Civil Engineering
A comprehensive guide to studying Civil Engineering at university.
- - "My course had 7 modules in the first year which all varied so much in content. It meant I had a really broad and constantly interesting academic experience, from learning about the geology of the ground beneath us to working on a huge design project the next day”- 1st year *MEng Civil Student, University of Bristol*
- - "Small tutorial groups means there is lots of time for the tutor to work with you if you don't understand things. Also, labs are really fun, we designed and made a model of a bridge out of aluminium, then tested it to destruction in the second term. Lecturers are also really open to people putting hands up in the lecture and asking questions - *1st year MEng Engineering Student, Oxford*
- - “I built on and learnt a variety of skills in my first year due to the wide variety of content. We had group projects where we could work with engineers from different departments, build friendships and communication skills. Simultaneously, we learnt how to use different engineering software such as MatLab and Revit, alongside building an awareness of ethical issues” - *2nd year MEng Civil Student, Sheffield*
- - “Super jam packed schedule for my first year! The workload was super stressful at times” - 1st year *MEng Civil Student, University of Bristol*
- - “So many deadlines! Despite a lot of hours of lectures, tutorials and labs, we are also expected to do a lot outside of university. We had a lot of individual and group coursework pieces from designing a bridge to coding for bending moment diagrams”- *2nd year MEng Civil Student, Sheffield*
- - "At Oxford the terms are only 8 weeks long (I didn't find this stressful in terms of termly workload, but I am a terrible motivator in terms of working at home in the long holidays). There are also no exams within the year (there are mock/practice exams). There are only 4 exams at the end of the last term - 1st year *MEng Engineering Student, Oxford*
Studying Civil Engineering at a UK university offers a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The curriculum typically covers structural analysis, fluid mechanics, geotechnics, and transportation engineering, alongside mathematics and materials science. Students engage in hands-on projects, often involving design and construction challenges, which develop problem-solving and teamwork abilities. Field trips and site visits provide real-world insights into construction projects.
Many programs offer industry placements, enhancing employability and professional networks. State-of-the-art labs and software tools are integral to the learning experience. Accredited by professional bodies like the ICE and IStructE, these courses ensure that graduates meet the standards required for chartered status.
Extracurricular opportunities, such as engineering societies and competitions, enrich the university experience. Graduates are well-prepared for diverse careers in construction, consultancy, and infrastructure development, both in the UK and internationally.
Most civil engineers go on to work as either consulting (designing structures and working closely with clients) or contacting (responsible for construction process and based onsite) civil engineers.
There are a range of industries you can work in, and this normally follows on from what you choose to specialise in during your later years at university.
Examples of industry areas include: airports, transport (rail, road etc), infrastructure, energy & power, nuclear, water, environmental and much more.
Once out of university, you’ll most likely be working towards your professional qualification/ chartership (make sure the degree course you do is accredited by relevant accreditation bodies such as the ICE!)
Top employment destinations include: Atkins, Morgan Sindall, Arup, Skanska, Balfour Beatty
If you decide you don’t want to go into engineering, the business, management and finance sectors readily employ engineering undergraduates because of the immense analytical skills you gain throughout your degree.