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Writing a Personal Statement for Masters in Civil Engineering

Table of Contents

Are you considering applying for a Master’s in Civil Engineering? It goes without saying that crafting a compelling and successful personal statement will play an important role in improving your chances of acceptance.

This blog post aims to break down the critical elements of a successful personal statement for Masters in Civil Engineering . We will also provide valuable tips and examples to help you get started.

Let’s dive right in!

What Is a Personal Statement for Masters in Civil Engineering ?

A personal statement is essentially an essay or letter introducing yourself to admission committees before deciding whether to accept you into their program.

Your personal statement should state why you want to pursue a degree in civil engineering. Detail any relevant experiences or qualifications, and include your skills and goals for the future.

What Makes a Great Personal Statement?

When it comes to personal statements for Masters in Civil Engineering, several things will make your statement stand out from the rest. Here are a few key elements that you should include:

• A clear and concise explanation of why you chose this particular field of study
• An explanation of any relevant experience or qualifications you have which might improve your chances of being accepted into the program
• A description of any leadership roles or extracurricular activities that demonstrate commitment to civil engineering
• Any long-term goals or aspirations related to civil engineering and how you would pursue them through completing a Master’s degree
• Demonstration of research skills and an understanding of the current state of civil engineering

These are just a few elements that should be in your personal statement for Masters in Civil Engineering . Please include any other relevant information you feel will help demonstrate why you would make an ideal candidate for the program .

Tips and Examples

When crafting your personal statement , Bear in mind that quality is far more important than quantity. Always strive to showcase yourself as a capable and dedicated individual who seeks to improve society through their actions. Here are some tips and examples to help get you started:

• Start strong by writing an exciting opening sentence that immediately catches the reader’s attention
• Paint a picture of what your career path looks like by describing your goals in detail
• Showcase any relevant qualifications or experiences that demonstrate your dedication to the field
• Use concrete examples to prove why you would be a great addition to the program
• Make sure to proofread and edit after you finish writing, as this is an integral part of ensuring a successful personal statement.

My interest in civil engineering began at a young age when I helped rebuild my family’s home after natural disasters had destroyed it. This experience taught me the importance of robust infrastructure, which inspired me to pursue further education in this field. During my undergraduate degree, I completed many civil engineering projects, which developed my theoretical and practical skills. Also, I was a member of the university’s civil engineering society and was elected President in my final year. Through this role, I organized events that demonstrated my enthusiasm for the field and built strong relationships with many industry professionals.

I know that a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering will provide me with the skills and knowledge needed. This will be to pursue my goals of improving infrastructure and creating sustainable solutions. My long-term aspiration is to use these skills to help reduce poverty and improve the quality of life for people worldwide. With this goal in mind, pursuing a Master’s in Civil Engineering would be an excellent foundation for achieving success in this area.

 My passion for civil engineering began when I was in high school and helped my local community build a new bridge. This project allowed me to see firsthand the impact of civil engineering on society, and this experience inspired my interest in the field. At university, I took part in numerous projects related to civil engineering. This enabled me to acquire a strong understanding of the principles and theories behind the construction. In addition, I held several leadership roles, which helped develop my skills in communication and teamwork.

Completing a Masters in Civil Engineering would provide me with an excellent opportunity to further develop my skills. I’ll do this while pursuing my ambition of making positive societal changes through sustainable infrastructure solutions. As such, I am determined to use this degree program as a stepping stone toward achieving a successful career.

Your statement for a Master in Civil Engineering should reflect your commitment and enthusiasm for the field. Take your time to think about the important elements that define you as an individual.

Remember how this could benefit the program if you were accepted. Also, don’t forget to proofread and edit your statement once it is finished, as this will help ensure it is as strong as possible. Good luck!

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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Civil Engineering Personal Statement Example: A Comprehensive Guide to Success

Dirghayu Kaushik

28 August 2024

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• Introduction

When aspiring to become a civil engineer, one of the most critical steps in your academic journey is crafting a persuasive personal statement for your university application.

This document not only reflects your academic prowess but also your passion, experiences, and vision for a future in civil engineering. This comprehensive guide will walk you through creating an impactful civil engineering personal statement, highlighting key elements to include and strategies to make your application stand out.

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• The Role of a Personal Statement in Civil Engineering Applications

Crafting a Compelling Introduction

The introduction of your civil engineering personal statement is your first opportunity to capture the attention of the admissions committee. It should immediately convey your enthusiasm for civil engineering.

Start with a hook – an intriguing anecdote, a fascinating fact about civil engineering, or a personal experience that sparked your interest in the field. Your opening sentences should set the tone for the rest of your statement, showcasing your passion and curiosity for civil engineering.

Illustrating Your Academic Background

Your academic achievements form the backbone of your personal statement. Discuss your proficiency in subjects vital to civil engineering, such as mathematics and physics.

Highlight any awards, recognitions, or exceptional grades that set you apart. Remember to not just list your achievements but also to reflect on how they have prepared you for a degree in civil engineering. Discuss any relevant projects or research you have undertaken, emphasizing your analytical and problem-solving skills.

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• Demonstrating Practical Experience and Skills

In the field of civil engineering, practical experience and skills are as important as academic knowledge. Your personal statement should clearly highlight these aspects. Here’s how you can effectively demonstrate your practical experience and skills:

• Detail Your Roles : Describe the specific roles and responsibilities you undertook during any work placements or internships related to civil engineering or construction.
• Project Contributions : Talk about specific projects you contributed to, emphasizing your role and the skills you utilized or developed.
• Learning Outcomes : Reflect on what these experiences taught you about civil engineering, like understanding project management, design principles, or teamwork in a professional setting.
• Community Projects : If you have volunteered in community projects involving construction or engineering, discuss your participation and the impact of the project.
• Skill Application : Highlight how you applied civil engineering principles or used technical skills during your volunteering.
• Personal Growth : Describe how these experiences contributed to your personal growth and reinforced your passion for civil engineering.
• Engineering Clubs or Societies : Participation in engineering clubs or societies at school or in your community can demonstrate your proactive interest in the field.
• Leadership Roles : If you held any leadership positions in these clubs, explain your role and any significant initiatives or projects you led.
• Team Projects : Discuss any team-based projects, such as building a model bridge or participating in engineering competitions, highlighting collaboration and problem-solving skills.
• Software Proficiency : Mention any civil engineering-related software you are proficient in, like AutoCAD, Revit, or SAP2000.
• Certifications : If you have completed any relevant courses or certifications, such as in project management or CAD, include these to showcase your commitment to learning industry-relevant skills.
• Research Involvement : Describe any research projects you participated in, particularly those related to civil engineering, and what your contributions were.
• Academic Design Projects : Discuss any design projects you undertook as part of your coursework, focusing on how you applied civil engineering principles.
• Construction Site Exposure : If you had the opportunity to visit or work on a construction site, describe the experience and your key takeaways about the practical aspects of civil engineering.
• Technical Challenges : Talk about any technical challenges you faced and how you addressed them, showcasing your problem-solving skills.
• Communication Skills : Illustrate instances where you effectively communicated complex technical information, perhaps during a presentation or team meeting.
• Adaptability and Flexibility : Provide examples of how you adapted to changing situations or requirements, a common scenario in civil engineering projects.
• Time Management : Highlight how you managed your time efficiently during projects or internships, balancing multiple tasks or deadlines.

By structuring your practical experience and skills in these points, your personal statement will paint a comprehensive picture of your readiness and suitability for a civil engineering program.

