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This course is for 2023/24 entry. Details for 2024/25 entry are also available.

Key information

This course is designed for students who have the potential to study Civil Engineering at City, but don’t have the entry requirements to apply directly to a degree. You’ll study a range of topics that will equip you with the skills and knowledge to proceed to our BEng or MEng.

Start date

September 2023

UCAS code

H202

Duration

1 year full-time

Institution

City, University of London

Location

Westminster Kingsway College

Entry requirements

A Level:
CCC, including Mathematics at A-level grade C
Tariff:
96 UCAS tariff points
International Baccalaureate:
27 points total, including level 4 in Higher Level maths and a science subject OR 6 in Standard Level maths and 4 in Higher Level science
BTEC:
See below for further details
GCSE:
A minimum of grade 4 (C) at GCSE English Language and Mathematics, in addition to other stated requirements.

In addition to our other entry requirements, City also accepts T-levels with the following grades:

  • T-Level in Design, Surveying and Construction. Must have an overall “Distinction” with at least B in the core. Must have “Distinction” in the Occupational specialism of Civil Engineering

Contextual offers

We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who have been in care, attend a low performing school, live in an area where few students go to university, or are the first generation of their family to enter Higher Education.

Those who are eligible may receive a conditional offer with reduced entry requirements, typically up to two grades lower for A-levels and one grade (or eight tariff points) for BTEC or mixed qualifications.

Mixed qualifications

Typically the only scenario where we make conditional offers expressed as UCAS tariff points is when an applicant presents mixed qualifications, most typically a combination of A-levels and a BTEC qualification.

In this instance, we may make a tariff point offer to present the applicant with more flexibility on equivalencies. In this case, please be aware that we may still ask for a specific score across certain qualifications and subjects. E.g. 'This offer is conditional on you achieving 128 tariff points. This must include A-level Mathematics at grade B.'

Subject exclusions

We do not accept General Studies and Critical Thinking. These subjects will not be included in any conditional offer we make.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

We welcome applications from students who are completing relevant EPQ Projects. Whilst we recognise the value of these projects in preparing students for independent learning at university, the EPQ is unlikely to form part of any conditional offer we make.

The EPQ will also not lower the specifics of any conditional offer we choose to make. We will consider the EPQ as part of the holistic assessment of the application and it could be used to form part of our final decision at Confirmation stage.

AS levels

We recognise that there will be differences of opportunity varying by school and college. As not all students will have the opportunity to sit AS Level exams, it is unlikely we will include AS Level grades in any offer we choose to make. Where students have completed an AS Level subject, we will consider this as part of the holistic assessment of the application and it could be used to form part of our final decision at Confirmation stage.

BTEC

BTEC (Level 3 Nationals only).

  • DDM in Engineering (First teaching Sept 2016) with minimum grade M in units 1 - Engineering Principles, 7 - Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems and 8 - Further Engineering Mathematics. Candidates must also have a minimum of grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics and Science/Physics.
  • DDM in Civil Engineering / Construction and the Built Environment / Building Services Engineering (First teaching Sept 2017) with minimum grade M in unit 1 – Construction Principles and unit 15 – Further Mathematics for Construction. Candidates must also have a minimum of grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics and Science/Physics.

Please note that the Foundation route is only open to UK students.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, we will require evidence of English language proficiency. Minimum requirements are:

IELTS:
6.0 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.

PTE Academic: 59 overall with a minimum of 59 in each component.

English language programmes

Don't meet the English language requirements? INTO City, University of London offers English language programmes to help prepare you for study at university. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to degree courses.

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Why choose this course?

  •  

    Star

    Don’t let your qualifications stop you studying civil engineering

  •  

    Knowledge

    Take part in speaking, listening and writing tasks in a small group of no more than 16 students

  •  

    Graduation cap

    Proceed to a BEng or MEng Civil Engineering degree

Civil Engineering degree Course overview

At City, we welcome students from diverse backgrounds and understand not everyone has the qualifications to apply directly to our engineering degrees.

The one-year programme is designed to help you develop the study skills and academic knowledge needed for a civil engineering degree.

You will receive support to develop the independent study skills that will help you thrive at degree-level.

This Civil Engineering Foundation Course is designed specifically to help people with the passion and potential to study with us. For example, mature students who need to update their technical knowledge and get used to studying again after being in work.

After you complete this course

By the end of the year, you will have built a firm foundation for your future success as a university student.

On successful completion of this Civil Engineering Foundation Course, you’ll have the confidence and knowledge to progress to a BEng or MEng degree.

Structure

Course content

On this one-year course, you’ll develop a firm foundation in key topics related to civil engineering. You will study:

  • Mechanics
  • Computing and IT
  • Communication and study skills
  • Mathematics
  • Physics.

You will study theory classes at Westminster Kingsway College and conduct laboratory work at City, University of London. This will prepare you to progress to a degree at City upon successful completion of the course.

