Take a degree in civil engineering, and you’ll find out just how much work goes into building, maintaining and expanding a society. Civil engineers are the brains behind all the largest and most essential structures that surround us – buildings, transport networks, energy and water supplies. Like the sound of designing a new bridge or developing a new hydropower system? Got a strong background in maths and physics? Then a degree in civil engineering could be the undergraduate course for you. As a civil engineering undergraduate student, you’ll learn to apply maths and physics knowledge to real-life situations and problems, taking account of environmental, financial, legal and ethical considerations. Most civil engineering university courses include a mixture of lectures and lab work, and there’s usually an emphasis on team working: an integral part of being a civil engineer. There may also be field trips and opportunities to complete industry placements, either as a ‘year in industry’ or for shorter periods. The world's best universities for civil engineering: QS Rankings by Subject > Want to study civil engineering? Connect with top engineering schools >

A degree in civil engineering offers the prospect of stable career progression, potentially high salary, and the opportunity to work on stimulating and exciting projects. Often a distinction is made between ‘consulting’ and ‘contracting’ civil engineers. The first group are those who work on the design stage of a project, collaborating with architects and other professionals. The second oversee the actual construction, dealing with practical issues such as procuring materials and meeting deadlines, and helping to resolve any problems that arise. A third group are maintenance engineers, who are most commonly employed to maintain equipment and machinery used in manufacturing processes. This involves regular checking and monitoring, and overseeing the replacement or upgrading of equipment.