Design and build the future.
Civil engineers plan, design and build the infrastructure we rely on as a civilisation – including things like buildings, roads, water systems and more. This program develops your practical skills in engineering design, project management and sustainability, and qualifies you to work as civil engineer and help shape the world around you in Australia and overseas.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
- Campus note: Subject to external accreditation for Moreton Bay campus offering.
- Campus note: Subject to external accreditation for Moreton Bay campus offering.
Civil engineers plan, design and build the infrastructure we rely on as a civilisation – including things like buildings, roads, water systems and more. This program develops your practical skills in engineering design, project management and sustainability, and qualifies you to work as civil engineer and help shape the world around you in Australia and overseas.
- Learn how to use mathematical and scientific principles to solve a wide range of technical problems
- Get plenty of hands-on experience, including 12 weeks’ work experience with professional engineers and engineering associates
- Specialise in construction or water and environment, and complete a major final-year research project on a topic of your choice
- Learn from industry professionals through guest lectures that expose you to current engineering professional practice
- Recreate interactive real-life scenarios in USC’s state-of-the art visualisation studio and dedicated engineering laboratories
Majors
Construction; Environment and water
Exemption for first year Mathematics
Students who enter the program having achieved a 'Very High Achievement' in a Maths B and Maths C in secondary school may be eligible for an exemption for MTH103 Introduction to Applied Mathematics and may also be eligible for an exemption to MTH104 Introductory Calculus on application to the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering. Students who are exempted from one or two courses will need to substitute one or two two engineering relevant courses in order to fulfil the requirements of the degree.
Post-admission requirements
Students must complete 60 days of suitable field experience.
Career opportunities
Government agencies, construction companies, engineering consultancies, building industry, water supply authorities, mining industry, research organisations.
Accreditation and membership
This program qualifies you for registration as a civil engineer with the accrediting body, Engineers Australia, and is internationally recognised to allow you to work in Australia and overseas. It also qualifies you for graduate membership of Engineers Australia (Professional Engineer).
Program structure
Introductory courses (8) 96 units
COR109 Research Project A
ENG101 Research Project B
ENG102 Research Project C
MTH103 Research Project F
MTH104 Communication and Thought
SCI107 Foundations of Engineering
SCI110 Engineering Statics
ENG103 Introduction to Applied Mathematics
Developing and Graduate courses (12) 144 units
ENG202 Introductory Calculus
ENG204 Physics
ENG211 Science Research Methods
ENG302 Introduction to the Internet of Things
ENG312 Introduction to Engineering Design
ENG401 Thermodynamics
ENG402 Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
ENG403 Engineering Project Management
ENG422 Soil Mechanics
ENS253 Engineering Project 1
MTH201 Engineering Project 2
MTH203 Engineering Research Methodology
Major studies courses (8) 96 units
Students must complete one of the following major studies in the Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Honours):
Construction major
ENG212 Design of Roads and Drainage
ENG221 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology
ENG225
ENG340
ENG404 Structural Engineering
ENG432 Mechanics of Materials
ENG451 Engineering Materials
ENS281 Construction Technology
Environment and Water major
ENG330 Engineering Sustainable Design
ENG411 Advanced Soil Mechanics
ENG412 Concrete Structures and Technology
ENG421 Introduction to Sustainable Energy Systems
ENS242 Engineering Hydrology
ENS353 Reservoir and Stormwater Engineering
MTH381 Design of Wastewater Treatment Systems
SCI105 Design of Water Supply Systems
Minor courses (4) 48 units
Students must select one of the following minor study areas:
- Climate Change and Coastal Zone Studies
- Construction Engineering (for Environment and Water major students only)
- Engineering Design
- Environmental Engineering (for Construction major students only)
- Environmental Studies for Engineers
- Management for Engineers
- Mechanical Engineering (for Construction major students only)
- Planning Studies
- Public Health for Engineers
- Wider Engineering Studies
Honours
The Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Honours) may be awarded with Honours. The class of Honours to be awarded to a student is dependent upon:
- the percentage results achieved by study or transfer in twelve courses (144 units) as specified in the table below; and
- the student achieving at least 65% in ENG402 Introduction to Weather and Climate.
| Construction Major | Environment & Water Major |
| MTH203 Applied Spatial Analysis and Geoprocessing | MTH203 Applied Systems Modelling |
| ENG302 Chemistry | ENG302 Engineering Project 2 |
| ENG312 | ENG312 |
| ENG401 Engineering Project Management | ENG401 Engineering Project Management |
| ENG402 Soil Mechanics | ENG402 Soil Mechanics |
| ENG403 Engineering Project 1 | ENG403 Engineering Project 1 |
| ENG422 Engineering Project 2 | ENG422 Engineering Project 2 |
| ENG212 Engineering Research Methodology | MTH381 Engineering Research Methodology |
| ENG340 Design of Roads and Drainage | ENG330 Design of Roads and Drainage |
| ENG404 Structural Engineering | ENG411 Applied Systems Modelling |
| ENG432 Construction Technology | ENG412 Engineering Hydrology |
| ENG451 Engineering Sustainable Design | ENG421 Reservoir and Stormwater Engineering |
A student must complete a minimum of 8 courses (96 units) in the table and the research project for an honours grade to be awarded.
The minimum levels of achievement normally required for each class of honours are shown in the following table:
| Honours results classification | Overall Percentage attainded in Specified Courses* |
| Honours Class I | 80% - 100% |
| Honours Class IIA | 70% - 79% |
| Honours Class IIB | 60% - 69% |
| Honours (unclassified) | 50% - 59% |
*The percentage result shall be rounded up if ≥ 0.5 or rounded down if < 0.5.
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 384
Recommended study sequences
- (Sippy Downs) Construction Major - Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Sippy Downs) Construction Major - Semester 2 commencement (July)
- (Sippy Downs) Environment and Water Major - Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Sippy Downs) Environment and Water Major - Semester 2 commencement (July)
- (Gympie) Study Plan - Semester 1 commencement only (February)
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 384 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Select a minor from one of the minors as listed below. Students must choose the minor to be studied before the completion of Semester 1, Year 3
- Complete a minimum of 60 days of suitable work experience. Students must meet all costs associated with the acquisition of practical experience to satisfy this requirement
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
- When enrolling please refer to the relevant Recommended Study Sequence: