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 Medical Biochemistry
ENG101 Organic Chemistry
ENG102 Inorganic Chemistry
MTH103 Physical Chemistry
MTH104 Environmental Chemistry
SCI107 Research Design: Method and Literature Review
SCI110 An Introduction to Australian and Comparative Politics
ENG103 Making Public Policy in a Global Era
Developing and Graduate courses (12) 144 units
ENG202 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
ENG204 International Politics: An Australian Perspective
ENG211 Politics and the Media
ENG302 Health & Mental Health in Australia
ENG312 Disability: Culture, Community and Change
ENG401 Communication and Thought
ENG402 Foundations of Engineering
ENG403 Engineering Statics
ENG422 Introduction to Applied Mathematics
ENS253 Introductory Calculus
MTH201 Physics
MTH203 Science Research Methods
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 Introduction to the Internet of Things
ENG221 Introduction to Engineering Design
ENG225 Thermodynamics
ENG340 Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
ENG404 Engineering Project Management
ENG432 Soil Mechanics
ENG451 Engineering Project 1
ENS281 Engineering Project 2
Environment and Water major
ENG330 Engineering Research Methodology
ENG411 Design of Roads and Drainage
ENG412 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology
ENG421 Calculus II and Linear Algebra
ENS242 Numerical Analysis
ENS353 Structural Engineering
MTH381 Mechanics of Materials
SCI105 Engineering Materials
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 Construction Technology.
| Construction Major | Environment & Water Major |
| MTH203 Engineering Sustainable Design | MTH203 Advanced Soil Mechanics |
| ENG302 Concrete Structures and Technology | ENG302 Introduction to Sustainable Energy Systems |
| ENG312 Engineering Hydrology | ENG312 Reservoir and Stormwater Engineering |
| ENG401 Design of Wastewater Treatment Systems | ENG401 Design of Water Supply Systems |
| ENG402 Introduction to Weather and Climate | ENG402 Applied Geospatial Analysis |
| ENG403 Applied Systems Modelling | ENG403 Chemistry |
| ENG422 Engineering Project 2 | ENG422 Numerical Analysis |
| ENG212 Numerical Analysis | MTH381 Engineering Project Management |
| ENG340 Engineering Project Management | ENG330 Soil Mechanics |
| ENG404 Soil Mechanics | ENG411 Engineering Project 1 |
| ENG432 Engineering Project 1 | ENG412 Engineering Project 2 |
| ENG451 Engineering Project 2 | ENG421 Engineering Research Methodology |
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: