How to become a Civil Engineer: Career Guide, Courses, After 12th, Eligibility, Entrance Exams, Top Colleges, Jobs, Scope, Salary

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Ahana Bhaduri

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Civil Engineering is the oldest branch of engineering that deals with the construction and maintainance of buildings, roads and other structures. Civil engineers are skilled professionals who plans, designs, builds, maintains, and operates infrastructure while safeguarding the public's and the environment's health, as well as enhances neglected existing infrastructure.Civil engineering is one of the most titled professions witnessing around 25,000 Students every year. A career as a civil engineer is not an easy one to pursue, one has to follow a few steps and an education of not less than 4 years. 

In order to become a civil engineer aspiring candidates can pursue undergraduate or postgraduate Civil Engineering Courses from any of the Top Civil Engineering Colleges across the country. The minimum eligibility criteria required to become a Civil Engineer is, candidates need to opt for Science after their secondary education and then pursue B.Tech in Civil Engineering to finally become an Civil Engineer. Admission to B.Tech courses is through both Engineering Entrance Exams and Merit based.JEE Main, BITSAT, VITEEE are some of the engineering entrance exams. Check: Civil Engineer Jobs

Apart from BTech Civil Engineering, you can also pursue Diploma in Civil Engineering to become a Civil Engineer in respective fields. After the completion of B.Tech, M.Tech, graduates in this field can work in areas like construction and structures, environmental construction, irrigation, urban development, land development. After the completion of B.Tech Course, once the student starts practicing as a Civil Engineer, he will start earning INR 4 – 8 LPA. Read More: Civil Engineer Salary

How to Become a Civil Engineer: Quick Facts

Industry Engineering
Eligibility BTech Civil Engineering
Average Starting Salary INR 4,00,000 - INR 8,00,000
Job Opportunity environmental construction, irrigation, construction and structures, urban development, land development etc.

Steps to Become a Civil Engineer 

There are some significant 5 Steps that can be followed to know how to become a Civil Engineer, here we have given the steps that you can follow, 

  • Decision Making: Decision Making is the most crucial step while choosing a career option. For students who aspire to become Civil Engineers should decide it pretty early so that they can start preparing themselves for the course and its other prerequisites.
  • Subjects Choices: Aspiring Civil Engineering students should foremost choose their subjects which would help them in future get admitted to a reputed college. Civil Engineering requires students to have a mandatory subject combination of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics during their class 12th board exams. 
  • Entrance Exam Preparation: After appearing for the 10+2 exam one can appear for any Entrance examination and only after qualifying it one would be able to start with their Civil Engineering course. After qualifying for the examination, every student would be given a particular college through counseling where they can start their graduation course.
  • Selecting Correct Colleges: If you are aiming to get admission in government colleges then you will have to score very good marks in intermediate and Entrance. If your marks are low then you end up getting only a private college, which accepts your marks. Experts and professionals say it is always better to take admission in government colleges as they have the best facilities.
  • After Qualifying Exam: Appearing for Entrance and taking admission in the best college is just the beginning of your journey. This journey is a 4 year long journey that has to be completed with a lot of patience and dedication. The 4 year Civil Engineering course consists of several theoretical and practical classes.
  • Pursue Internship: After completing your Bachelor's course, every student has to do an internship. Usually right after the course is complete, most of the students are offered internships in different Organizations, but if anyone wants then they can go for higher studies as well.

Types of Civil Engineers

A career as a Civil Engineer is very rewarding as it offers a wide range of opportunities. The bindings of a Civil Engineer are very few, they can either start working with government and private companies.

Construction Engineers 

Their job role is to manage construction work and to guarantee that the construction is finished within time. Construction engineers are commonly liable for the plan and safety of impermanent design during development.

Geotechnical Engineers 

Their duty is to ensure that the establishments of the structures, roads, runways, dams and so forth center around how constructions worked by civil engineers, like buildings and tunnels, cooperate with the earth (including soil and rock).

Civil Engineers 

They manage basic issues like disaster mitigation and management. They are professionals who conceive, design, build, supervise, operate, construct and maintain infrastructure projects and systems in the public and private sector, including roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, and systems for water supply and sewage treatment.

Highway Engineers 

They are answerable for arranging and designing street organization, one way system, parking spots. Highway Engineers are concerned about road building and traffic management.

Structural Engineers 

Their responsibility is to plan and evaluate major projects, like buildings, bridges, or dams, to guarantee their durability and strength. They design structures such as buildings, bridges, tunnels, etc and work primarily as consultants to architects or design-build contractors.

Read More Jobs for Civil Engineers

How to Become a Civil Engineer in India

Becoming a Civil Engineer in India has a very conventional process. Students who wish to become Civil Engineers in India must start preparation early as this will be beneficial for them.

School Level Preparation:

  • Every student who wishes to pursue a career as a Civil Engineer must choose a good subject combination such as Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics at a higher secondary level. They are required to start their preparation early and choose their subjects properly. 

How to Become a Civil Engineer After 12th? 

To become a civil engineer, candidates must pursue civil engineering courses after completing their 10+2.

UG Preparation 

After completion of their class 10+2, one will have to clear the relevant entrance examination and complete any Civil Engineering course. The graduation course is of 4 years in India.

PG Preparation 

Once you have completed your undergraduate degree and have cleared your entrance you're ready for the course. After completion of B.Tech in Civil Engineering, they can pursue M.Tech in their respective field.

Courses to Become a Civil Engineer

Below given is a list of various courses that a candidate must pursue to become a Civil Engineer.

BTech Civil Engineering 

BTech Civil Engineering is an undergraduate engineering degree of 4 years. It is a perfect course to pursue, as India is a developing nation and the need for skilled civil engineers is high to design and build infrastructure projects. 

BTech Civil Engineering: Admission Process 

Admissions are done through entrance exam mode or direct admission through various quotas. The step-by-step process to get admission to BTech Civil Engineering is mentioned below.

  • They need to fill up the application form with all necessary details with care.
  • They need to scan and upload all required documents like mark sheets as specified by the institute’s application portal.
  • A minimal registration fee is to be paid online during the submission of the application form.
  • Results are announced after a couple of weeks for admission to this course. Successful candidates can move on to the next round of counseling.

BE Civil Engineering

BE Civil Engineering is a 4 year UG course dealing with the construction, design and maintenance of structures such as bridges, canals, tunnels, etc. Throughout the course students study Basic Steel Design, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Project Management and many others.

BE Civil Engineering: Admission Process

Admission to BE Civil Engineering is mostly based on entrance. However few colleges conduct their own entrance exams. Below given is a process for the same.

  • Candidates need to register themselves on the college portal with all the required details.
  • They need to upload the required documents on the portal.
  • Later, they need to pay the requisite application fee for completion of the Registration Process.
  • Post completing all the formalities, they need to appear for the exam and qualify with the merit marks to get admission in the desired college.

MTech Civil Engineering 

MTech Civil Engineering is a 2 year PG course studying technical programs which deals with designing, supervision and building of roads, bridges, tunnels, buildings, airports, dams, sewage systems, ports etc. 

MTech Civil Engineering: Admission Process 

  • Candidates need to register themselves for the entrance test by providing their email id, mobile number, etc.
  • On creation of the login id, they have to fill up the application form by providing their personal and academic details.
  • Candidates have to upload the necessary documents such as photograph, signature, id proof, UG degree etc.
  • Students have to pay the requisite amount of application fee via the available payment methods.
  • After completing all the registration formalities they need to appear for the exam and clear it with the merit marks

How to become a Civil Engineer Abroad

Pursuing Civil Engineering Course abroad is one of the most sought-after professions, one does not have to worry much about his/her future if they become Civil engineer. The level of difficulty of the program is almost similar to what it is in india.

USA 

Civil Engineering programs in the USA are approached by various worldwide Students. Some of the universities in this country are known as the best colleges for Masters in Civil Engineering. Civil Engineering post graduation courses in this country are predominantly offered as MS in Civil Engineering.

College Name Average Fees 
MIT INR 39 LPA
University of California, Berkeley (UCB) INR 88,000
Massachusetts Institute of Technology INR 19 LPA
University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) INR 25 LPA
Stanford University INR 40 LPA
Georgia Institute of Technology INR 31 LPA
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) INR 24 LPA

Canada

Scope of Masters in Civil Engineering in Canada is tremendous though numerous foreign students pick this country for this particular course. Course structure for Masters in Civil Engineering in Canada urges people to explore characteristics of this field. 

College Name Average Fees
University of Waterloo INR 37 LPA
University of Toronto INR 20 LPA
University of Ottawa INR 27 LPA
University of Victoria INR 15 LPA
University of Saskatechwan INR 10 LPA

UK 

Civil Engineering in the UK is a 1.5 to 2-years course in structural engineering, environmental engineering, road/highway engineering, and transportation engineering. The annual tuition fees ranges from £22,750 to £36,950 per annum approximately. 

  • Education Requirements - They must have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field with GPA 3.0~ 60-70%. 
  • Other Requirements - GRE or GMAT test scores with a Proof of English proficiency
University Annual Tuition Fees 
University of Cambridge INR 30 LPA
University of Oxford INR 26 LPA
University of Cambridge INR 30 LPA
Imperial College of London INR 31 LPA
University of Oxford INR 26 LPA
University of Nottingham INR 29 LPA
University of Bristol INR 28 LPA

Australia

To become a Civil Engineer in Australia, one must have a UG or PG degree in the domain of Civil Engineering. After a few years of practice and training one can call themselves a Civil Engineer. Later some graduates also get PG degrees or a Ph.D. degree in the fieldCivil Engineering.

University Total Program Fee
University of Queensland INR 36 LPA
University of Technology Sydney (UTS) INR 26 LPA
University of Adelaide INR 59 LPA
University of Melbourne INR 42 LPA
University of Sydney INR 37 LPA
University of Western Australia (UWA) INR 40 LPA

Benefits of Career as a Civil Engineer

Being a Civil Engineer is perhaps the most presumed profession and you have different benefits of doing this work. Here, we have advanced a portion of the advantages of a career as a Civil Engineer.

High Salary 

Being a Civil Engineer is a titled job, but on the other hand most of the students are also attracted to the salary that the profession brings. Salaries of Civil Engineers are very attractive all across the world, hence one major reason why most science students wish to become Civil Engineers. 

Job Security 

Profession of a Civil Engineer is probably most secure, as long as a Civil Engineer has his license, he can practice anywhere in the world. Here, the Civil Engineers do not have to worry about staying relevant, they will just have to keep on doing what they do. Hence the job security of a Civil Engineer is probably higher than anything else. 

Continual Learning 

This profession gives you the opportunity to learn everyday until you practise. You never know when and how you get to learn something new. 

Unique Experience

Every time you work as a Civil Engineer, you can gain a lot of experience; it's a continuous learning process; every time you learn a strategy, a new technique, a new method, you can gain a lot of work experience.

Higher Studies

The career of a Civil Engineer has no full-stop, completing the bachelor in civil engineering is just the beginning. Then they will have to do an internship and then they will be placed in some consulting companies as a permanent Civil Engineer. 

Skills Required to Become a Civil Engineer

Technical Training Leadership Skills
Mathematical Skills Organizational Skills
Written Communication Skills Problem Solving
Oral Communication Skills Decision Making
Project Management Skills Attention to Detail

Salary of a Civil Engineer

The salary of Civil Engineers in India varies from INR 4,00,000 - INR 8,00,000, the digits change pertaining to what kind of job role the Civil Engineers have. The overall salary of a civil engineer is usually higher than any other profession which is why most students pursue.

Specialization Wise Average Salary
Construction Engineers INR 6-8 LPA
Geotechnical Engineers INR 6-8 LPA
Structural Engineers INR 4-7 LPA
Highway Engineers INR 4-6 LPA
Civil Engineers INR 5-7 LPA

How to Become a Civil Engineer: FAQs 

Ques. Can I appear in the JEE Mains (Joints Entrance Exam) before completing 10+2?

Ans. You can register for the exam before passing out class 12th. But before counselling you have a valid 10+2 degree.

Ques. When can I apply for a B.Tech Civil Engineering course?

Ans. You can apply for a Civil Engineering course once you've completed your 10+2 from a recognised board/University and Qualified in Entrance Exam.

Ques. Should I have a Science background to appear for the entrance examination?

Ans. Yes, it's necessary for you to be from a Science background to apply for the entrance examination. 

Ques. What companies hire Civil Engineers?

Ans. Companies such as Hindustan Construction Company, L&T, DLF, Tata Projects, Sadbhav Engineering, Gammon India, Sobha Developers Ltd., Shapoorji Pallonji & Company, Unitech, Nagarjuna Construction Company, Punj Lloyd have also hired Civil Engineers.

Ques. What qualifications do you need to become a civil engineer?

Ans. Civil Engineers need a four year bachelor's degree. They commonly need a graduate education and a permit for advancement to senior positions. Despite the fact that licensure necessities change from one state to another, civil engineers generally should be authorized in the event that they offer types of assistance straightforwardly to Public.

Ques. Is it hard to become a civil engineer?

Ans. Civil Engineering is generally hard. Consider the amount of work related abilities expected to prevail in this profession. Furthermore, since practical experience is esteemed so profoundly in this field, you may likewise need to spend your summers interning just to get your foot in the door.

Ques. Is Civil Engineering a good career?

Ans. A job with a low anxiety, great balance between life and serious activities and strong possibilities to improve, get advanced and acquire a more significant compensation would fulfill numerous workers. Here's the way Civil Engineers job satisfaction is evaluated regarding up portability, stress level and flexibility.

Ques. How many years does it take to study Civil Engineering?

Ans. To turn into a civil engineer, you should acquire, at least, a bachelor degree (4 years) majoring in civil engineering. Civil Engineering Course should be done as a feature of a B.Tech in Civil Engineering, B.E in Civil Engineering as well as Diploma in Civil Engineering.

Ques. What is a Civil engineer salary in India?

Ans. The average salary of a civil engineer varies between INR 2,00,000 to INR 8,00,000 per year. This is the average starting salary, but it may vary depending on the types of civil Engineer jobs and with Experience.

Ques. Can M.Tech Civil Engineering be done after B.Tech from any branch?

Ans. Yes. You can pursue M.Tech Civil Engineering after B.Tech from any stream because it is a graduation course. You can also get a job after your B.Tech Degree.

Ques. What subjects should I study to become a civil engineer?

Ans. After admission in the civil engineering course, various subjects would be introduced, but at 10+2 level, one has to study Science subject (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) to be eligible for.

Bachelor of Technology [B.Tech] (Civil Engineering) : 153 answered questions

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Ques. Which is better, civil engineering at IIT Bhubaneswar or chemical engineering at BITS Hyderabad??

● Top Answer By Muskan Agrahari on 24 Jun 25

Ans. Both choices are good, but it will depend on your priorities — branch interest, campus life, or brand value. Here is a condensed comparison to guide your decision: Quick Comparison: IIT Bhubaneswar (Civil) vs BITS Hyderabad (Chemical) Category IIT Bhubaneswar (Civil) BITS Hyderabad (Chemical) Institute Type Govt. (IIT), NIRF Rank 47 Private (BITS Pilani campus), well-ranked Admissions JEE Advanced BITSAT Avg. Package 12–13.6 LPA (Civil avg. slightly lower) 10–13 LPA (Chemical) Placement Rate ~68% (Civil) ~80–90% (Chemical) Highest Package 64 LPA (IITBBS overall) 30–40 LPA (BITS Hyd overall, rare) Academics Traditional IIT model Flexible curriculum, dual degree options Campus Life Growing student life, IIT tag Very vibrant, student-run fests & freedom Brand Value IIT system legacy Strong BITS industry reputation Both of these colleges provide good education and placements, but IIT Bhubaneswar provides you with the IIT label and main civil exposure, while BITS Hyderabad provides a free-flowing, student-oriented experience with good placement support in and outside chemical engineering. Decide according to what suits your long-term interests and learning pace.Read more
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Ques. Which is better for civil engineering in terms of campus life, fests, and culture—IIT Bombay or IIT Roorkee (decent placement is fine)?

● Top Answer By Muskan Agrahari on 24 Jun 25

Ans. Quick Comparison: IIT Bombay vs IIT Roorkee (Civil Engineering Focus) Aspect IIT Bombay IIT Roorkee Campus Vibe Lively, diverse, and highly active Friendly, relaxed, traditional Cultural Fest Mood Indigo— one of Asia’s biggest Thomso— top cultural fest in North India Technical Fest Techfest— internationally known Cognizance— major national-level tech fest Student Life Rating 9.13/10 8.87/10 Placement (Civil) Strong, especially for non-core; broad industry reach due to Mumbai location Strong in core civil roles; great alumni network and legacy Infrastructure Excellent, urban-based Scenic campus, single rooms in 1st year, rich heritage Overall Student Rating 4.6/5 4.3/5   Opt for IIT Bombay if you prefer a vibrant, energetic campus life, huge festivals, and more exposure opportunities. Pick IIT Roorkee if you prefer a less hectic environment, rich heritage campus, and more established core civil engineering traditions.Read more
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Ques. Is IIT Bhubaneswar Civil Engineering better than IIT Guwahati Design?

● Top Answer By Ritesh on 11 Jul 24

Ans. I am a third year Civil Engineering student at IIT Bhubaneswar. Here is a comparison of IIT Bhubaneswar Civil Engineering and IIT Guwahati Design on several parameters: Parameters IIT Bhubaneswar Civil IIT Guwahati B.Des NIRF Ranking 2023 (Overall) 91 9 Placement Details (2023) Placement %  80% 74% Highest Package  INR 38.70 LPA INR 51.32 LPA Average Package  INR 12.85 LPA INR 20.59 LPA Top Recruiters on campus  Google, Microsoft, Amazon Sprinklr, Ola The Civil Department at IIT Bhubaneswar has a highly knowledgeable faculty. The department faculty members hold degrees from top institutes in India and abroad. The department holds technical seminars and workshops on a regular basis.  Even though the NIRF Ranking and placement statistics for IIT Bhubaneswar Civil are not as good as those for B.Des at IIT Guwahati, I can assure you that the Civil Engineering course of our college will provide you with good academics and placements.  You must make the final call based on your own interest and preferences. Read more
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Ques. Should I choose NSIT CSE or IIT Delhi Civil?

● Top Answer By Shrija on 09 Jul 24

Ans. I am a Civil Engineering student at IIT Delhi.  Even though CoE/ CSE/ IT are much more sought after by students in the present times, I would choose Civil at IIT Delhi over CoE at NSUT.  Here are the reasons for the same: The faculty at IIT Delhi is much more experienced and learned than that at NSUT. IIT Delhi was established in 1961, while NSUT in 1983. Because of this, IIT Delhi has a stronger alumni network. IIT Delhi is a globally recognized brand, while NSUT is usually only known to students of North India. The “IIT” brand is immensely helpful when applying to foreign universities for higher studies.  Although civil freshers are rarely in demand, a civil engineer with enough work experience, the right set of skills, and great project accomplishments is paid a high salary. These are the 2023 placement figures for both these institutions: Particulars IIT DELHI  NSUT  Median CTC -   INR 17 LPA (B.Tech) Average CTC INR 17.60 LPA (Overall)   - % Batch placed 84.94% (Overall)   (Students Placed in B.Tech: 977) Top Recruiters   Google, Deloitte, BCG, HCL Technologies, Lenskart, Flipkart, etc.    (2024) Unfortunately, the branch-wise placement detail is not available for both these institutes.    However, based on the various reasons listed above, I would recommend you choose IIT Delhi Civil Engineering over NSUT CoE.Read more
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Ques. How are the placements for Bachelor of Engineering [BE] (Civil Engineering) at KLE Technological University Hubli?

● Top Answer By Anonymous on 08 Jul 21

Ans. From the seventh semester onwards students get placed. Every year around 90% students get placed in superior companies like BOSCH, INFOSYS, JSW STEELS and many others highest package was 20LPA and lowest was 4-6 LPA is offered. If your genuine and humble to your teachers you will get easy .Read more
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Ques. How is the course curriculum of Bachelor of Engineering [BE] (Civil Engineering) in KLE Technological University Hubli?

● Top Answer By Adarsh Shirke on 09 Dec 23

Ans. I choose civil engineering because of my personel interest . faculty is very good and interactive . term exams will be conducted every month difficulty of passing exams is moderate. one class has approximately 80 studentsRead more
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Ques. How are the placements for Bachelor of Technology [B.Tech] (Civil Engineering) at DIT University Dehradun?

● Top Answer By Devang Mishra on 04 Jan 25

Ans. The students are eligible for the placement in the 7th semister The companies which come to our campus are lnt and other local companies The average package is 400000 and can go upto 800000 per annum 60% of students take placement in my field rest of the student choose to opt for the businessRead more
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Ques. How is the course curriculum of Bachelor of Technology [B.Tech] (Civil Engineering) in DIT University Dehradun?

● Top Answer By Devang Mishra on 04 Jan 25

Ans. • The curriculum is very effectively planned and the subjects in the course are also very effective for the course understanding • the course should improve in the timing of the class timetable as sometimes the time table gets very hectic • the time gap between the mid term and endterm is around 1.5 months which is sufficient for preparationRead more
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Ques. How are the placements for Bachelor of Engineering [BE] (Civil Engineering) at EPGI, Bangalore?

● Top Answer By Abhishek Ranjan Sharma on 29 Feb 20

Ans. Placement and job opportunities are increasing day by day as I also got placement from the college itself in my first attempt at a college placement drive. A reputed company is offering placement in East Point College, and it's increasing day by day with new batches and new ideas among the students.Read more
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Ques. How is the course curriculum of Bachelor of Engineering [BE] (Civil Engineering) in EPGI, Bangalore?

● Top Answer By Abhishek Ranjan Sharma on 29 Feb 20

Ans. Bachelor of Engineering is one of the reputed courses in India as it comes in the top 5 most preferred courses among teenagers and is mostly preferred for those starting as techies or in any government organization.Read more
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