Why study civil engineering at postgraduate level?
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works such as roads, bridges and buildings.
Studying civil engineering at postgraduate level is ideal if you would like to gain a strategic overview of the profession and key management issues that today’s engineers face. There's a vast range of specialist areas within the industry, from geotechnical engineering to steel structures, transport to flood planning.
Chartership
Chartered and incorporated professional engineers are vital to the success of the civil engineering industry, and professional qualifications are highly valued by employers. The most popular route is to follow a BEng with an accredited masters, which will allow you to work towards your initial professional development (IPD) and then on to chartership.
Research
If you have an inclination towards detailed research projects you might want to consider a PhD or EngD. A PhD is the traditional research qualification available in all professions and involves extensive research and the submission of a thesis. The EngD is aimed at the industrial and commercial side of things, and may involve time spent in the workplace with modules relating to business management skills. The engineering doctorate is a relatively new course that is growing in recognition.
Useful links
Civil and structural engineering case studies
- Postgraduate profile: MSc earthquake and civil engineering dynamics
- Postgraduate profile: MSc engineering geology
- Postgraduate profile: PhD modelling water resources
- Postgraduate profile: PhD civil engineering with water resources
- EngD: an engineering doctorate with a difference.
Professional civil engineering bodies
- There is one main civil engineering body - the Institute of Civil Engineers.
