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 News and Reporting
ENG101 Digital Journalism
ENG102 Elements of Design
MTH103 Fundamentals of Photography
MTH104 Art, Design and Digital Culture
SCI107 Design Methods
SCI110 Exploring Twentieth Century Theatre
ENG103 The ' English' Tradition: An Introduction to Literary Studies
Developing and Graduate courses (12) 144 units
ENG202 Introduction to Key Concepts of Fashion
ENG204 Introduction to Game Design
ENG211 Game Art: Introduction to 2D & 3D
ENG302 Introduction to Games Programming
ENG312 Human Development and Learning
ENG401 Teaching with Technology
ENG402 Foundations of Numeracy
ENG403 English Language and Literacy
ENG422 Human Development and Learning
ENS253 Teaching with Technology
MTH201 Foundations of Numeracy
MTH203 English Language and Literacy
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 Human Development and Learning
ENG221 Teaching with Technology
ENG225 Foundations of Numeracy
ENG340 English Language and Literacy
ENG404 Human Development and Learning
ENG432 Teaching with Technology
ENG451 Creative Expression and Play through the Arts
ENS281 Foundations of Numeracy
Environment and Water major
ENG330 English Language and Literacy
ENG411 Endangered Animals and their Conservation
ENG412 Animal Form, Function and Evolution
ENG421 Marine Vertebrates: Sharks, Seabirds, Fish, Turtles and Whales
ENS242 Introduction to Urban Design & Town Planning - Studio I
ENS353 Planning Theory, Governance and Politics
MTH381 Urban Economics and System Analytics
SCI105 The Changing Planet
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 Space, place and the Anthropocene.
| Construction Major | Environment & Water Major |
| MTH203 Foundations of Sustainability | MTH203 Endangered Animals and their Conservation |
| ENG302 Animal Form, Function and Evolution | ENG302 Marine Vertebrates: Sharks, Seabirds, Fish, Turtles and Whales |
| ENG312 The Changing Planet | ENG312 Space, place and the Anthropocene |
| ENG401 Foundations of Sustainability | ENG401 Endangered Animals and their Conservation |
| ENG402 Animal Form, Function and Evolution | ENG402 Marine Vertebrates: Sharks, Seabirds, Fish, Turtles and Whales |
| ENG403 The Changing Planet | ENG403 Space, place and the Anthropocene |
| ENG422 Foundations of Sustainability | ENG422 Professional Health Communication |
| ENG212 Think Health | MTH381 Cell Biology |
| ENG340 Introductory Bioscience | ENG330 Human Physiology |
| ENG404 Human Anatomy | ENG411 Food in Society |
| ENG432 Environment and Health | ENG412 Introduction to Behavioural Health |
| ENG451 Public Health Foundations | ENG421 Professional Health Communication |
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
- Apply for your selected major and/or minor
- 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: