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.
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
ENG101
ENG102
MTH103
MTH104
SCI107
SCI110
ENG103
Developing and Graduate courses (12) 144 units
ENG202
ENG211
ENG302
ENG312
ENG401
ENG402
ENG403
ENG422
ENS253
MTH201
MTH203
PHY201 Commercial Law
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 Children & the Law
ENG221 Law Professional Practice
ENG225 Competition and Consumer Law
ENG340 Building & Construction Law
ENG404 Indigenous Legal Issues
ENG432 Advocacy
ENG451
ENS281
Environment and Water major
ENG330
ENG411 Reservoir and Stormwater Engineering
ENG412
ENG421 Design of Water Supply Systems
ENS242 Weather and Climate
ENS353 Applied Geospatial Analysis
MTH381 Applied Systems Modelling
SCI105 Introductory Chemistry
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
- Property
- 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 Engineering Project 2.
| Construction Major | Environment & Water Major |
| MTH203 Numerical Analysis | MTH203 Numerical Analysis |
| ENG302 Engineering Project Management | ENG302 Engineering Project Management |
| ENG312 | ENG312 |
| ENG401 Engineering Project 1 | ENG401 Engineering Project 1 |
| ENG402 Engineering Project 2 | ENG402 Engineering Project 2 |
| ENG403 | ENG403 |
| ENG422 | ENG422 |
| ENG212 | MTH381 Applied Systems Modelling |
| ENG340 | ENG330 |
| ENG404 | ENG411 Reservoir and Stormwater Engineering |
| ENG432 Advanced Soil Mechanics | ENG412 |
| ENG451 | ENG421 Design of Water Supply Systems |
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 Class III | 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: