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Degree Partnerships

Civil Engineering Degree Apprenticeship

Final award: 

  • BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering
Duration 5 years
Entry point(s) September/October
Application deadline

15 July

Campus Streatham Campus, Exeter
Contact

Programme Director: 
Abdul Mannan Yousfani

Email: 
engineering.apprenticeships
@exeter.ac.uk

Overview

  • This programme is for motivated individuals who want to fast-track their career and become the Incorporated Engineers of tomorrow.
  • Apprentices will study a broad range of topics such as project management, mathematics, geotechnics, structural engineering, safety and sustainable development.
  • Block teaching allows apprentices to fully immerse themselves in learning and benefit from University facilities. You will study in our newly refurbished labs, which recently underwent a £6.5million investment.
  • Designed and developed with industry partners. Option of a staged pathway from L4 Civil Engineering Senior Technician to L6 Civil Engineer.
  • Underpinned by consistently applying learning in the workplace, this hands-on training builds knowledge and technical skills, which shape workplace practices.

Top 15 icon

Top 15 in the UK for General Engineering

13th in the Complete University Guide 2026

Handshake icon

Developed in partnership with industry leaders

Tree and building icon

£6.5million investment in our teaching labs, workshop spaces and equipment

Top 15 icon

Top 15 in the UK for General Engineering

13th in the Complete University Guide 2026

Handshake icon

Developed in partnership with industry leaders

Tree and building icon

£6.5million investment in our teaching labs, workshop spaces and equipment

Entry requirements

Qualification Typical offer Required subjects
A-Level ABB GCE A-Level Maths grade B and another science* subject at grade B. Candidates may offer GCE A-Level Maths, Pure Maths or Further Maths.
IB 32/655 HL5 in Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches) and HL5 in another Science subject. Applicants achieving IB Maths SL7 plus IB HL5 in Physics will also be considered.
BTEC Extended Diploma DDM

Applicants studying one of the following BTEC Extended Diplomas will be considered: Applied Science; Aeronautical Engineering; Building Services Engineering; Construction and the Built Environment; Civil Engineering, Operations and Maintenance Engineering; Computer Engineering; Electrical/Electronic Engineering; Engineering; Environmental Sustainability; Manufacturing Engineering; Mechanical Engineering.

T-Level  Distinction T-level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction; Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing; Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control; or Maintenance, Installation & Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing only.
Contextual offers BBC

GCE A-Level Maths grade B and another science* subject at grade B. Candidates may offer GCE A-Level Maths, Pure Maths or Further Maths.

Find out more about contextual offers

GCSE 4 or C All applicants require Grade 4/C in GCSE English Language and Mathematics.
Equivalences View other grade equivalences

NB General Studies is not included in any offer.

*GCE A-Level science includes: Biology/Human Biology**; Chemistry; Computing; Design and Technology; Economics; Electronics; Environmental Studies; Geography; Geology; Life and Health Sciences; Physical Education; Physics; Psychology; Science (applied); Statistics.

**If more than one of these is taken they would only count as one 'science' but could count as two A-Levels towards our general requirements.

Additional entry requirements

As an apprenticeship funding requirement, all apprentices aged 16-18 studying for a level 3 apprenticeship or higher are required to evidence achievement at level 2 in Mathematics and English before their gateway to endpoint assessment.

If the apprentice is aged 19+ when they begin their apprenticeship training, and they do not already hold a suitable equivalent qualification, English and/or Maths is an optional part of the programme under the funding rules. However, L2 English remains a standard entry requirement for University of Exeter programmes.

Find out more about how we support Functional Skills.

Applicants must also have a valid and eligible residency status to gain entry onto the apprenticeship – please see the Department for Education website for further information.

Read more

How to apply

This programme does not follow the standard UCAS application process. You can apply to this degree apprenticeship in addition to applying to any institution(s) through UCAS. To gain a place on this programme, applicants must either:

  1. Apply directly for a Level 6 Civil Engineering apprenticeship vacancy:
    • Our current vacancies page lists apprenticeship opportunities where we are the training provider
    • With a relevant employer – please check their websites
    • Via the GOV.UK website

  2. Or: Already have a position or job offer from an engineering company willing to support their application.

Once you are able to meet one of the above options, please get in touch with us via the contact methods above and we will proceed with your application.

View more information on how to apply

Funding

Full programme cost: £27,000 or £29,000

This apprenticeship is entirely funded through an Employers’ Apprenticeship Levy. Your employer fully covers the cost of the apprenticeship. Apprentices do not pay for any of the eligible training costs.

As an apprentice you will be an employee of your organisation, gaining a University of Exeter award alongside working and earning a salary.

Funding eligibility criteria

To be eligible for funding, you (the apprentice) must meet the criteria listed in the Department for Education guidance.

The apprentice must have a valid and eligible residency status to gain entry onto the apprenticeship.

How the Apprenticeship Levy works

Employers who pay the Apprenticeship Levy will pay for the apprenticeship fees directly through that contribution.  See further information on the Apprenticeship Levy funding.

Employers who do not pay the Levy will be able to claim 95 per cent of the cost of the apprenticeship from the Government. Up to 100 per cent Government contribution may be available if the employer has fewer than 50 employees and:

  • Recruits an apprentice aged 16-18
  • OR an apprentice aged 19-24 who has previously been in care or who has a local authority education, health and care plan

Employers must pay their apprentices a salary at least consistent with national legislation.

Read more

Course content

Engineering remains at the heart of the UK economy and the demand for skilled and qualified engineers has never been higher. 

The modules in this programme aim to enable you to:

  • Become a flexible engineering graduate, equipped to work effectively within engineering design and management.
  • Practice specialist skills to demonstrate an awareness of the context within which you work, and take responsibility for your own personal and professional development.
  • Gain awareness of the environmental, economic, social and sustainability issues that are an integral part of the professional engineer’s role. This includes topics related to Building Information Modelling (BIM), governance and compliance.
  • Work well in multi-disciplinary groups, with experience of communication, organisation, planning and logistics.

Years one to three provide core fundamental knowledge of engineering principles, as well as applying mathematics to engineering problems. The final two years are spent applying your knowledge to engineering problems.

You will complete an Individual Project in the final year: an opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills to devise an engineering solution at a professional level. The Individual Project will be undertaken in collaboration with your employer, giving the company a tangible benefit.

Modules

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

Compulsory modules

CodeModuleCredits
ENS1001DAFundamental and Applied Materials30
ENG1201DAMathematics for Engineers 15
ENS1002DAEngineering in Context A15

Compulsory modules

CodeModuleCredits
ENS1003DAFundamental and Applied Mechanics30
ENG1205DAAdvanced Mathematics for Engineers15
ENS1004DAEngineering in Context B 15

Compulsory modules

CodeModuleCredits
ENS2010DAStructural Dynamics and Stability15
ENS2011DAHighways and Management15
ENG2202DAStructures15
ENG2203DAGeotechnics 115
ENG2200DAStructural Materials15

Compulsory modules

CodeModuleCredits
ENG2206DABIM and Temporary Works15
ENG2208DASustainable Development15
ENG2209DAStructural Concrete15
ENG3201DAStructural Engineering15
ENG3202DAGeotechnics 2 15

Compulsory modules

CodeModuleCredits
ENS3025DA End Point Assessment (EPA)45
ENG3206DAConceptual Design of Buildings30
ENG3207DAPractical Hydraulic Engineering15

Learning

How you will learn

Approximately 20 per cent of your contractual working time will be dedicated to study. In-person teaching blocks form the majority of your off-the-job learning time.

Teaching blocks are structured in four 2-week blocks on the Streatham Campus in Exeter. Study blocks comprise lectures, seminars, practical sessions and workshops.

Support during your studies

During and outside of blocks, you will be supported by both your workplace mentor and your academic mentor. You will discuss your progress regularly at review meetings.

Careers

About the apprenticeship

As an apprentice, you will be a full salaried member of an organisation, typically earning between £13,000 and £19,000. Much of your learning will take place at work, either through projects linked to academic content or time set aside for distance learning.

Apprentices will be working in an exciting and relevant job from day one of your studies, meaning when you graduate, you'll have both the professional and academic experience sought after by employers.

Employer valued skills

The apprenticeship standard defines an apprentice's capabilities as a Civil Engineer. You will have gained experience in areas including project management; delivering large-scale projects on-budget; managing engineering practices in a safe and sustainable way; and communicating with clients and workers of all levels.

Employer information

Our Civil Engineering degree apprenticeship graduates will be competent, well-rounded, and ready to consider Chartership within a few years of completing the programme.

Our Degree Apprenticeships are built upon a strong foundation of partnership, with organisations and the University forming a crucial alliance.

We are your trusted partner by meeting stringent regulatory criteria. Our expertise as a prestigious Russell Group member, our substantial investment and proven track record in effectively managing Degree Apprenticeships at scale further solidify this trust.

Our curriculum has been developed with industry to meet the ever-changing requirements of the built environment sector. Whether you are seeking to attract new talent to your organisation or upskill existing team members, this programme will provide an innovative solution to your training needs. Our dedicated partnerships team will work closely with you from recruitment to graduation and beyond.

Download our employer brochure