Civil Engineering Degree

[MonkeyTennis34]

DS2 Y12 has expressed an interest in this as a degree choice.

In current times, with the financial burden of university, would this be a sound choice regarding g job opportunities and pay?

TBH I'm not 100% clear on what a Civil Engineer does...

DS2 has also mentioned Accounting but as he isn't studying Accounting or Economics A level I wonder whether this would work?

He's doing Maths, Physics and Film Studies.

Tia

Anyone?

The industry is just crying out for graduates, so your DS would have no problem finding work after graduation.
I work in the industry and we really struggle with recruitment in the UK. Civil Engineering careers are incredibly varied, from scheme inception/design, to onsite work, through to project management or policy making for example. Both private and public sector opportunities abound.

I'd recommend it, it covers a lot of topics, so the A-Levels are completely right - touch wood I've never not been able to find work with a civil engineering degree. I would say it's a lot more diverse now than 20 odd years ago too.

Excellent choice. Engineering incorporates theoretical science but in a real world context. There's lots of graduate jobs for engineers, far less for pure sciences like physics we discovered (they say they take physics but in reality they choose the engineers)

Unless there is a recession then jobs should be secure. The new government wants growth which means there will be mass building and infrastructure projects. Look at ICE.org.uk and IStructE.org. Apply for MEng rather than BEng and also consider degree apprenticeships. If he hates it then it's a good numerate degree and can always switch to graduate career in accounting afterwards.

@Supergluerules
@mitogoshi
Thank you both!

I'm not sure how good his A level results will be but they won't be 3 As!

Can either of you recommend a suitable/reputable degree course and university?

@MothBat
Thank you, I think we cross-texted!

Yes, I thought that when I heard about the new government's building plans.

Im a civil engineer

its an awesome career and we are desperate for people

tbh, there are loads of apprenticeships floating around too, from L3 to L7. I think I’d do that nowadays rather than run up debt.

explore these pages, there’s some great info

https://www.ice.org.uk/what-is-civil-engineering/civil-engineering-explained

@MonkeyTennis34 you are more than welcome - none of my DCs would consider it as a career 😁

I would agree with @BrunelsBigHat that the apprenticeship would also be my preferred option now. All the big contractors run schemes and career progression is good. Quite often is also means that there are no student loans to repay, just a committment to stay with the company for a few years after graduating. Plus, with the on-the-job experience, he would be very employable by that stage.

If he prefers the numerical side of things, what about an apprenticeship degree in Quantity Surveying?

If your DS is thinking about a uni degree rather than an apprenticeship, then Surrey and Portsmouth are worth a look.

Ignore

I don't think I that he's not going to be an A* student is an issue. University of Nottingham currently has Civil Engineering in clearing and they're asking for BBB.

@MonkeyTennis34 DH is a Chartered Engineer (Fellow) in both Civil (FICE) and Structural Engineering (FiStructE). Until recently was owner of an Engineering Consultancy.

It’s well worth looking at both ICE and IStructE to see the differences and similarities. I would strongly suggest a MEng degree if possible. BEng limits progress to Chartered status (highest paid jobs) unless the engineer has a further masters degree. The Institutions give you info on membership.

Most apprenticeships are BEng and you won’t get a choice of uni. This can affect future earnings. However, no grad tax. How good some apprenticeships are is open to question.

Degrees that include structural engineering tend to be more mathematical. Both types of engineer can work on huge infrastructure projects or designing complex roof structures for houses or environmental engineering designs for housing estates. It’s highly unlikely a competent graduate would not find a job. Projects can be huge taking years or it could be a great variety of smaller projects. DH’s consultancy was the latter but great for experience!

I would look at Clearing to judge possibilities. Nottingham or Surrey are both excellent unis. Portsmouth is a former Poly, and many such unis have a strong history of engineering. I would avoid ones where most students wilm
have Further Maths.

DS can also ask local consultancies if they offer work experience. Many will help out.

@TizerorFizz
Thank you for your message.

Why avoid the Unis that require Further Maths?
DS2 doesn't study it, I'm just curious.