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Best universities for civil engineering

If studying civil engineering is for you, but you’re not sure where to go, our list pulling together some of the top unis in the UK for the subject is for you. 

Eleanor Foulds
by Eleanor Foulds
Last Updated:
04 Jul 2024

Civil engineering focuses on the design, construction and maintenance of the built environment. That includes large public structures such as bridges, roads, airports and railways. It’s a significant part of daily life, especially for those living in urban areas. As a civil engineering graduate, you could find yourself working as a designer, on-site investigator, risk assessor, project manager and more. If this subject is for you, then you’re probably wondering where to go to study it. Using Complete University Guide’s league tables, we’ve put together a list of some of the best unis across the UK for civil engineering based on different key criteria. 

Best university for civil engineering in student satisfaction


Birmingham City University


With its roots stretch back to 1843, it's safe to say Birmingham City University has a lot of experience, which makes it not too surprising to hear how many students love studying there. The uni offers a wide range of student support services which contribute to its strong student satisfaction score, and the city itself is packed with things to do when you're not hitting the books. 

Read what students think of civil engineering at Birmingham City University. 

Best university for civil engineering in research quality


Imperial College London 


Imperial College London is world-renowned for its research, so it’s no surprise that it’s topped the UK civil engineering league tables for research quality. As a university focusing on science, engineering, medicine and business, you’ll have access to plenty of specialist facilities and be learning alongside students with similar academic interests. Located in central London, you’ll be able to benefit from everything the UK’s capital has to offer if you choose to study here. 

Read what students think of civil engineering at Imperial College London. 

Best university for civil engineering in graduate outcomes 


It’s a tie at the top of the tables for graduate outcomes in civil engineering! Both the University of Surrey and Imperial College London received brilliant marks when it comes to students finding work after studying one of their civil engineering courses.

Best university for civil engineering in England


University of Cambridge 


One of the oldest universities in the UK and indeed the world, the University of Cambridge has a long and illustrious history. Not only is it one of the oldest universities, but also one of the most well-respected, with an outstanding international reputation for teaching and research quality. With its picturesque location, great transport connections and incredible reputation, you can be sure that you’ll be getting a world-class education in a fabulous location.

Best university for civil engineering in Scotland


University of Glasgow


Glasgow is an extremely popular student city, and the University of Glasgow has a strong international reputation. Studying civil engineering here, you’ll be at the top-ranked university for the subject in Scotland and studying in a popular, bustling city. The uni has famous alumni including seven Nobel Prize winners, so you could go on to some incredible things with a degree from the University of Glasgow. 

Read what students think of civil engineering at the University of Glasgow. 

Best university for civil engineering in Wales


Cardiff University


With a history dating back to 1833, Cardiff University has had plenty of time to refine its craft, and as a result it’s now a highly respected university with a diverse student population. As a part of the Russell Group, the university is research-intensive, and has academics working on cutting-edge research across a huge variety of disciplines. As Wales’ capital city, there’s plenty to keep student busy in Cardiff, as well as a strong sporting scene and great transport connections. 

Read what students think of civil engineering at Cardiff University. 

Best university for civil engineering in Northern Ireland


Queen’s University Belfast 


Located in the heart of Northern Ireland’s capital city, Queen’s University Belfast is a great pick if you’re thinking of studying in Northern Ireland. It’s a member of the Russell Group and publishes internationally recognised research across a wide range of different topics. The stunning architecture here is perfect for civil engineering students, as you’ll be able to admire the buildings while learning how to design and plan structures yourself. With its central location, you’ll easily be able to get around Belfast. 

Best university for civil engineering overall


University of Cambridge


And the top university overall in the UK for civil engineering in 2024 is the University of Cambridge. A huge congratulations for this achievement! 


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