Civil engineering degree course guide

What does Civil engineering cover?

Civil engineers are best known for working on major infrastructure projects: from bridges and transport systems to dams, sports stadiums and power stations. They are also involved in the construction of buildings of all types, including smaller-scale projects.

In the modern era, environmental concerns such as pollution, scarce water supplies and the need for sustainable energy are very much to the fore, and degree courses will emphasise the interaction and impact of projects on the world around them.

Civil engineers develop their understanding of the discipline on sound mathematical and scientific grounds, including using mathematical models to predict the potential performance of structures they are designing and monitoring. Mathematics, mechanics, statistical analysis and topics such as hydraulics, construction materials and geotechnics – the application of knowledge of the earth’s crust to solve civil engineering problems – therefore feature heavily, especially in the early years of the degree.

Design, including computer aided design, and general computer skills will also feature from the first year, while project work is also central. Undergraduates are likely to get the chance to complete their own design projects in either the penultimate or final year, or both. And some courses also seek to replicate the multidisciplinary team work approach to  civil engineering design found in the industry with a group project involving several students.

Options available in the latter years of courses can include coastal engineering, earthquake engineering, bridge design and environmental management.

Links with industry within most courses are strong. Undergraduates may also have the chance to be sponsored through their course by a firm, which may feature the added attraction of paid work in the holidays.

The ordinary diplomas are structured in such a way that they cover all the B.Engineering first year courses in addition to trades and skills needed in the field for holders of the diploma to practice as Technicians. Similarly, a graduate of Higher Diploma in Civil and Building Engineering covers all the courses covered in the second year of B.Engineering in addition to other professional courses and skills needed in the field to practice as a Technologist. This arrangement makes is smooth for holders of good class diplomas to join the B.Engineering at second year and third year.

What can you expect?

The chance to develop the scientific, mathematical and technical knowledge, allied to design, project management and team-working skills, which are needed to work on and lead civil engineering projects.

What  essential A-level  subjects are needed?

Maths and other relevant  science subjects like physics are required.

Cut off points?

Cut off points for Engineering courses vary depending on the institution. At Kyambogo university holders of relevant diplomas and certificates are admitted. Mature entrants who have passed the Mature Age examinations are also admitted but their proportion is quite low.

Career prospects

Civil engineers are on high demand in the country. Graduates gravitate towards engineering consultancies, where their work tends to involve planning and designing projects.

They can work as contractors, where they will be organising and overseeing construction works on-site; or in other aspects of the field such as working for utilities or local authorities; or for large companies say in oil production, mining and power generation.

Universities that teach Civil engineering course

The department of civil engineering at Kyambogo university offers an Ordinary Diploma in Civil and Building Engineering, Ordinary Diploma in Water Engineering and Higher Diploma in Civil and Building Engineering.

Busitema university also teaches civil engineering at diploma and degree levels.

Cambridge, Imperial, Bristol, Bath and Sheffield are some of the best universities for civil engineering in the world.