This approach demonstrates not only your theoretical knowledge but also your hands-on experience and the soft skills crucial for success in the field of civil engineering.

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• Personal Motivations and Aspirations

Connecting Personal Interests with Civil Engineering

Your personal statement should include a section dedicated to your personal interests and how they align with civil engineering. Perhaps you have a passion for sustainable development, a fascination with architectural design, or a keen interest in urban planning. Describe how these interests fuel your desire to study civil engineering and contribute to the field.

Articulating Long-Term Career Goals

Discuss your long-term professional objectives. Are you aiming to specialize in a particular area of civil engineering, such as structural or environmental engineering?

Do you aspire to work on significant infrastructure projects or contribute to innovative sustainable designs? Clearly articulating your career goals shows the admissions committee that you have a direction and are committed to making a meaningful contribution to the field.

• Reflection and Personal Growth

Learning from Challenges and Setbacks

Reflect on any challenges or setbacks you have faced and how they have shaped your journey towards civil engineering. This could include academic hurdles, personal obstacles, or even changes in your career aspirations.

Discuss how these experiences have strengthened your resolve to pursue a career in civil engineering and contributed to your personal growth.

The Evolution of Your Interest in Civil Engineering

Describe how your interest in civil engineering has evolved over time. This could include early experiences that piqued your interest, subjects at school that deepened your understanding, or interactions with professionals in the field that solidified your career choice. This evolution provides a narrative arc to your statement, showing a well-thought-out and genuine commitment to the field.

Reinforcing Your Commitment to Civil Engineering

Conclude your personal statement by summarizing your strengths, experiences, and aspirations. Reiterate your passion for civil engineering and your eagerness to contribute to the field.

End with a confident and forward-looking statement, leaving the admissions committee with a lasting impression of your potential as a civil engineering student and future professional.

How do I start my civil engineering personal statement?

Begin with a compelling anecdote or fact that reflects your interest in civil engineering and sets the tone for your statement.

What should I include in my personal statement for civil engineering?

Include your academic achievements, practical experiences, personal motivations, and how they align with your civil engineering aspirations.

Can I include personal challenges in my statement?

Yes, discussing personal challenges and how you overcame them can add depth to your statement and showcase resilience.

How important are extracurricular activities in a personal statement?

They are important as they demonstrate transferable skills and a well-rounded personality, which are valuable in civil engineering.

How do I conclude my civil engineering personal statement ?

Conclude by summarizing your key points and reiterating your passion and commitment to pursuing a career in civil engineering.

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Table of Contents

• • Introduction
• • The Role of a Personal Statement in Civil Engineering Applications
• • Demonstrating Practical Experience and Skills
• • Personal Motivations and Aspirations
• • Reflection and Personal Growth
• • Conclusion

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• Engineering Masters Personal Statement Sample

Written by Jennifer Bevan

This is an example personal statement for a Masters degree application in Engineering. See our guide for advice on writing your own postgraduate personal statement .

With an ever-increasing population, the upscaling of processes to efficiently mass produce food, pharmaceuticals and chemicals is essential to society. From COVID-19 vaccines to vegan products, over recent years there have been many examples of manufacturing processes that have inspired me to specialise in the field of chemical engineering. The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the ability of engineers worldwide to suddenly and rapidly mass produce the coronavirus vaccines in order to save countless lives. In contrast to the abrupt demand seen in the vaccine industry, challenges also arise in keeping up with the constant growing demand for products such as vegan food. As I aspire to become a specialist in chemical engineering, I am applying for this Masters as the first step on my career journey.

During my undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering, for which I achieved a 2:1, I was able to select modules to cater to my interests, therefore studied materials and manufacturing and industrial management. These modules expanded upon the more basic principles introduced in the initial two years which allowed for a significant improvement to not only my technical skill but also the confidence in my ability to analyse and rectify mechanical failure. Through several of my core modules I developed my skills at utilising computer aided design (CAD) software packages such as SolidWorks for the design and analysis of products. For my final year project, I worked as project lead in a group to determine the advantages and disadvantages of additive manufacturing through the design and printing of a part. This allowed me to gain invaluable first-hand experience with fused deposition modelling machines and further refine my CAD skills, whilst developing excellent team management skills.

By the end of the second year of my degree, I knew my interests lay more towards chemical engineering and decided to undertake a placement year in industry. During this year I worked at a pharmaceutical company, adopting minor design roles within pre-existing projects and learning the importance of effective teamwork in producing a successful project. I attended several career fairs across universities and talked to students about the company, how best to apply and my experience working with them. This significantly improved my public speaking ability and communication skills, which are key for teamwork. I also gained some managerial experience during my free time as the president of the university running club. This involved planning and organising events, attending meetings with the student union and looking out for the welfare of members of the club.

I have applied to your university because of your excellent reputation in chemical engineering and am eager to study the specialist modules you have on offer, most notably pharmaceutical process development and advanced bioprocess engineering. On completion of my Masters I hope to pursue a career in industry and become a chartered engineer. This course would be an excellent opportunity to be at the forefront of chemical engineering technique development and to achieve a Masters accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers.

What are my options for studying Engineering?

Advanced structural engineering msc (campus), aberdeen university school of engineering, advanced mechanical engineering msc, advanced chemical engineering msc, civil engineering - msc, university of glasgow college of science and engineering, master of engineering in geotechnical engineering with structural engineering, atlantic technological university online, flexible and professional development, find a masters in engineering.

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How to Write a Great Engineering School Personal Statement

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You have spent months researching and identifying the best engineering schools, studying for and completing the SATs, GRE, or other standardized tests, and filling out tedious college applications. You are on the verge of burnout when it hits you: you have to write a personal statement.

How important is it to write a great personal statement? Ask the admissions committee, and they’ll tell you that writing a personal statement is like applying for a job. Stephen J Aguilar, an assistant professor of education at USC, reported in 2020 to Inside Higher Ed that a personal statement should be less revealing and more persuasive. At its core, the personal statement needs to answer these two questions:

• Why are you applying here?
• How do your interests and experiences align with the program or the faculty you’ve identified?

However, the importance of reading and understanding the question prompts cannot be overstated. For example, the University of Iowa College of Engineering, which places 97 percent of its undergraduates in jobs post-graduation and currently has 284 master’s and doctoral students, goes one step further to differentiate personal statements from statements of purpose .

This institution wants to know in the statement of purpose , “Why is this program a good fit for you?” By contrast, the personal statement elicits answers to the question: “Who are you?” and allows applicants to explain themselves to admissions committees regarding academic achievements and life events that have shaped them and will positively influence the campus community.

That said, a personal statement is not just an essay. It has to be intelligent, engaging, typo-free, and capable of convincing admissions reviewers that you are a better fit for their program. Fret not. With lots of research and preparation, you can submit a college essay that reflects your passion and capabilities.

Read on to learn the what, the why, and the how-to of writing great personal statements to gain admission into engineering school.

How Is a Personal Statement Evaluated?

The title “personal statement” is generally synonymous with college essays. However, some admissions professionals use it to refer more specifically to written statements that explore applicants’ program readiness and intentions if admitted. The purpose of these statements for engineering school applicants is three-fold.

First, colleges want to know that they can write well, and not just from a technical perspective. Of course, grammar matters, but perhaps more important is the ability to communicate ideas.

Second, engineering schools want to know who a student is—the nuggets that are not conveyed through a conventional application or school transcripts. This is the written equivalent of the interview question “tell us about yourself” and is the applicant’s chance to share who they are, what they want to do, and how gaining admission to this program will be mutually beneficial.

