Structural Engineering with Architecture MEng (Hons)

Level: Undergraduate

Subject: Engineering

Year of entry: 2026

Key facts

UCAS Code

H2KC

Award

MEng (Hons)

Duration of study

5 years

Delivery

Full-time

Study location

Multiple campuses

Start date

September 2026

School

School of Engineering

College

College of Science and Engineering

Study abroad

Available

Accreditation

Available

Placement

No

Open days and events

About the degree programme

Civil engineers solve complex problems and are skilled at working in interdisciplinary teams to tackle society's challenges.

Architects are visionaries who conceive and plan our constructed world.

Structural engineering and architecture combine to shape the built environment that surrounds us.

This interdisciplinary programme is taught jointly with the Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (ESALA), which is part of the Edinburgh College of Art.

It will equip you with highly valuable training in structural engineering and give you a deep appreciation of the architectural context. It will prepare you for a holistic approach to sustainable building design and professional licensure.

In Year 1, you will spend approximately half of your time taking architecture classes. This architecture component continues in later years when you may also choose to focus on architectural aspects for your final year research project.

You will build on fundamental concepts of structural engineering and learn how to apply scientific knowledge and modern engineering tools to design, analyse, construct and maintain all major forms of infrastructure.

This programme draws on our areas of expertise in structural engineering and architecture:

  • the use of novel and sustainable building materials
  • architectural and engineering design methods
  • the impact of construction on its users, the community, and the environment

 

 

Ties to industry

We have strong industrial engagement through our Industrial Advisory Board and industrial input to our teaching, including our design projects.

You will also have opportunities to interact with recent graduates who are now working in industry.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme takes 5 years to complete.

How a joint degree programme works

A joint programme allows you to gain a well-rounded learning experience. You will have more exposure to different disciplines, allowing you to expand your knowledge and expertise.

Teaching on joint programmes is split across the two subject areas, and teaching will take place in locations associated with both subjects.

You will gain a different perspective through studying more than one subject and have a wider skill set that is highly attractive to future employers.

Programme rankings

  • Consistently ranked in the UK's top 10 universities for engineering (THE Rankings by subject 2024 and QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025).

Programme benefits

  • Make use of an enviable suite of facilities including specialist laboratories, a student makerspace and cutting-edge industry-standard equipment.
  • Our unique programmes give you a broad and detailed understanding of civil and environmental engineering, setting you up to work in any field you choose after graduation.
  • You will benefit from field trips, design-led and team-oriented teaching approaches, and strong engagement with industry which informs our teaching.
  • Learn in one of the UK's leading architectural schools to combine your engineering skills with a deep appreciation of the architectural process.

Find your entry requirements

Use the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.

  1. Select the country where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.
  2. Select the qualification you are studying or studied.
United Kingdom,

Tuition fees for MEng (Hons) Structural Engineering with Architecture

View the tuition fees for one academic year of MEng (Hons) Structural Engineering with Architecture.

Tuition fees for this programme

Additional costs

There are additional costs associated with the first year of the Structural Engineering with Architecture programme. Specifically, you will need to purchase art supplies, which may cost up to £100 per student. This estimate is based on feedback from students in more senior years.

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that a single student can potentially spend a maximum of £920 to £2,257 on living costs each month, depending on your accommodation.

This estimate covers the costs of:

  • accommodation
  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel within Edinburgh
  • health and wellbeing costs

See a breakdown of living costs

Scholarships and funding

Funding information

You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section.

Funding

What you will study

Curriculum renewal

The School of Engineering is currently undertaking an ongoing curriculum renewal, which may result in changes to this degree programme.

The renewal is being carried out with:

  • our industrial partners
  • accreditation bodies
  • students

This renewal makes sure we equip you for an exciting career in the ever-changing world of engineering.

You will take introductory courses to develop the skills which you will need to succeed at the interface between architecture and engineering.

You will:

  • develop your critical thinking, teamworking and problem-solving skills in interdisciplinary engineering and architectural design tasks
  • learn the fundamental mathematics that underpins engineering science and design
  • study architectural history and the technological and environmental principles that underpin architectural design
Find Year 1 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

In Year 2, you will take courses across the breadth of civil and environmental engineering and architecture, to prepare you to take more specialised courses in later years. We will introduce you to:

  • a deeper look at architectural history
  • structural mechanics
  • engineering materials
  • soil and rock mechanics and engineering geology
  • engineering mathematics
  • land surveying

You will choose optional courses covering among other subjects:

  • architecture
  • fire safety engineering
  • environmental engineering and sustainability
  • courses from outside of engineering to broaden your general knowledge
Find Year 2 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

In Year 3, you will start your honours programme and encounter more specialist courses covering topics in:

  • the synergy of structure and architecture
  • conceptual design and sustainability
  • geotechnical engineering
  • structural analysis
  • transport systems engineering
  • engineering construction

You will also have the opportunity to choose from engineering options from across the school, highlighting the multidisciplinary nature of modern engineers.

Progression routes

At the end of Year 3, you will have the option to complete one more year for a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) degree, or a further two years for a Master of Engineering (MEng) degree.

The latter is subject to you achieving an average of 55% or higher in Year 3.

Find Year 3 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

You will take a mix of courses, covering civil engineering and architectural knowledge. In your core courses, you will cover topics including:

  • advanced courses in structural design and architecture
  • foundation engineering
  • engineering design

You will also have the chance to choose specialist engineering option courses in:

  • environmental engineering
  • fire safety engineering
  • engineering construction
  • construction management
  • structural dynamics
  • offshore and renewable energy

These courses will prepare you for further specialisms in your final year, as well as for your final year research project.

Find Year 4 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

You will take further advanced courses, covering aspects of architectural knowledge and design, structural engineering, and learning from engineering failures.

You will also complete a research project and submit your research thesis (or dissertation). You will complete a thorough review of the engineering and/or architectural context and provide a unique solution through experimental, numerical, or analytical means, working with supervisors who are world-leaders in their research fields from either engineering or architecture schools.

Find Year 5 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

Study abroad

In Year 3, you will have opportunities to study abroad.

The University has a variety of agreements with international institutions that allow you to study there in Year 3. 

Common destinations include:

  • USA 
  • Canada
  • Australia
  • Europe
  • Asia

What are my choices for going abroad?

This is enhanced by subject-specific agreements which provide additional destinations.

In addition, MEng projects occasionally take place overseas.

Where can I go?

(Revised 12 March 2025 to update study abroad information)

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

The exciting nature of engineering and architecture means you will have a diverse learning experience throughout your degree.

Teaching can be through a mixture of:

  • interactive lectures and seminars
  • hands-on laboratory activities
  • individual and group design projects

In your final years, you will undertake research projects with individual supervision advancing the frontiers of engineering knowledge.

Assessment

You will be assessed through coursework and examinations.

For detailed information on compulsory and option courses you should review the Programme Structure - Degree Programme Table. You can find links to this information under the individual years of study.

Refer to individual course details to see the types of assessment included.

Support for your studies

You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.

We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.

Support for your studies

Our academic staff

You will be taught by leaders in their fields whose knowledge is actively sought out by industry and government internationally.

Our research directly informs what you study. You will learn from academics who are researching solutions to the world’s grand challenges and delivering critical societal, economic and environmental outcomes.

Where you will study

Study location

As this is a joint honours degree across the School of Engineering and Edinburgh College of Art (ECA), your taught courses will be delivered across two different campus locations within the city.

Architecture-related courses will primarily be delivered in the University's central campus area, close to the city centre. Engineering courses will primarily be delivered on the King's Buildings campus, around 15 minutes from central Edinburgh by bus.

You may also study at various University campus locations in the vibrant city of Edinburgh, depending on the option courses selected.

Academic facilities

At the King's Buildings campus, you will have access to a wide range of practical facilities including:

  • the Rushbrook Fire Lab
  • laboratories for large structures and materials.

In addition, you can access a wide range of academic facilities including:

  • libraries
  • study spaces (some spaces are open 24 hours)
  • IT facilities
  • social spaces
  • leisure facilities

Architecture is taught in a wide range of facilities, including:

  • dedicated large open-plan design studios where students each have a workspace
  • extensive and well-equipped wood, metal and digital fabrication workshops
  • a subject-specific library
  • a printing suite
  • continually upgraded computer/media facilities in the buildings on Chambers Street

In addition to these facilities, we also have the ECA store at Lauriston campus where you can purchase materials for your projects, along with our Free-Use Hub where you can access free recycled materials.

You will also have access to Bookit, where you can access and loan a wide range of digital and technical equipment for free as part of being a student.

Bookit

You can find out more on the ECA website.

Facilities and resources at ECA

Investing in our learning environment

Edinburgh College of Art is excited to be undertaking a capital redevelopment of its Lauriston campus over the next 3 years, from April 2024 to April 2027. ​

The project aims to maximise the use of existing space, improve accessibility, and create a vibrant campus that fosters collaboration and innovation.​

The project involves refurbishing and repurposing various spaces across the Lauriston campus, including technical facilities, student and teaching spaces, and the relocation of the Reid School of Music from Alison House to the Lauriston campus. New social spaces, seminar rooms, and studios are being created to accommodate our growing community.

Find out more about building work at ECA’s Lauriston campus

Engineering Makerspace

You will get hands-on practical experience in the form of laboratory sessions and access to a dedicated makerspace workshop.

Engineering Makerspace

Virtual tour

You can take a closer look at the School of Engineering and explore our facilities and campus on the University's Virtual Visit site.

Virtual visit - School of Engineering

Accreditation

MEng Structural Engineering with Architecture fully meets the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer. It is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM), on behalf of the Engineering Council, comprising the:

  • Institution of Civil Engineers
  • Institution of Structural Engineers
  • Institute of Highway Engineers
  • Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation
  • Permanent Way Institution

Career paths

Studying engineering at the University of Edinburgh prepares you for a career as a professional engineer in the UK or abroad.

On graduating from this programme, you will have:

  • fundamental engineering knowledge
  • practical, communication, and design skills
  • deeper knowledge of the interaction between the engineering and architectural processes

This enables you to join a design, construction or research team, or to move rapidly into management and leadership roles.

Many of our graduates also go on to work in other areas, including:

  • the civil service
  • education
  • the emergency services or the armed forces
  • the financial sector

Internships

The School of Engineering funds a number of internships each year to enable students to work on research or teaching focused projects over the summer and gain relevant work experience here in the School. Internships are allocated on a competitive basis, across each of the four disciplines: Chemical, Civil, Electronics & Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. Applications are open to non-finalist undergraduate students who are at least in the second year of their programme.​

We support you in developing graduate skills through our Edinburgh Award for civil and environmental engineering industrial internships. After completion, this will be recognised on your academic transcript.

Edinburgh Award

(Revised 12 March 2025 to update internships information)

Careers Service

We support you to recognise the wealth of possibilities ahead, during your time at the University and after graduation.

Our award-winning Careers Service plays an essential part in your wider student experience and provides:

  • tailored advice
  • individual guidance and personal assistance
  • internships and networking opportunities (with employers from local organisations to top multinationals)
  • access to the experience of our worldwide alumni network

We invest in your future beyond the end of your degree. Studying at the University of Edinburgh will lay the foundations for your future success.

Careers Service

How to apply

You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.

Guidance on applying through UCAS

What you need to apply

As part of your application, you will need:

  • your academic qualifications
  • a personal statement
  • evidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)
  • a reference

How we select

If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.

As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.

How we select applicants

When to apply

  • 2026 entry UCAS deadline: 14 January 2026 (6:00pm GMT)

This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.

To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 14 January 2026, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.

Search degrees that are open on the UCAS website

Key application dates and deadlines

After you apply

After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:

Applying as an international student

As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS.  

Find out more about applying through UCAS  

Visas and immigration 

If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme.  

Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process. 

Applying for a visa  

Agents  

An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student. 

We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact.  

Find contact details for an education agent

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our vibrant student-led Civil Engineering Society (CivSoc) connects students with a wide range of social, industrial, and academic networks and activities.

Additionally, you can gain practical experience through design projects run with our industrial partners, internships, and placements, or by joining our student-led projects such as:

  • ESALA Climate Action
  • Engineering for Change (sustainability)
  • Edinburgh University Formula Student (automotive technology)
  • HYPED (Hyperloop)
  • Endeavour (rocketry)
  • Asteria (space and satellites)
  • HumanEd (robotics)
  • Precious Plastics (recycling)

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sports clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life.

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

As a place of outstanding architectural interest and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, Edinburgh offers the perfect setting in which to study the built environment.

Edinburgh is regularly voted among the UK’s top student cities (top 2 in the UK, QS 2024).

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include:

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustment

Health and wellbeing support services

Contact us

Contact us through our enquiry team if you have any questions about this programme.

Open days, events and visits

Find out when our next open days will be taking place

Open days, events and visits

Chat to our students on Unibuddy

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