4 mins
Civil engineering is a discipline that focuses on the design, construction, and management of the built environment. It applies principles from both maths and physics to safely benefit and advance construction and development projects on both large and small scales. Civil engineers work on construction projects, including public buildings, roads, bridges, dams, airports, pipelines, power plants, and transportation networks. Civil engineers usually opt to specialise in a specific subdiscipline and work closely with architects, builders, developers, and planners to ensure construction is safe and fit for purpose.
What is taught as part of a postgraduate civil engineering course?
A postgraduate course in civil engineering provides students with an in-depth understanding of the subject, with more opportunities to specialise than a standard undergraduate degree. You will gain advanced knowledge and skills, often with opportunities for hands-on experience and industry placements.
|
Want to study engineering courses abroad? Explore 700+ Civil Engineering courses offered by foreign universities and pick the one that suits you best! |
Most courses contain several elective modules as well as core modules. These can enable you to specialise in a sub-discipline in civil engineering and focus your expertise on your career goals. There are several specialisations in the field of civil engineering, including:
- Construction engineering
- Earthquake engineering
- Environmental engineering
- Geotechnical engineering
- Hydraulic engineering
- Urban engineering
- Structural engineering
- Transportation engineering
Due to the breadth of the discipline, there are two common ways to study civil engineering at postgraduate level.
Qualification in civil engineering
Offered by many universities, these courses enable you to gain a broad knowledge of civil engineering through core modules. You may then specialise your knowledge through elective modules to gain expertise in one or more areas of interest.
Qualification in a subdiscipline of civil engineering
If you would prefer to specialise in a specific area of civil engineering from the outset, some universities offer postgraduate qualifications in pre-designated sub-disciplines. These enable you to gain knowledge and expertise exclusively related to your career goals. Examples of such courses include:
- MSc Geotechnical engineering
- MSc Earthquake Engineering
- MSc Hydrology and Water Resources Management
- MSc Structural Steel Design
Best countries for pursuing civil engineering courses
According to the QS World University Rankings by Subject (QS)(2024), the best countries to study civil engineering are the USA and the UK. Both boast many prestigious universities in the top 20.
|
Here’s all you need to know about studying in the UK and the USA. |
The top five universities in each country are listed below, followed in brackets by their QS subject ranking for civil and structural engineering.
USA
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1)
- University of California, Berkeley (20)
- Stanford University (10)
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (15)
- Purdue University (=17)
UK
- Imperial College London (7)
- University of Cambridge (8)
- University of Oxford (13)
- University College London (35)
- University of Manchester (43)
Other English-speaking countries with some universities of note in the QS subject rankings include Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Here, we list the top universities for civil and structural engineering in those countries.
Australia
- University of New South Wales (=17)
- University of Sydney (23)
- University of Melbourne (25)
Canada
- University of Toronto (28)
- University of British Columbia (30)
- McGill University (51-100)
New Zealand
- University of Auckland (46)
- University of Canterbury (51-100)
Eligibility criteria for studying a postgraduate civil engineering course
To study a postgraduate course in civil engineering, you must meet the university’s entry criteria. Academic entry requirements vary between institutions but typically you will need an undergraduate honours degree in civil engineering or a closely related field. You will usually need to have achieved a strong pass mark, such as a 2:1 or above. You may also need a strong A-Level (or equivalent) result in maths or physics. As an Indian student, you must meet English language requirements to study civil engineering. Many universities request that students have an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or an equivalent qualification.
Cost of studying postgraduate civil engineering courses
The cost of studying for a postgraduate degree in civil engineering will depend on several factors, including the specific university, your study destination, and the duration of your chosen course. For full-time students, most master’s degrees in civil engineering are between one and two years, but doctorates may take up to five years to complete full-time.
Annual international tuition fees for a civil engineering master’s degree in the UK typically range from GBP 20,000 to GBP 38,000 yearly. In the USA, tuition fees may range from USD 20,000 to USD 75,000 annually.
Many universities offer a range of scholarships to international students, so it is worth researching financial aid options for your preferred course.
|
Read our latest article about the cost of studying abroad at popular destinations such as the UK, USA, Australia and Canada. |
Career opportunities in civil engineering
Civil engineers are a widely sought-after profession, with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting a faster-than-average five per cent growth in the sector over the next decade.
To practise as a civil engineer in most countries, you must hold an accredited engineering qualification. This is where a postgraduate degree in civil engineering becomes essential. Qualified civil engineers typically receive a starting salary with a median annual pay of USD 95,890 in the USA (BLS, 2024).
Employers of civil engineers cover a wide range of industries but commonly include:
- Communication infrastructure companies
- Construction companies
- Energy companies, including energy production and storage and renewable energy
- Engineering consultancy firms
- Governmental organisations
- Property developers
- Public sector organisations
- Transport infrastructure companies
Several other jobs are closely related to civil engineering, so you could also use your degree to find work in roles such as:
- Construction manager
- Structural engineer
- Surveyor
- Urban planner
To progress your career as an engineer internationally, you may need to obtain chartered status or register with a local regulatory body. For example, the Engineering Council in the UK. Remember, if you choose to study in the USA, a degree in civil engineering should qualify you for the 24-month OPT STEM extension, prolonging the time you are allowed to work after graduation.
Hi there! I'm Navi, your AI assistant on WhatsApp.