Finally, colleges want to ensure applicants are familiar with and committed to the program. The best personal statements fulfill these goals, often in 700 words or less.

Does this sound like a tall order? Here are some tips for getting it right.

Six Tips for Writing a Stellar Engineering School Personal Statement

1. Do the research

It may sound simplistic, but one of the most important (and often overlooked) steps toward getting into the right school is taking the time to research a prospective engineering program, review its admissions policies and—this cannot be overstated—read and reread its application essay prompt. Candidates who don’t sufficiently answer an institution’s question or convey some misunderstanding about the prompt or its expectations are unlikely to be admitted.

Prospective students completing the Common Application should take the time to contact each engineering school they are applying to inquire about additional admissions requirements. The Princeton Review emphasizes that a personal statement should not repeat a previously discussed part of your application, nor should its information contradict another part.

2. Go deep, not broad

Personal statement prompts tend to be targeted. Engineering schools want to know what specific qualities or experiences make each student a good fit for their programs. Common inquiries include recalling a time you solved a problem, explaining why you applied, describing your academic goals and intentions, and addressing any extenuating circumstances that might have impacted your school record. Rather than offering a broad synopsis of your life, choose the experience or intent most relevant to the question and explore it in depth.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Graduate School offers advice for writing an in-depth personal statement for engineering schools using the “qualified match” approach. The steps include:

• Make a statement that fits the essay prompt, like “I am a dedicated and hard-working student.”
• Quantify your statement with specific details about your life. You might, for example, discuss how many hours per week you spend on school work and how you overcome any obstacles to committing that time.
• Interpret how those details make you a stronger applicant. To continue with the above example, that might include writing about the knowledge you gained during your studies, your time-management skills, your passion for learning, and your commitment to succeed despite challenges.

3. Be relevant

If a personal statement has only one goal, it is to be shown to a review committee that you are the right fit for its school. That’s why applicants to Stanford University’s Institute for Computational & Mathematical Engineering are asked to specify their personal and professional goals in their statement of purpose, as well as discuss their developments and intentions for study and life beyond their doctoral program.

Read the mission statements of each program to get a feel for what they are looking for and keep that in mind as you write. Rather than getting carried away detailing the hours you log volunteering each week, discuss experiences and activities as they relate to your academic and career goals or scientific interests. Also, be sure not to waste valuable ink rehashing information available elsewhere on your application, such as extracurricular activities or your stellar GPA.

4. Avoid gimmicks and cliches

Did you love playing with Legos as a kid? Did those plastic bricks lay the foundation for your drive to be an engineer? If so, the College of Engineering at the University of Washington suggests you are in good company, but not in a good way. Every year, the committee reads personal essays on how Legos were the building blocks of a student’s career in engineering.

To stand out, engineering school applicants should avoid using cliches in their statements. Of course, setting yourself apart from other applicants is imperative, but you must do so in a meaningful and unique way. Admissions review panels have seen it all and are unlikely to be moved by creative gimmicks and attention-grabbers that do not get to the heart of what makes you a great candidate.

5. Mind your mechanics

This tip refers more to the mechanics of writing than any scientific drive, though the latter undoubtedly has a place in an engineering school personal statement. Remember when we said one of the goals of college essays is verifying applicants can communicate effectively? Applicants should consider the following elements as they prepare their outline (more on that next):

• Voice – Is your voice appropriate for the task? Is it too formal or casual? Are you using active language rather than passive and wishy-washy statements? Do you come across as academic?
• Structure – Do your ideas flow logically and support one main idea? If you are unsure where to start, know that following the reliable five-paragraph essay format is perfectly acceptable: introduction, three supporting paragraphs, and a tidy conclusion.
• Length – Engineering schools usually have a good reason for requesting personal statements with a specific word count. Those that are too short have too little to say, and those that are too long are likely to repeat the same concepts.
• Grammar – College students are expected to know and use basic grammar. Edit, edit, and then edit again.
• Completeness – Have you addressed the admissions essay prompt in full? What about any supplemental school or department-specific requests?

6. Edit, edit, edit

Writing a personal statement may seem like a herculean task, so it is tempting to push it aside when you type that final period and not look back. This is a mistake—and perhaps the biggest one you can make. Sometimes we get so caught up in our thoughts and ideas that we miss lapses in our writing, whether grammatical or contextual. To avoid this:

• Begin with an outline.
• Write the first draft.
• Write a second draft.
• Read the essay out loud.
• Review your essay again a day or two later.
• Ask parents, friends, teachers, and others to read your work.

There is never any excuse for typos, and even the slightest error can turn a committee review member off. Ask a friend or family member to review your essay for grammatical mistakes when in doubt. It may be intimidating, but the process is an excellent way to identify missing words or ideas. What’s more, applicants today are blessed with the power of technology. Online tools like Grammarly are free to use and quickly catch any glaring typos.

Starting Your Engineering School Admissions Essay

One of the biggest challenges to writing a stellar college essay is simply getting started in the first place. Personal statements are, by design, personal, and that can be intimidating. Applicants also put significant pressure on themselves to write the perfect essay.

Fortunately, many colleges try to ease the burden by providing tips online. Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab offers examples of successful personal statements. Some engineering schools even post examples of successful personal statements, including MIT , Johns Hopkins University , and Cornell University . While your essay should be wholly original, these resources can guide you through creating a unique and inspirational narrative to impress admissions committees.

Aimee Hosler is a long-time journalist specializing in education and technology. She is an advocate for experiential learning among all ages and serves as the director of communications for a non-profit community makerspace. She holds a degree in journalism from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.

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Statement of Purpose

Most recent revision of this article was led by Ignacio Martin Arzuaga Garcia.

Criteria for Success

• Focus on the aim.  Convince a faculty committee that you are qualified for their program.
• Customize it.  Show the admission committee that you are a good fit for the particular program you are applying for.
• Stand out.  Highlight your skills and experiences that convey your strengths and differentiate you from other candidates.
• Be precise.  Focus on concrete and quantitative examples.
• Be concise.  Your Statement of Purpose should be no more than 2 pages. The MIT CEE graduate program recommends 1 – 1.5 pages.

Structure Diagram

The graduate school Statement of Purpose is a document that complements your resume and application form, describing your profile in a narrative way and convincing the admission committee that you would be a good match for a particular department or program. Take into account that matching goes both ways: they should be interested in you, and you should be interested in them. Your Statement of Purpose should make this match clear.

Analyze Your Audience

Your Statement of Purpose will be read by a graduate committee – a handful of faculty from the program. They’re trying to determine if you will be a successful graduate student in their department and a successful scientist after you graduate. They are interested in your qualifications as a researcher, your career goals, and how your personality matches their labs and department.

The graduate committee probably reads hundreds of applications every year. To make it easy for them to figure out that you are a good fit, consider the following suggestions:

• Make direct, concrete statements about your accomplishments and qualifications.
• Create a narrative that serves as a personal brand and helps them remember you.
• Give them some unique examples that describe you and make you stand out, and which will make them remember you as “that candidate that was so passionate about…’ or “who has lot of experience in…”, although they might not remember your name.

Create a narrative

PhD programs invest in the professional and scientific growth of their students. Get the committee excited about investing in you by opening your essay with a brief portrait of what drives you as a scientist. What research directions are you passionate about, and why? What do you picture yourself doing in 10 years?

Close your essay with a 2-3 sentence discussion of your long-term career interests. No one will hold you to this; this just helps your committee visualize your potential trajectory.

