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Masters in Civil Engineering in UK: Top Universities, Fees, Eligibility & Career Scope

Manika Gupta • 14 Mins read • 27 Jul 25

Master in Civil Engineering in UK

Dreaming of pursuing a master's engineering degree from abroad in 2025? Then nothing can fit more than a Master's in Civil Engineering in UK. Master’s in Civil Engineering in UK is a 2 years post graduate level engineering program. The students can opt for part-time or full-time degree as per their liking.

The average tuition fees for Master's in Civil Engineering in UK costs between £9,500 - £41,000 per year. The average cost of living costs £2,000 per month. After completing studies students can expect an average package of Rs. 37 LPA.

To get admission in the Master's in Civil Engineering in UK the students require a bachelor’s degree with English proficiency. The TOEFL and IELTS exams are considered for English proficiency. The programs are taught in English. The international students get a 2 years Work-Permit Visa after completing their studies.

Here is a complete guide for all the students who are planning to pursue a master’s in Civil Engineering from the UK.

Master's in Civil Engineering in UK - Quick Highlights

Master’s in Civil Engineering is a master’s level engineering program which trains the students in the art of design, construction, and maintenance of the infrastructures. A significant number of students are choosing to pursue MS in Civil Engineering from abroad. The Master’s in Civil Engineering in the United Kingdom gained a lot of popularity among the Indian students. Check the table below for the quick highlights on Master's in Civil Engineering in the UK.

Particulars	Highlights
Program Name	MS in Civil Engineering
Intake Sessions	Winter (January) and Fall (September)
Tenure	1 - 2 years
Terms	Full time (1 year) Part time (1.5 - 2 years)
Eligibility Criteria	Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering or closely related field Must have passed IELTS/TOEFL GRE Exam
Specialisations	Construction Engineering Civil Engineering Environmental Engineering Offshore Engineering Geotechnical Engineer Structural Engineer Water Resource Engineer
Tuition Fees	£9,500 - £41,000 per year
Medium of Teaching	English
Top Universities	University of Cambridge Imperial College of London University of Oxford University of Manchester University of Leeds University of Sheffield University College London Cardiff University University of Nottingham University of Bristol
Entrance Exam	GRE for some universities
English Requirements	Pass IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/DET
Career Opportunities	Civil Engineer Site Engineer Nuclear Engineer CAD Technician Consulting Engineer Building Engineer
Top Recruiters	MacDonalds, Atkins and Jacob

Why Choose a Master's in Civil Engineering in the UK?

According to an estimate, recent years have seen a drastic increase in the number of Indian students who are opting for MS in Civil Engineering from the UK. Here is why, more and more students are choosing Master's in Civil Engineering in the UK and it is becoming a popular course that Indian students are choosing to pursue from abroad.

Career Prospectus - The UK provides wide and diverse career opportunities to the students who complete a MS in Civil Engineering.
High Demand - The demand for civil engineers is increasing constantly, not only in the UK but in many countries.
Competitive Salary - The salary packages offered to the MS Civil Engineering graduates are more competitive.
Exposure - The students get opportunities to be exposed to global culture and international opportunities.
Global Recognition - The universities in the UK are globally recognised and approved and are among the top universities across the globe.
Placement - According to a report around 57% of MS Civil Engineering graduates get placed right after their graduation.
Work Permit - The international students get a 2 year Visa work permit for working in the UK after completing their studies.
Quality Education - The universities in the UK provide international standard, high quality education to the students. The university teaches students through modern practices and technologies.

Master's in Civil Engineering in UK - Important Dates, Events & Deadlines

It is crucial to be updated with the important dates, timelines and deadlines related to admissions to ensure that you do not stumble while applying and have a smooth admission journey.

Master’s in Civil Engineering - Important Admission Dates

The universities in the UK undertake admission in 2 sessions - Fall Session which usually starts in September - October and Winter Session which usually starts in January - February. Check the table below for the important dates related to the admission in Master's in Civil Engineering in the UK.

Event	Winter Intake (2026)	Fall Intake (2026)
Application Start	September, 2025	April, 2026
Application End	December, 2025	August, 2026
Commencement of Classes	January, 2026	October, 2026

University-Specific Application Deadline for Master’s in Civil Engineering

Let’s look at the university-specific application deadline for top universities in the UK. Check the table below for the university specific admission dates for the 2026 session intake.

