Civil Engineer

The Job  

Choose a career in civil engineering and it’ll be your job to turn complex designs into reality.

There are many different elements to the job, and you could end up specialising in branches such as transport, marine, highways or waterways. Although all are very different, each branch of civil engineering has the same goal: to provide a safe, solid infrastructure for our country and countries abroad.

The People  

As a civil engineer, you'll be instrumental in the design and construction of buildings, bridges, pipelines, dams, railways and roads. Essentially it is the civil engineers of the world that make sure everything runs smoothly and we’re not left in chaos.

To do this you'll need a good grasp of maths and design as well as the ability to manage and talk to a wide range of people. For more information on what it takes to make it as a civil engineer, visit www.ice.org.uk/.

Entry Requirements  

A degree, BTEC or HND in Civil Engineering is required to train as a civil engineer. The requirements to gain a place on a degree course vary between universities so it is essential to check beforehand.

There are several stages of training. Firstly you must complete a period of initial professional development. Following this, you’ll need to pass a professional review, and finally gain membership into the Institution of Incorporated Engineers. The minimum age to register as a qualified civil engineer is currently 25.

The Benefits  

Enter as a newly qualified graduate and you can expect to earn roughly £16,000. Chartered engineers earn about £27,000, while an associate will usually make about £32,000. As always, salaries in London are higher, as are those of self-employed professionals. For further information on salaries refer to professional institutions and industry press.