Describe your experiences

Experiences are the “what” of your essay. They are the most efficient and easiest way to prove your capabilities to the admissions committee.

• What experiences led you to develop your skill set and passions?
• Where have you demonstrated accomplishment, leadership, and collaboration?
• Include research, teaching, relevant extracurriculars and leadership positions.
• State concrete achievements and outcomes like awards, discoveries, or publications, or projects completed.

Achievements are not limited to research projects or publications. You can discuss, for example, a research-oriented class project in which you stood out, and that is related to the type of work you expect in graduate school. Think about experiences demonstrate your ability to conduct research.

Quantify your experiences to show concrete impact. How many people were on your team? How many protocols did you develop? How many people were in competition for an award? As a TA, how often did you meet with your students? Describe actions. Rather than share how important the company was or how renowned the professor you worked with is, always direct the message to highlight your performance, which may include both independent and collaborative work.

Demonstrate a match to the program

A key point on writing your Statement of Purpose is to demonstrate that you have done previous research about the program to which you’re applying, that you understand its characteristics and objectives, and that you are really interested in joining it and willing to do your best to be successful in it. To do this:

• Read the program’s website . Learn about its faculty members and the projects they are working on. Check what topics and high level goals the department is committed to. Identify the main research areas.
• Get in contact with faculty and students in your target program. If you have had a positive discussion with someone at the department, you can include in your essay how those interactions confirmed that you would be a good match for the program.

State which professors in the program you would be interested in working with. Show how their research areas align with your background and your goals. You can even describe potential research directions or projects.

 “Statement of Purpose” vs. “Personal Statement”

Many schools distinguish between the Statement of Purpose/Objective and the Personal Statement, providing different writing prompts for each. The main difference between these two types of essays is that the Statement of Purpose focuses on your professional background, goals and research interests, while the Personal Statement is more about your personal history and where your motivation for graduate school comes from.

Resources and Annotated Examples

Annotated example 1.

This statement of purpose resulted in admission to the CEE doctoral program. 101 KB

Annotated Example 2

This statement of purpose resulted in admission to the CEE doctoral program. 76 KB

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Engineering personal statements

On this page you'll find a collection of real personal statements written by students applying to study engineering and related courses at university.

These personal statements are written by real students - don't expect them all to be perfect! But by reading through a few of these samples, you'll be able to get some ideas and inspiration for your own personal statement. 

Engineering personal statement examples

More help with your personal statement.

You can find personal statement examples for other courses by using this subject list, or by returning to our personal statements by subject page.

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Civil engineering personal statement example

• Reading time: 3 minutes
• Price: Free download
• Published: 8th November 2021
• Word count: 631 words
• File format: Text

All disciplines of engineering have a vast importance to society. Personally, I believe Civil Engineering has one of the most substantial significance on socioeconomic developments. From the water we drink, roads we drive on, schools we learn in, almost every seemingly elementary function we perform has the involvement of a Civil Engineer.

My interest for engineering began from spending time at my uncle’s workplace as a child. He worked as an engineer, manufacturing beams used for structural frameworks. From a young age I developed a fascination for how individual elements interact. What attracts me to studying Civil Engineering …. I have had a particular interest in the materials used in projects. To further explore this topic, I recently visited the Rugby Cemex Plant, where I discovered how cement is made and the movement that Cemex has made to using alternative fuels and incorporated the use of household waste in the making of cement.

At A Level, I studied Physics , Mathematics and Biology , these subjects have given me the solid foundations   Biology helped me see the involvements of Civil Engineering with the environment. Physics allowed me to apply mathematics to real situations and understand how the theory translates

In school, I have had the responsibility of being a Maths Leader, where I assisted younger students with mathematics during after school sessions. During this role, I was able to adapt myself and work in a versatile manner with students of differing abilities.

I have attended Civil Engineering taster days at 3 universities.

In July 2015, I participated in a 5 day work placement at the Underground Professional Services department at Morgan Sindall.

I learnt how to do calculations to construct a box culvert and check the calculations were correct for a roof slab. I also learnt how to convert a 2D AutoCAD drawing into a 3D hand sketching for a jacking post and how to use the AutoCAD software to draw a 2D and 3D jacking post. In addition to the mathematic and software skills I obtained, I also learnt about the background of the organisation and the services they provide.

As well as my academic work, I have committed a notable time volunteering in the 3rd Sector. In December 2018, I completed a 10 week volunteer placement in Nepal with the charity Raleigh International. During the placement, I was on the Infrastructure Committee and demonstrated leadership, time management and strategy. I had to collaborate with the Nepali volunteers, many of whom did not speak fluent English. Being bilingual, I was adept to communicate in Hindi and relay information across the team.  As a team, we dug 3km of trenches to lay a new water pipeline and assisted with the construction of the water intake. On completion, the pipeline provided over 40 households with a clean water supply. We also built tap stands for 24 households in 5 days. We completed the infrastructure project with two weeks to spare. I expressed  my enthusiasm for learning by working  closely with the civil engineer in order to understand the design and route of the pipeline.

There was a noticeable lacking of infrastructure, sewage systems consisted of a large hole dug beneath the toilet, waste was disposed by burning contributing to harmful pollutants. Visiting Nepal outlined the importance that infrastructure has on advancing a country. This experience has cemented my decision on leading a career in Civil Engineering and driven me to do something that improves the lives of individuals.

Outside of my education, I work part-time at Next as a Home Sales Consultant, where I have learnt to coordinate with different staff members and effectively run the shop floor. I have a great passion for sports; Powerlifting, Pole Fitness and Tae Kwon Do are the regular sporting activities I do. Powerlifting has taught me patience, positivity and perseverance, skills which I have transferred

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Civil Engineering MSc

London, Bloomsbury

Discover excellence in civil engineering with our MSc programme. Immerse yourself in a dynamic blend of lectures, collaborative projects, and personalised research. From structural dynamics to sustainable design, geotechnics to environmental engineering, gain specialised expertise while cultivating versatile skills for impactful careers in both industry and research.

UK tuition fees (2024/25)

Overseas tuition fees (2024/25), programme starts, applications accepted.

Applications closed

• Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a related subject, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applicants who do not meet this threshold but have extensive full-time professional experience (not internships) in civil engineering or a related discipline can provide a portfolio demonstrating existing engineering and design skills, which can be considered. For non-civil engineering candidates we offer a Graduate Diploma in Civil Engineering, recognised by our accrediting body (the Joint Board of Moderators), which can be used as a pre-qualifying year for the Civil Engineering MSc.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website .

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

The Civil Engineering MSc programme at UCL Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering offers a comprehensive and dynamic educational experience. Through a blend of traditional lectures, collaborative group projects, and personalised research initiatives, students are immersed in a multifaceted learning environment. This approach ensures a deep understanding of civil engineering while allowing specialisation in structural dynamics, sustainable building design, geotechnics, transport, and more. Beyond technical knowledge, the programme fosters an awareness of engineering decisions' broader societal and environmental context, producing graduates capable of creating sustainable solutions. 

With a strong emphasis on transferable skills like communication, project management, and critical thinking, students are well-prepared for successful careers in both industry and research. The programme's unique balance of theoretical grounding and practical experience equips graduates with the versatility and adaptability demanded by the evolving engineering field. UCL’s Civil Engineering MSc programme stands as a gateway for aspiring engineers to gain the expertise, skills, and perspectives needed to make lasting contributions in the realm of civil engineering and beyond.

