Civil engineer
Career outlook for civil engineer
UK Salary Ranges
Entry-level
£28,000
£28,000
Experienced
£60,000
£60,000
Currently employed in Scotland
9,600
Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.
What's it like?
You would plan, design and manage construction for infrastructure projects like transport, water, flood alleviation, building structures, etc.
You’d explain your ideas to the client and make sure that the project is finished on time and to budget.
The projects you’d work on could be anything from bridges and tall buildings to transport links and sports arenas.
You could work in one of these specialist areas:
- Structural - dams, buildings, offshore platforms and pipelines
- Transportation – roads, railways, canals and airports
- Environmental – water supply networks, drainage and flood barriers
- Maritime – ports, harbours and sea defences
- Geotechnical – mining, earthworks and construction foundations.
You might work on feasibility and design, preparing drawings, models and specifications in a design office, or work on site ensuring the construction work is completed accurately, on time and to budget.
At the start of the project you would:
- Plan the project requirements with your client and colleagues
- Use computer modelling software to analyse data from surveys, tests and maps
- Create computer aided designs and models
- Assess the environmental impact and the risks of a project
Once a project is underway you would:
- Direct and check the progress during each stage of a project
- Make sure the construction site meets the legal, and health and safety, requirements.
- Report to your clients, public agencies and planning organisations
You’d work closely with other professionals such as architects, other engineering disciplines, surveyors and building contractors.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
Travel
UK employment status
Full-time
85%
Part-time
5%
Self employed
11%
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Find a jobTop skills
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- Cooperating
- Verbal communication
- Working with technology
- Problem solving
- Observation
- Researching
- Attention to detail
- Developing a plan
- Time management
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Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 can help you get a head start with this type of job.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification (the same level as a Higher) plus valuable work placement experience and skills you can't learn in a classroom.
Interested? Find out what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
Qualifications
You can become a civil engineer by doing a Modern Apprenticeship, Graduate Apprenticeship, or part-time or full-time college or university courses leading to qualifications such as SVQ, NC, HNC, HND, BEng or MEng degrees. There are clear progression routes from each level.
You can enter Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF level 8) with National 5 qualifications and one to two Highers or a relevant National Certificate.
To enter a BEng or MEng degree (SCQF level 9/10) usually requires National 5 qualifications and four to five Highers or a relevant HND.
Useful subjects
Most courses require:
- English
- Maths
- Physics, another science or Engineering Science
Helpful to have
Civil engineering covers a wide range of subjects, so any science, social science or artistic/creative subjects will help. Other skills outside of academic qualifications are very important, such as communication, teamwork, problem solving, creativity and resilience.