This exciting Flood and Coastal Engineering foundation degree has been developed in partnership with the Environment Agency to address the growing need for capable flood engineers in the UK.

Your tuition fees will be funded by the Environment Agency so you can focus on making a difference.

The course is led by Brunel and delivered in partnership with HR Wallingford, a world-renowned civil engineering and environmental hydraulics organisation.

You’ll be introduced to engineering, the environment and flood risk, and your learning will be focused on the flooding hazard across the UK. This flood and coastal engineering course will provide you with the skills to effectively deal with the issues of flooding and coastal management, allowing you to become a flood engineer of the future.

During the course, you’ll have access to Brunel’s testing facilities that include hydraulic benches and flumes. In addition, you’ll benefit from the hydraulics testing facility at HR Wallingford, the largest in the UK. Their world-class test facilities include: wave basins; tsunami generator; and remote controlled river survey boats.

To complement your professional development, there are arranged visits to Environment Agency sites where you'll enjoy a series of seminars from invited guest speakers. There’s also the opportunity to go to conferences and exhibitions where you’ll network with key water industry professionals. 

Throughout the first two terms of both years, you’ll study the taught modules and then you’ll go on a paid work placement for six months at either the Environment Agency or a local authority where you will earn £1000 per month tax free.

During your first year placement rotation, there’s also the residential summer school at HR Wallingford. Here you’ll participate in challenging team building tasks such as the design, build and testing of your own flood product. As well as this, you’ll go on additional civil engineering site visits and look at flood protection projects.

During your two placements, you’ll be mentored by an industry professional and will gain real-life experience on what it’s like to be an engineer in the water industry. The experience obtained on placement and in the first year summer school plays a major role in developing your professional skills and readiness for work.

Unfortunately we are not able to offer places on this programme to International students who require a Student visa. This is because the amount work experience in this course exceeds the limit we can sponsor a student for a Student visa for a Foundation level course.

Our flood and coastal engineering course is accredited by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) and is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (representing the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Structural Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, and the Institute of Highway Engineers). 

On successful completion of the course, you’ll have the full educational base to apply for Engineering Technician (EngTech) status.  

Our Flood and Coastal Engineering foundation degree is designed to equip you with the knowledge and practical experience you need to start a career in flood risk management.

As the Environment Agency are sponsors of our Flood and Coastal Engineering courses, they aim to secure a continual intake of high-calibre graduates. Alternatively, you could go on to work for other flood risk management authorities, non-governmental organisations and civil engineering companies.

Graduates of this course have the opportunity to complete the Flood and Coastal Engineering BSc top-up to gain an honours degree and develop their experience and skills.