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.

Some of the careers chosen by engineering graduates require or benefit from further study; the University of Plymouth offers the following postgraduate study options that could be of interest to engineering graduates:

You should consider the financial implications of further study as well as selecting a programme that suits your interests and future career direction. The following websites are a good starting point for exploring postgraduate options, but you may also benefit from talking to a Careers Consultant about your particular situation.

Some useful websites to help you find a suitable postgraduate programme:

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.

Our bite-sized Skills Workshops can give your career the boost it needs. Choose from a range of topics:

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 .

Gain work experience
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.

Join the relevant industry bodies such as the Institution of Civil Engineers as a student member and get to know professionals already in your field and build your industry knowledge. They are very supportive and want to help you succeed.

Speak to employers at our annual graduate Careers Fairs and the Civil Engineering Society’s own Careers Fair. You will be able to find out what types of experiences and skills they are looking for and plan your degree accordingly.

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.