Key information
Heriot-Watt is ranked 1st in the UK for Building (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026) and Top 150 in the world for Civil and Structural Engineering (2026 World University Subject Rankings).
- UCAS code
- H201
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Delivery type
- Full Time
- Degree qualification
- MEng
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 5 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September
Develop the skills and expertise to design essential infrastructure that shapes and supports modern society with the MEng Civil Engineering.
MEng Civil Engineering covers materials, structures, geotechnics, water engineering, and transportation engineering, and will provide you with the key skills and knowledge required to become a professional civil engineer working in industry.
You’ll concentrate on analysis and behaviours of materials in the early years of the degree, with a focus on design and management as you progress through your studies.
Your personal development within a professional environment will be supported and developed throughout your studies to ensure you gain the core technical skills and personal qualities required to strive within the dynamic built environment industry at the highest possible technical level.
Your student experience
Your learning will be informed by the expertise of our research-active civil and structural engineers, construction professionals, industry-leaders, and academics.
96% of Heriot-Watt University’s engineering research was classed as world-leading in the REF 2021 review, which ranked us 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for engineering research through a joint submission with the University of Edinburgh.
Our MEng Civil Engineering programme is directly informed by the world class research carried out by Heriot-Watt’s Institute of Sustainable Built Environment (ISBE) which sits within the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society (EGIS). EGIS is one of the United Kingdom’s leading institutions for multidisciplinary research and teaching in areas critical to economic development and societal equity. The institute’s academic team conduct high-value and high-impact research on fields covering sustainability, digital innovation, design, and management of the built environment. The research relevance of this undergraduate programme ensures your studies remain innovative and industry focused.
This School is also part of the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design, a leading body recognised by the Royal Academy of Engineering. The Centre is one of only four such centres established at United Kingdom universities that jointly form a national network to demonstrate and exchange best practice in teaching and research for the sustainable built environment.
Go Global
Go Global is our student mobility programme, allowing you to seamlessly transfer your studies to one of our global campuses, or to a partner university. Live and learn in a new country, experience different cultures and build a global perspective, while continuing your degree without interruption.
European Exchange
Worldwide Exchange
Inter-Campus Transfer: Dubai
Inter-Campus Transfer: Malaysia
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
Mandatory September
- Mechanics A
- Construction Technology: Small Scale Buildings
- Shaping Tomorrow Together A
- Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists 1
Mandatory January
- Mechanics B
- Building Services Technology
- Shaping Tomorrow Together B
- Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists 2
Disclaimer
The courses mentioned above may change between now and the time that you study. For more information, please view our Terms and Conditions.
Programme Video
Study BEng (Hons) or MEng Civil Engineering at Heriot-Watt University
Built Environment at Heriot-Watt University
Student testimonials
Euan's story
Civil Engineering MEng
Euan, from France, graduated from Civil Engineering in 2025. Moving from France to Edinburgh was a big leap into the unknown for Euan, which was made more complicated with the pandemic coinciding with the start of his studies.See more
Bradley's story
Graduate, Civil Engineering MEng
Bradley graduated from MEng Civil Engineering in 2024. Being a mature student and not touching academia for a period of time, Bradley found himself nervous before joining the university, but instead found himself achieving awards, travelling to other countries and making friends worldwide.See more
See moreI studied MEng Civil Engineering because I enjoyed studying mathematics and graphic communication in high school, having taken part in a summer internship with structural engineering consultants, which confirmed my love of the subject. My most memorable moments would be experiencing the culture and working alongside many different people from a range of backgrounds. It helped me grow as an individual as well as within my work.
Fees and funding
| Status | Fee |
|---|---|
| Scotland | Paid by SAAS |
| England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland | £9,790 |
| International | £25,808 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
Scholarships and bursaries
Bursaries for students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales
In addition to government loans and grants towards the costs of fees and living costs, we are offering generous financial support to attract and support eligible undergraduate students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales:
- Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to £3,100 per year)
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Standard entry requirements
- Highers AABB (over two sittings). Must include Maths achieved at B.
- A-Levels BBC. Must include Maths achieved at B.
- International Baccalaureate 30 points. Must include Maths achieved at Higher Level 5.
- BTEC Extended Diploma DMM. Must be in an engineering relevant subject and contain sufficient Maths.
- HNC B in graded unit. Must be in an engineering relevant subject and contain sufficient Maths at SCQF Level 6.
Please check that you meet our University-wide National 5/GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths requirements.
Minimum entry requirements *
- Highers BBBC (over two sittings). Must include Maths achieved at B.
- A-Levels BCC. Must include Maths achieved at B.
- International Baccalaureate 30 points. Must include Maths achieved at Higher Level 5.
- BTEC Extended Diploma DMM. Must be in an engineering relevant subject and contain sufficient Maths.
- HNC B in graded unit. Must be in an engineering relevant subject and contain sufficient Maths at SCQF Level 6.
* Minimum: under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for some Scottish and Rest of UK status students depending on their circumstances. Our minimum requirements will apply if you:
- live in an area within the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation lowest 20% (SIMD20) or POLAR4 Quintile 1 regions (RUK)
- or are care experienced.
We can also make exceptions for some Scottish students with grades above minimum but below standard. Read more about our Minimum and standard entry requirements.
Why Heriot-Watt
We have been producing career-ready graduates since 1821. With our roots as the world’s first Mechanics Institute, Heriot-Watt is a pioneering university with a global reach.
At Heriot-Watt, learning goes beyond the lecture theatre. We tackle real world challenges through extraordinary research – from climate change to protecting our oceans, to advancing life-saving medical breakthroughs and shaping the next generation of AI. We are also committed to developing forward-thinking design and sustainable business practices that impact industries worldwide. On our campuses you’ll find some of the world’s most advanced facilities, while our strong industry links set you up for career success. This is why almost 90% of our graduates are in employment or further education (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024).
Employability
Work and study
Salary
Potential career paths
- Engineering professionals
Student life
Explore facilities, and chat to staff and students
Discover Uni course data
Discover Uni provides data on each university's degree courses across a range of measures including student satisfaction, graduate jobs and salaries.