Civil Engineering (Civil Engineer Degree Apprenticeship)
Part-time
Five year
September 2025
In a nutshell
Civil engineers create, improve and protect the environment and facilitate daily life. With the demand for qualified engineers increasing, our civil engineering degree apprenticeship will create a pathway to exciting career opportunities.
Career-focused curriculum
Designed to support your working role, you will also develop transferable skills and learn about the decision-making methods used by industry.
Accredited, engaging learning
Designed around real-world problem solving, our accredited BEng pathway builds your knowledge to an advanced level. Initially providing a foundation in structures, surveying and project planning, you will progress to study water resources, geotechnics and seismic engineering.
The Degree Apprenticeship is the only non full-time mode undergraduate civil engineering degree offered. It is compliant with the approved apprenticeship standard which includes on-the-job and off-the-job training.
At an Open Day, you'll talk to Programme Leaders, tour our facilities and attend one-to-one sessions with our team who will be on hand to answer all of your questions.
You will:
- Acquire the engineering skills to design simple structural steel, analyse statically indeterminate structures and design complex structures using reinforced concrete
- Identify and manage environmental issues and associated risks relating to civil engineering, including water, transport, landscape, heritage and biodiversity
- Build knowledge about materials and their fundamental behaviour, including geology, soil mechanics and laboratory testing
- Develop your knowledge of materials and their fundamental behaviour, from laboratory testing of soils, to 3D printing composite structures
- Gain practical experience using industry standard software, so you're ready to join the industry when you graduate
Course accreditations
This is for you if...
You're fascinated by infrastructure, and want to contribute to society in a positive way
You're a creative problem-solver and enjoy using technology to find solutions
You studied mathematics or physics at school/college and want a career in a practical engineering environment
All about the course
Course delivery
Based on the principles of civil engineering, this structured course promotes hands-on learning to help you to develop the theoretical knowledge and skills you’ll need in your career.
The course comprises six modules per level of study, which are designed to meet the accreditation requirements of the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM). Alongside five of these modules, you will complete an integrated design exercise which blends the learning and skills from each module to the application of a client brief.
Every year involves modules which address the JBM themes of design, sustainability, health and safety risk management and creativity. Some of the principle modules are structures, materials, soil mechanics, surveying, transport design, design and construction management, water resources and environmental engineering.
Every apprentice must complete an individual project at level 6 (final year). Employers are expected to provide topics, in collaboration with their apprentices, which will be of commercial use and require research and development.
How does a degree apprenticeship work?
The degree apprenticeship route will enable you to work and study for your degree. Your employer and/or the government will pay your tuition fees for your apprenticeship course.
There are two distinct components to the degree apprenticeship – the academic degree programme and the work-based assessment. The University – as lead provider – is responsible for delivering your degree programme. Your employer is responsible for delivering the work-based assessment components.
We will work with your employer to:
- Assure that knowledge you gain on the degree apprenticeship can be successfully applied in the workplace
- Ensure that you can evidence the standards and practices required to meet the professional competencies contained in the apprenticeship standard
We will create an annual programme timetable, which will include your lectures, seminars and tutorials. You will receive your timetable once you registered as a student.
As part of the course, you will work towards an Endpoint Assessment with an Engineering Institution, which will take place after you complete the academic degree. To do this, your employer must be able to support you - this is a requirement of the Apprenticeship.
Civil Engineering Mathematics 1
An understanding and ability to use mathematics are essential skills for success in engineering. This module will review and expand on the following subjects: algebra, trigonometry, functions, geometry, vectors, complex numbers and calculus, with emphasis on their applications to engineering.
Civil Engineering Materials and Geology
Civil engineering employs the use of a wide range of materials, in this module you will develop your understanding of those materials and study their fundamental behaviour. Subjects include construction materials, geology, soil mechanics and laboratory testing.
Structures E1
You will develop an ability to analyses statically determinate structures and design simple structural steel work elements in this module. The module content is split into analysis and design. Analysis includes the subjects rigid body statics, material properties and Euler theory. Design subjects include design of structural steelwork elements in simple construction, and fire and corrosion protection systems for structural steelwork.
Civil Engineering Construction
There are a broad spectrum of elements involved with civil engineering construction. This module will develop your understanding of those elements from effective engineering construction techniques to contract law. Subjects include site safety, sustainability, resource efficiency, consulting engineers and contractors, client's requirement and financial planning and control.
Civil Engineering Surveying
You will develop your understanding and ability to undertake a range of civil engineering surveying tasks, such as setting out, land surveying and quantity surveying. The main subject areas are land surveying techniques, setting out techniques, modern surveying techniques and quantity surveying. You will cover subjects and learn techniques such as setting up a level, theodolite and total station, construction lasers, GPS, EDM, co-ordinates, bearings and contract pricing.
Civil Engineering Communication
As a successful civil engineer it is important to have a wide range of well developed communications skills allowing you to communicate effectively not only with other engineers but also clients, contractors and labourers. This module will develop your drawing, written reports and presentation skills.
Soil Mechanics E2
All structures are dependent on the ground they're built on, in this module you will be introduced to the principles of soil mechanics including the general behaviour of different soil types under loading and unloading conditions and how this behaviour may be predicted. Subjects include geotechnical investigation, soil strength and transient groundwater flow.
Fluid Mechanics E2
You will develop an understanding of civil engineering hydraulics concentrating on flow in pipelines. The subjects covered include fluid properties, hydrostatics, fluid dynamics, flow in pipes, Reynolds experiments, pipe systems and networks, and water distribution systems.
Civil Engineering Mathematics 2
This module will build on the engineering mathematics module in year one and develop more advanced knowledge and skills in mathematical analysis, to enable you to tackle more advanced engineering problems. Subjects covered include partial differentiation, determinants and matrices, vector analysis, Laplace transforms and functions of a complex variable.
Structures E2
The module builds on your structural analysis knowledge from year 1 and develops it to consider simple statically determinate structures. On the design side Reinforced concrete structures are considered in detail. The design of slabs, beams, columns and foundations are looked at. Overall stability of RC structures is also described.
Highway design and analysis
Our highways are crucial to our lives, whether that be economic or recreational. In this module you will learn the principles which underlie current UK practice in highway design and construction and analysis, including the application of statistical techniques to transport engineering problems.
Design and Construction Management
Project planning and execution are a vital part of the role of a civil engineer. In this module you practice these skills, culminating in a residential field course which will see you working in a team to construct structures from bridges to oil rigs.
Geotechnical Engineering E3
You will learn to develop approaches to the design and analysis of soil slopes and foundations. The subjects include stability of embankments, stability of earth dams, stability of shallow foundations on fine and coarse grained soils, design based on in situ tests and stability of deep foundations in fine and coarse grained soils.
Structures E3
You will further develop your ability to analyse statically indeterminate structures and design complex structures. Subjects include moment distribution with sway, plastic section properties, Hillerborg strip methods, and design of timber structures including glulam timber members.
Water Resources E3
You will develop your understanding of sediment transport, wave theory, pressure transients in closed systems and hydrological science. The subjects covered include surface water hydrology, open channel flow, steady non-uniform flow, hydraulic structures, water waves, and hydraulic models.
Individual Project
One of the most important parts of your preparation for your future career, whether in industry or research, is the undertaking of an individual project. Projects are based on particular civil engineering themes of industrial relevance.
Finite Element Analysis with Seismic Engineering
This module will introduce stiffness and finite element analysis as applied to civil engineering structures, and the fundamentals of seismic analysis and the effects of earthquake activity on the design of ground slopes, earth dams, foundations and structures.
Case Studies in Environmental Engineering
You will develop the ability to identify and deal with environmental issues relating to civil engineering, through a series of case studies. The subjects include environmental risks associated with ground engineering and water resources, transport and the environment, landscape, heritage, and biodiversity impacts, and engineering solutions.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
School of Science, Engineering and Environment
Rising to the challenge of a changing world, our degree courses are designed to shape the next generation of urbanists, scientists, engineers and industry leaders.
Driven by industry, and delivered by supportive programme teams, you can develop the knowledge and skills to become unstoppable in your career.
Facilities
As a civil engineering student, you will learn in a range of specialist teaching and research facilities.
The Heavy Structures Laboratory features a range of equipment which can be used to load test almost any structure; including hydraulic actuators, a strong floor, tensile and compression testing machines and a climactic cabinet.
The Hydraulics Laboratory will develop your understanding of how water flows and behaves at different velocities. In our Water Quality Laboratory, you can investigate the ability of different plants and filters to remove groundwater contaminants.
In the Geotechnics Laboratory, you can learn about soil types, their strengths, permeability and compressibility and how these things can affect the ground conditions under building foundations, dams and embankments.
You will also learn to use a range of surveying equipment and tools, such as digital total stations, levels and theodolites, which combined with digital drawing capability will arm you with industry standard skills.
What you need to know
APPLICANT PROFILE
In addition to our academic entry requirements, we also look for certain characteristics in each student. Possessing these characteristics will not only help you to fulfil your potential at university, but it is also an essential requisite for a successful career in the built environment.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
All of our courses are taught and assessed in English. If English is not your first language, you must meet our minimum English language entry requirements. An IELTS score of 6.0 (no element below 5.5) is proof of this, and we also accept a range of equivalent qualifications.
Read more about our English language requirements, including information about pathways that can help you gain entry on to our degree courses.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
To apply for a degree apprenticeship, you will need to be currently in full-time employment (minimum 30 hours a week), spending at least 50% of your time in England. If you are not in employment, you can search for employers participating in the degree apprenticeship scheme using the UK Government's national apprenticeship website.
DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP STANDARD
The degree apprenticeship is the only non-full-time mode undergraduate civil engineering degree at Salford. It is in alignment with apprenticeship standard ST0417, which includes on the job and off the job training. By the end of the apprenticeship, you will have achieved both an academic (BEng (Hons)) and professional (IEng) qualification.
COURSE ACCREDITATION
This degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) comprising the Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, Institute of Highway Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and the Permanent Way Institution on behalf of the Engineering Council as:
1. fully satisfying the educational base for an Incorporated Engineer (IEng).
2. partially satisfying the educational base for a Chartered Engineer (CEng). A programme of accredited Further Learning will be required to complete the educational base for CEng.
Visit JBM for further information and details of Further Learning programmes for CEng.
DELIVERY
The course is delivered on a part-time, day-release basis over a five year period, subject to agreement by the employer and us.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Please be aware of the application deadline below. If an application hasn’t been received by this date, consideration will be given for the next available intake.
September 2025 Intake – The application deadline is July 2025
GCSE
English Language and Mathematics at grade C/level 4 or above (or equivalent). You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below
UCAS tariff points
104 - 112 points
GCE A level
104 - 112 points including mathematics at grade C. (Numerate science at grade C). A Pass in the practical element of science A levels must be achieved.
BTEC National Diploma
MMD, must include Distinction in maths modules.
Scottish Highers
104 - 112 points
Irish Leaving Certificate
(Highers) 104 - 112 points
International Baccalaureate
30 points including grade 5 in numerate science and maths. Higher level EB (pass in diploma 60%) to include engineering or science
Salford Alternative Entry System (SAES)
We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.
There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.
How much?
The cost of the full degree apprenticeship programme is £27,000. The cost of the apprenticeship will be covered by your employer and/or the government. You will need to cover the cost of any study materials plus travel to and from campus if required.
Apprenticeship Funding
The apprenticeship levy was introduced in April 2017 and requires all employers operating in the UK, with a pay bill of over £3 million each year to invest in apprenticeships.
The funding policy supports the changes to the way apprenticeships in England are paid for, underpinned by the apprenticeship levy of 0.5% of the annual pay bill for companies paying over £3 million per year.
There is also a co-investment model for companies who will not be paying into the levy. The government will cover 95% of the cost of the apprenticeship and the employer will only have to contribute the remaining 5%. Once payments have been declared to HMRC, employers will now have access to a digital apprenticeship account from which they will be able to access funding to pay for apprenticeship training.
The maximum amount of money allocated to each standard falls into one of 15 funding bands, ranging from £1,500 to £27,000. The Chartered Surveyor standard has been allocated the following funding band:
Funding band: 15
Funding band maximum: £27,000
All Set? Let's apply
Not in employment
In order to apply for an apprenticeship, you must first be in employment with a company who is willing to enrol you onto the apprenticeship programme.
The government national apprenticeship website has further information on this subject: https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch
The website also advertises vacancies for degree apprentices. Unfortunately the University does not hold details of employers vacancies.
In employment
Speak with the apprentice lead in your organisation in the first instance as they will provide the funding and will make initial contact with the Apprenticeship Services Unit. Your employer will need to confirm that they'll fund and support your enrolment with the university.
If you are currently in employment with a company who is willing to support you through an apprenticeship, then they will need to contact us in the first instance to express their interest in the apprenticeship programme and this will trigger the application process.
For general apprenticeship enquiries email apprenticeships@salford.ac.uk phone: +44 (0)161 295 3063 or complete the contact us form