Civil Engineering
Civil engineers design and build the infrastructure that holds modern life together: roads and bridges, water supply and drainage systems, energy networks, coastal defences, tunnels, and the foundations of every building that stands. It is a profession of immense practical consequence, and the degree that prepares you for it is accordingly rigorous and broad, combining structural mechanics, fluid dynamics, geotechnics, materials science, environmental engineering, and project management within a single programme.
This three-year full-time degree at the University of Northumbria at Newcastle includes a sandwich year and a year abroad as well as work placement experience, which means your education is genuinely integrated with professional practice. You will develop the ability to display professional judgement alongside in-depth technical knowledge, learning to analyse structural loads, design drainage and water storage systems, assess ground conditions, and manage the environmental impact of large-scale projects. The year abroad offers a valuable opportunity to encounter different engineering traditions and regulatory environments, broadening your understanding of the profession in an international context.
Industry links are central to the programme, ensuring that your learning reflects the current priorities and methods of civil engineering practice.
Civil engineering graduates are in sustained demand across the public and private sectors. You might work for a major infrastructure contractor, a local authority or national agency, a specialist consultancy, or an international development organisation. Roles include structural engineer, geotechnical engineer, highways engineer, water resources engineer, and project manager.
With appropriate further training and experience, graduates can work towards chartered engineer status. Some go on to postgraduate study in specialist areas including structural engineering, environmental engineering, and infrastructure systems. The discipline also offers genuine opportunities for those interested in addressing global challenges around climate resilience, water scarcity, and sustainable urbanisation.