Who this course is for

This programme is tailored for individuals who have completed a BEng degree in Civil or Structural Engineering, or a related field. It particularly attracts those aiming to bolster their qualifications with a comprehensive taught Master's degree. This step is instrumental in advancing towards full professional engineering recognition, both in the UK and internationally. If you seek to elevate your expertise and position yourself as a qualified professional engineer, this programme aligns perfectly with your aspirations.

What this course will give you

Discover unparalleled educational opportunities at UCL Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering. Located in the vibrant hub of London, our esteemed multidisciplinary department boasts a rich history of excellence in teaching and research. 

This programme, a testament to our diverse expertise and industry ties, hones skills through collaborative teamwork experiences. Aspiring engineers benefit from a curriculum designed to propel them towards successful professional careers in civil engineering. Our flexible structure includes an array of optional modules, enabling students to tailor their learning journey to their passions and interests (subject to timetabling requirements). 

Immerse yourself in a world-class education, fostered by a department renowned for its energetic ambiance and commitment to innovation. Elevate your skills, seize the chance to network with industry leaders, and position yourself at the forefront of civil engineering's future. Choose UCL for a transformative experience that equips you for a fulfilling career while exploring the dynamic realm of civil engineering.

The foundation of your career

Upon completing our programme, graduates unlock a multitude of promising pathways. They seamlessly integrate into the workforce, finding placements in esteemed consultancies, construction giants, and influential government bodies. The programme lays a robust foundation for their journey towards becoming Chartered Engineers, a highly regarded professional achievement that solidifies their expertise. 

With a comprehensive skill set and in-depth knowledge, graduates are poised to excel across various sectors, spearheading projects, influencing decisions, and contributing to the advancement of the engineering landscape. This degree not only opens doors to an array of prestigious employment opportunities but also sets a well-defined trajectory for a fulfilling and impactful career.

Employability

UCL Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering graduates excel in diverse roles, contributing to consultancies, construction firms, governmental and non-governmental bodies. Their comprehensive education equips them with problem-solving prowess, technical expertise, and a contextual outlook, ensuring impactful contributions in various sectors of the engineering industry.

UCL offers an enriching environment for networking and professional growth. Engage with peers, industry experts, and faculty members who share your passion for engineering excellence. Through collaborative group projects, seminars, workshops, and industry partnerships, you'll forge connections that extend beyond the classroom. 

These networking opportunities provide insights into real-world challenges, offer chances to learn from industry leaders, and pave the way for potential internships and job placements. Your interactions within this vibrant community will not only enrich your learning experience but also establish a valuable network that can shape your future in the civil engineering arena.

Accreditation

This degree is accredited as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired a partial CEng accredited undergraduate first degree.

See the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) website for further information.

Teaching and learning

Throughout the programme, a diverse range of teaching and learning strategies foster comprehensive skill development and intellectual growth. Graduates emerge with an array of capabilities:

Advanced knowledge and contextual understanding: Engaging lectures, seminars, and tutorials ensure an in-depth grasp of Civil Engineering topics, extending to associated engineering and scientific domains. Graduates gain a profound understanding of the broader operational context of civil engineering, encompassing safety, environmental sustainability, social dynamics, and economic considerations.

Practical proficiency and collaboration: The curriculum emphasises hands-on experience, equipping students with skills vital for both individual and group projects. Design problem-solving, effective communication, teamwork, IT proficiency, information retrieval, and self-directed learning are honed, preparing graduates to excel in the dynamic realm of civil engineering.

Intellectual, academic, and research excellence: Graduates emerge equipped with a rich skill set applicable to diverse career paths. They grasp essential facts, theories, and principles underpinning civil engineering and its multidisciplinary intersections. Practical laboratory and workshop activities enhance their technical competence.

Practical and innovative aptitude: The programme hones the application of quantitative tools for problem analysis and solution development. Graduates showcase creativity and innovation in synthesising solutions and crafting designs. They learn to navigate the balance between the macroscopic perspective and intricate details, a skill essential for success in their professional journey.

These multifaceted teaching and learning methods imbue graduates with the prowess to thrive in research, industry, and various professional domains.

The programme adopts a diverse range of teaching methods, including lectures, tutorials, seminars, laboratory sessions, and enriching field trips. The culmination of the program is the research project, encompassing laboratory experiments, computational analyses, or field investigations, tailored to the project's specific requirements. Evaluation embraces multiple modalities, encompassing examinations, coursework evaluations, comprehensive project reports, and rigorous assessment of the research project, ensuring a holistic measurement of students' theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and research capabilities.

Students engaging in the programme can expect a workload of approximately 40 hours per week. This allocation encompasses a mix of structured learning and teaching activities, including lectures, seminars, and tutorials. Additionally, students are encouraged to dedicate time to self-directed study, a crucial aspect of their educational journey that complements formal instruction and enhances comprehension. This balanced approach ensures a comprehensive understanding of the material and fosters the development of independent learning skills.

The Postgraduate Diploma consists of four core modules (60 credits) and four optional modules (60 credits).

The programme structure for full-time students encompasses a total of 180 credits. Among these, four compulsory modules (60 credits) tailored to the chosen pathway form the core. Additionally, students will select four optional modules (60 credits) to complement their specialization, culminating in an individual research project (60 credits).

The programme structure for part-time students encompasses a total of 180 credits over the course of two years. In the initial year, four obligatory modules (60 credits) pertinent to the selected pathway will be undertaken. The second year focuses on four optional modules (60 credits) aligned with personal interests, followed by the completion of an individual research project (60 credits). This flexible structure allows both full-time and part-time students to tailor their learning journey, ensuring a comprehensive education that suits their pace and aspirations.

The programme structure for modular/flexible students encompasses a total of 180 credits over the course of their studies. In the initial year, four obligatory modules (60 credits) pertinent to the selected pathway will be undertaken. The subsequent years focuses on four optional modules (60 credits) aligned with personal interests, followed by the completion of an individual research project (60 credits). This flexible structure allows both full-time and part-time students to tailor their learning journey, ensuring a comprehensive education that suits their pace and aspirations.

Compulsory modules

Optional modules.

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Civil Engineering. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Civil Engineering.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk . Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team .

Fees and funding

Fees for this course.

Pathways include: with Environmental Systems (TMSCIVSENV14) with Fluids (TMSCIVSFLD14) with Infrastructure Planning (TMSCIVSSIP14) with Integrated Design (TMSCIVSIDS14) with Railways (TMSCIVSRWY14) with Structures (TMSCIVSSTR18) with Surveying (TMSCIVSSVY14) Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis .

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees .

Additional costs

Short local visits may form part of your programme; these may incur public transport costs.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs .

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website .

Brown Family Bursary

NOW CLOSED FOR 2024/25 ENTRY Value: £15,000 (1 year) Criteria Based on financial need Eligibility: UK

UCL East London Scholarship

NOW CLOSED FOR 2024/25 ENTRY Value: Tuition fees plus £15,700 stipend () Criteria Based on financial need Eligibility: UK

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees .

In addition to fulfilling the necessary academic prerequisites, the personal statement serves as a pivotal aspect of your application. It offers a platform to align your motivations for selecting this program with its offerings. When evaluating your application, we are interested in understanding:

• Your rationale for pursuing graduate-level studies in Civil Engineering.
• What specifically draws you to study this programme at UCL.
• The unique aspects of this program that resonate with you.
• How your personal, academic, and professional background aligns with the programme's challenging requirements.
• Your envisioned professional trajectory upon attaining your degree.

