Design and build vital structures
Population growth, climate change, and aging infrastructure are some of the big challenges that today’s civil engineers tackle in the quest for smart cities and a sustainable future. As a civil engineer, you’ll lead the creation, maintenance, and management of the large-scale infrastructure we all depend upon.
During your six paid co-op work terms, you can test drive different career options. Work for major construction and engineering companies, get experience with local or provincial governments, or spend a term abroad.
This is a degree with lots of flexibility. You’ll have access to a wide range of electives, allowing you to customize your education to suit your interests and career goals.
By the end of your degree, you’ll be ready to design, analyze, construct, and manage everything from airports and skyscrapers to bridges, transportation networks, municipal water systems, and more.
Program highlights
Develop solutions for a better tomorrow. At Waterloo, you'll have access to high-tech simulation labs where you’ll learn how to test risks before any shovels hit the ground.
Your urban playground. Learn to design and build structures that stand the test of time, including roads, landscaping structures, pavement, and bridges.
Why Waterloo Engineering?
Population growth, climate change, and aging infrastructure are some of the big challenges that today's civil engineers tackle in the quest for smarter cities and a sustainable future. As a civil engineer, you'll lead the creation, maintenance, and management of the large-scale infrastructure we all depend upon.
What will you learn?
During your first year, you'll take a mix of engineering and math courses. In upper years, most of your classes will be in Civil Engineering.
Learn more about courses you'll take for your Civil Engineering degree.
Get tips from Waterloo students
Join our monthly newsletter for tips such as choosing a university program, life at Waterloo, and finances.
Questions? Ask a student!
Ask a Faculty of Engineering student about their program, classes, getting involved on campus, and more!
Co-op = relevant paid work experience
Waterloo's co-op program, the largest in North America, is an amazing way to explore potential careers, learn to interview for jobs, graduate with up to two years of valuable experience – and make money!
Sample co-op job titles
- Field technician
- Quality control technician
- Diagnostics civil engineering
- Transportation planner
- Concrete lab technician
- Estimator / project manager
- Structural engineering student
Co-op work-study sequence
Starting in first year, you'll normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience. You can return to the same employer for a couple of work terms to gain greater knowledge and responsibility or work for different employers to get a broad range of experience.
Year |
September to December (Fall) |
January to April (Winter) |
May to August (Spring) |
---|
First |
Study |
Study |
Co-op |
---|
Second |
Study |
Co-op |
Study |
---|
Third |
Co-op |
Study |
Co-op |
---|
Fourth |
Study |
Co-op |
Study |
---|
Fifth |
Co-op |
Study |
- |
---|
Your first work term will be at the end of first year (May to August 2025).
Learn more about co-op →
What can you do with a degree in Civil Engineering?
Graduates often pursue careers where they oversee projects focusing on planning, design, and construction of the large-scale infrastructures around us.
Recent graduates
- Tunnel Engineer – GHD
- Structural Engineer – AECOM
- Engineer – MMM Group
- Structural Design Engineer – Stephenson Engineering
- Field Engineer – PCL Construction Management
- Civil Engineer – Clifton Associates
- Project Manager – JP2G
Possible professional designation
Learn about the future of careers in engineering.
Student life, including Women in Engineering
Student design teams
Have fun and develop hands-on experience through one or more of our 25+ student-led design teams! Design teams include rocketry, concrete canoe, robotics, solar car, submarine racing, autonomous vehicle, Space X Hyperloop, Formula Motorsports, Engineers Without Borders, and more.
You’ll meet people with similar interests and goals, benefit from networking with experts in the engineering profession, and develop some great skills for your résumé.
Engineering Society (EngSoc)
EngSoc is run by students for students and provides many social and academic events and services to make your experience as a Waterloo Engineering student the best it can be.
Benefit from mentoring for first-year students or get involved and meet other students through an annual conference, semiformal, career fair, charity events, community outreach, and much more!
Campus-wide activities
Our campus is packed with opportunities to get involved – no matter how unique your interests. Between our 250+ student-run clubs, sports and recreation opportunities, student government, and events, student life at Waterloo has something for everyone.
"Many believe that engineer's only serve their community in a technical capacity, but there is so much to learn about the intersection between engineering work with environmental and social justice! I hope it’s more explored in the future." Delina Gebrezghi, Civil Engineering student
Admission requirements
Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
- Advanced Functions (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- Calculus and Vectors (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- Chemistry (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- Physics (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- English (ENG4U) (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
Admission averages: Individual selection from the mid- to high 80s
How to apply
Apply directly to this program on your application.