Civil and Environmental Engineering

Civil and environmental engineering brings together two disciplines that are increasingly understood as inseparable. Civil engineers design and build the infrastructure on which modern society depends, from transport networks, water treatment systems, and flood defences to buildings and urban development. Environmental engineers focus on protecting and restoring natural systems, managing contaminated sites, minimising pollution, and ensuring that infrastructure is designed and operated sustainably.

The combination reflects the reality that every major engineering project now requires both technical excellence and environmental responsibility.

This five-year programme at the University of Leeds includes a substantial industrial component: a sandwich placement year that gives you direct professional experience working on real projects, along with embedded work placement opportunities throughout the degree. You will cover the breadth of civil and environmental engineering, studying structures, geotechnics, water engineering, environmental impact assessment, contaminated land management, and project management, developing the technical depth and professional awareness the sector requires. The programme prepares you to tackle the major challenges of the modern world, from safe water provision and sustainable transport to dealing with contaminated sites and minimising the environmental impact of development.

Civil and environmental engineering graduates are in demand across a wide range of organisations. Engineering consultancies, construction companies, environmental agencies, water utilities, government departments, local authorities, and international infrastructure organisations all employ civil and environmental engineers. The growing emphasis on sustainability in all infrastructure development means the combination of civil and environmental skills is increasingly valued.

Many graduates pursue Chartered Engineer status through institutions such as the ICE, while others go on to postgraduate study or specialist roles in environmental management, sustainable development, or water resources engineering.