The world is entering a new era of infrastructure, one where sustainability is non-negotiable. Civil engineers are leading this transformation, making it one of the most future-proof careers today. The Civil Engineering Global Market Report 2025 forecasts that the market will grow from US$8,899.72 billion in 2024 to US$9,484.24 billion in 2025.
Momentum is building globally. Hong Kong, for instance, recorded a 6.3% rise in its construction market in 2024. In the UK, a US$218 billion (164 billion pounds) government investment is spurring a hiring surge for civil engineers. And in the US? Job growth for civil engineers is expected to increase by 6% between 2023 and 2033.
Clearly, it’s an exciting time to enter this profession. If you’re ready to be part of the solution, these three globally respected civil and environmental engineering departments are a great place to start.
CEE combines world-class research and teaching with the support of leading experts, making it a great place to study civil and environmental engineering. Source: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
From soaring skyscrapers to well-developed public transportation and visionary projects like the Lantau Tomorrow Vision and Northern Metropolis, Hong Kong is leading the way in sustainable growth and smart urban development. And behind it all are civil and environmental engineers bringing ideas to life. It’s no wonder the city is an ideal setting to study civil engineering and be part of what’s next.
Backed by over five decades of excellence, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) stands at the forefront of engineering education. It is ranked #2 globally and #1 in Hong Kong in the US News & World Report Best Global Universities Rankings 2024–25 and in the Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2024 for Civil Engineering. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, it is ranked #17 globally for Civil and Structural Engineering.
“We offer an interdisciplinary and comprehensive education across structural, geotechnical, hydraulic, transportation, and environmental engineering. Our programmes also incorporate practical training in advanced construction technology, equipping students to become competent and adaptable professionals in a rapidly changing world,” says Ir Professor C.S. Poon.
The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Civil Engineering, for example, prepares well-rounded graduates by building expertise in environmental, geotechnical, hydraulic, structural, and transportation engineering, as well as construction management. Students gain the knowledge and skills to plan, design, construct, and manage complex, interdisciplinary civil engineering projects that balance commercial viability with the needs of society. To stay ahead of technological advances, students can opt for a secondary major in Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics (AIDA) at the end of Year 1. This programme blends civil and transportation engineering fundamentals with data analytics and machine learning, empowering graduates to lead in smart mobility development.
Meanwhile, the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Development fuses core principles from environmental engineering, environmental science, sustainable development, and carbon neutrality technologies and management. This interdisciplinary approach empowers graduates to develop solutions to pressing environmental issues in water and waste management, circular economies, energy sustainability, and urban development.
No matter which programme students choose, they’ll get more than classroom learning. Through exchange programmes with global universities, immersive training at the state-of-the-art Industrial Centre, and global summer placements, students are equipped with practical skills and global perspectives. This commitment to experiential learning ensures that every graduate steps into the world with confidence and competence.
Add to that Hong Kong’s role as a regional innovation and technology hub with strong ties to Mainland China through the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and Southeast Asia, and it’s clear that there is no shortage of exciting career prospects here. Build the future with one of the world’s top-ranked engineering departments.
Through hands-on activities in interactive spaces, students learn how the built environment works. Source: Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
If you’re looking to study civil and systems engineering on a campus with history, look no further than the Department of Civil and Systems Engineering at Johns Hopkins University’s Whiting School of Engineering. Ranked #13 among the Best Engineering Schools, the department is located on the university’s 140-acre Homewood campus in North Baltimore, which has been the home of engineering at Johns Hopkins since 1914. The campus blends classic collegiate charm — complete with red-brick buildings, tree-lined walkways, and a signature clock tower — with modern amenities, including research labs, libraries, residence halls, and athletic facilities.
It’s within this environment that aspiring civil and systems engineers get their start. With guidance from expert faculty and opportunities to apply knowledge through real-world projects, undergraduates build a strong technical base while developing the confidence to think creatively and solve complex problems. In the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, students look into both traditional and emerging areas of the field. From geotechnical and structural engineering to engineering mechanics and materials, they develop the insight to rethink how structures are built.
Meanwhile, the Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering is a transdisciplinary programme that brings together ideas from math, engineering, science, and medicine to build a unique problem-solving skillset. Students explore optimisation, network theory, and uncertainty quantification, gaining the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions in areas like smart cities, healthcare systems, data science, energy infrastructure, and cybersecurity. Graduates are well-prepared for roles in research, industry, and public service.
Civil engineering students learn through various teaching and learning methods, from laboratory activities to individual research projects and group exercises and design projects. Source: Imperial College London
Imperial College London
Imperial College London’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is ranked #2 in the UK, #5 in Europe, and #9 in the world. That kind of recognition comes from a community dedicated to changing the natural and built environment through world-leading education, research, and innovation.
The department offers two undergraduate MEng programmes: H201 Civil Engineering (MEng) and H202 Civil Engineering with a Year Abroad (MEng). The first two years lay the groundwork with core engineering concepts. Then, in Years Three and Four, students will shape their own path by choosing from specialised electives and taking on a major research project. It’s a journey designed to build confidence, curiosity, and a career-ready skillset.
Along the way, they’ll be working in some of the best laboratories and computing facilities in Europe. For example, the Environmental Laboratory is a fully integrated facility with at-bench services including vacuum, natural gas, compressed air, distilled and ultra-pure water and two non-dedicated gas lines.
The department is in the Skempton Building on Imperial College London’s South Kensington campus. It’s a compact site in the heart of “Albertopolis,” easily accessible from major airports and close to London, home to major international civil engineering consultancies and contractors such as Arup, an engineering consultant who shaped the route, structure and form of the UK’s first high-speed rail line.
*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International
