Employment for STEM occupations, including civil engineering jobs in Australia, is expected to grow by 14.2% by November 2026, so it is safe to say that a civil engineering degree is a pathway to a steady and lucrative career.
If you’re planning to pursue an education in civil engineering, Australia has some of the best schools, five among which even made the list of the top 100 global universities for Civil and Structural Engineering.
Here are some of the best universities to choose from if you want to study civil engineering in Australia:
- The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)
- The University of Sydney
- The University of Melbourne
- Monash University
- The University of Queensland
- Curtin University
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
- RMIT University
Table of Contents
The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)
Since 1949, the University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) has been shaping the foundations of Australian education and the lives of future generations. UNSW Sydney is not only one of the best universities for civil engineering but also one of Australia’s top research and teaching universities in general.
The Engineering Faculty at UNSW Sydney offers a wide range of civil engineering programs and pathways, including double-degree options.
Undergraduate degrees with a focus on civil engineering include:
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil Engineering)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil Engineering with Architecture)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Surveying)
Postgraduate civil engineering degrees at UNSW Sydney include:
- Master of Engineering (Civil Engineering)
- Master of Engineering Science (Civil Engineering)
- Master of Engineering Science (Structural Engineering)
UNSW Sydney also offers Graduate Certificates and Diplomas such as:
- Graduate Diploma in Engineering Science (Civil Engineering)
- Graduate Diploma in Engineering Science (Structural Engineering)
- Graduate Certificate in Engineering Science (Civil Engineering)
If you want to specialise in a field of research in regard to engineering, you can choose from:
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Civil & Environmental Engineering
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Engineering etc.
Overall, this university offers ideal programs and plenty of resources for students planning to study civil engineering.
The University of Sydney
The University of Sydney was established in 1850 and, since then, it has left its mark on numerous aspects of life in Australia. This university ranked first in Australia and fourth globally in the 2022 Graduate Employability Rankings, so you can rest assured that their programs are tailored to meet labour market needs.
The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sydney offers a Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Civil) with specialisation in the following areas:
- Construction Management
- Environmental Fluids
- Geotechnical
- Humanitarian Engineering
- Integrated Building Engineering
- Structures
- Transport
You can also pursue a double degree in Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Civil) and Bachelor of Design in Architecture.
Moreover, the university offers these postgraduate programs and research degrees in civil engineering:
- Master of Engineering (Civil Engineering)
- Master of Professional Engineering (Civil)
- Master of Professional Engineering (Accelerated) (Civil)
- Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) – Civil Engineering research area
As one of Australia’s top engineering schools, The University of Sydney is the perfect place to start or continue your journey in civil engineering.
The University of Melbourne
With state-of-the-art facilities and a history of providing quality education that spans 160 years, the University of Melbourne is another highly sought-after school when it comes to civil engineering programs.
The University of Melbourne offers these undergraduate programs that include majors in Civil Engineering Systems:
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Science (Extended)
If you’re interested in postgraduate studies or research degrees, you can choose from the following programs:
- Graduate Certificate in Digital Engineering (Infrastructure)
- Master of Civil Engineering (Coursework)
- Master of Engineering Structures (Coursework)
- Master of Architectural Engineering (Coursework)
- Master of Philosophy – Engineering and IT (Research)
- Doctor of Philosophy – Architecture, Building and Planning (Research)
- Doctor of Philosophy – Engineering and IT (Research)
Considering these numerous possibilities at The University of Melbourne, you will be able to explore all these programs and learn from industry experts.
Monash University
Another leading university in Australia and globally, Monash University combines a variety of teaching and research methods to prepare students with in-depth knowledge and skills.
Some pathways and undergraduate civil engineering programs at Monash University include:
- Diploma of Engineering (degree pathway)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
- Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours)
This university offers double degree opportunities, and if you want to also gain useful skills in another adjacent field, minor options in the Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours) degree include:
- Artificial Intelligence in Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computational Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Micro and Nano Technologies
- Mining Engineering
- Renewable Energy Engineering
- Smart Manufacturing
- Sustainable Engineering
Monash also offers great opportunities for postgraduate studies and research:
- Master of Civil Engineering
- Master of Professional Engineering
- SEU-Monash Double Master Program (China)
- Master of Engineering Science
- Doctor of Philosophy PhD – Engineering
Characterized by an inclusive environment and an exceptional engineering faculty, Monash University is a fine choice for civil engineering students.
The University of Queensland
Founded in 1909, The University of Queensland (UQ) is a globally recognized research and teaching institution with an outstanding reputation for its engineering programs.
If you’re interested in an undergraduate degree, UQ offers these opportunities:
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) / Science (Dual Degree)
The undergraduate degree offers numerous major options that allow you to tailor your specialisation in civil engineering:
- General Civil Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Structural Engineering
- Transport Engineering or
- Water and Marine Engineering
Postgraduate study opportunities at UQ include:
- Graduate Certificate in Engineering Science
- Master of Civil Engineering (Professional)
- Master of Engineering Science (Civil Engineering)
- Master of Engineering Science (Management)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
With world-class facilities and studies targeted towards employability, The University of Queensland is an ideal choice for future civil engineers in Australia.
Curtin University
Curtin University has been educating students in Australia since 1967, offering high-quality teaching and opportunities for impactful research.
If you intend to pursue an undergraduate degree in civil engineering, Curtin University offers this major:
- Bachelor of Engineering (Civil & Construction) (Hons)
Civil and Construction Engineering Majors at Cutin can also pursue a double degree in the following programs:
- Bachelor of Engineering (Civil & Construction) (Hons), Bachelor of Science (Mining)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Civil & Construction) (Hons), Bachelor of Commerce
Curtin University also offers some excellent choices for students searching for a doctorate or master in civil engineering in Australia:
- Graduate Diploma in Professional Engineering (Civil Engineering)
- Master of Professional Engineering (Civil Engineering)
- Master of Philosophy (Civil Engineering)
- Master of Engineering Management
- Doctor of Philosophy (Civil Engineering)
As an internationally recognized university that thrives through diversity, you’ll find Curtin is an elite institution with exceptional civil engineering courses.
Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is another outstanding education and research institution in Australia that is home to almost 50,000 students.
When it comes to undergraduate civil engineering programs and double degrees, QUT provides the following:
- Diploma in Engineering (Pathway toward Bachelor of Engineering)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/ Bachelor of Design(Double degree)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/Bachelor of Science (Double degree)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/Bachelor of Information Technology (Double degree)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/Bachelor of Mathematics (Double degree)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/Bachelor of Business (Double degree)
QUT offers some superior postgraduate and research programs as well:
- Master of Professional Engineering (Civil)
- Master of Philosophy (Engineering)
- Master of Engineering Management
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/Master of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (Vertical double degree)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
As they transform learning experiences and contribute to science through cutting-edge research, Queensland University of Technology is the place to be if you’re searching for a well-rounded education in civil engineering.
RMIT University
RMIT University was founded in 1887 and has since then become one of the leading universities in Australia with an international reputation of excellence.
For students seeking undergraduate civil engineering programs, RMIT has a selection of choices:
- Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology (Civil Engineering Design) (Vocational)
- Associate Degree in Engineering Technology
- Bachelor of Engineering (Civil and Infrastructure) (Honours)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Civil and Infrastructure) (Honours)/Bachelor of Business (Double degree)
RMIT is an excellent choice for postgraduate and research programs in civil engineering as well:
- Graduate Certificate in Civil Engineering
- Master of Engineering (Civil Engineering)
- PhD (Civil Engineering)
With core values dedicated to sustainability and promoting intellectual freedom, RMIT makes for a great choice if you’re planning to study civil engineering.
Civil engineers are the backbone of modern society and infrastructure, therefore if you intend to study in this field, it is worth investing in your education and choosing a reputable university in Australia. We hope to have helped you make an informed decision when choosing from these top Australian universities for civil engineering.
