
Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering
Carlow, Ireland
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 13,500
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Scholarships
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Introduction
Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering design, construct, and maintain the Built Environment on which our modern societies depend. Civil Engineering includes our Roads, the Supply of Safe Water, Sewage and Wastewater Treatment, Buildings and Bridges, Railways, Airports, and Electricity Generation. Ensuring that we Protect our Natural Environment while Sustainably maintaining this critical infrastructure is an increasingly important part of what Civil Engineers do.
The work of Civil Engineers is all around us. Prominent examples of Civil Engineering projects around the globe include the Brooklyn Bridge, the Hoover Dam, the Panama Canal, the Ardnacrusha Hydroelectric Scheme, the Channel Tunnel joining England and France, the towering Burj Khalifa in Dubai and the London Underground System. In recent years in Ireland, we have seen the Dublin Port Tunnel, the creation of the Irish Motorway Network, the Luas light rail system in Dublin, and the amazing Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge over the River Barrow.
Studying this course will give you the skills to work as a Civil Engineer and play an important role in the Design, Construction, and Maintenance of vital Civil Engineering projects. You will be able to work on major civil engineering projects for Design Consultants, Contractors, Developers, Local Authorities, and Utility Companies such as Irish Water and the ESB. The employment prospects for Civil Engineers are excellent with demand exceeding supply!
Course Structure
Our course is broadly based and covers the Core Civil Engineering disciplines of Highways, Structures, Geotechnics, Water, and Environmental. You will study the fundamental engineering science that underlies these disciplines and apply this knowledge to the Design and Construction of a wide variety of Civil Engineering Projects from Motorways to Buildings, Bridges, Water & Wastewater Schemes, and Environmental Projects. You will learn about the importance of developing Sustainable Solutions for Civil Engineering Projects. You will develop the analytical skills and structured approach to problem-solving that underlies Civil Engineering.
We strongly believe in Learning by Doing. Our course is built around a combination of Lectures and Practical work. You will develop your understanding of engineering science by applying it to practical problems. Practical work will include individual and team-based design projects and material testing in our modern laboratories. Our small class sizes provide you with an excellent supportive learning environment with easy access to consult with your lecturers. An Industrial Placement in the Summer between the third and fourth year is an integral part of the course and allows you to develop your skills in industry by working on real civil engineering projects.
Special Features
- This course is accredited by Engineers Ireland which ensures that it meets the high standards demanded by Engineers Ireland for Level 8 honours degrees and sets you on course to become a Chartered Engineer.
- Our course is broadly based and will enable you to choose to work in a range of civil engineering disciplines.
- Our combination of Lectures and Practical Work allows you to develop and practice your knowledge and skills. Learning by Doing is at the core of what you will do at SETU Carlow.
- Our lecturers are all Chartered Civil Engineers with many years of National and International Experience which ensures that our course has a strong practical emphasis that prepares you for the world of work.
- Excellent Career Prospects!! - our graduates work for Consultants, Contractors, Developers, Local Authorities, and Utility Companies such as Irish Water and ESB. Our graduates normally secure positions before graduation.
Ideal Students
Do you enjoy problem-solving? Do you enjoy making things? Do you like working as part of a team? Are you interested in helping to create Bridges, Roads & Buildings? Are you interested in helping to provide Clean Water and Protect and Sustain our Environment? Do you like Maths and Science? If Yes, then Civil Engineering is the course for you!
Admissions
Curriculum
Year 1
Semester 1
- Engineering Drawing I
- Civil Engineering Technology I
- Engineering Physics
- Material Science and Soil Mechanics
- Mathematics and Statistics I
Semester 2
- Civil Engineering Technology II
- Engineering Chemistry
- Engineering Drawing II and Surveying And Setting Out I
- Engineering Mathematics I
- Quantity Surveying and Estimating
Year 2
Semester 1
- Structural Analysis I
- Civil Engineering Drawing and Surveying
- Civil Engineering Economics and Management
- Geotechnical Engineering I
- Mathematics and Statistics II
Semester 2
- Civil Engineering Drawing + BIM
- Earthworks Analysis
- Engineering Mathematics II
- Geotechnical Engineering II
- Structural Design I
Year 3
Semester 1
- Engineering Geology I
- Engineering Mathematics III
- Environmental Engineering I and Hydraulics
- Road Design
- Structural Analysis II
Semester 2
- Engineering Geology II
- Highway and Traffic Eng I
- Hydraulics
- Mathematics and Statistics III
- Structural Design and Analysis I
Year 4
Semester 1
- Engineer in Society +Work Placement
- Engineering Mathematics IV
- Environmental Hydraulics I
- Geotechnical Engineering III
- Structural Design and Analysis II
Semester 2
- Environmental Hydraulics II
- Dissertation
- Geotechnical Engineering IV
- Highway and Traffic Eng II
- Structural Design and Analysis III
Career Opportunities
What follow-on study opportunities are available?
