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Your career in civil engineering
Civil and infrastructure engineers plan, design, construct, supervise, manage and maintain the essential infrastructure of our modern community.
Why study civil engineering at RMIT?
RMIT University is ranked in the top 100 universities in the world for civil engineering.
Studying the Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering) (Honours) offers the following benefits:
Job-ready
With at least 12 weeks of industry placements undertaken locally or internationally, you’ll be work-ready when you graduate. You’ll also have opportunities to tackle research projects in partnership with industry, including the Engineers Without Borders Challenge.
Globally accredited
As a graduate, you will be eligible for membership of Engineers Australia, and your qualification will be recognized by all 18 countries that are signatories to the International Engineering Alliance, the Washington Accord. These include the USA, UK, China, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, and Singapore.
Industry-relevant
You’ll have a number of opportunities to engage with industry as part of your studies including work placements and industry-based projects. Our teachers are experienced professionals and we collaborate closely with industry to ensure our program meets the needs of the workplace.
One reason I chose to study at RMIT was the emphasis work-integrated learning, something that many other universities did not place as much emphasis on. Work-integrated learning has helped me to gain substantial experience and provided me with an understanding of how the industry works. - Agnes George , Bachelor of Engineering (Civil and Infrastructure) (Honours) student
An education linked to industry needs
RMIT is renowned for its focus on industry-based, practical learning. This approach is exemplified in our engineering programs. Strong relationships with local and international industry leaders ensure that our programs and teaching facilities are relevant to contemporary and future workplaces.
This industry links also enable us to provide students with experiences that make them highly sought after by employers including work placements, industry projects, mentoring and opportunities to work with partner organizations overseas.
Details
Study a civil and infrastructure degree at the forefront of engineering education, and designed to satisfy industry demand.
You'll be able to specialize in civil infrastructure projects, geotechnical works, structures, transport or water resources.
There's also a broad range of electives so you can customize your studies to suit your interests.
The program maintains an environmental sustainability focus, in line with continuing trends in the global engineering profession.
You'll have the opportunity to design creative solutions through inspiring and sustainable design and build projects, as well as taking part in the Engineers Without Borders Challenge - a humanitarian-focused course offered in all RMIT engineering degrees.
To ensure you graduate job ready, you'll also have an opportunity to undertake a work-integrated learning (industry experience) elective.
How you will learn
You'll bridge the gap between theory and practice, with project-based learning, problem-solving and teamwork skills.
Starting in first year, you'll have the opportunity to participate in an industry project run through Engineers Without Borders (EWB). The EWB Challenge provides you with the opportunity to learn about design, teamwork and communication through real, sustainable cross-cultural development projects. You'll be provided with the opportunity to design creative solutions to real-world problems.
In the third and final year of your studies, you'll undertake a major project that is either industry-based or simulates an industrial situation. Combining and further developing the key theoretical and practical knowledge necessary for your field - as defined by Engineers Australia - you'll work with industry leaders to solve a project challenge.
Before graduating from this program, you are strongly encouraged to complete a minimum 12 weeks of engineering industry experience. This allows you to gain first-hand experience in an engineering practice environment under the supervision of a practising professional engineer. The nature and timing of this engineering experience can take a range of forms.
Opportunities exist for an overseas work placement of between six and 12 months (this satisfies the work experience requirement). These placements are normally taken during a one-year break in the middle or at the end of the third year of the degree.
Industry connections
The School of Engineering has an Industry Advisory Committee for the Civil and Infrastructure program, and strong links are maintained with industry, organisations and government departments concerned with civil engineering.
As members of the Industry Advisory Committee, employers and professionals from these areas have contributed to both the initial development and ongoing improvement of this program. Their involvement ensures that the program remains relevant to your needs as a graduate, and to the needs of graduate employers.
Many of the teaching staff within the program are (or have been) practising industry professionals with extensive industry experience and contact networks. This experience, when integrated into teaching and learning practice, enriches your learning environment and networks.
These networks are further enhanced by the School's Work Integrated Learning (WIL) program, which provides you with an opportunity to experience project-based teaching modes in a number of courses.
International opportunities
At RMIT there is a range of global opportunities for engineering students.
