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Civil engineers design and manage construction projects, such as buildings, bridges, flood defences and transport links.
You could work: evenings / weekends; occasionally
As a civil engineer, you could:
We've identified this as a potential green job
For a civil engineer to be a green job, you could:
Find out more about green careers
You may need to wear protective clothing.
You could work in an office or on a construction site.
Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers.
You can get into this job through:
You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in civil engineering.
Many universities specialise in particular areas of civil engineering, like:
You can search for accredited courses through the Institution of Civil Engineers. Some courses include a work placement, which can be useful for making industry contacts to help you find work after university.
You can also do further study for a postgraduate master's qualification in civil engineering, if you've got a degree in a related subject like maths, science or geology.
You'll usually need:
You could take a course at college, which might help you to get work as a trainee civil engineer, or to apply for further study at university.
Subjects include:
You can apply to do a Civil Engineer Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship with an engineering or construction company.
This takes around 5 years to complete.
You'll usually need:
You could work as a civil engineering technician and study on the job for a degree or apprenticeship.
You'll usually need 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science. Employers may also look for 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent qualifications.
You can join the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) for professional development opportunities and to make industry contacts.
You can learn more about how to become a civil engineer from the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).
It's important to continue your professional development as a civil engineer.
For example, you could look to get incorporated or chartered engineer status. This would allow you to move into positions with more responsibility, such as senior management roles on large scale projects.
With experience, you could also:specialise in a particular engineering field; work in research; become an engineering consultant; work with international development organisations or disaster relief agencies
You can find out more about becoming a civil engineer from the Institution of Civil Engineers and Tomorrow's Engineers.