Civil Engineering with a Year Abroad
Civil engineering at the master's level is the discipline that designs and delivers the large-scale infrastructure on which modern societies depend, from roads, bridges, and tunnels to water treatment systems, flood defences, and the foundations of cities. It is one of the oldest and most consequential engineering disciplines, addressing the full interface between the natural environment and the built world. The challenges civil engineers face are growing in scale and complexity as populations urbanise, climate change intensifies, and ageing infrastructure requires renewal, making the discipline more important than ever.
At Imperial College London this integrated master's degree with a year abroad is delivered by one of the world's leading engineering schools, combining deep technical education with a genuinely global perspective. You will study structural mechanics, geotechnics, fluid mechanics, environmental engineering, infrastructure systems, and design across four years, with the year abroad providing experience of engineering practice and education in another country and culture. Imperial's research strengths and industry connections ensure that your education reflects the current state of the discipline as well as its foundations, and the integrated master's qualification is well recognised by the engineering profession.
Civil engineering graduates from Imperial work across the full range of the profession, including structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, water and environmental engineering, transport infrastructure, construction management, and international development projects. The integrated master's degree provides the academic credential for progression towards chartered engineer status, which is a significant professional milestone. Further study at doctoral level is an option for those interested in research, while others move directly into the profession, often with leading consultancies, contractors, or public bodies.
The year abroad experience is a particular advantage in an increasingly international profession.