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How to become a civil engineer

Civil engineers plan, design and manage the building of infrastructure — roads, railways, bridges, tunnels, flood defences, water systems and large buildings.

You could work for a consultancy, a contractor, a local council, a utility company or a government agency, splitting time between the office and sites.

You could start through a degree, a degree apprenticeship or a technician apprenticeship. Registration through ICE (Institution of Civil Engineers) is optional but common.

  • Multiple routes
  • Earn while learning possible
  • Office and site work

3 routes into this career

Each route is a real, published way in. None is guaranteed, and requirements vary by employer. Select up to 3 to compare side by side.

  • Route AUniversity

    Accredited civil engineering degree, then work towards chartered status

    For those who want to study civil engineering at university first, with the option of a placement year, graduate schemes and a direct academic route towards Chartered Engineer.

    Starting requirements

    • Universities set their own entry requirements; the National Careers Service says a degree usually needs 2 or 3 A levels or equivalent, including maths and a science
    • Check that the course is accredited if you want the most direct route to CEng or IEng
    • After graduating, a graduate engineer job or graduate scheme

    Pathway outline

    1. Study an accredited civil engineering degree (BEng, or an integrated MEng)
    2. Look for a placement year or summer work experience
    3. Apply for a graduate engineer job or graduate scheme
    4. Join a licensed institution such as ICE (Institution of Civil Engineers) and build your experience against UK-SPEC
    5. Apply for IEng or CEng when your institution agrees you are ready
    Estimated duration
    3 years for a BEng (4 for an integrated MEng), then work-based development
    How we estimate this

    A typical full-time bachelor's degree in England takes 3 years. The Engineering Council does not set a fixed time from graduating to CEng or IEng — it depends on your experience.

    Estimated direct study costs
    £29,370Paid up front by you: £0Up-front figure assumes a Tuition Fee Loan pays the tuition. The loan is repaid from future earnings above a threshold, so it is shown separately as a loan balance.Published fees only, at the lower and upper ends of official ranges. Training provider fees are extra. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    Usually after graduating, although many students take a paid placement year or part-time work.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route BApprenticeship

    Civil engineer degree apprenticeship (Level 6)

    For those who want to earn a wage and gain a civil engineering degree over about 5 years, with training paid for.

    Starting requirements

    • You apply for an apprenticeship job; each employer sets its own entry requirements
    • The National Careers Service says this usually needs 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 and A levels, or equivalent
    • Vacancies are competitive and availability varies by region

    Pathway outline

    1. Apply for the Level 6 Civil engineer apprenticeship
    2. Work and study; your employer and the government pay for the training
    3. Complete the degree and the end-point assessment
    4. You could apply for IEng through ICE, or build towards CEng
    Estimated duration
    About 5 years
    How we estimate this

    Find apprenticeship training lists Civil engineer (level 6) at 60 months; the National Careers Service says around 5 years.

    Estimated direct study costs
    Up to £27,000 of training (funding band maximum), paid for youPaid up front by you: £0 — training and assessment are fundedApprentices do not pay for training or assessment. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    From day one — apprentices are employees and are paid a wage.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route CApprenticeship

    Civil engineering technician apprenticeship (Level 3, then Level 4)

    For those who want to start after GCSEs as a technician and work up towards engineer roles step by step.

    Starting requirements

    • Employers set their own selection criteria; Skills England says candidates typically have at least 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4, including maths, English and science, or equivalent
    • You need a CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) card or equivalent to work on site
    • Vacancies are competitive and availability varies by region

    Pathway outline

    1. Apply for a Level 3 Civil engineering technician apprenticeship
    2. Work and train, including a BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Civil Engineering
    3. You could apply for Engineering Technician recognition (for example through ICE)
    4. You could continue to the Level 4 Civil engineering senior technician apprenticeship
    5. Further study can lead on to engineer roles and IEng
    Estimated duration
    3 years to technician; 6 years to senior technician
    How we estimate this

    Find apprenticeship training lists Civil engineering technician (level 3) at 36 months and Civil engineering senior technician (level 4) at 36 months.

    Estimated direct study costs
    Up to £25,000 of training (funding band maximum), paid for youPaid up front by you: £0 — training and assessment are fundedApprentices do not pay for training or assessment. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    From day one — apprentices are employees and are paid a wage.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

Choose “View full journey” on a route to see every step, cost and source.

Good to know

Related careers — not the same as a civil engineer

Each of these is a separate career with its own entry rules.

  • Civil engineering technician

    Technicians give technical support to engineers on projects, often after a Level 3 apprenticeship. It is a career in its own right and a route towards engineer roles.

    National Careers Service guide: £26,000 (starter) to £42,000 (experienced), England.

    Official guidance (opens in a new tab)Qualification details

Questions people ask

How long does it take to become a civil engineer?

A degree usually takes 3 years (4 for an integrated MEng). The Level 6 civil engineer apprenticeship takes about 5 years. Starting as a technician takes longer to reach engineer roles but means earning from the start.

Do I need to be chartered?

No. CEng and IEng are protected titles, not licences to work. Many civil engineers work towards them through ICE, and some employers ask for them for senior roles.

Sources

Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026. Every fee and requirement on this page links to one of these.

UK reference: median full-time pay for all employees was £39,039 in April 2025 (ONS ASHE, provisional).

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