There is a range of taught master's courses covering different civil engineering specialisms available from various 3rd-level institutes. This will allow you to take further studies in a particular area of civil engineering.
We at SETU Carlow offer an MSc in the Built Environment which would be suitable for those graduates with a particular interest in Construction Management. There are also opportunities to undertake a Research Master's or Doctoral studies at SETU Carlow.
What will I be able to do when I finish the course?
Civil engineers can be found working in industries as varied as aerospace, shipbuilding, energy, environment, and many more where constructed facilities are involved. Graduates of this program will be qualified to:
- Work independently with contractors, consultants, and local authorities in the areas of design and construction
- Identify problems in the field of civil engineering and provide viable solutions to those problems
- Collect, analyze, and interpret relevant data
- Work in multi-disciplinary team situations
- Understand the need for the highest ethical standards in the practice of the engineering profession.
Facilities
Why study at South East Technological University
Discover SETU: Your Gateway to Global Success
Embark on a transformative journey at South East Technological University (SETU), a contemporary European university nestled in the southeast of Ireland, a nation renowned for its dynamic economy and global influence. At SETU, we mirror Ireland’s forward-thinking spirit, providing a launchpad for your future in one of the world’s most hospitable countries. (SETU is a regional powerhouse with campuses spread across the southeast, with international students studying on our Carlow, Waterford, and Wexford campuses. With over half a century of experience in higher education, research, innovation, and collaboration, SETU nurtures a thriving community of over 18,000 students, supported by a dedicated team of more than 1,500 staff. Our vision is to expand our reach and impact even further in the next decade.
Our university boasts cutting-edge research facilities and strong ties with leading global corporations. We are dedicated to helping you turn your dreams into reality. Our campuses offer a vibrant, manageable environment, rich with diverse cultural experiences. Here, every student is given the tools to excel academically and flourish personally.
SETU’s research prowess is recognised both in Ireland and globally, laying a solid foundation for future growth. We are committed to equipping students with the skills they need to excel in the competitive job market. International students can select from a variety of career-focused programmes, offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and foundation qualifications.
SETU provides a range of services and facilities, from academic support to recreational amenities. Our university is a hub of activity with numerous clubs and societies and is renowned for its excellence in competitive sports.
Our Carlow campus, located 85km from Dublin and 97km from Dublin Airport, is surrounded by the quintessential Irish countryside, complete with mountain trails, forests, and ancient monastic sites.
The Waterford campus, 170km from Dublin and 177km from Dublin Airport, is situated in Ireland’s oldest city, a perfect blend of the old and the new, It's a city bursting with life and historic streets to explore.
At SETU, we foster an inclusive campus environment where students form lifelong friendships while achieving academic milestones. It’s the beginning of an exciting journey for those aspiring to build successful careers in fields like business, law, humanities, science, sport, or engineering.
Academic Disciplines and Programmes
International students can choose from a wide array of programmes, spanning foundation, undergraduate, and postgraduate qualifications. SETU offers programmes and conducts research across a broad spectrum of academic disciplines, including:
- Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry
- Architecture
- Arts and Social Sciences
- Built Environment
- Business
- Computing
- Early Years Education
- Engineering
- Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts
- Law
- Media, Design and Music
- Science
- Sport Management
- Sport Science
International Foundation Programme
International students can enrol in our certificate programme, Preparation for Higher Education. This programme equips students with the fundamental knowledge and skills required for higher education. Students receive English language tuition, as well as education in mathematics, IT, and a field of their interest. The modules available are:
- English for Professional Communication
- Information Technology
- Learning to Learn
- Introductory Maths
- Management
- Engineering Science
- Computer Systems
This programme provides a valuable opportunity to explore degree-level studies and make informed choices. Upon completion, students can pursue a degree course in the following academic year.
International Office
We have a dedicated international team ready to support international students. At the beginning of the year, international students attend an induction/orientation programme. This is a great opportunity to meet other international students and learn about the dedicated support available at SETU.
Program Admission Requirements
Show your commitment and readiness for Grad school by taking the GRE - the most broadly accepted exam for graduate programs internationally.