Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
How to become a civil engineer
Use your training and skills to build the fabric of the modern world.
What is a civil engineer?
Civil engineers work on large-scale engineering projects – designing, planning and managing the construction of installations such as bridges, roads, dams, sea defences, pipelines and mines.
How do I become a civil engineer?
There are several routes into civil engineering including university, college or apprenticeship schemes.
University
An undergraduate degree such as our three-year BSc (Hons) in Civil Engineering which includes a strong element of practical training and work experience.
You can retrain as a civil engineer if you have an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a relevant subject:
- Maths
- Geology
- Science
College
A higher national certificate such as Level 4 HNC in Civil Engineering, or Level 5 HND in Construction and the Built Environment.
After completing your certificate, you could become a trainee engineer and get on-the-job training to qualify.
Apprenticeship
Construction apprenticeships are open to anyone over 16. As an apprentice, you'll be fully employed, working a minimum of 30 hours a week. It's likely that your training will be divided between on-the-job training and a college course.
What would I do as a civil engineer?
As a civil engineer you'll be planning, designing and project managing major construction projects.
It's likely that you'll specialise in a particular area of civil engineering such as transportation, environmental, geotechnical, maritime or structural. But whatever your specialist area, your work will probably involve:
- Investigating and assessing construction sites
- Assessing the potential risks of projects
- Creating blueprints using computer-aided design (CAD)
- Collaborating with architects, subcontractors, consultants, and clients
- Working through design and development problems
- Keeping a firm grip on budgets and other project resources
- Attending public meetings to present and talk about projects
- Preparing project bids, tenders and reports
- Assessing a project’s environmental impact
- Working on-site, in all weathers!
Becoming a civil engineer could be for you if...
-
You like to see your ideas take shape
As a civil engineer you're in a unique position to see your ideas rise out of the ground.
-
You love a problem
Complex civil engineering projects will present a series of challenges for you to work through.
-
You're a team player
As well as managing projects, you'll be managing the team responsible for bringing the whole thing to life.
-
You're into the detail
You can see the big picture, but you pay close attention to the details.
-
You want to make a difference
Your work will have a positive impact, not just on the built environment but on people's lives.
What are the typical working hours for a civil engineer?
Your contracted hours will probably run from 09:00 until 17:00 but you'll be expected to put in extra hours especially around key project deadlines.
Newly qualified civil engineers can expect to earn £20,000 - £40,000.
As you gain experience, that could rise to £40,000 - £60,000.
Senior, chartered or master civil engineers can earn between £60,000 - £80,000.
