Overview
This course is aimed specifically at those students who are working as engineers and managers in roles involving the design, production and maintenance of the national infrastructure and in structural design. As such, the programme aims to provide a general understanding of the function and operation of the construction industry together with opportunities for modules covering the more specialist areas of each student's chosen area of study. Typically, students will come from a variety of employment backgrounds including general civil engineering, local government highways management, and specialist sub-contracting companies.
The courses have very strong links with industry and are delivered on a part-time, day release basis and are specifically aimed at students who are working within the industry and being sponsored in their studies by their employers.
A number of modules are delivered by tutors who are primarily employed as practicing professionals within the industry and who are employed by the colleges on proportional contracts.
Graduates have found employment as site engineers, CAD technicians, technician engineers, highway engineers and estimators. Students completing the FdSc course have the option of entering the final level of BSc (Hons) Civil Engineering (Progression Route).
Content and Modules
The Foundation degree (FdSc) runs for three years (part-time) and is attended on a day release basis. Each academic year is split into two semesters, with semester one running from September to January and semester two running from February to June. As a general rule, the specialist modules run for one semester each, whilst the work-based modules tend to cover two semesters and run throughout a full academic year.
Students who are not employed during their FdSc studies are required to gain 240 hours work experience over the period of study thus ensuring that all students are able to place their studies in an industrial context.
FdSc Modules studied include: Civil Engineering Technology A, Surveying Practices, Sustainable Practices, Information Technology for Construction Professionals, Professional Practices A, Civil Engineering Technology B, Contractual and Procurement Procedures, Professional Practices B, Materials and Structures, Structural Analysis and Design, Geology and Soil Mechanics, and Engineering Mathematics.
BSc (Hons) modules include: Materials Technology, Structural Analysis, Contract Law and Administration and Engineering Geology.
Applicants wishing to complete the BSc (Hons) who hold an HNC/HND will be required to first undertake modules from the FdSc to meet the entry criteria (an additional 60 credits for HND or 120 credits for HNC.
Further Information
Student testimonial
‘I would recommend the course to anyone considering a career in Civil Engineering, due to the quality of the course content and its variety. The use of industry professionals to teach some modules is a real commendation of the course, providing relevant up to date skills, not available in any textbooks. Overall I have thoroughly enjoyed my years on the course and look forward to coming back for the full degree.’
John R Langley
What is included in your tuition fees
At UCS your tuition fees provide access to all the usual teaching and learning facilities that you would expect. However, there may be additional costs associated with your course that you will need to budget for.
Read full details of the included and additional costs for FdSc/BSc(Hons) Civil Engineering|.
Please note, UCS reserves the right to change this information as and when required.