Environmental Civil Engineering

Environmental civil engineering applies the principles of civil engineering to the challenge of creating sustainable infrastructure that minimises harm to the natural environment and addresses the environmental challenges facing modern societies. Civil engineering has always been concerned with the design and construction of the built environment, from roads and bridges to water systems and drainage. Environmental civil engineering extends that concern to encompass sustainability, environmental impact assessment, flood risk management, water quality, and the design of systems that work with natural processes rather than against them.

At Glasgow Caledonian University, this four-year full-time BSc (Hons) programme develops your technical knowledge of civil engineering alongside a thorough grounding in environmental science and sustainable design. You will study structural analysis, geotechnics, hydraulics, and construction management alongside environmental legislation, ecological assessment, and the principles of sustainable development. The programme includes a sandwich year with a year abroad and work placement, giving you direct professional experience in engineering practice and international exposure to different approaches to environmental and civil engineering.

Entry typically requires around 168 UCAS tariff points.

Graduates of environmental civil engineering work in consulting engineering, local and central government, water companies, environmental agencies, construction firms, and international development organisations. The combination of civil engineering rigour with environmental understanding is particularly valuable in a world where infrastructure must be designed to meet both human needs and environmental sustainability requirements. Many graduates also pursue Chartered Engineer status through the relevant professional bodies or continue to postgraduate study in environmental engineering or related disciplines.