Civil Engineering

Civil engineering is the discipline responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the infrastructure that enables modern life: roads and bridges, water supply and drainage systems, tunnels, flood defences, and the foundations on which all construction depends. It is one of the oldest engineering fields and one of the most consistently in demand, because infrastructure requires constant development, renewal, and adaptation to new challenges including climate change, urban growth, and the transition to sustainable energy.

At the University of Surrey, this three-year full-time degree provides a thorough grounding in the principles and practice of civil engineering. You will study structural analysis, geotechnics, hydraulics, materials science, and construction management, developing both the theoretical foundations and the technical competences that engineering employers look for. Surrey's internationally recognised facilities and research centres support a learning environment in which you can engage with real engineering problems alongside your academic studies.

The university has a strong track record of civil engineering graduate employment, and the programme is designed with industry connections in mind.

Civil engineering graduates work in consultancies, government agencies, contractors, and infrastructure developers on projects that range from local community schemes to major national and international programmes. Common roles include structural engineer, geotechnical engineer, transport engineer, project engineer, and site engineer. The professional pathway is well established, with many graduates working towards chartered engineer status through the Institution of Civil Engineers or related professional bodies.

Many also go on to postgraduate study in specialist areas such as structural engineering, environmental engineering, construction project management, or geotechnics, developing deeper technical expertise and expanding their professional options in the UK and globally.