Employability in the Civil Engineering programmes at the University of Plymouth: Boksun Kim

All Civil Engineering programmes are accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (ICE, IStructE, IHE and CIHT). To become a professional civil engineer you must have a degree in civil engineering. The degree programmes are, by necessity, formulated to ensure that all graduates leave the university with knowledge and skills essential to secure employment. In that regard, every module on the programmes includes learning outcomes that address employability in one form or another. In addition, a few examples of the good practice are given below.

1. Optional placement year

  • Usually 1/3 of students take a year out for their industrial placement after completing the second year of their study.
  • Placement is paid employment.
  • Academics visit placement students at their work in Semester 1 to monitor their progress and interview their employers. The second meeting completed through Skype/phone/email in Semester 2.
  • On completion of their placement students submit a training report to the University, which is marked by their tutor.
  • Students who took industrial placement general tend to improve their academic performance on their final year.

2. BPIE modules

  • All students are registered for the Placement Preparation modules (BPIE114 and BPIE214) for the first two years. For those who take up a placement, they are registered on the Civil Engineering Related Placement module (BPIE340). These three modules are led by Mr Simon Taylor in the Plymouth University Employability Service (Student Gateway - Student Life) Department.
  • Students learn writing skills for CV and cover letter and interview skills.
  • Employers are invited to give a talk to students and often they bring with them the current placement students, who explain what they are doing at the company.

3. Civil Engineering Industrial Advisory Committee (IAC)

  • The Civil Engineering IAC consists of invited members from local offices of Civil Engineering consultancies and contractors who recruit our graduate students.
  • Plymouth University has one of the largest Civil Engineering IAC in the UK universities. There are currently over 27 companies in the committee.
  • The IAC meets twice per year at the University and the committee members provide updates on issues in industry, graduate issues and the curriculum.
  • The IAC members arrange their staff to give lectures to the students and interview all project students and give advice. The students need to send a copy of the synopsis of their final year project prior to the interview. Many companies use this opportunity to recruit placement students and graduate engineers
  • The IAC members support arranging site visits by students.

4. Engineering Careers Fair

  • Plymouth Civil Engineering Society (CivSoc) organise this fair in Semester 1.
  • Over 20 Civil Engineering related companies are invited to the campus. The invited companies usually have our graduates, who will present themselves in the fair.