International exchange opportunities allow you to study overseas for a semester or year. RMIT has civil and infrastructure engineering student exchange program agreements with universities in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia.
Optional study tours are also available such as the Sustainable cities of the future – France study tour.
Through partner organisations in Europe, Asia and the United States, the RMIT International Industry Experience and Research Program (RIIERP) offers workplace training and academic research placements of between six and 12 months.
There are also opportunities for global work, exchange and study experiences.
Multiple campuses
Most of your classes will take place at the Melbourne City campus; however, some laboratory classes will take place on the Bundoora campus.
What you will study
You’ll be able to specialize in civil infrastructure projects, geotechnical works, structures, transport or water resources.
There’s also a broad range of electives so you can customize your studies to suit your interests.
Sub-disciplines include:
- Construction/project management
- Water resources engineering
Year 1
The first year of your program introduces key graduate capabilities in sustainability, problem-solving, engineering analysis, teamwork, leadership, and communications. You'll extend your mathematical skills to cover some basic concepts around engineering applications.
All engineering students will also study an Introduction to Engineering course, incorporating a humanitarian-focused Engineers Without Borders Challenge. You’ll have the opportunity to extend this aspect of your studies by completing an Engineers Without Borders elective, enabling you to experience humanitarian engineering first-hand.
Year 2
The second year focuses on the big theoretical ideas around practical engineering, including site investigation, geotechnical, water and transport engineering, and more structural engineering and mathematical modeling.
Years 3 and 4
The third and fourth years cover the application areas of structures, water resources, geomechanics, and transport. Specialisation and diversification in these years are also possible. Sub-disciplines include:
- construction/project management: civil infrastructure projects
- geotechnical: earthworks, tunnels, dams and ground improvement
- structural: bridges, power stations, sports stadiums, towers, factories, and other large buildings
- transport: roads, railways, airports, canals, and harbors
- water resources: water supply, wastewater treatment, protection of coasts and river banks.
Your final year (capstone) project will develop and reinforce the skills and knowledge you need - as defined by Engineers Australia - to commence your professional engineering career.
You'll also complete a work-integrated learning (industry experience) elective in Year 2, 3 or 4.
Program plans
Plans are variations offered for a program such as specializations, modes of delivery or location. Browse a plan to see the courses our students are currently studying.
Career
Civil and infrastructure engineers plan, design, construct, supervise, manage and maintain the essential infrastructure of our modern community.
This includes roads, bridges, water supply schemes, sewerage systems, transportation systems, harbors, airports, railways, factories, and large buildings. They look for ways to extend the life of existing structures through fault identification and establishing proactive maintenance schedules.
They aim to be responsive to wider community needs and reflective of the values that relate to the economic, environmental and social impacts of projects.
Civil engineers work as project managers, design engineers and engineering asset managers with:
Within their organizations, graduates take on roles such as:
- engineering asset managers
Professional recognition and accreditation
The Bachelor of Engineering (Civil and Infrastructure) (Honours) is fully accredited by Engineers Australia.
Engineers Australia is the professional body responsible for the accreditation of higher education programs that prepare students to practise as professional engineers.
Engineers Australia is a signatory to the Washington Accord. This means that the program is internationally recognised, and graduates are able to practise as professional engineers in many countries around the world.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Engineering (Civil and Infrastructure) (Honours) are eligible for graduate and/or professional membership of Engineers Australia.
Admissions
*ATAR refers to the lowest selection rank to which an offer was made (including consideration of any adjustments).
RMIT is committed to providing transparency to the admissions process. In line with this commitment, we provide you with information that will help in making informed choices about your undergraduate study options.
RMIT admits students from a range of educational pathways, including Year 12 results, previous higher education or vocational education study, work experience, and for some programs - interviews, auditions or portfolios.
To get a better understanding of admissions at RMIT, view our ATAR information.
Fees
In 2019, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$6,566 to AU$10,958*.
- Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
Additional expenses
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$303 maximum fee for 2019.
Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
Defer your payment
You may be eligible to apply for a HECS-HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of up to the full amount of your student contribution fees. You may also be eligible to apply to defer payment of your SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme.