Engineering - Civil & Infrastructure Engineering - Degree Apprenticeship

This course is unique in Ireland for its breadth across a range of infrastructure disciplines such as water, waste, structures, highways, road safety, project management and sustainability, with strong emphases on design. The knowledge and understanding covers key areas of civil and infrastructure engineering and meets the needs of graduates seeking chartered status. It has significant input from the expertise of a blend of current practitioners and research-led academics, with inter-disciplinary teaching in design and sustainability modules; all of this is integrated and delivered within the principles and practice of sustainable development. It meets the needs of those with an accredited BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering Degree (Further learning) in fulfilling all the additional academic requirements for Chartered Status. It also is a technical masters allowing those with an accredited IEng level degree access to the individual route to Chartered membership of 4 professional bodies: ICE, IStructE, CIHT and IHE. In the fours days in industry you will be signing off IPD online with your employer so that by the end of the course you will have at least 7 out of the 9 attribute boxes signed off to CEng Level with two at the Level below.



Degree Apprenticeships at Ulster University

A Degree Apprenticeship is a work-based training programme that provides an alternative route to getting a University Degree, where Apprentices complete their course alongside paid permanent employment.



Degree Apprenticeships involve integrated learning - you’ll gain practical experience that will inform your learning, and with mentorship support, you’ll apply what you study to your work within your organisation.



Degree Apprenticeships are funded by the Department for the Economy, so you can complete your undergraduate degree without having to pay tuition fees.



The Apprenticeship is part-time study is over 3 years in which Years 1 and 2 each have 2 semesters requiring 1 day/week attendance in each semester, and Year 3 studies involve the Dissertation in which attendance is agreed with its Supervisor.



Semester 1 - Compulsory: Project Management; Highway Asset Management; Integrated Design Studies A,Optional – 1 from Advanced Materials, Structures and Geotechnics or Waste Systems; a total of 4 x 15 credit modules.



Semester 2 - Compulsory: Structural Design for Infrastructure, Sustainable Development;Utilities and Water Engineering; and Infrastrure Design Studies; a total of 4 x 15 credit modules.



Year 3 – Compulsory: Dissertation - 1 x 60 credit module Study will normally involve a weekly 12 hours of lectures, tutorials, site visits, design studio work, with independent study of 20+ hours.



Professional recognition

This degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) comprising of 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 meeting the academic requirement for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). To hold accredited qualifications for CEng registration, candidates must also hold a Bachelor (Hons) degree that has been accredited as partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) See www.jbm.org.uk for further information.

Year one

• Project Management

• Integrated Design studies A

• Infrastructure Design Studies

• Waste Systems



Year two

• Structural Design for Infrastructure

• Sustainable Development

• Highway Asset Management

• Advanced Materials, Structures and Geotechnics

• Utilities and Water Engineering



Year three

• Research Dissertation (Civil and Infrastructure) - This module is optional

• Dissertation - This module is optional

Applicants should either possess an Honours degree or equivalent qualification, in a Civil Engineering or similar area from a recognised institution or an equivalent professional qualification, for MSc entry. Entry to the PgDip may be from a BSc honours degree for those seeking chartered status via a ‘technically focussed MSc’. Exceptionally, we will admit students with non-engineering related qualifications provided they have significant industry /professional experience.



In exceptional circumstances, where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of the graduate qualities (including subject specific outcomes, specified by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.



English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants. The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.



Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

3 years

Start Date: September 2025

Career options

Graduate employment may be found in public or private sectors in built environment disciplines or careers such as civil engineering, transportation, public health or environmental engineering, dealing with many key activities such as utilities, construction, design, infrastructure, sustainability, environmental and traffic impacts and waste management. Skills developed will include rational thinking, integrative studies and recent knowledge of current issues such as legislative structures, sustainability challenges, design practices and research-led knowledge.



Recent graduates have found professional employment in the UK Water Sector, Australian engineering industries, Scottish Local Authorities, Irish County Councils and in Research posts.