University	Specialization	Intake Session	Application Start
University of Cambridge	Construction Engineering	Winter	Early September, 2025
Imperial College of London	Civil Engineering Environmental Engineering	Winter	Usually in August
University of Oxford	Civil Engineering Offshore Engineering	Winter	Usually in December
University of Manchester	Civil Engineering	Winter	Usually in December
University of Leeds	Civil Engineering	Winter	Usually in September
University of Sheffield	Civil Engineering and Management	Fall	Usually in April
University College London	Civil Engineering	Fall	Usually in June
Cardiff University	Civil Engineering Environmental Engineering	Fall	Usually in July every year (Ongoing)
University of Nottingham	Civil Engineering	Winter	Usually in August
University of Bristol	Civil Engineering	Fall	Every year in July

Master’s in Civil engineering in UK - Visa Processing Timeline

If you are planning to pursue MS in Civil engineering in the UK it is crucial that you apply for the Student Visa. It usually takes 15-30 days to get a Visa. Check the table below for the Visa Processing timelines.

Event	Timeline
Application	Apply immediately after you have received your confirmation letter from the university in the UK.
Documentation Submission	Within 1 week of Application
Verification	Within 7 - 15 days of document submission
Visa Arrival	Within 15 - 20 days of verification

Master's in Civil Engineering in UK Fees

It is important that students must be aware of expenses incurred by them apart from tuition fees. Check the table below for the fee and cost of living in the UK.

Particulars	Cost
Tuition Fees	£9,500 - £41,000 per year
Accomodation Cost (private)	£400 - £1,000 per month
Transport Cost	£50 - £100 per month
Food Expense	£120 - £500 per month
Books and study material	£10 - £50 per month
Other Expenses	£60 - £110 per month

University-Specific Fees for Master’s in Civil Engineering

Check the table below for the university specific fees for MS in Civil Engineering in the UK.

University	Program	Fees
University of Cambridge	Construction Engineering	£14,450 per year
Imperial College of London	Civil Engineering Environmental Engineering	£40,900 per year
University of Oxford	Civil Engineering Offshore Engineering	£9,535 per year
University of Manchester	Civil Engineering	£32,500 per year
University of Leeds	Civil Engineering	£13,750 per year
University of Sheffield	Civil Engineering and Management	£9,535 per year
University College London	Civil Engineering	£31,200 per year
Cardiff University	Civil Engineering Environmental Engineering	£25,450 per year
University of Nottingham	Civil Engineering	£26,500 per year
University of Bristol	Civil Engineering	£26,000 per year

University-Specific Cost of Living for Master’s in Civil Engineering in UK

Check the table below for university specific estimated cost of living in the UK per month.

University	Accomodation	Food	Personal Items	Social Activities	Study Material	Miscellaneous	Total
University of Cambridge	£855	£285	£160	£150	£30	£105	£1,585
University of Oxford	£955	£515	£335	£100	£90	£40	£2,035
University of Manchester	£823	£170	£80	£110	£16	£92	£1,404
University of Leeds	£468	£120	£100	£76	£14	£60	£840
University of Sheffield	£400	£144	£96	£51	£20	£65	£776
Cardiff University	£500	£283	£52	£162	£18	£106	£1,121

Master's in Civil Engineering in UK - Eligibility Criteria

To secure a seat in MS in Civil Engineering in a university in the UK the students are required to meet certain eligibility criteria. Check the table below for the eligibility criteria.

Particulars	Eligibility Criteria	Highlight
Academic Qualification	Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering or similar field	Must have passed with minimum of 75% or GPA score of 3.0
Entrance Exam	Pass GRE	Not required for all universities but good to have
English Requirement	IELTS/TOEFL	Must have passed one of the english proficiency test
Documents	Passport	Must have a valid passport
	Resume (optional)	To highlight working experience (if any)
	Students Visa	Student Visa for Indian students to pursue education in the UK.
Letters	2 to 3 LOR (Letter of Recommendation)	LORs are crucial as they serve as third party endorsement of an applicant's academic abilities, character, potential and capabilities.
Letters	SOP (Statement of Purpose)	SOPs are comprehensive overview of applicant’s previous academic background, qualifications and represents suitability of candidate for the course and university.

MS in Civil Engineering in the UK - Admission Process

The admission process for the universities in the UK is simple and easy. Here are the admission related details for the students.

Master’s in Civil Engineering in UK - Documents Required

Check the list below for the required documents to get admission in Master’s in Civil Engineering in the university in the UK.

Bachelor’s degree
10 and 10+2 marksheet
Passport
UK Student Visa
IELTS/TOEFL Score card
Funds Proof
Character Certificate
University admission Letter
Passport size photographs
LORs (2-3)
SOPs
GRE Score card (if required)

Master’s in Civil Engineering in UK - Admission Procedure

Students who wish to take admission in the MS in Civil Engineering programs in the UK can follow the following steps.

Step 1 - Apply for the MS in Civil Engineering program in the university of your interest through the university website or using the UCAS portal which is a centralized portal.
Step 2 - Submit the documents like 10+2 marksheet, graduation marksheet, english proficiency exam score card, LORs, SOPs and funds proof for verification.
Step 3 - Appear for the interview conducted by the university. Not all universities conduct an interview process but many do.
Step 4 - Once you are selected, the university will share an admission confirmation letter.
Step 5 - Pay the required amount of fees and go to university as per the date of commencement.

