Study civil and structural engineering

International Foundation Year students can progress to degrees including: 

• BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering

Related degrees

• MEng Architectural Engineering 
• MEng Architectural Engineering Design
• MEng Civil Engineering
• MEng Civil and Structural Engineering
• MEng Structural Engineering and Architecture
  
  

Pre-Masters students can progress to the following degree:

• MSc Structural Engineering 

Civil engineers can have a positive and lasting impact on people and the environment. They deal with global issues such as climate change, drought and urbanisation. They prevent flooding, strengthen buildings and control pollution. When you graduate, you could save lives and change the world.

As a civil engineer, you’ll be involved in every stage of a project, from planning and construction to maintenance. Your work could include diverse areas such as risk management, construction and human development. You’ll also be equipped with transferrable skills that you can use in many other professions.

Graduates with civil engineering degrees from leading universities like Sheffield are in demand. By 2020, UK civil engineering jobs are estimated to increase by 20% due to the needs of our growing population, ageing infrastructure and declining resourcing.

Civil engineering is the planning, construction and maintenance of public infrastructure. It is responsible for creating, protecting and improving the structures and systems we use every day. Civil engineers work with all aspects of the built environment – including roads, canals, buildings and railways. They solve global challenges such as flood prevention, traffic congestion and pollution control.

To study civil engineering at university you will need to meet certain entry requirements. Required grades vary across universities, some require AAA while others will only require CCC at A Level. Alternatively, if you’re an international student wanting to study civil engineering in the UK, you can study the International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering which will prepare you for a civil engineering degree at the University of Sheffield.

As a civil engineer, you can expect to earn between £24,000 and £30,000 after graduating. With more experience, you will typically earn up to £40,000 – and as a senior civil engineer you could earn up to £50,000. As a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, you could go on to earn significantly more.

An undergraduate degree in civil engineering typically lasts three years but can also be combined with a masters degree or a year work placement to make it four years. You could also study a combination of the two to make your course five years.

Subject requirements vary depending on the university you are applying to but typically you will need Maths and Physics. Other subjects that are beneficial to students applying for an undergraduate civil engineering degree include Geography, Geology, Information Technology and Art and Design.

You will typically need a maths qualification if you want to study a degree in civil engineering. It is used throughout engineering to analyse materials and structures and understand the theory of engineering.

Key skills needed to be a civil engineer include:

• Maths
• Communication
• Leadership
• Problem-solving
• Decision-making
• Ability to work to deadlines
• Project management