Quick Information
| University | Imperial College London; University of Cambridge |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fee | GBP 47,800 per year overseas (Imperial, 2027 entry) |
| Eligibility | A*A*A at A-level including A* in Mathematics and A/A* in Physics; ESAT (Imperial) |
| Last Verified Date | November 10, 2026 |
| Official Source | https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduate/civil-engineering/ |
What Civil Engineering Covers
Civil engineering is the design, construction and care of the built world: bridges, roads, railways, dams, water systems, buildings and the ground beneath them. A civil engineering degree teaches the mathematics and physics behind structures, the behaviour of materials such as concrete and steel, soil mechanics, hydraulics, and the planning and management of large projects. Students also learn to use design software, to work with survey data, and to think about safety, cost and the environment together.
How Long It Takes and What Degree You Receive
At Imperial College London, civil engineering is offered as a four-year MEng. Applicants should note an important detail: Imperial’s BEng in Civil Engineering is an exit award only and is not available for entry, so students apply to the MEng. At Cambridge, engineering is a four-year course that awards both a BA (Hons) and an MEng. The first two years cover all the main branches of engineering, and students specialise in Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering from the third year. Cambridge also requires at least six weeks of relevant industrial experience by June of the third year.
Entry Requirements
Mathematics and physics are essential. Imperial asks for A*A*A or A*AAA at A-level, including an A* in Mathematics and an A or A* in Physics, or 40 points in the International Baccalaureate with 7 in Higher Level Mathematics and 6 in Higher Level Physics. Cambridge asks for A*A*A including Mathematics and Physics, with Further Mathematics very strongly encouraged, or 42 IB points with 776 at Higher Level. Both universities require the Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT). At Cambridge the ESAT covers Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics. English-language evidence is required from applicants whose first language is not English; the exact test and score are published on each university’s official admissions page.
Tuition Fees
Imperial’s official course page lists overseas fees of £47,800 per year and home fees of £10,050 per year for 2027 entry. Cambridge’s overseas fee for engineering was not confirmed on an official Cambridge page in this research, so it is not stated here. Fees usually rise each year, and living costs in London and Cambridge are separate and substantial, so families should budget using the universities’ own published figures.
Where the Degree Can Lead
Graduates work on the design and construction of bridges, buildings, transport systems, water supply and flood protection, and on the maintenance of existing infrastructure. Common directions include design consultancy, site and project management, and specialist work in structures, geotechnics or water engineering. The Imperial and Cambridge courses are accredited by the Institution of Civil Engineers, which supports the route towards professional registration, although the exact requirements depend on the country where you practise. No degree guarantees a particular job.
