What is civil engineering?

Civil engineers are the scientific minds behind the way our
modern towns and cities work. Responsible for infrastructure on a
large scale, civil engineers are involved in the design and
development of everything from the new village hall to nationwide
energy supply.

Combining their theoretical and practical knowledge of

engineering, these highly specialised experts have to master the
planning, budgeting, management, and analysis of projects large
and small.

Using your natural curiosity, your talent with Lego or Meccano,

and your academic mind, a degree in civil engineering will equip
you for a wide range of careers. From the hands-on practical jobs
to the intensely theoretical tasks, civil engineering is a
discipline that’s both rewarding and challenging in equal
measure.

Civil engineers can feel pride on a daily basis, as they pass the
skyscrapers and bridges they helped to build.

Engineering subject guide - Unibuddy Find out what studying

civil engineering is like?
Chat now to Jason who can tell you all about it.

Civil engineering course entry requirements

Like many engineering topics, universities are going to be
looking for you to have good grades in both maths and physics.
Civil engineering can be a competitive course because of its high
career prospects, so expect to face some steep grade boundaries.
If you want to show that you’re truly dedicated, you should have
further maths and design technology qualifications too.

For your interview and personal statement, you’ll want to

showcase your skills in data analysis, numeracy, technology,
communication, and problem-solving. Take a look at our tips for
your engineering personal statement.

A levels – Entry requirements range from CCC to AAA, with the

universities and colleges most commonly asking for BBB.

Scottish Highers – Entry requirements for Highers (the most

common qualification) range from ABBB to AAAAB, with universities
or colleges most frequently requiring AABBB. Occasionally,
universities ask for Advanced Highers to supplement Highers. If
Advanced Highers are requested, universities or colleges
typically ask for ABB.

Vocational courses – Other Level 3/Level 6 qualifications (e.g.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma, or an SCQF Level
6) may be accepted as an alternative to A levels/Highers by some
providers. It’s essential that you check alternative entry
requirements with universities or colleges.

What you will need to do

Apply by the January deadline
Personal statement
Attend an interview
Show work experience
What you won't need to do
Submit a portfolio
Audition for a place
Pass an entry test
Why study civil engineering at university?
Every time you leave your home, you’ll see the results of civil
engineering. From roads to railways, townhouses to tower blocks,
civil engineers have a hand in most infrastructure projects in
the modern environment.
If you want to play a part in the physical world around you, and
get your job satisfaction by seeing results in-person, not to
mention making other people’s lives easier, then civil
engineering might be for you.

Civil engineers often started out as curious and inquisitive,

always wondering how things work and how to make them better. If
that sounds like you, and you can’t think of a better way to earn
money, you might be onto a winner. And speaking of money, the job
prospects for civil engineering graduates are extremely good,
whether that be in planning, design, construction, energy, or any
of the other hundred professions that draw upon a civil
engineer’s skill.

You’ll be in high demand from your local council or national

government, not to mention the private sector firms that
governments contract projects to.

Some modules you may study are:

Fluid mechanics
Soil mechanics
Digital environment building
Engineering geology
Civil and architectural engineering
Minerals and statics
Geomechanics
Structural mechanics
What can you do with a civil engineering degree?
Civil engineering graduates will most likely enter work in civil
engineering.
But, your range of skills will also make you highly employable
in:

structural engineering
quantity surveying
energy engineering
nuclear engineering
What’s it like to study civil engineering?
A strong mathematical and scientific grounding is important for
civil engineers. Before any industry experience, you’ll spend
lots of time using models and simulations to understand the
principles of engineering. This means time spent in lectures,
classrooms, and computer labs, before you get to the practical
stuff. Your first year will follow this format, giving you and
your classmates the foundation to build on for your later years.

In the second and third years (or fourth if you decide to take a
placement year, which is common in civil engineering), you’ll
specialise in modules and areas which interest you most. Most
courses will offer you the chance to complete a full design
project, either alone or as part of a group. This might be in
structural, transportation, architectural, geotechnical, or
hydraulic engineering.

Wherever you decide to spend your time, you can expect to

graduate with good job prospects as a civil engineer. Starting
salaries are around £26k, with 96% of students in work or further
study within six months of graduating.

Civil engineering will call for you to be in the classroom for

about 18 hours per week, or up to 40 hours during your placement
year. As a lot of this subject will be new to you, you can also
expect a healthy amount of self-study.

Studying a civil engineering degree is likely to involve:

writing reports and essays
attending lectures and seminars
computer and simulation work
placements and industry experience
project, presentation, and group work
Are you considering an accelerated degree? Click here to read
more about the possibility of completing your undergraduate
course in two years rather than three.

Apprenticeships
If you want to combine work and study while earning a salary, you
could consider an apprenticeship. Which apprenticeships are
available, and how you apply, depends on where you live.

Find out more about apprenticeships across the UK.

There are over 80 apprenticeships in the construction sector

available in England, with more in development.

Each apprenticeship sets out occupational standards for specific

job roles, designed by employers. The standards outline the
skills, knowledge, and behaviours required to demonstrate that an
apprentice is fully competent in the job role.

Higher apprenticeships (Level 4)

Building services engineering technician
Degree apprenticeships (Levels 5 – 7)
Building services design engineer (degree)
Building services engineering site management (degree)
Civil engineer (degree)
Civil engineering site management (degree)
Construction quantity surveyor (degree)
Design and construction management (degree)
Nuclear scientist and nuclear engineer (degree)
Product design and development engineer (non-integrated degree)
Project manager (degree)
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Search uni and colleges for civil engineering courses
Explore courses
See all
Civil Engineering Bristol, University of the West of England
Bristol, University of the West of England logo
Civil Engineering

Bristol, University of the West of England

Frenchay Campus, Bristol
Qualification
BEng (Hon)
Duration
3 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Start date
2023-2024
Average grad salary
N/A
UCAS Tariff
112/112
Student satisfaction
N/A
Civil Engineering University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) logo
Civil Engineering

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) Inverness

Inverness
Qualification
BEng (Hon)
Duration
4 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Start date
2023-2024
Average grad salary
£26k
UCAS Tariff
N/A
Student satisfaction
83%
Civil Engineering Nottingham Trent University
Nottingham Trent University logo
Civil Engineering

Nottingham Trent University

City Campus, Nottingham
Qualification
BEng (Hon)
Duration
4 Years
Study mode
Sandwich
Start date
2023-2024
Average grad salary
£29k
UCAS Tariff
112/120
Student satisfaction
94%
Civil Engineering University of Salford
University of Salford logo
Civil Engineering

University of Salford
Main Site, Salford
Qualification
BEng (Hon)
Duration
3 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Start date
2023-2024
Average grad salary
£27k
UCAS Tariff
112/120
Student satisfaction
76%
Civil Engineering Coventry University
Coventry University logo
Civil Engineering

Coventry University
Main Site, Coventry
Qualification
BSc (Hons)
Duration
3 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Start date
2023-2024
Average grad salary
N/A
UCAS Tariff
N/A
Student satisfaction
N/A
Civil Engineering University of Brighton
University of Brighton logo
Civil Engineering

University of Brighton
Brighton
Qualification
BEng (Hon)
Duration
4 Years
Study mode
Sandwich
Start date
2023-2024
Average grad salary
N/A
UCAS Tariff
104/120
Student satisfaction
N/A
Civil Engineering University of Strathclyde
University of Strathclyde logo
Civil Engineering

University of Strathclyde Glasgow

University of Strathclyde, Glasgow
Qualification
BEng (Hon)
Duration
4 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Start date
2023-2024
Average grad salary
£28k
UCAS Tariff
N/A
Student satisfaction
92%
Civil Engineering Birmingham City University
Birmingham City University logo
Civil Engineering

