Moving On magazine careers and qualifications
Studying civil engineering can literally lead to very big things – here’s how you can enter an industry that allows your ideas to ‘go large’.
BY THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS
To become a Civil Engineer it is highly likely that you will have to study for a degree in the subject.
If you’re wondering which A-levels to take, subjects like physics, chemistry and maths provide a good foundation for a career in civil engineering.
A three-year bachelor’s degree or four-year masters would be the expected level of entry for a graduate civil engineer. These qualifications are important if you want to work towards incorporated or chartered engineer status.
There are two main areas that civil engineers eventually go into; contracting and consulting or construction.
“Most graduates will need to make a choice between the two areas of Civil Engineering,” highlights David Lloyd Roach, Director of Membership at ICE.
“The construction side leads more into project management starting with small projects and then building up from there.”
Civil engineers typically design, construct and maintain bridges, roads, canals, dams, tall buildings and other large structures.
Graduates who leave university after their first degree also have the opportunity to top up their qualifications in order to become chartered at a later stage.
Useful links:
http://www.ice.org.uk