While applications are accepted until the deadline, it is advisable to submit your application early due to the competitive nature of placements. The process typically takes around four weeks from submission to receiving an offer letter. For international applicants seeking visas, we recommend applying in advance to secure the necessary CAS number within the required timeframe. Your application journey is a significant step towards a rewarding educational experience at UCL.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Got questions? Get in touch

Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering

[email protected]

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University Personal Statement for Civil Engineering

Are you struggling to put your best leg forward with your university personal statement for civil engineering? Not sure if the current civil engineering personal statement for university admission is not up to the mark? Not impressed with the sample university personal statement for civil engineering?

Well, you are not alone. There are many students who are worried about their higher education just like you are. However, with our team of professional personal statement writers , you cannot set aside all your worries about the same.

We have been working in the field for over a decade now. Hence, we understand how to write a university personal statement for civil engineering, and what format to choose. You can check a variety of  sample university personal statements for civil engineering that we have written so far.

Civil Engineering Personal Statement Examples

I see myself as lucky to have visited numerous different countries all over the world, and I have forever been interested about how novel everyone is. Regarding its infrastructure, specifically. Infrastructure varies greatly between nations, with some having more advanced infrastructures than others. I started to comprehend the importance of infrastructure when my family migrated to India. I saw various designs with a long history while going in the northern states of India with friends. In those structures, each stone and design told a unique story. While sitting there, I had peace. On that journey, we visited a small town, where we saw how the lives of the locals were impacted by inadequate infrastructure.

Despite the fact that India is a developing nation, a portion of the towns in India actually have no power, water, or proper infrastructure. During that journey, I saw the distinctions between the town and villages — what made their places not quite the same as each other. That thought assisted me with revealing my inclinations and what I needed as a profession. I’m extremely interested in studying it and how we can plan and design structures that can have similar advantages as the town for the villages in India. I viewed your college as the best stage to gain the essential abilities and information for that.

Prior to beginning your course, I needed to ensure that I had openness to the field. As part of that, I interned at XYZ Construction Company fully intent on going into civil engineering. I got to know the universe of construction there more deeply. Each phase of the technique, for example, the preparation and designing stages, provoked my curiosity more. I assisted with the structure’s preparation and design, and I was intrigued to check whether my thought could help the building to separate it from others. They likewise presented me to a few projects and bits of literature that would assist with my civil engineering course.

I had the opportunity to visit a site while I was an intern, which allowed me to appreciate the significance of each and every brick. There was a garage that was being built. The seniors working on the site emphasized the meaning of having the proper measure of blocks to help the rooftop. The more solid the structure, the less harm that can occur. I was pleased with how well organized and committed the personnel were on the job site. To hasten the process, they made every effort. Also, as capable and socially propelled structural architects, our deeds should match our words. That, I think, summarizes my way of thinking.

Being part of these projects assisted me to foster my correspondence and cooperation capacities. Moreover, I coordinated school celebrations and partook in extracurricular pursuits like volunteering and NSS. Also, I filled in as the class delegate and acted as a mediator between the students and the faculty.

As a civil engineer, I need to bring my enthusiasm for social services and want to have a meaningful influence on communities. I need to work in India’s underdeveloped areas when I finish this course to acquire more insight about civil engineering. Each individual in India has the right to live securely under a rooftop. Furthermore, I’m set out to contribute to building such rooftops and to increase everybody’s quality of living

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How to Write a University Personal Statement for Civil Engineering?

Many believe that writing a personal statement for civil engineering admission in a venerated university is impossible to do. Well, that needs some correction. While the entire ordeal is not exactly a walk in the park, it is not impossible either.There are many students who work hard to write university personal statements for civil engineering courses all by themselves.The difference here is—hard-work. In order to write a university personal statement without any experience a student needs sheer dedication, constant research, and determination. If you have these qualities in you, and are ready to put in the necessary work, you can write a statement all by yourself, too.

If you are going to do that, these tips will help you:

• Start working in the statement well in advance of the deadline
• Make a list of the things that you want to include in the statement
• Finalize a suitable format as per university guidelines before writing
• Explain what makes you want to study the civil engineering program
• Talk about your career goals and aspirations in the field after the course
• Describe how the course will help you meet your career aspirations

These tips tell you what you need to do to ensure that the statement works in your favor. If you attend to the same well, you can come up with excellent statements even better than the sample university personal statements for civil engineering online.

Why Choose Us to Write Your Civil Engineering University Personal Statement?

Many students dream of pursuing their civil engineering courses in some of the most venerated universities in the world. However, the only thing that they are scared of while dreaming is writing a personal statement. Even if you have the best of scores, a mediocre and unimpressive personal statement can hurt your chances.

This is the reason you need to work hard to find the best service provider to work with to write your university personal statement for civil engineering. Although there are many brands you can work with, we are known for our client-centric approach.

You check the following service qualities that we leverage to always deliver the best and most value-adding services to our clients.

Unique Experience and Expertise in the Field

If you want the best personal statement for university admission for civil engineering, you need to know what you want to include in the same. Although sample university personal statements for civil engineering can help you, it has a limit. However, we are not limited as we have a decade of experience in the field.

An Excellent Team of Skilled Professionals

We are extremely proud of the writing team that we have to help our students write the best university personal statements for civil engineering. However, we have made it a point to make our team exceptionally well with trained editors and customer agents. It is the combined efforts of our teams that make delighted students.

Diverse Quality Assessment Tools and Systems

We cater to students that want to study in some of the best academic destinations in the world such as the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Ireland. The quality of the personal statements for these countries have to be impeccable. In order to meet this, we have various quality benchmarks and systems in place that elevate our work.

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We understand that studying in some of the most developed countries in the world is an expensive thing to do. Hence, we have made a plan where we charge for our services as per the needs of the clients. This customized approach ensures that the costs do not even come to 1/5th of 0.1% of the total academic expenses.

Customized Services and Statements

Having served way too many students looking to write university personal statements for civil engineering, we know that everyone wants a different, distinct statement. Hence, we make it a point to deliver the best services for our clients just as they need. This approach has made us quite popular among students, too.

Multiple Statement Formats and Samples

Having worked in the field for our students for more than a decade now, we have delivered thousands of statements. Hence, we have a collection of winning statements. These samples and formats of university personal statements for civil engineering can be requested in PDF by students for quality assessment, too.

When we undertake a project, we take advantage of these elements. This enables us to constantly exceed the expectations of our students and offer the best university personal statements for civil engineering even better than the samples in PDF.

Hire Us for the Best University Personal Statement for Civil Engineering

Getting admission to a renowned university for civil engineering is a dream come true for most students. The perks of studying civil engineering in a reputed university are beyond anyone’s imagination. Hence, a student, if decided to study abroad, must take every action necessary to get admission to a university of unrivaled repute.

This can be done only with the help of an impeccable and insightful university personal statement for civil engineering. And for that you need statements that are:

• Focused on your aptness for the admission
• Assertive of your suitability for the course
• Creative to tell your story impressively
• Assessed with premium quality tools
• Positively confident and optimistic

With our experience and insights in the statement-writing field, we can deliver the same for you. As a student-focused team, we work closely with each of our students to understand their specific needs. We then leverage the help of our creative writers and editors to come up with the best personal statement for civil engineering.

As you need, we can deliver the university personal statement for civil engineering in PDF formats in the best quality.

Contact SOP Writing team for more details, now!

What is a civil engineering personal statement?

A civil engineering personal statement is a written document that you submit as part of your application to a civil engineering program. It is your chance to tell the admissions committee why you are interested in civil engineering, what your skills and experience are, and why you would be a good fit for their program.

What should I include in my civil engineering personal statement?

