Civil engineers plan, design and manage projects, ranging from the relatively small-scale, for example bridge repairs, through to large national projects, like the Channel tunnel. Civil engineering is a broad term covering several specialised engineering disciplines. 

The main areas of civil engineering include:

• Structural –  dams, buildings, offshore platforms and pipelines
• Transportation – roads, railways and airports
• Hydraulics –  canals, water lifts and flood barriers
• Environmental – public water supply networks, irrigation, drainage and waste disposal
• Maritime – ports, harbours and sea defences
• Geotechnical – mining, earthworks and construction foundations.

Many of these disciplines overlap and an engineer may work in general civil engineering or specialise in a particular branch.

For all disciplines, the typical duties of a civil engineer include:

• discussing specifications with the client and other professionals, such as architects, surveyors and building contractors
• analysing survey, mapping or materials-testing data with computer modelling software
• drawing up plans and blueprints
• carrying out feasibility studies for projects, looking at materials, costs, time and labour
• assessing environmental impact and risk
• preparing bids for tenders, and reporting to clients, public agencies and planning bodies
• managing, directing and monitoring progress during each phase of a project
• making sure projects meet legal guidelines, and health and safety requirements.

Hours and Environment

Civil engineers work 35 to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday.

As an engineer, you work in offices and on site. Sitework is in all weathers and may involve extensive travel, sometimes overseas.

Skills and Interests

To be a civil engineer, you need:

• excellent maths, science, and IT skills
• the ability to visualise and explain design ideas
• the ability to analyse complex data and critically evaluate plans
• strong decision-making skills
• excellent communication skills
• excellent project management skills
• the ability to keep projects on budget
• good teamworking skills
• a comprehensive knowledge of legal regulations.

Entry

To become a civil engineer you will need a three-year Bachelor of Engineering degree (BEng) or four-year Masters degree (MEng) in civil engineering. These qualifications are important if you want to achieve incorporated or chartered engineer status later in your career (see Training section for more details). You can take other engineering-related subjects but it may take longer to qualify.

For a degree course in engineering, you will need at least five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) and two or three A levels/three or four H grades, including maths and a science subject (normally physics), or equivalent qualifications, such as vocational A levels. Colleges or universities may accept a relevant Access to Higher Education award for entry to certain courses. Please check with them for exact entry requirements.

You can get into this career at technician level, after studying for a BTEC HNC/HND or foundation degree in engineering and gaining further qualifications as you work.

You can find information about careers and relevant courses through the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) website in Further Information.

For more general information about engineering careers, see the websites for SEMTA and Women into Science and Engineering. In addition, the Engineering Training Council (Northern Ireland) has careers information and a course database for local colleges. See their websites in Further Information.

Training

You will usually start your professional life as a civil engineer on a company's graduate training scheme. These schemes give you the chance to get involved in projects under the supervision of a mentor, and are designed to develop your technical knowledge and business skills. Over time, you will gradually take on more responsibility. Training schemes often last between one and two years.  

Gaining incorporated or chartered status
Professional engineering bodies recommend that you gain incorporated or chartered status to enhance your career prospects. You can achieve this by registering with a professional body and applying to the Engineering Council to start the process.

Chartered engineers normally work at a strategic level, planning, researching and developing new designs and innovations, and streamlining management procedures. They are often project leaders with responsibility for teams of incorporated engineers and technicians. Incorporated engineers specialise in the day-to-day management of engineering operations.

To qualify as an incorporated or chartered civil engineer, you need:

• an accredited university qualification
• a period of Initial Professional Development, including practical training to gain experience
• to pass a professional review 
• membership of an appropriate professional body.

As part of the process, you are assessed against UK-SPEC (UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence), developed by professional bodies, employers and the Engineering Council. 

You can find detailed information about accredited courses and the registration process on the Engineering Council and ICE websites in Further Information.

Opportunities

Opportunities are excellent for qualified engineers. Many different organisations employ civil engineers, including local authorities, building contractors, power companies, environmental agencies and specialist consulting firms.

With experience and incorporated or chartered status, you can move into senior project management positions, specialise in particular fields or work as a consultant.

You may find opportunities overseas with British consulting or contracting firms, working for foreign governments, and oil and mining companies.

You can also work with international development and disaster relief agencies. See Engineers for Disaster Relief (RedR-IHE) for more information.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Income for new graduate engineers is between £19,500 and £23,000 a year.
Experienced engineers earn between £24,000 and £37,000.
Chartered engineers can earn around £49,000 year.

Further information

Interpoint
20-24 York Street
Belfast
BT15 1AQ
Tel: 028 9032 9878 11 Upper Belgrave Street
London
SW1X 8BH
Tel: 020 7235 4535 14 Upton Road
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0JT
Tel: 0800 282 167 6th Floor
10 Maltravers Street
London
WC2R 3ER
Tel: 020 7557 6426 1 Great George Street
London
SW1P 3AA
Tel: 020 7222 7722