LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
Programme Specification
BEng Civil Engineering
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the
programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be
expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning
opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be found
in Module Specifications and other programme documentation and online at
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/
The accuracy of the information in this document is reviewed by the University and may
be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
Awarding body/institution;
Loughborough University
Teaching institution);
Loughborough University
Details of accreditation by a
professional/statutory body;
Name of the final award;
The Joint Board of Moderators, on behalf of
Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of
Structural Engineers, and Institution of Highways
and Transportation
BEng(Hons) or BEng(Hons) with DIS
Programme title;
Civil Engineering
UCAS code;
H200 3yr full-time, H201 4yr sandwich
Date at which the programme
specification was written or
revised.
Revised 10.8.10
1. Aims of the programme:
This programme aims to:
 provide a high quality educational experience that develops and sustains students
knowledge, skills and aspirations in preparation for a career in the construction
industry;
 provide a broad and well balanced degree programme that develops students’
analytical skills to an appropriate depth over the full range of core engineering
subject areas, thus equipping them for employment across all fields of the civil
engineering industry;
 provide a programme of study with emphasis on industrial relevance that will
produce graduates that are attractive to industry, and who have the potential – with
Further Learning – to take responsibility for innovation and change;
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develop analytical and transferable skills that will enable students to gain
employment in a wide variety of professions; and,
help students successfully achieve their personal goals and make a valuable
contribution to society.
2. Relevant subject benchmark statements:
The modular BEng programmes were first introduced in 1995. The aims, intended
learning outcomes and curriculum are continually reviewed and currently take account of
UK-SPEC, the 2005 JBM Accreditation Guidelines, the 2006 QAA Engineering
Benchmark statements for Engineering, and the Framework for Higher Education
Qualifications, as well as input from our industrial contacts.
3. Intended Learning Outcomes
When students have completed the BEng(Hons) in Civil Engineering, and if they have
taken full advantage of the opportunities for learning that we provide, they should have
gained:
Knowledge and understanding of:
1 mathematics, science and engineering principles in the field of structures,
geotechnics, water engineering and surveying
2 properties, behaviour, fabrication and use of relevant materials
3 construction technology and civil engineering practice
4 construction management and contract procedure
5 the role of codes of practice and regularity framework in design and practice
6 principles of design techniques specific to civil engineering
7 principles of relevant information technology
8 the role of the professional engineer in society, including health, safety and
environmental issues
The thinking skills to:
1 demonstrate competence in identifying, defining and solving engineering problems
2 apply appropriate mathematical and computer-based methods for modelling and
analysing engineering problems
3 apply appropriate knowledge of techniques and codes of practice to the design of
components and systems
4 demonstrate proficiency in the evaluation and integration of information and
processes in project work
5 display the skills necessary to define, conduct and report on an original research
project
6 Apply engineering principles, theories and methods in a professional environment
through a twelve month period of work experience (DIS programme only).
The practical skills to:
1 use laboratory and field equipment competently and safely
2 observe, record, process and analyse data from the laboratory and field
3 use computational tools and packages
4 prepare technical reports and give technical presentations
5 prepare technical drawings, both manually and using CAD
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apply knowledge and skills in a professional environment through a twelve month
period of work experience (DIS students only)
The Key skills to:
1 communicate effectively using written, oral and graphical skills
2 use IT effectively (WP, spreadsheets, databases, presentations, CAD, email, WWW
and specialist software)
3 use mathematical skills appropriate to an engineer
4 work independently
5 work in a team environment
6 manage workloads and time effectively
7 work with limited or contradictory information
8 monitor, plan and reflect upon personal, educational and career development
(Personal Development Planning)
Learning and Teaching methods
Acquisition of the above knowledge, understanding and skills is through a combination of
lectures, tutorials/examples classes, seminars, laboratory work, field work, practical
classes, teamwork projects, an individual research project, industrial training (DIS
students only), private study and coursework throughout the programme.
Assessment
Knowledge, understanding and skills are assessed through a combination of written
examinations and coursework in the form of laboratory reports, problem solving
exercises, design projects, field course reports, oral presentations, essays, multiplechoice questionnaires and a research project report and presentation. The assessment
over the whole programme is split approximately equally between examinations and
coursework.
4. Programme structure
The BEng(Hons) programme in Civil Engineering is offered as a full-time programme of
three years or a sandwich programme of four years if taken with the optional year of
industrial training leading to the award of a Diploma in Industrial Studies (DIS). Transfer
to the MEng is possible at the end of Part B. Each Part (academic year) of the
programme is taught in two semesters and students study modules with a combined
weight of 60 credits in each semester.
Full details of the programme regulations can be found at:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/lps/progreg/year/1112/index.htm
5. Criteria for admission to the programme
Applicants must satisfy the general requirements of the University and one of the
following programme requirements:
A level qualifications
ABB at A2 level, including Mathematics and excluding General Studies and Critical
Thinking.
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VCE qualifications
320 points from 18 units (either VCE units alone or a combination of VCE units and AS
or A level units), including at least grade B in the mathematics units.
BTEC HNC/HND
Year 1 entry: averaging distinction with distinction in engineering mathematics. Year 2
entry: majority of Distinctions at Level 4 (including Engineering Mathematics)
BTEC NA/NC/ND
320 points from 18 units (either BTEC National units alone or a combination of BTEC
National units and AS or A level units), including Distinctions in mathematics units
(BTEC) and/or at least grade B in Mathematics (A or AS level).
International Baccalaureate
34 points, including at least 5 in Mathematics (at Higher level) and Physics
European Baccalaureate
75% (including English)
French Baccalaureate
Overall score of 14 points (including English and mathematics)
Advanced Scottish Highers
AB including Mathematics
Scottish Highers
ABBBB, including at least grade B in Mathematics
Irish Highers
320 points from four Highers, including Mathematics at grade B
French Baccalaureate
16 (including English)
Second year entry
Second year entry may be offered to candidates with appropriate qualifications.
Examples include diplomas from Malaysia and Singapore, higher diplomas from Hong
Kong, and HNDs from the UK.
Additional requirements
GCSE Physics or Double Science grade C
6. Information about assessment regulations
Criteria for progression and Degree Award
In order to progress from Parts A or B, or to qualify for the award of an Honours Degree
in Part C, candidates must obtain at least 40% in modules worth 120 credits in each
Part.
Candidates in Part B who satisfy the progression requirements of the MEng programme
in Civil Engineering and who normally achieve an average percentage mark of 60% in
Parts A and B are eligible to transfer to the MEng programme should they wish.
Relative weighting of parts of the Programme for the purposes of Final Degree
classification
Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their
performance of degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C, in accordance with
the scheme set out in Regulation XX. The average Percentage Mark for each Part will
be combined in the ratio Part B 40%:Part B 60% to determine the final Programme Mark.
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Re-assessment
Provision will be made in accordance with Regulation XX for candidates who have the
right to re-assessment Part A, or B of the programme to undergo re-assessment in the
University's special assessment period.
7. What makes the programme distinctive
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The programme prepares students for a career in the construction industry by
providing a broad-based education in civil engineering with a wide range of options
available in the final year.
Our graduates continue to be popular with industry and the employment record for
our civil engineering graduates is excellent. .
The programme has an option of an industrial placement year, taken after the
second year at university. Successful completion of this leads to the award of
Diploma of Industrial Studies (DIS). There is strong demand from industry for our
second year students that opt for the DIS year. Reports from employers are
generally very positive, and many graduates are subsequently employed by the
companies with whom they undertook industrial training.
In the National Student Surveys (2005 -2009), designed to measure the level of
students' satisfaction with their university experience, the department achieved very
high rankings, including two in first place for the Civil Engineering category. In the
most recent survey the Civil Engineering programmes were ranked joint 3rd with 97%
student satisfaction
The programme is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators on behalf of the
Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Structural Engineers, and the
Institution of Highways and Transportation. The last JBM visit was in February 2006,
and amongst the examples highlighted for inclusion in the JBM’s annual report were
our excellent links with industry, the industrial placement opportunities and
employment opportunities for large numbers of students.
The department’s Industrial Sponsorship Scheme, set up in 2001, was originally set
up to give first year MEng students the opportunity to apply for sponsorship during
their first year but, at the request of the Sponsor’s Consortium, has now been
extended to include second year BEng students who are performing at an
appropriate level.
8. Particular support for learning:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/templateshop/notes/lps/
9. Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of learning:
The University’s formal quality management and reporting procedures are laid out in its
Academic Quality Procedures Handbook, available online at:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/policy/aqp/index.htm
These are under the overall direction of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching).
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