Structural Engineer
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Structural Engineers help to design and build large structures and buildings, like hospitals, sports stadiums and bridges.
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
University
You can do a degree or postgraduate award in:
- structural engineering
- architectural engineering
- civil and structural engineering
You can find out about courses accredited by professional engineering institutions from the Engineering Council.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and a science for a degree
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
College
You can take a Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Civil Engineering at college, which may help you to find work as a trainee engineer. You’ll do more training on the job to qualify.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national certificate or higher national diploma
Apprenticeship
You could complete a civil engineer degree apprenticeship and take professional training afterwards to qualify in structural engineering.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
Study when Working
You could start as a civil or construction engineering technician and study for a degree qualification while you’re working.
You’ll need the following skills:
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- maths knowledge
- knowledge of building and construction
- design skills and knowledge
- excellent verbal communication skills
- knowledge of English language
- thinking and reasoning skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
In this role you could:
- develop engineering plans using computer software
- investigate the properties of building materials like glass, steel and concrete
- advise on which material is best for the job
- work out the loads and stresses on different parts of a building
- use computer models to predict how structures will react to the weather
- work out ways to improve energy efficiency
- inspect unsafe buildings and decide whether they should be demolished
- prepare bids for contract tenders
- supervise project teams
- give progress reports to clients and senior managers
- work out why and how buildings have collapsed, like after an earthquake
You could move into construction design, project management, research and lecturing.
You could specialise in work like conservation projects, building using more sustainable materials or forensics where you might investigate why a building or structure has failed.
You could also move into consultancy work, like providing services to building insurers, or work overseas on construction and engineering projects with disaster relief agencies.
The following salaries are a guide only:
- Starter: £22,000
- Experienced: £70,000
Working Conditions
- You could work at a client’s business, on a construction site, on a demolition site or in an office.
- Your working environment may be cramped, dusty, at height, outdoors some of the time and noisy.
- You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
- Your working hours would generally be 40 hours per week and may be unsocial, including weekend work.