Article Index
Civil Engineer
Personal qualities
All Pages

Civil engineers design and manage the construction of bridges, roads, tunnels, pipelines, dams, sewage plants, railways, power stations and major buildings.

They are involved with aspects of the national infrastructure, including transport networks and energy and water supply systems, using their knowledge of the properties and behaviour of materials to create imaginative and aesthetically pleasing designs, which meet all relevant safety and durability requirements within specified budgetary constraints.

Once the plans have been approved and construction starts, civil engineers are in charge until the project is completed. They might be involved at any point from conception, design, construction and maintenance to demolition. A civil engineering project can take years to complete and is usually undertaken by a project team made up of many different types of professionals. The design team involves project managers, architects and a wide range of engineers from different disciplines.

Experienced civil engineers usually achieve either incorporated or chartered status. Broadly speaking, incorporated engineers specialise in applying modern technology, while chartered engineers focus more on research and development or manufacture and installation.

Entry level

Although it is possible to begin training for craft or technician level jobs straight from school with good GCSEs/S grades in English, maths and science, the normal way to train as a professional engineer is to study full time at university or college for a first degree. Entry is with at least two or three A levels/three or four H grades, normally including maths and a science subject, or equivalent qualifications, plus five GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3). At many universities, you can take a one-year foundation course if you don’t have the necessary background in science and maths.

Graduate apprenticeships in engineering may be available in England, bringing together study at degree or diploma level with structured work-based learning.

Making the grade

To qualify as an incorporated civil engineer, you should, having successfully completed an accredited three-year BEng degree or equivalent qualification, undertake a period of initial professional development, including practical training and professional engineering experience. You would then have to pass a professional review, before gaining corporate membership of the Institution of Incorporated Engineers.

To qualify as a chartered civil engineer, you must have an accredited MEng degree or equivalent qualification, complete a period of initial professional development, which includes training and professional engineering experience, and pass a professional review with an interview, before gaining corporate membership of the Institution of Civil Engineers.

There may be opportunities for promotion to posts such as chief engineer, associate or partner. Promotion normally depends on proven ability and experience. Local authorities and government departments have formal promotion structures.

Civil engineers tend to move jobs often to gain experience and responsibility, and switch between the public and private sectors. There are many opportunities to work abroad, particularly in the developing world and in crisis work, such as rebuilding after an earthquake or a war.