Civil Engineering

Civil engineering is the profession responsible for designing, building and maintaining the infrastructure that underpins modern society: roads, bridges, tunnels, railways, water supply systems, flood defences, coastal structures, and the built environment of cities and communities. It is a discipline that requires both scientific and mathematical rigour and the practical judgment needed to deliver complex projects safely, within budget, and in accordance with demanding technical specifications. Civil engineers shape the physical world more directly than almost any other profession, and the decisions they make have lasting consequences for the communities that depend on their work.

At the University of Sheffield, this three-year full-time BEng is a broad-based programme for students who want to develop a thorough grounding across the core disciplines before specialising. In the first and second years, you will be introduced to the core areas of structures, water engineering, geotechnics, and environmental issues, building a comprehensive foundation across the discipline. In the third year, you will work as part of a team on a realistic engineering design project, developing the collaborative and professional skills that civil engineering practice demands.

A sandwich year, year abroad, and work placement are all available, giving you substantial professional and international experience before you graduate.

Sheffield is a research-intensive university with a strong engineering tradition, and its civil engineering department has well-established links to the industry. Graduates work in construction, infrastructure development, environmental engineering, project management, consultancy, and the public sector. Many pursue the further training and experience needed to achieve Chartered Engineer status.

International infrastructure development and the transition to net zero in the built environment are creating significant demand for civil engineers with expertise in sustainable design and low-carbon construction.