Civil engineer
Also called Engineering consultant.
Civil engineers design and manage construction projects, such as buildings, bridges, flood defences and transport links.
- Potential salary
- £29,000 starter to £63,000 experienced per year
- Typical hours
- 40 to 42 a week. Working pattern: evenings / weekends occasionally.
- Career area
- Engineering
- Where they might work
- You could work in an office or on a construction site. Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers. You may need to wear protective clothing.
- A typical task
- work closely with clients to understand what they need
- Subjects that may help
- 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and a science for a degree
- Typical route
- You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in civil engineering.
- Interest area used here
- Making, fixing and working outdoors
What you might do
- work closely with clients to understand what they need
- map and analyse data using mathematical modelling methods
- create design plans and models with computer software
- assess the risks and environmental impact of projects
- monitor progress at each construction stage
- lead a team of engineers, co-ordinate work and manage a budget
More tasks (3)
- use sustainable materials like recycled concrete or bamboo
- design with energy efficiency in mind, like using natural light
- minimise waste by re-using or recycling materials
Could this suit me?
Consider which of these skills and ways of working appeal to you.
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- knowledge of building and construction
- maths knowledge
- design skills and knowledge
- thinking and reasoning skills
- complex problem-solving skills
More skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
Routes into this career
University route
- You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in civil engineering.
- Many universities specialise in particular areas of civil engineering, like: transport engineering; environmental engineering; coastal and maritime engineering.
- You can search for accredited courses through the Institution of Civil Engineers. Some courses include a work placement, which can be useful for making industry contacts to help you find work after university.
- You can also do further study for a postgraduate master's qualification in civil engineering, if you've got a degree in a related subject like maths, science or geology.
University courses that could lead to this career
These are course families, not published offers. A link does not mean the degree is sufficient on its own.
- Civil engineering
Direct qualifying route. The standard degree route towards incorporated or chartered status, which still needs professional experience.
- Construction Management
Alternative route. Site management is related to construction, not the same as chartered civil engineering.
- Quantity Surveying
Related, but not enough on its own. Quantity surveying is a different profession from civil engineering.
Apprenticeship or vocational route
- You could take a course at college, which might help you to get work as a trainee civil engineer, or to apply for further study at university.
- Subjects include: civil engineering; maths, physics or geography; construction and the built environment.
- You can apply to do a Civil Engineer Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship with an engineering or construction company.
- This takes around 5 years to complete.
- You could work as a civil engineering technician and study on the job for a degree or apprenticeship.
- You'll usually need 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science. Employers may also look for 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent qualifications.
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
Career progression
- It's important to continue your professional development as a civil engineer.
- For example, you could look to get incorporated or chartered engineer status. This would allow you to move into positions with more responsibility, such as senior management roles on large scale projects.
- With experience, you could also: specialise in a particular engineering field; work in research; become an engineering consultant; work with international development organisations or disaster relief agencies.
Subjects that may help
Subject guidance
- 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and a science for a degree
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship