DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT

School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment

Welcome to our Department of Engineering and Built Environment

Thank you for checking out what we offer at University College Birmingham, which won best student support in the region at the 2024 Whatuni Student Choice Awards. On top of this, more than 90% of of our students answered positively on questions relating to quality of teaching, support and development in the National Student Survey 2025.

If you are looking to carve out a career in engineering or the built environment, here is a glimpse into our student and staff community - with insight into placements and enrichment - to see if we are right for you.

“If you're anything like me, you'll have always been fascinated by how things work and are built, and if you are joining our university, you really will get the very best, most advanced training, with access to incredible networks and opportunities."

Rosa Wells Dean, School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment

What’s happening

University in running for top regional sustainability excellence award

University College Birmingham has been shortlisted for a Midlands Sustainability Excellence Award.

University launches UK's first accredited battery skills programme

In the face of Net Zero aims and the increasing demand for renewable energy, University College Birmingham has launched the…

Student charter - University College Birmingham

University excels across multiple areas in National Student Survey 2025

The University’s commitment to continual improvement has been recognised in the latest round of results from the UK’s l…

Dean for STEM at university makes Top 100 Women in Engineering list

Rosa Wells is a Highly Commended Finalist of the Women's Engineering Society's Top 50 Women in Engineering awards as part o…

Education providers join forces to launch new one stop shop for employers

University College Birmingham has joined forces with other colleges and training providers across the West Midlands t…

New centres for innovation offer support for small businesses to upskill

A £100 million investment from the Innovation Accelerator programme will see a new innovation hub launched at Universi…

Skills funding awarded to University will boost technical qualifications

The new qualifications are high-quality, job-focused qualifications. These new programmes are a part of University Col…

Innovate UK awards £1.2m to University-led partnership to grow battery manufacturing

University College Birmingham will lead a regional partnership delivering a new project growing new skills…

Sense of community stands out in postgraduate student experience survey

Students were most positive about our community in this year’s Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES), the larges…

Development continues at pace on University’s Sustainable Construction Skills Centre

Work on the new Sustainable Construction Skills Centre for University College Birmingham is making excelle…

Inclusivity for all at heart of annual teaching and learning conference

Creating an inclusive environment was this year's theme of a conference that gives University College Birmingham academ…

University collaboration opens new training hub for engineering and manufacturing

A brand new hub dedicated to developing the next generation of engineering and manufacturing workers has been…

Budding technician flies flag for female engineers at opening of new facilities

A college student whose goal is to become an air technician with the Royal Navy flew the flag for female engine…

Partnership with Warwick enters new phase to support regional development

The partnership aims to provide a new approach to social mobility by opening up access to education for people in som…

Regeneration of former print works to create new sustainable construction centre

A sustainable construction skills centre is to be created by University College Birmingham as part of the rege…

University welcomes MP to explore city-wide opportunities for young people

Preet Gill MP joins UCB staff on campus tour, exploring how her Edgbaston constituents could benefit from UCB's prov…

Edward Bird
Deputy Dean, School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment

Meet Edward Bird

My role across the School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment is quite broad, with responsibilities for quality, teaching and learning as well as curriculum development and innovation, ensuring that we are at the cutting edge of our subject sectors.

We work closely with the West Midlands Combined Authority, the Institute of Technology and employers to ensure our courses offer excellent opportunities for students to progress into fulfilling careers in STEM or further study.

Edward has a background in software and web development.

Our teaching and learning

If you are studying to be an engineer or a construction expert, our aim is simple - to turn you into a stand-out professional. We have an award-winning reputation for the highest quality courses and a learning experience that sets us apart from bigger universities.

Our degrees are designed to develop you personally and professionally, with graduate advantage, employability and enrichment sessions threaded throughout the curriculum, sitting alongside really interesting theory modules.

Theory

Our courses are developed and taught by experienced lecturing staff, meaning they can draw on their industry expertise and years of experience to make scenario-based discussions, debates and concepts come to life, supporting the linking of theory to practice.

You will learn so much from our lecturing teams, who are passionate about their profession and eager to inspire and nurture the next generation of engineering professionals.

We also have many invited guest lecturers from industry participate in our courses, sharing their knowledge and experiences to enhance your learning.

Students also have a lot to bring and as a team, we will also learn a lot from you. We encourage you to share your perspectives and viewpoints, especially when reflecting on your own life and placement experiences.

Practical

Placements are key to success as employers want you to have real experience. We have excellent links with organisations such as the GBSIoT, so we can allocate you to a diverse range of placements.

This exposure to different learning environments opens opportunities for you when you qualify. And you will receive real-life training in our engineering suite, complete with robotics labs at Camden House, and our Centre for Sustainable Construction at our James Cond building.

Support

Our support is exceptional, so much so, our students voted to make us the regional winner of the Student Support award at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024.

Throughout your studies, you will not only have a personal tutor, but a link tutor during placements and module leaders to support you through academic modules. And we have a whole range of additional support services available, providing you with as much or as little support as you need to succeed in your degree. Our smaller teaching groups enable all students to grow and flourish, with strong peer support and friendship.

Financially, we are here to support you too, and if you are a full-time, UK undergraduate joining us in February or September 2026, you will receive £5,000 to help you with the cost of living, which doesn't have to be paid back.

Our Learning and Teaching Strategy is key to how we approach the educational journey, focusing on three main pillars that set out our commitment to your learning and teaching experience while you are studying with us.

Pillar 1 – Provide accessible and inclusive teaching and learning across a wide range of vocationally-led courses
Pillar 2 – Develop next generation opportunities and skills through innovative, future-focused curriculum and pedagogy
Pillar 3 – Shape local and global sectors, promoting sustainable futures and global citizenship

Read our Learning and Teaching Strategy

Engineering and construction facilities

We've invested £200 million into our facilities so you can learn in outstanding, industry-approved environments.

Students on our engineering courses study in our real-world training facilities at our Camden House campus building. Our facilities include equipment for process manufacturing, electronics and materials testing, as well as Industry 4.0 equipment. Students on our built environment courses study at our Centre for Sustainable Construction.

You will also have access to the Learning Factory at GBSIoT with facilities to support your research and projects.

Find out more about our facilities

Our courses

Automated Manufacturing Engineering BEng (Hons)

BEng (Hons) Manufacturing Engineering at University College Birmingham equips students with practical and technical skills in smart manufacturi…

Group of construction student collaborating over a laptop

Building Services Engineering BEng Advanced Entry

Gain future-ready skills with our BEng Building Services Engineering Advanced Entry. Progress from HNC, study flexibly, master BIM, IESVE, CF…

Construction Management BSc (Hons)

Our full-time BSc in Construction Management enables you to build up your knowledge and practical construction skills to become a vital professional in a ra…

Electromechanical Engineering BEng

The world is crying out for skilled engineers and our Electromechanical Engineering BEng degree will give you all the key disciplines – essential math's, me…

Mechanical Engineering BEng (Hons)

BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering at University College Birmingham develops core and advanced skills in mechanical systems design, smart manufacturing, the…

Architectural Technology HNC

There are lots of advantages to studying Architectural Technology. This higher national certificate enables you to build up your knowledge and practical skills in…

Building Services Engineering HNC

Our full-time or part-time Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Building Services Engineering (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) enables you to build…

Civil Engineering HNC

This full-time or part-time Higher National Certificate (HNC) Civil Engineering enables you to build up your knowledge and practical skills in civil engineering to becom…

Construction Management HNC

Our part-time Higher National Certificate course enables you to study for a widely-recognised Level 4 qualification alongside your work commitments. Boost your kno…

Engineering HNC

If you want to work in engineering and are looking to boost your skills through part-time study, our Higher National Certificate course lets you explore core subjects such as…

Quantity Surveying HNC

This full-time or part-time Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Quantity Surveying enables you to build up your knowledge and practical skills to become a vital profes…

Construction Project Management MSc

Want to pursue senior roles within the construction industry? Our postgraduate course combines teaching you key aspects of construction management with cor…

Engineering Management MSc

Want to play a leading role in the technological progress and sustainable future of the engineering sector? This course combines developing your business and manage…

We look forward to seeing you on campus

As you prepare to join us, here's a refresher on some of the essentials: