Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Engineering MSc
Tampere University Finland
Find out more See all matching courses
Looking for your first degree in Civil Engineering? See bachelors degrees in Civil Engineering in Finland
Civil engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with infrastructures, from planning to designing, construction, operation and maintenance, involving new and existing infrastructures. Civil engineering is vital in everyday life, as it is responsible for buildings, roads, power supplies, transportation and communication systems.
An undergraduate degree in civil engineering will develop your foundation of knowledge, covering the basic and complex theoretical and practical aspects of the area. You will study modules on materials sciences, design, and construction management, among others.
Your degree will be delivered in a mixture of modes. These will include lectures and seminars, as well as practical and laboratory sessions. You may be required to take part in an industry placement to gain professional experience.
Depending on where you choose to study, you may be able to specialise towards the end of your degree. This specialisation can influence the area you choose to work in once you have graduated. Common specialisations include:
If your degree requires you to write a dissertation or take part in a design project, this will give you a chance to further research a favoured area of civil engineering.
The accreditation of your degree course will depend on where you choose to study, as well as the specific content of your course. Generally you can expect to be awarded a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) or a Bachelor of Science (BSc).
Certain civil engineering courses are also accredited by a professional body of engineering, for example the Institution of Civil Engineering, and the Institution of Structural Engineering. In certain situations, you might be required to be licensed in order to pursue a career in civil engineering.
Typically, you can expect an undergraduate degree in civil engineering to take three to four years to complete. Foundation degrees, diplomas and certificates can last up to two years, when studied full-time.
On successful completion of your degree, you can choose to either seek employment in your chosen area, or further your studies. Continuation of your studies could come in the form of a postgraduate degree, such as a masters or PhD, or a graduate diploma or certificate.
As a civil engineering graduate, you will be able to pursue work in a variety of fields, both related and unrelated to civil engineering. You could work as a civil engineer, within organisations such as local authorities, utility companies and other private companies. You might also choose to work as a self-employed consultant, who collaborates with companies to help design, assist the construction and manage the maintenance of infrastructures.
As well as working directly in civil engineering, graduates will be able to find work in other areas, such as law, architecture, business, real estate, and management consulting. You will have gained a wide range of transferable skills throughout your studies, including problem solving, time management, effective decision making and communication.
A postgraduate degree in civil engineering will allow you to develop your skills, and build on the knowledge you gained at undergraduate level. The modules you study will cover more specialist and complex areas of civil engineering. These modules could include advanced computer aided design skills, financial decision making, sustainable construction, road asset management, geomechanics, and risk management.
Your degree will be delivered through lectures and seminars, as well as incorporating practical sessions and field trips. Your course will likely be focused on preparing you for employment, and the processes of designing, building and maintaining structures in the real world. You may have the opportunity to take part in a work placement as part of your course.
Study in Finland
With a diverse and rich culture, Finland has a reputation for prioritising higher education. The country boasts the highest rate of students choosing to go into higher education, and all teachers in Finland have to have at least a Master's degree. This not only displays how seriously the Finnish take their education system, but also demonstrates the high quality of teaching you will have access to as an international student studying in Finland.
See our detailed guide to studying in Finland for international students.
Sign up to StudyLink.com, the home of quality study abroad advice.
Sign up now
Read our selection of advice articles for those looking to start on their study abroad adventure. Covering topics from study visas, applications, funding and choosing the right course and institution:
Read StudyLink's suggestions on your first steps when deciding where to study abroad, with helpful tips to make your decision easier.
Find out more about international student visas for studying abroad, as well as how, where and when to apply for yours.
In this article we look at how to approach choosing where in the world you would like to study.
Find out more about English language tests, your options and what is required as an overseas student.
