
Institute of Highway Engineers

You'll graduate from this course with the knowledge and skills to embark on a successful career as a civil engineer or architect. The transferable skills you develop in critical thinking, problem-solving and communication are also valued by many other employers.

Our graduates have gone on to work for companies including:

Arup
the British Army
David Dexter Associates
Balfour Beatty
Ramboll
Price & Myers

Graduate roles you could go into include:

environmental engineer
structural engineer
transport planner
coastal engineer
construction manager
design engineer
flood risk officer

First and second year students can apply to our Southampton University Corporate Civil Engineering Scholarship Scheme (SUCCESS). You'll benefit from summer work placements, an industrial mentor and potential, long-term employment on graduation.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Work in industry

You can enhance your career prospects by taking this course with a paid industrial placement year in an engineering organisation.

You will be able to apply the knowledge and skills you've developed during the first 2 years of your degree and gain vital experience to help you become a professional civil or environmental engineer after graduation.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

GBP 31,000

Application Fee

GBP

Civil Engineering and Architecture (MEng)

University of Southampton

University of Southampton

Key Facts

Start & Deadlines