Birmingham City University

Millennium Point Campus, Birmingham
Qualification
BEng (Hon)
Duration
3 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Start date
2023-2024
Average grad salary
£25k
UCAS Tariff
112/112
Student satisfaction
82%
Civil Engineering University of Bolton
University of Bolton logo
Civil Engineering

University of Bolton
University of Bolton Main Site, Greater Manchester
Qualification
BEng (Hon)
Duration
5 Years
Study mode
Part-time
Start date
2023-2024
Average grad salary
N/A
UCAS Tariff
104/104
Student satisfaction
N/A
Civil Engineering University of Central Lancashire
University of Central Lancashire logo
Civil Engineering
University of Central Lancashire Preston
Main Site, Preston
Qualification
BEng (Hon)
Duration
3 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Start date
2023-2024
Average grad salary
£25k
UCAS Tariff
104/104
Student satisfaction
57%
Civil Engineering University of East London
University of East London logo
Civil Engineering

University of East London Newham

Docklands Campus, London
Qualification
BEng (Hon)
Duration
3 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Start date
2023-2024
Average grad salary
£27k
UCAS Tariff
96/96
Student satisfaction
71%
Civil Engineering University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow logo
Civil Engineering

University of Glasgow
Gilmorehill (Main) Campus, Glasgow
Qualification
BEng (Hon)
Duration
4 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Start date
2023-2024
Average grad salary
£27k
UCAS Tariff
N/A
Student satisfaction
67%
Civil Engineering University of Leeds
University of Leeds logo
Civil Engineering

University of Leeds
Main Site, Leeds
Qualification
BEng (Hon)
Duration
3 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Start date
2023-2024
Average grad salary
£28k
UCAS Tariff
N/A
Student satisfaction
70%
Civil Engineering University of Plymouth
University of Plymouth logo
Civil Engineering

University of Plymouth
Main Site, Plymouth
Qualification
MEng (Hon)
Duration
5 Years
Study mode
Sandwich
Start date
2023-2024
Average grad salary
£25k
UCAS Tariff
120/136
Student satisfaction
91%
Civil Engineering University of South Wales
University of South Wales logo
Civil Engineering

University of South Wales Pontypridd

Pontypridd
Qualification
BSc (Hons)
Duration
3 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Start date
2023-2024
Average grad salary
£20k
UCAS Tariff
80/104
Student satisfaction
73%
Civil Engineering Edinburgh Napier University
Edinburgh Napier University logo
Civil Engineering

Edinburgh Napier University

Merchiston Campus, Edinburgh
Qualification
BEng (Hon)
Duration
4 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Start date
2023-2024
Average grad salary
£27k
UCAS Tariff
N/A
Student satisfaction
60%
Civil Engineering City College Plymouth
City College Plymouth logo
Civil Engineering

City College Plymouth

Main Site, Plymouth
Qualification
FdSc
Duration
2 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Start date
2023-2024
Average grad salary
N/A
UCAS Tariff
56/56
Student satisfaction
N/A
Civil Engineering University of Surrey
University of Surrey logo
Civil Engineering

University of Surrey Guildford

Stag Hill, Guildford
Qualification
BEng (Hon)
Duration
4 Years
Study mode
Sandwich
Start date
2023-2024
Average grad salary
N/A
UCAS Tariff
N/A
Student satisfaction
N/A
Civil Engineering University of Wolverhampton
University of Wolverhampton logo
Civil Engineering

University of Wolverhampton
University of Wolverhampton
Qualification
BEng (Hon)
Duration
3 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Start date
2023-2024
Average grad salary
N/A
UCAS Tariff
96/96
Student satisfaction
N/A
Civil Engineering University of Portsmouth
University of Portsmouth logo
Civil Engineering

University of Portsmouth
Main Site, Portsmouth
Qualification
BEng (Hon)
Duration
3 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Start date
2023-2024
Average grad salary
£28k
UCAS Tariff
112/128
Student satisfaction
81%
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