Teaching and assessment

As a Foundation course student, you will take most of your classes at Westminster Kingsway College. Some laboratory classes are taken at City, University of London. A key element of the course is the tutorial support provided and the emphasis on the development of study skills.

This makes the course suitable for mature students who lack formal qualifications or who are returning to study after some years. There is some flexibility to change to a different engineering course after the foundation year, subject to the agreement of the course director concerned.

You may use the study and social facilities at both City, University of London and Westminster Kingsway College. Assessment is by a combination of formal examinations and coursework.

Assessment methods

You will be assessed using a variety of methods, including:

  • Written assignments and Coursework, including essays: these may take the form of case studies in which you will be expected to relate your essay to a particular service user or as support for another assessment such as a poster presentation
  • Written examinations: including short answer questions, multiple choice questions, calculations, scenario-based.

Percentage of the course assessed by coursework

Percentage of the course assessed by coursework:
Foundation year 50% written, 50% coursework.

Overall workload

Most contact hours will take the form of lectures, interactive sessions, practical workshops and small group classes, supported by a personal tutorial system. The number will decrease as you progress and you become more able to direct your own learning.

Approximate study time based on 2018/19 entry is as follows:
Foundation year 47% scheduled learning, 53% independent learning.

Fees and funding

Fees for year 2023/24

UK

£9,250

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2023/24 academic year only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase in the region of 5%.

Funding options

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2022/23 academic year only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase which is normally 2%.

Explore up-to-date information about funding options, available financial support and typical living costs.

  • Fee waivers are available for this course.
  • Means tested support is available for 2022/23 entry.

Additional expenses

Future Finance offers students loans of between £2,500 and £40,000 to help cover tuition fees and living expenses. All students and courses are considered. All loans are subject to credit checks and approval for further details please visit our finance pages.

Additional expenses

Some of our degrees may involve additional expenses which are not covered by your tuition fees. Find out more about additional expenses.

Career

Following successful completion of your Foundation Programme, you can choose to progress to a Civil Engineering degree at City, University of London. This will open up a range of rewarding civil engineering careers.

Students who successfully complete the Foundation course may progress onto the following programmes at City:

Civil engineers plan, design and construct the infrastructure around us, working on projects such as motorways, railways, hospitals and airports.

City graduates have worked on some of the most important civil engineering projects in recent times, including the HS2 rail project and landmark buildings.

Recent graduates have secured work with:

  • Network Rail
  • Arup
  • Bouygues Construction
  • KBR
  • Osborne
  • Skanska
  • PGCS
  • Farrans Construction.

How to apply

Applications for degree courses must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

Apply now

Please note that, at present, this course is only available to those who we would classify as Home students. Please contact us if you are unclear about your fee status. For overseas students who do not meet the entry requirements for year 1 entry, we recommend our affiliated foundation course providers - INTO City, University of London.

You can apply through your school or college using the Apply system, which enables you to submit your application directly to the UCAS website.

You can apply to up to five universities or institutions on the form. The UCAS code for City, University of London is C60.

Please take care to enter the correct course code when applying, particularly for subjects with a Foundation year or with BEng (Hons) and MEng (Hons) or BSc (Hons) and MSci (Hons) options.

UCAS has implemented an 'invisibility of choices' policy so that, on the initial application and while you are receiving decisions, each institution can see only their entry and not those of other institutions you have chosen. This ensures that your application for a course at City is considered solely on your academic and personal qualities.

You should submit your completed application form to UCAS with a £26.50 application fee. If you want to apply to City, University of London only, you can make a single choice application at a reduced rate of £22.

Admission enquiries

For general enquiries about the admissions process at City, please contact our Admissions Office:

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7040 8716.

Telephone lines are currently open between 10am - 3pm.

If your enquiry is about admission to a particular course, please use the contact details provided on the course page.

When to apply

Your application for entry in September 2023 should arrive at UCAS between September 2022 and 25th January 2023. Applications that arrive after 25th January 2023 will be considered only at City's discretion.

Contacting UCAS

Address: Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 3LZ

Telephone:

  • from inside the UK 0871 468 0468
  • from outside the UK +44 (0)871 468 0468

For callers with hearing difficulties:

  • from inside the UK use the Text Relay service on 18001 0871 468 0468
  • from outside the UK dial +44 151 494 1260 (text phone) and then ask the operator to dial 0871 468 0468.

Facilities

  • The centrepiece of the Civil Engineering Laboratory which accommodates a large flexible lab space and apparatus for physical modelling of complex geotechnical problems at reduced scale and high g
    The geotechnical centrifuge facility is the centrepiece of our civil engineering equipment, giving students hands-on experience with industrial technology.
  • Our civil engineering laboratories include a range of state-of-the-art equipment for model preparation, concrete mixing and casting, testing and teaching.
  • Two students sitting together looking at a computer screen smiling
    A well-equipped engineering materials testing laboratory provides a focus for construction materials and are set up to support collaborative working.

Our students

Gain further insights into our courses through our students.

Ana Rouhafshari studied Civil Engineering at City. Here Ana shares her experience as student and the skills she picked up during her time here.

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