Years one and two offer a broad education in the theoretical principles and conceptual fundamentals that underpin the Civil Engineering profession. An opportunity to develop specialist knowledge of a particular field is available in the third and fourth years of the programme through our elective modules and the final year, individual, research based project. View the full syllabus.

Civil Engineering offers the opportunity for careers in a number of areas, some of which you may not yet have considered, these range from

• working in a consultancy or design office
• working with contractors
• other branches of engineering
• voluntary work sector
• further education (MSc, PhD)

A large proportion of our students stay in the engineering sector. 

What do civil engineering graduates go on to do? 

• Civil Engineering - graphs [pdf]
• Civil Engineering - text-only tables and employment/further study destinations [pdf]

What help is available?

Throughout your studies you will have access to one-to-one advice and guidance clinics, interview practice, and recruitment events.

Becoming a member of a Professional Institution

What are Professional Institutions?

• The Professional Institutions, Bodies and International Associations are non-profitable organisations that strive to promote and progress subject areas (such as civil, structural, environmental engineering).
• They are centres for the exchange of specialist knowledge, and a provider of resources to encourage innovation and excellence in the profession worldwide.
• The Professional Bodies (not the International Associations) award professional qualifications that are usually recognised worldwide.
• We strongly encourage students to become student members of the relevant Professional Institutions. To this end, we have a dedicated Liaison team in the Department who arrange for the Institutions to come in and speak with students.

Imperial College works closely with employers and industry, to design undergraduate courses which provide graduates with the required technical knowledge, expertise and transferable skills for successful careers.  In Civil Engineering , students gain valuable contact with the industry through visiting lectures, field trips, the Constructionarium, our creative design course, as well as their group and individual projects. Students are also encouraged to pursue internships during their summer vacation. All our undergraduate programmes are accredited by the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Institution of Structural Engineers and so, together with suitable work experience obtained after graduation, provide a route to the professional qualification of Chartered Engineer (CEng). Graduates also gain the Associateship of the City & Guilds Institute (ACGI), an internationally-recognised qualification unique to Imperial Engineering Graduates.

Please refer to the Entry Requirements tab on the College Prospectus Page. 

Applications are accepted via UCAS. Please see the How to Apply pages for more information. 

Please refer to the College's pages on fees and funding.

National Student Survey

• Overall Satisfaction, 90.2 (2022), 89.9 (2021); 78.1 (2020); 88% (2019)

QS World Universities rankings

• Subject Ranking. Civil Engineering = 6th (2022); 6th (2021); 5th (2020); 6th (2019)
• Overall, Imperial was voted 7th best university in the world in the 2022 rankings.

Guardian University Guide (UK)

• Subject Ranking. Engineering: Civil = 3rd (2022); 4th (2021); 1st (2020); 1st (2019)
• Overall, Imperial was ranked 7th in this year's Guardian university guide. 

The Times Higher Education world ranking

• Subject Ranking. Engineering and Technology = 14th (2021); 11th (2020); 12th (2019)
• Overall, Imperial was ranked 11th best university in this year's rankings.

The Sunday Times Good University Guide (UK)

• Subject Ranking. Civil Engineering = 1st (2022); 4th (2021); 4th (2020); 3rd (2019); 1st (2018)

Complete University Guide

• Subject Ranking. Civil Engineering = 2nd (2023), 8th (2022); 7th (2021); 6th (2020); 2nd (2019); 1st (2018)
• Overall, Imperial ranked 5th best university in this year's rankings. 

View the ranking across the Faculty of Engineering

• REF 2021. 75% of our research was considered 4* (highest rating), and the remaining 25% at 3* (unit of assessment: engineering).
• REF 2014. 47% of our research assessed to be 4* (highest rating), 48% assessed to be 3* and 5% assessed as 2*  (unit of assessment: civil and construction engineering).
  
• RAE 2008. 40% of our research assessed to be 4* (highest rating), 55% assessed to be 3* and 3% assessed as 2* (unit of assessment: civil engineering).