Your civil engineering personal statement should include the following:

Your passion for civil engineering and why you want to pursue a career in this field.

Your academic achievements and relevant coursework.

Any relevant work experience or extracurricular activities.

Your skills and abilities that would make you a good civil engineer.

Your goals and aspirations for the future.

How should I structure my civil engineering personal statement?

Your civil engineering personal statement should be well-structured and easy to read. It should start with a strong introduction that grabs the reader’s attention. The body of your statement should be divided into paragraphs that each focus on a different topic. The conclusion should restate your main points and leave the reader with a lasting impression.

What are some common mistakes to avoid in a civil engineering personal statement?

 Here are some common mistakes to avoid in a civil engineering personal statement:

Making grammar or spelling errors.

Writing a statement that is too long or too short.

Being too generic or not personal enough.

Not providing enough evidence to support your claims.

Not proofreading your statement carefully before submitting it.

How can I get help writing my civil engineering personal statement?

 There are a few ways to get help writing your civil engineering personal statement. You can ask a trusted friend or family member to read it over and give you feedback. You can also hire a professional writing service to help you. Or, you can find online resources that can provide you with tips and templates for writing a strong personal statement.

Vasuki Ram, senior writer and the founder of SOP Consultants is a B-tech Graduate who used to work in an MNC. Starting from 2013, she along with her team has assisted more than 10,000 students. Shift in her career was drastic. Read full story here.

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Civil engineering personal statement example 1.

Modern life is almost wholly dependent on engineering. It is everywhere and it is always changing, and it is this in particular which attracts me to civil engineering.

I hope that in this field I can combine my knowledge and skills in physics and maths, two subjects which particularly interest me, and also work in an area which is both diverse and exciting.

I am attracted to the prospect of a job which enables me to shape the world around me for the future and make a difference to people’s lives. Whilst I anticipate a challenging and demanding career, I also expect it to be very rewarding, especially when I can see projects I have worked on being built from start to completion.

I first encountered civil engineering during work experience with a local firm in October 2003. Whilst there, I was inspired by the opportunity to apply my existing skills to real-life problems, and as a result decided to participate in the Engineering Education Scheme.

As part of a team of five, I worked closely with qualified engineers on a railway embankment stabilisation project, and relished the chance to become fully involved in an actual engineering problem from start to finish. I experienced project management and report writing and gained invaluable team-working, time-management and presentation skills, producing a report which was commended by a number of senior engineers.

Following this I attended a Headstart course at Heriot Watt University, and also visited Fairfield Mabey, where I saw ongoing work on various bridges, both in the design office and on site. During the summer I was interviewed by Costain and subsequently offered a Building Awareness Sixth Form Scholarship for my academic achievements and keen interest in civil engineering.

In March 2004 I was one of thirty students selected to participate in a five-day maths and physics event at Oxford University, and this Easter I also attended a maths course at Leeds University. At both of these I enjoyed developing my problem-solving ability and adapting my knowledge to new and challenging situations beyond the scope of my schoolwork.

At Leeds I found I was not attracted to the more theoretical approach of studying maths and preferred problems relating to real-life situations, particularly a lecture on the instability of London’s Millennium Bridge, and I hope that this is something I can continue to enjoy throughout my engineering career.

I am currently working towards my Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, in which I particularly enjoy the challenge of planning and undertaking the expeditions, and the sense of achievement afterwards.

As part of the award I have set-up and run my school’s first sixth form netball team, further utilising my team-working and organisational skills. I am working towards the European Computer Driving Licence in order to extend my IT skills, and I am also a Young Leader at a local Guide Unit, where I enjoy working with the girls and motivating them to acquire new skills.

Last October I was one of twenty Guides and Scouts who participated in the 12th International Space Olympics in Moscow, achieving one of the highest non-Russian scores in the competition’s history. This involved exams and a group presentation, and through research and preparation for these I was able to extend my knowledge of maths and physics into new, more advanced areas.

Through my experiences I am already beginning to appreciate the diversity which civil engineering will offer, and I hope to build on this by securing a work placement next summer as well as sponsorship for my degree. I have enjoyed my time at school and now look forward to the challenge of university and to a varied and exciting career in civil engineering.

Profile info

This personal statement was written by lisa_2k for application in 2006.

lisa_2k's university choices Cambridge University The University of Durham University of Newcastle Upon Tyne The University of Warwick The University of Nottingham The University of Manchester

Green : offer made Red : no offer made

Degree MEng Engineering at Cambridge University

lisa_2k's Comments

Used this PS to apply for 3 civil engineering courses and 3 general ones. Must have worked cos I came out with 6 offers

Related Personal Statements

Great- puts mine to shame

Tue, 19/09/2006 - 00:00

Tue, 24/10/2006 - 20:20

this cool let's keep helping each other

civil engineering

Wed, 06/12/2006 - 01:47

applying to uni to do civil engineering and i really need help to write a neat PS.

Regarding PS...

Wed, 07/03/2007 - 07:04

Remember, when constructing your PS, it may be a good idea to reflect on your mathematical skills. For example, within the PS, identify your mathematical experience - that doesn't include General Mathematics.

My GF's friend works within the universities Admission Centre and stated "the markers like to see the potential student reflect on their mathematical experiences"...

first paragraph states the

Sat, 15/09/2007 - 11:28

first paragraph states the obvious, failed to mention who you are going to "secure a work placement with" which gives it a poor start and finish, apart from that its quite good

i really like this personal

Tue, 16/10/2007 - 10:54

i really like this personal statement, it looks and sounds good, well done, glad u got into ur 1st choice...

helps being sorta way

Sun, 21/10/2007 - 22:10

helps being sorta way intelligent but this is a damn good ps.

I am so jealous of the

Tue, 27/11/2007 - 17:54

I am so jealous of the content. How can I compare without utterly lying about my achievements?

Hmmm, you think the

Tue, 11/12/2007 - 14:46

Hmmm, you think the university read this statement or just looked at the AAAAA this girl most likely had!

I've seen much better personal statements!!

Nice, very nice!

Thu, 10/01/2008 - 13:30

beautiful....

Tue, 15/04/2008 - 09:08

Wed, 28/05/2008 - 19:26

i am still trying to come out with one like this great job

daniel swain

Fri, 20/06/2008 - 11:47

god your bloody brill:P i love you

lisa 2k, what were your a

Sat, 28/06/2008 - 13:35

lisa 2k, what were your a-level grades?

Absolutely blooody fanstastic

Thu, 02/10/2008 - 12:42

Absolutely blooody fanstastic. After reading that and re-reading mine I have definitely realised that mine is absolutely bloody crap

WOW. Very nice. u hve done so

Thu, 09/10/2008 - 00:19

WOW. Very nice. u hve done so much around the subject before u even started uni. I however, hve done nothing cause i am lazy, so i hve got nothing much to write about. NOOO!!

did u have to do any

Sun, 19/10/2008 - 17:32

did u have to do any interviews ???????????????????????????????

Univerisities dont always

Sun, 02/11/2008 - 16:08

Univerisities dont always want someone like this 'perfect' student with her 5 A's. they want people who have lives outside their work aswell, and people who are not wholly obsessed with what thier doing. well balanced people is what their looking for!

Thu, 26/11/2009 - 23:26

Congrats... you have ruined all hope of me getting an education anywhere other than the bloody adult learning centre... but seriously, good job 5*

Fri, 27/11/2009 - 10:57

Get a life mate!!

