Civil Engineering

Civil engineering is the discipline responsible for designing, building and maintaining the infrastructure that makes modern life possible. Roads, bridges, tunnels, dams, water supply systems, drainage networks and the foundations of buildings all fall within its scope. It is one of the oldest engineering disciplines and also one of the most socially significant, because the quality of a society's infrastructure directly affects the health, mobility and prosperity of its people.

Civil engineers must combine deep technical knowledge with practical judgement, working across structural analysis, geotechnics, hydraulics, materials science and project management.

The University of Manchester offers this programme over four years full time, and the course includes a foundation year, giving students who arrive with strong potential but less conventional preparation the opportunity to build the mathematical and scientific foundations before progressing into the full engineering degree. Manchester's engineering school has a long history of producing graduates who go on to shape major infrastructure projects both in the UK and internationally. The typical entry tariff for this programme is around 152 UCAS points.

Throughout the degree you will study the core engineering sciences before specialising in areas such as structural engineering, transportation engineering, environmental engineering and construction management. You will work with industry-standard modelling and design software, undertake laboratory and fieldwork investigations, and develop your ability to produce and interpret engineering drawings and reports. The programme develops not only technical competence but also the professional judgement and communication skills that practising engineers need to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and to engage with clients, contractors and regulatory bodies.

Civil engineering graduates are in sustained demand across public and private sectors. Career paths include structural and geotechnical consulting, highway and transportation engineering, water and environmental engineering, construction project management and infrastructure development roles in local authorities and government agencies. Many graduates work towards Chartered Engineer status through the Institution of Civil Engineers or the Institution of Structural Engineers.

International opportunities are significant, with civil engineers working on major infrastructure programmes across every region of the world. Postgraduate study in specialist areas such as structural engineering, environmental hydraulics or construction management is a well-established route for those who want to develop advanced expertise.