Maintenance

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship

University

You can do a foundation degree or higher national diploma in civil engineering.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

College

You can take a college course that would teach you some of the skills needed to become an engineering technician. Relevant courses include:

• Level 2 Certificate in Construction and the Built Environment
• Level 3 Diploma in Civil Engineering
• T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction

Some knowledge of computer aided design (CAD) software would be useful, for example AutoCAD, PDS or Civil 3D, although courses will usually include options in CAD.

Entry requirements

You may need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to T levels
• funding advice
• search for courses

Apprenticeship

You could do a civil engineering technician advanced apprenticeship.

This typically takes 36 month to complete as a mix of workplace learning and off-the-job study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

More information

Professional and industry bodies

You can join the Institution of Civil Engineers for professional development opportunities.

Further information

You'll find more advice about careers in civil engineering from the Institution of Civil Engineers.

With experience, you could lead a team of technicians or go into other people or project management roles.

You could specialise in particular areas of the job, like working on highways, rail or energy sector projects.

You could become a freelance civil engineering technician and work for companies as a self-employed contractor.

With further training and degree qualifications you could qualify as a civil engineer. Some employers will sponsor technicians to study part-time.