Mon, 23/08/2010 - 15:42

This is a really good one. I think its funny to see the comments like:

"Univerisities dont always want someone like this 'perfect' student with her 5 A's. they want people who have lives outside their work aswell, and people who are not wholly obsessed with what thier doing. well balanced people is what their looking for!"

There just jealous ;)

I like this personal

Fri, 15/10/2010 - 04:06

I like this personal statement help me construct my personal statement..nice

really good statement, i

Thu, 15/12/2011 - 15:17

really good statement, i picked up many tips from it. Thank you.

plz help me to write a nice

Thu, 03/01/2013 - 17:23

plz help me to write a nice ps

European Computer Driving

Thu, 17/01/2013 - 02:20

European Computer Driving Licence!? Fresh out of school and can't use a computer, gets into Cambridge eek.

its not that good I guess you

Wed, 18/09/2013 - 21:34

its not that good I guess you got accepted because of your A's :O

Add new comment

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How to provide evidence

You will need to be enthusiastic about engineering and show evidence of this in the personal statement is the simple advice from University of Dundee. So, here are some ideas on how to do this:

• Work or extracurricular experiences: This doesn't necessarily have to be directly in an engineering field. Try and give examples of things you've done that highlight your technical aptitude, teamwork skills, leadership, or problem-solving abilities. Similarly, reflect on any extracurricular achievements that demonstrate good time management and self-organisation.
• Relevant skills: Admissions tutors are looking for creative people with initiative, curiosity, and a bit of originality. So, if you’re interested in how things work, sketching new ideas, or taking things apart and repairing them, include this here. Perhaps you’ve taught yourself to code or made your own burglar alarm? Reflect on what you learned or the skills you developed.
• Extra reading: Include any examples of things you've read that have influenced your interest in engineering. Don't just list them though – elaborate on one or two specific issues you read about recently and the impact it made on you.
• Your future plans: If you have a particular goal in mind, then mention what you plan to do with your engineering degree, whether it’s your long-term career aspirations or just your ambition to make the world a better place.
• Course suitability: Engineering is a challenging discipline, so demonstrate that you have the ability and motivation to complete the course.

What not to do

• Don’t be irrelevant: The University of Bath says, 'The best engineers have a wide range of interests… but don’t let important information about yourself be buried in irrelevant detail'.
• Don’t say ‘when I was a child’: An admissions tutor doesn't want to know that the first word you ever uttered was 'hydraulics', or that you played with lego as a child. What you did recently is much more relevant than what you did when you were six.
• Don’t list interests or experiences without reflecting on them: It’s not enough just to say 'I have always been interested in X, Y and Z...'. Instead, describe a work experience placement, project or piece of coursework you did and explain what you found interesting or challenging about it (and why).
• Don’t ignore key advice: Check out the department websites of the universities you're applying to, as some explain what they're looking for in an engineering personal statement. Each engineering degree course at the University of Bristol, for instance, has its own list of requirements - starting with leadership for its engineering design degree.

Structuring your statement

As well as relevant detail, Dr Will Whittow from the The Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering at Loughborough University wants to see a statement that is properly structured. This way you’ll clearly promote your skills and showcase your technical experience.

There are no cast-iron rules about the structure, but we’ve taken some tips from Dr Whittow to draw up a framework you could use:

• Your motivation: In your first paragraph, explain your motivation and why you’re enthusiastic about the course, giving specific examples of what interests you and a glimpse of any specific knowledge you already have.
• Mention your career ambitions too:  Just don’t waste space listing your A level subjects, telling them what an engineer does, or starting with a quote ‘Ever since I was a child…’.
• Your relevant insights or experience: In your second and third paragraphs, show your passion by providing evidence of what you’ve learned from any relevant experience, insights, interests or achievements, starting with your strongest point. This will be all the more impressive if it was outside of school or college, like relevant work experience, engineering taster days or CREST Awards. Commenting on what you’ve learned from your EPQ or a similar school or college project would fit well here too, but it really needs to be relevant.
• Your transferrable skills: In your final paragraph mention anything else that takes up a lot of your time, like a part-time job, caring for a family member, or other interests, responsibilities or extracurricular activities. But draw out the transferable skills you’ve learned from them, like time management, teamwork or leadership. And be specific. Just saying you play badminton or took the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award means nothing – either say something interesting about it that provides relevant evidence or, better still, choose something that not so many people do.

Just like Southampton's Admissions Tutor advised in the quote, try to show a bit of spark and talk about something a bit different from everyone else.

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Civil Engineering

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Apply now for 2025 entry or  register your interest to hear about postgraduate study and events at the University of Sheffield.

School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering

Course description

This course offers a broad-based knowledge in civil engineering covering geotechnical, structural and water engineering, placing an equal emphasis on both analysis and design. You'll dissect these three areas and their interconnections, giving you the skills to become an effective civil engineer. 

The core modules give you a grounding in engineering analysis and design. In the second semester, you can follow your interests and choose from a list of specialist modules.

Our department is research-led, meaning you’ll be taught about the latest ideas and concepts within the field, while the advanced research project provides you with an opportunity to explore a current issue in civil engineering in much greater detail.

You'll be equipped to work on strategies to remedy problems such as making our construction practices more sustainable and efficient, ensuring a safe and clean water supply for future generations, or tackling coastal flooding and groundwater pollution.

This degree is accredited by the  Joint Board of Moderators (JBM)  comprising of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, Institute of Highway Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and the Permanent Way Institution on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the academic requirement for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

To hold accredited qualifications for CEng registration, candidates must also hold a Bachelor (Hons) degree that has been accredited as partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). See the JBM website for further information.

Candidates completing the MSc who hold an underpinning accredited Bachelor degree accredited for IEng only or a non-accredited bachelor degree will need to apply for an academic assessment to determine whether they will meet the educational base for CEng registration.

An open day gives you the best opportunity to hear first-hand from our current students and staff about our courses.

You may also be able to pre-book a department/school visit as part of a campus tour. Open days and campus tours

1 year full-time

We use a variety of teaching methods to support your learning, including tutorials, lectures, group project work, virtual learning environments and individual research. Some modules may feature input from our industrial partners, laboratory work or site visits.

Your assessments will include formal examinations, coursework and research projects. Regular feedback is also provided, so that you can understand your own development throughout the course.

School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering

Civil engineering is at the forefront of improving the way we live. Whether it's designing the infrastructure that keeps our day-to-day lives running smoothly - from buildings and bridges to clean water supplies - or working to meet the ever-changing needs of our society in the areas of sustainability, renewable energy and climate change, you'll be helping to create and protect the world we live in.

Our courses will make you the kind of engineer the world needs right now; forward-thinking, interdisciplinary, environmentally conscious, and capable of the kind of complex thinking our rapidly changing society needs. Wherever you choose to start your career, you'll be in demand.

We're top 10 for civil engineering, according to the Times UK University Rankings 2024. Our research is internationally recognised, and we work closely with industry and government to ensure that our research has real world impact.

Entry requirements

Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in any engineering or science subject which meets the module requirement below.

Module requirements 

You should have studied at least one module from both of the two areas below:

• Foundations
• Foundation Engineering
• Geomechanics
• Geotechnics
• Sanitary Engineering
• Soil Mechanics

IELTS 6.5 (with 6 in each component) or University equivalent.

If you're an international student who does not meet the entry requirements for this course, you have the opportunity to apply for a pre-masters programme in Science and Engineering at the University of Sheffield International College . This course is designed to develop your English language and academic skills. Upon successful completion, you can progress to degree level study at the University of Sheffield.

If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school/department .

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You can apply now using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.

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