Construction Managers may supervise major design and construction projects from beginning to end.

This degree will give you a head start in this competitive and highly sought after field. It is strongly hands-on, you will apply engineering theory to real-world challenges. In your final year, you’ll do a major industry-related research project and a design project.

You’ll learn in our industry-standard specialist facilities – such as the largest strong floor in the southern hemisphere and a 1200m long hydraulic testing facility – and use high-tech testing and computer modelling equipment.

Graduate career-ready by completing the UniSA STEM Professional Practice Program and gain at least 450 hours of skills and competencies through a range of engagement activities such as placements, internships, guest lectures, industry panels, site visits, networking and events.

This degree has been designed to meet the requirements for professional accreditation by Engineers Australia (EA). Such accreditation is provisional until the degree produces its first graduates. 

What you'll learn

In your first year you will develop a strong, general foundation in engineering. You’ll then move into your civil engineering major. From third year onwards you will also commence construction management courses, such as Construction Scheduling and Advanced Construction Management.

At least half of your honours year involves a major project. Projects are generally supported by industry clients, or based in a research centre like the Scarce Resources and Circular Economy centre. Our UniSA STEM Professional Practice Program allows you to apply the skills and knowledge you've acquired throughout your degree in real-world settings.

You will also have the opportunity to undertake a Civil Engineering Design Project (CEDP). In the CEDP you will undertake real projects provided by industry with industrial representatives acting as your clients. You will work through the real-life stages of a project from developing a tender through to feasibility, concept development and detailed design. See examples of student projects: Project 1 and Project 2.

In Australia, strong housing construction activity and infrastructure investment should see employment in architecture, engineering and technical services sector grow by 19.5 per cent between now and 2020. For civil engineers in Australia, employment growth of 13.5 per cent is expected by 2023.1 Careers to consider:

• civil engineer: designing, construction and testing of physical infrastructure; assessing the impact of large scale projects on the environment
• geotechnical engineer: advising on ways to guard and maintain structures such as soil and rock formations and groundwater deposits; planning and developing building and construction projects; advising on tools, methods and materials for construction in an area
• construction manager: overseeing and allocating resources for construction projects; working with architects and engineers to check plans and blueprints; managing timetables; determining material and labour costs; liaising with and hiring subcontractors and workers
• project engineer or manager: managing a whole project cycle, from scoping and concept through to development or build; financial, technical and team responsibilities