Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering deals with the design, construction and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment.

It includes the design of bridges, buildings, roads and dams, and works relating to management of our water resources. The work of civil engineers is evident all around us and their contribution to society is impactful. This work incorporates environmental protection, structural design, large-scale construction projects, ensuring the provision of safe drinking water, designing and implementing strategies for treating wastewater and pollutants, development of transport infrastructure, flood prevention, sustainability and the design of foundations for different ground conditions.

Skills for meeting these requirements are developed in UCD Civil Engineering, in core areas of structural design, water and environmental engineering, transport engineering and geotechnical (soil and foundation) engineering.

Click here to Download Course Pathways document.

Length of Course: 3 Years (BSc) (Hons) + 2 Years (ME) or 4 Years (BE)

First Year

Engineering students follow a common first year. Modules include: Calculus • Chemistry • Creativity in Design • Electrical/ Electronic Engineering • Energy Engineering • Engineering Computing • Linear Algebra Mathematics • Mechanics • Physics

Second to Fifth Year

Core modules may include: Theory, Design & Analysis of Structures • Hydraulic Engineering • Treatment Processes for Water & Wastewater • Geotechnics • Construction Materials & Practice • Transportation Engineering • Highway Engineering • Environmental Engineering • Hydraulics • Geology • Mechanics of Solids • Computer Applications • Design and Communications • Statistics & Probability • Professional Engineering studies

A student’s week involves attending lectures, tutorials, participating in laboratory classes and undertaking project and design exercises, both individually and in teams. Coursework is continually assessed but modules also include end-of-trimester written examinations.

Progression Requirement

At the end of year 3, students can choose either to pursue a 4-year BE or 5-year integrated ME degree pathway, subject to meeting GPA requirements.

Professional Work Experience

Professional Work Experience (PWE) is incorporated into the 4th year of the integrated ME in Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering programme. Eight-month internships (the majority of which are paid) have included the following employers: AECOM, Arup, Clandillon Civil Consulting, ESB, MJH Structural Engineers, Walls Construction, Roughan & O’Donovan, RPS and Sisk.

Students have the opportunity in their third year to spend either one or two trimesters studying abroad in a partner University. There are options to study in countries such as France, Germany, Switzerland, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, Singapore.

Graduates can find employment in:

• Environmental industries
• Transportation engineering
• Structural engineering
• Water resource and hydraulic engineering
•  Management and project management
• Financial services
• Research

Graduates can apply for taught and research Masters degrees in UCD including Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering, Water, Waste & Environmental Engineering and Engineering with Business. Graduates can also apply for positions in PhD research programmes.

• Mature Entry Route
• DARE Entry Route
• HEAR Entry Route
• University Access

By joining the UCD College of Engineering and Architecture, you will be part of a vibrant community of students and faculty who are committed to creating a more sustainable and equitable future. The mission of the College of Engineering and Architecture is to affect a just transition to a more sustainable and equitable future through our education of professionals in engineering, architecture, planning and policy, and our research in technology, design, and policy.  The College, in our engineers and architects, brings together the technical expertise to deliver and create infrastructure and technologies that can create a more sustainable future and, uniquely, the College, in our planners and environmental policy researchers, also brings together the research and professions required to create the policies and the regulatory environment that supports technological and infrastructure development, and that can also scrutinise and investigate the behavioural changes affected by our technologies.

The programmes at UCD are designed to equip students with the best education in their chosen field, while at the same time embedding the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDG’s) in their education where most relevant.

Engineering: 

The college offers a wide range of engineering disciplines, ensuring that our students are educated in the fundamental principles of engineering, while also embedding sustainable practices and principles. The goal is to educate engineering professionals who can play an active role in developing innovative, engineering-based solutions to the challenges of sustainability and equity.

• Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6)
• Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7)
• Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9)
• Climate Action (SDG 13)

“My aim had always been to do my university education in Europe. After research and elimination, I arrived at a decision between London and Dublin, and chose Dublin. UCD is ranked as the best university in Ireland for engineering and getting a part scholarship on academic merit added to the draw, and therefore my decision. This is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life, and if I had to do it over, I would definitely choose UCD again. I haven’t looked back once. The kind of exposure and learning across all aspects it has given me is unprecedented.” 

Keerthana Sethuraman - Graduate, India