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Civil engineer

Alternative titles for this job include Engineering consultant

Civil engineers design and manage construction projects, such as buildings, bridges, flood defences and transport links.

Average salary (a year)

£29,000 Starter

to

£63,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 42 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends occasionally

Meet Voirrey

Voirrey is an assistant project manager for a civil engineering company.

Voirrey talks about how problem solving and teamwork are very important elements in her job in civil engineering. 

1 minute 40 second watch

View transcript

My name is Voirrey Baker and I am a civil engineer. I currently work in the job role of assistant project manager for Amey here in Sheffield.

So currently in my day-to-day job, it's the planning and organisation of construction schemes. There's a fair bit of work that goes on behind the scenes before you can even, like, break ground on site. We need to get all the information from utility companies. You obviously get the design. You have to order the materials. You have to agree traffic management measures if you're working under closure or temporary traffic lights.

I manage the labour, come up with a programme and just make sure everything is prepared. And then once you're on site, sometimes you have to mark out what's going on where. There’ll be organisation of labour and subcontractors. And making sure everyone knows what they're doing at the right time. They've got everything they need. And kind of monitoring it as well, going off and checking sites, seeing how they're doing, if there's any issues.

I think problem solving is one of the things that interested me most about this, this role. The fact that you have to react, and it isn't going to be the same every day. How do you deal with, with issues when they arise?

Teamwork is a really big thing. Because there might be one of you. If it's just you, you can't build a lot. You've got to work with other people. And in that, you also want good communication.

The kind of satisfaction in, you know, when you see the work that you've worked on. I'll drive around town and go, oh, that was my scheme. I think that's pretty good.

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

University

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

Many universities specialise in particular areas of civil engineering, like:

  • transport engineering
  • environmental engineering
  • coastal and maritime engineering

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.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and a science for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

College

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:

  • civil engineering
  • maths, physics or geography
  • construction and the built environment

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

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.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

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.

More Information

Professional and industry bodies

You can join the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) for professional development opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can learn more about how to become a civil engineer from the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • knowledge of building and construction
  • maths knowledge
  • design skills and knowledge
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • complex problem-solving skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a civil engineer, you could:

  • work closely with clients to understand what they need
  • map and analyse data using mathematical modelling methods
  • create design plans and models with computer software
  • assess the risks and environmental impact of projects
  • monitor progress at each construction stage
  • lead a team of engineers, co-ordinate work and manage a budget

We've identified this as a potential green job

For a civil engineer to be a green job, you could:

  • use sustainable materials like recycled concrete or bamboo
  • design with energy efficiency in mind, like using natural light
  • minimise waste by re-using or recycling materials

Find out more about green careers

Working environment

You could work in an office or on a construction site.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

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

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Civil Engineering Apprentice

  • Wage: Competitive Annually
  • Location: CAMS HALL ESTATE, FAREHAM

Civil & Structural Engineering Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £20,000 a year Annually
  • Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

BTEC National Extended Diploma in Civil Engineering

  • Provider: FURNESS COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: BARROW-IN-FURNESS

BTEC National Diploma in Civil Engineering

  • Provider: UNITED COLLEGES GROUP
  • Start date: 15 September 2025
  • Location: London
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

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