Master's in Civil Engineering in UK - Entrance Exams

Check the table below for the entrance exam required to pursue Master's in Civil Engineering in the UK.

Entrance Exam	Highlights	Accepted Score
IELTS	For English Proficiency	Minimum score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0
TOEFL	For English proficiency	Minimum score of iBT 92
GRE	Engineering Exam	145 - 161

University-Specific English Proficiency Requirement for Master’s in Civil Engineering in UK

Check the table below for the university specific english proficiency requirement for Master’s in Civil Engineering in the UK.

University	IELTS	TOEFL
University of Cambridge	Minimum score of 7.5	Minimum iBT score of 110
Imperial College of London	Minimum score of 7.0	Minimum iBT score of 100
University of Oxford	Minimum score of 7.5	Minimum iBT score of 110
University of Manchester	Minimum score of 6.5 - 7.0	Minimum iBT score of 90
University of Leeds	Minimum score of 6.5	Minimum iBT score of 92
University of Sheffield	Minimum score of 6.5	Minimum iBT score of 80
University College London	Minimum score of 6.5	Minimum iBT score of 92
Cardiff University	Minimum score of 6.5	Minimum iBT score of 90
University of Nottingham	Minimum score of 6.0 - 7.5	Minimum iBT score of 100
University of Bristol	Minimum score of 6.5	Minimum iBT score of 90

University-Specific GRE Requirement for Master’s in Civil Engineering in UK

Check the table below for the university specific GRE requirement for Master’s in Civil Engineering in the UK.

University	GRE Requirement
University of Cambridge	Accepted
Imperial College of London	159 in Quantitative Reasoning; 145 in Verbal Reasoning
University of Oxford	160 in Quantitative & Verbal Reasoning
University of Manchester	Accepted
University of Leeds	Recommended
University College London	Minimum score of 161

Tips to Crack IELTS/TOEFL Exam for Master’s in Civil Engineering in UK

English Proficiency is a major and non-negotiable eligibility criteria for taking admission in Master’s in Civil Engineering in the UK. Here are some tips to crack the English Proficiency exam.

It is necessary that you understand the exam pattern of both the English proficiency tests. IELTS conducts a time bound test separately for listening, speaking and reading while in TOEFL, it is combined in one.
The best path to crack the exam is practice. Daily practice the questions, previous years and give mock tests.
Analyze your strengths and weaknesses. After every practice do a thorough self-analysis to understand the areas you are lagging at.
Sharpen your English listening and reading skills by listening to English news and reading English newspapers.
Create a proper study plan and follow it strictly to ensure success.

Master's in Civil Engineering in UK Syllabus

Master's in Civil Engineering in the UK is a two year degree. Check the table below to understand what curriculum students study during the 2 years of Master's in Civil Engineering in the UK.

Year	Concepts	Syllabus
Year 1	Core Modules	Structural Analysis and Design: This module focuses on advanced structural analysis techniques, including finite element analysis, and the design of various structural elements like beams, columns, and frames. Geotechnical Engineering: Covers soil mechanics, foundation design, slope stability, and ground improvement techniques. Construction Materials: Explores the properties and behavior of different construction materials, including concrete, steel, and timber. Environmental Engineering: Addresses topics like water and wastewater treatment, air pollution control, and solid waste management. Transportation Engineering: Focuses on the planning, design, and operation of transportation systems, including roads, railways, and airports. Water Resources Engineering: Covers hydrology, hydraulics, and the management of water resources
Year 2	Specialization	Specialization specific advanced modules and electives. Hands on projects Internship Exposure

Best Universities for Master's in Civil Engineering in UK

Check the table below for details on the top universities in the UK for pursuing MS in Civil Engineering.

Name of University	University of Oxford	University of Cambridge	Imperial College of London	University of Manchester	University of Bristol
Type	Public	Public	Public	Public	Public
Establishment	1096	1209	1907	1824	1876
Location	Oxford	Cambridge	London	Manchestar	Bristol
Acceptance Rate	17.5%	21%	14.3%	56.1%	60%
TOEFL	Minimum score of 7.5	Minimum score of 7.5	Minimum score of 7.0	Minimum score of 6.5 - 7.0	Minimum score of 6.5
IELTS	iBT score of 110	iBT score of 110	iBT score of 100	iBT score of 90	iBT score of 90
GRE	Must	Accepted	Must	Accepted	No necessary
Fees	£9,535 per year	£14,450 per year	£40,900 per year	£32,500 per year	£26,000 per year
Country Rank	1	2	3	5	6
World Rank	4	5	17	29	61
Intake Session	Winter	Winter	Winter	Winter	Fall

Master's in Civil Engineering in UK Scholarship- Key highlights & Deadlines

Check the table below for the important highlights and deadlines on the scholarships available for students pursuing Master's in Civil Engineering in the UK.

Scholarship Name	Awarding Institution	Eligibility Criteria	Benefits
Commonwealth Scholarships for International Students	UK Department of International Development	Masters or PhD student	Airfare to and from the UK, tuition fees, examination fees, personal maintaining allowance, and thesis grant initial arrival allowance
Gates Cambridge Scholarships	University of Cambridge	Masters at the University of Cambridge, any student outside the UK.	Cost of study and additional discretionary funding
Rhodes Scholarship at the University of Oxford	University of Oxford	Exceptional overseas students from select countries at the University of Oxford	University fees, personal stipend, health insurance and airfare to and from the UK
University of Sussex Chancellor's International Scholarships	University of Sussex	Full-time postgraduate student at the University of Sussex on the basis of academic performance, and potential basis.	50% tuition fees waiver for one year
The International Ambassador Scholarship	University of London	Postgraduate or undergraduate students at the university and students will act as ambassadors for the university.	Up to £5,000
Bristol ThinkBig International Scholarship	University of West of England	Must be an overseas student and pursuing a full-time degree	One year tuition fees

Master's in Civil Engineering in UK VS USA

Check the table below for an in-depth comparison between Master's in Civil Engineering in the UK and USA.

Parameter	UK	USA	India
Duration	1 - 2 years	2 years	2 years
Fees	₹ 10,00,000 - ₹ 35,00,000 per year	₹ 65,00,000 per year	₹ 7,00,000 - ₹ 10,00,000 per year
Language	English	English	English-Hindi mixed
Proficiency Test	IELTS/TOEFL	IELTS/TOEFL	Not Required
Eligibility	Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering or related field	Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering or related field	Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering or related field
GRE	Not necessary	Required	GATE/JAM
Career	Multiple opportunities	Wide scope	Not much
Average Package	₹ 37 LPA	₹ 25 LPA	₹ 5 LPA

Career Scope Master's in Civil Engineering in UK

A lot of career fields and options are available for students who completed their MS in Civil Engineering from the UK. Check the table below for the available career options and average salary package.

Career Option	Salary Package
Consulting Civil Engineer	£ 34,454
Civil Engineering Contractor	£ 39,169
Civil Engineering Management Consultant	£ 50,000
Building Control Surveyor	£ 44,491
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) technicians	£ 35,000
Design Engineer	£ 40,241
Site Engineer	£ 35,000
Structural Engineer	£ 40,000
Water Engineer	£ 32,000
Nuclear Engineer	£ 65,000

Top Recruiters/Placement Companies

Check the below list of top companies who recruit from Universities in the UK.

Alma Personnel
Joanne Finnerty Recruitment
Staff One Ltd
National Recruitment Services UK
Berry Recruitment - Office and Professional Division
Flexible Solutionz Limited
Hunter Hughes
Bright Network
Freshminds
Luton Bennett
AECOM
Atkins
Balfour Beatty
Jacobs
MacDonald
Costain
Arup
WSP
CH2M

Conclusion

The Master’s in Civil Engineering in the UK not only offers the high quality standard education but also provides great return on the investment through lucrative salary packages and job offers from top notch companies. So, start planning today to pursue a Master's in Civil engineering in the UK.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques - Who are the top recruiters if I completed my degree in MS in Civil Engineering from the UK?

Ans - The top recruiters are - Alma Personnel, Joanne Finnerty Recruitment, Staff One Ltd, National Recruitment Services UK, Berry Recruitment - Office and Professional Division, Flexible Solutionz Limited, Hunter Hughes, Bright Network, Freshminds, Luton Bennett, AECOM, Atkins, Balfour Beatty, Jacobs, MacDonald and many more.

Ques - Do international students get work permits?

Ans - Yes, the students who have completed their MS in Civil Engineering in the UK get a 2-years work permit. This allows them to work in the UK for two years after completion of degree.

Ques - What is the tuition fee for Master's in Civil Engineering in the UK?

Ans - The tuition fees range between £9,500 - £41,000 per year.

Ques - Is there any scholarship available for Indian Students?

Ans - Yes, the universities offer scholarships to the Indian students. The students can avail university specific scholarships. The scholarship is offered as a fee waiver or covers the complete education cost for studying in the UK.

Ques - What is the average package of a student who graduated in MS in Civil Engineering from the UK?

Ans - The students graduated from the UK in MS in Civil Engineering are offered a package between ₹37 to ₹57 LPA from top MNC’s like MacDonalds, Jacobs, Atkins etc.,.