What can you do with a civil and coastal engineering degree?

Studying civil and coastal engineering at Plymouth equips you with a comprehensive range of technical skills and knowledge in addition to a thorough understanding of appropriate codes of practice and industry standards.

With a solid grasp of science, mathematics, and technology, you will be able to design, create and build structures efficiently and safely while making the best use of available resources and techniques.

Through group projects, you'll gain practical experience of applying your engineering judgement and working successfully with others.

Key skills gained on a civil engineering degree include:

Civil engineers create, improve and protect the environment in which we live. They plan, design and oversee construction and maintenance of building structures and infrastructure, such as roads, railways, airports, bridges, harbours, dams, irrigation projects, power plants, and water and sewerage systems. They also design and build tall buildings and large structures that can withstand all weather conditions – you may want to take a look at these inspiring and iconic examples brought to you by the Institute of Civil Engineers.

Your degree will open the door to many graduate jobs and careers, but the following areas are among the most popular pathways for civil and coastal engineering graduates.

*Data is from the Graduate Outcomes Surveys covering the three years of 2019/20 – 2021/22. Graduates were surveyed 15 months after graduating. Data displayed is for UK-domiciled, first degree, full-time graduates who are working, studying or looking for work.

It is also worth investigating what further study options the University has to offer as you may find the perfect course for yourself in an institution you already know. There are also sometimes financial benefits of staying on such as a fee discount to Alumni – find out your funding options .

Accessing support from the Careers Service couldn’t be easier, come along to the Careers Service Helpdesk in the Student Hub or access our 24/7 online resources . We offer support ranging from careers workshops and events to placements and internships advice, 1-2-1 appointments and help getting started with LinkedIn.

Workshops are delivered by the Careers Service, however, they are also an opportunity to learn from your peers, share experiences and ask questions. Visit myCareer to see the full range of activities and to book your place.

Build your network and job sector knowledge using LinkedIn’s alumni tool. This will allow you to see the career journeys of graduates from your programme, the qualifications they completed, the skills they developed and employers they worked for. You can then ‘connect’ with people of interest.

For more information about the alumni tool select the LinkedIn alumni tool guide. If you are looking for help to set up or learn how to make the most out of your LinkedIn profile, select the LinkedIn guide for students or come to one of our workshops .

Getting relevant work experience is strongly encouraged by all employers and this is especially true of civil engineering. Many employers in this sector offer structured work experience opportunities ranging from year-long placements to summer internships or taster experiences. Take a look at Gradcracker to get an insight into the different schemes offered by some of the major recruiters of Civil Engineers in the UK and beyond.

Other work experience options include working part-time while you study or getting involved with the volunteering opportunities offered by the University of Plymouth Students’ Union in the community.

Involvement with sports or societies shows employers you are engaged and seek out opportunities to develop. It also improves teamwork, communication and negotiation skills. Committee members develop leadership, diplomacy and organisational skills and will gain experience of meetings, handling funds, and society promotion.

You may choose to join a society that is specifically linked to your course or take the opportunity to explore the huge range of clubs, societies and sports, all of which can help you to broaden your horizons and explore new interests.

Your tutors and other academic staff will also support your career development, having had experience in industry and academia, so do approach them for advice and insights into careers you are considering. They will also be writing references for you when you graduate so establishing a positive relationship with them is invaluable.

Attend industry events organised by professional bodies and stay abreast of new developments.
Look for opportunities to develop your skills and discover new interests through involvement with clubs, societies and other activities outside of your course.