Civil and coastal engineering

Create solutions towards a sustainable future
female windfarm engineer

Why Plymouth?

  • 6The University of Plymouth has been named eighth in the world – and best in the UK – for the quality and impact of its marine and ocean engineering research (ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2019)

  • 6Flexibility to transfer between BEng and MEng

  • 6Choose between civil and mechanical routes at the end of your first year

  • 6Optional year in industry

  • 6Industrial mentoring scheme

  • 6State-of-the-art facilities: COAST Lab

  • 6BEng leads to Incorporated Engineer status (IEng)

  • 6MEng leads to Chartered Engineer status (CEng)

  • 6Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE) and The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) accredited degrees

Discover our range of undergraduate degrees

Civil Engineering Students on site visit to the new engineering and design facility project (NEDF). The new Babbage building is being built by BAM Construct UK.

BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering Students on site visit to the new engineering and design facility project (NEDF). The new Babbage building is being built by BAM Construct UK.

MEng (Hons) Civil Engineering

Students using the University's Coastal Basin within the state-of-the-art COAST Laboratory.

BEng (Hons) Civil and Coastal Engineering

The Immersive Visualisation Suite features a hybrid, virtual reality enabled visualisation system that supports a diversity of users from across the University and the wider industrial community.

MEng (Hons) Civil and Coastal Engineering

Civil Engineering Students on site visit to the new engineering and design facility project (NEDF). The new Babbage building is being built by BAM Construct UK.

BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering with Foundation Year

Engineering blueprint of machines/technology

BEng (Hons) Integrated Engineering

University features in film celebrating Plymouth’s engineering prowess

The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) presents Engineering Plymouth. A film celebrating how civil engineers have helped to shape Plymouth over the last 500 years. The film tells the story of Plymouth through its engineering milestones. From laying the foundations for a new town to the introduction of the Great Western Railway and the impressive Royal Albert Bridge. Through the Blitz bombs and on towards new horizons – robotics, artificial intelligence and the use of drone technology – we see how engineers are tackling problems and safeguarding the future for generations to come.
Book your place at an open day

“Plymouth is a really interesting place to study civil engineering, with lots of new developments going on.”

“From a course point of view, the University has a strong link to industry, which a lot of universities don’t have when it comes to civil engineering. At nearly every company I’ve worked with or had interactions with, I’ve nearly always found a University of Plymouth graduate. They want to help you because they know where you’ve been. The city has a lot of strengths, not just its university. You can’t beat chilling out on the Hoe, or Dartmoor.”

Conner Kearey, MEng (Hons) Civil Engineering

Conner Kearey
Coast lab in Marine Building
Civil Engineering facilities and resources
Tamar Engineering Project scholar, Elena Brake
Tamar Engineering Project

Discover our range of postgraduate taught programmes and research opportunities

Kölnbrein Dam, concrete dam with skywalk platform in an Austrian valley Malta.

MSc Civil Engineering

Coastal Engineering

MSc Coastal Engineering

Mutriku wave power plant. Courtesy of Ente Vasco de la Energía

MSc Offshore Renewable Energy

Offshore wind turbine in a wind farm under construction off the England coast at sunset.

MSc Offshore Renewable Energy Engineering

The Tamar (1962) and Royal Albert (1859) bridges over the River Tamar are well known examples of local civil engineering, visited during the course.

MPhil/PhD Civil Engineering

Postgraduate research studentships

Do you need funding for a research degree?
If you cannot fund your own PhD research project then please look at the advertised studentships as they become available throughout the year. Please check the advert carefully to ensure you are eligible and what funding and support are available.
Ciaran O'Sullivan

Babbage Building: where engineering meets design

“The building provides a state-of-the-art setting to inspire the engineers and designers of tomorrow, making it the ultimate place to bring together students, academics and industry in an environment that not only benefits them but also society as a whole.” – Professor Deborah Greaves OBE
Situated on the western edge of our city centre campus, the landmark new facility is home to the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics .

Apply to the Tamar Engineering Project

Open for applications to ambitious students who want to embark on a career in engineering and who have shown potential for high academic achievement at A level, but whose background or personal circumstances may be a barrier to university study. Successful applicants will receive:
  • £3,000 per annum towards living costs for the duration of the taught element of their degree (usually three years)
  • £1,500 fee waiver per annum
  • one-to-one mentoring from an industry expert.

Athena Swan Silver

The School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics was awarded an Athena Swan Silver award in September 2024 which demonstrates our ongoing commitment to advancing gender equality and success for all.
Athena SWAN Silver Award logo