Why study civil engineering at UoN?

Our graduates enjoy high starting salaries and are targeted by businesses around the world. You will be taught in modern lab facilities by internationally recognised teaching staff.

Civil engineers are responsible for the physical structures that we take for granted every day – roads, bridges, airports, mines, pipelines, harbours and dockyards are all planned and designed by civil engineers.

As a civil engineer you will be involved in environmental protection and consider the impact, efficiency and cost effectiveness of infrastructure.

The University of Newcastle has been ranked in the world’s top 120 universities for engineering and technology (QS rankings 2010).

What is involved?

The civil engineering degree is a four year degree comprising 320 units. The degree is available at our Newcastle campus. It provides you with a sound understanding of the scientific fundamentals that underpin civil engineering as well as current engineering practice. You will develop skills in the design of infrastructure projects. The degree offers a multi-disciplinary perspective, meaning that issues such as efficiency, cost effectiveness and environmental impact are considered as part of these engineering projects.

Gain real-world experience

You will gain plenty of practical experience with 12 weeks of industrial experience and an industry-related project in your final year of study. Find out more

Graduating with Honours

With increasing competition in all sectors of employment, students who graduate with Honours have a distinct advantage. It is often considered by employers as an added skill and has been used by previous graduates to pursue higher positions and salaries. Find out more 

Enjoy excellent career prospects

Civil engineering graduates currently find employment immediately after finishing their program. In fact, most of them find professional employment even before they graduate. Find out more

Meet our achievers

Why would you do this degree? Find out from graduates, students and academics. Discover how their future is taking shape, and learn first-hand what it's like to study at uni. Find out more

Gain real-world experience

You will gain plenty of practical experience with 12 weeks of industrial experience and an industry-related project in your final year of study.

Areas of study include structural, geotechnical, water, transportation and environmental engineering, management and technology/human values.

You are encouraged to obtain and to report on a substantial block of your industrial experience at one time but several shorter periods not less than two weeks duration will be accepted.

Graduating with Honours

With increasing competition in all sectors of employment, students who graduate with Honours have a distinct advantage. It is often considered by employers as an added skill and has been used by previous graduates to pursue higher positions and salaries. You can develop and carry out research on a topic of interest, potentially leading to further academic study such as a PhD.

The Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) uses the WAM as a measure for determining Honours.
There are three levels of Honours.

Honours Class 1 - you will require a minimum WAM of 77 and a minimum mark of 75 in the research courses (at least 30 units).

Honours Class II, Division 1 - you will require a minimum WAM of 72 and a minimum mark of 65 in the research courses (at least 30 units).

Honours Class II, Division 2 - you will require a minimum WAM of 67 and a minimum mark of 65 in the research courses (at least 30 units).

Performance is based on a three year WAM where 2000, 3000 and 4000 level courses are weighted.

To calculate your WAM download this PDF

To find out more about Honours, contact the Enquiry Centre, 02 4921 5000.

Enjoy excellent career prospects

Civil engineers work for construction companies, consulting firms, project management companies, transport companies and governments. Others are employed in the environmental field, assessing the impact of large scale projects, designing wastewater, sewage and industrial wastes, or working in pollution control, environmental control and resource protection and management.

Civil engineering graduates currently find employment immediately after finishing their program. In fact, most of them find professional employment even before they graduate. Because the field of expertise covers the many facets of everyday life and its associated infrastructure, not surprisingly, civil engineers enjoy excellent career prospects.

Civil engineers can specialise in fields such as:

• Geotechnical engineering: advising on foundation design, support structures, stability of slopes, tunnel design and construction and the suitability of materials for infrastructure projects.
• Structural engineering: designing buildings, bridges, airports, railways, towers, off-shore platforms and tunnels, ensuring their stability in of stresses like wind, waves and earthquakes
• Transport and traffic engineering: planning for the transport needs of city and country areas, investigating alternative transport technologies and maximising the safety and efficiency of existing systems
• Water engineering: managing water supply systems for people, agriculture and industry, developing projects to control flood waters, designing dams, spillways and pipe networks, managing rivers and developing systems to collect and treat wastewater and stormwater

Professional recognition

This degree is accredited by Engineers Australia, and other affiliated international organisations.

Meet our achievers

Jeremy

Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)/Bachelor of Surveying

My career in engineering began at the University of Newcastle where I learnt how to approach and solve engineering problems. This knowledge has assisted me in my current position as Geotechnical Engineer with Douglas Partners in Newcastle. In my role, I manage medium to large projects, from start to finish in the field. Seeing the end result is highly rewarding.

An engineering degree from Newcastle is a respected qualification with plenty of job opportunities at the end. It is a great place to study, with excellent lecturers and staff. If you are thinking about studying here, I say go for it!

Brian

Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)

I grew up in Newcastle and I really love the place, especially the beaches and lifestyle. The University of Newcastle has a pretty good reputation for engineering excellence too, so coming to Newcastle Uni seemed like a pretty logical choice.

I am now in my fifth year of study. I spent two years of my study doing it part-time while I worked full-time as a project manager, helping to manage construction and earthwork projects around the Hunter. It was a bit daunting at first, but after a while I got the hang of it. It was good that while I was working I could use some one the things that I had learnt at Uni, and it helped me to appreciate what I was learning, more. It was fantastic that the degree was flexible enough to allow me to do this.

Already about half of my final year class have jobs in the industry. This really helps to get your experience up and also allows for an easier transition into the workforce.