Civil engineering — bachelor's
Civil engineering (Bauingenieurwesen) at bachelor's level takes 6–7 semesters, with a B.Eng. from a university of applied sciences or a B.Sc. from a university. The core school subjects are mathematics and physics; teaching is almost always in German, and many programmes have no grade-based limit.
Checked by StudyInFocus, october 2026
About the speciality
The bachelor's in civil engineering teaches the scientific and practical basics of designing, calculating and building structures — buildings, bridges, roads and water structures.
It is the first university degree and already qualifies you to work as an engineer. Besides full-time programmes there are dual programmes, combining study with work in a company, and distance programmes.
Facts
What is studied
Compulsory modules (example)
- mathematics and engineering mechanics
- structural analysis
- building materials
- geotechnics and foundations
- concrete, steel and timber structures
- construction methods and site operations
- road construction, transport and surveying
- hydraulic engineering and urban water management
- business management in construction
Elective modules (example)
- concrete technology
- CAD and BIM
- transport planning
- rural and land-improvement engineering
Practical training
Depending on the university: a pre-study internship, practical modules or a practical semester, for example in an engineering office or a construction company.
Core school subjects
The school subjects the studies build on — worth strengthening while still at school.
By country
What is particular about studying it in each country.
Germany
12 programmes · 12 universitiesYou can study at a university (TU) — more calculation and science — or at a university of applied sciences (Hochschule) — more design practice.
- Bachelor's programmes are almost always taught in German; there are more English-taught master's programmes.
If your school certificate does not give direct access — Studienkolleg: T-Kurs.
- Workload
- 180–210 ECTS
- Language of instruction
- German at C1; English-taught programmes are rare
- Admission limit
- many programmes have no NC
- Tuition
- none at state universities in most Länder; semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) usually €100–400
- Start
- usually the winter semester
Checked by StudyInFocus, october 2026
Programmes
From the catalogue — by this subject and level.
Careers
Continue your education
Similar study subjects
Plan B: vocational training
Professions with vocational training (Ausbildung) close to this subject — if studying does not work out, or as a first step.
More about the speciality
Who it suits
Civil engineering suits people who want to know how buildings, bridges and roads work and who are confident in mathematics and physics. It is an engineering subject: most of the studies are calculation and design, not work on a building site.
How the studies work
The first two or three semesters lay the foundation: advanced mathematics, mechanics, materials, drawing and BIM. Then you choose a profile: structures, geotechnics, transport or water engineering. Universities of applied sciences usually include a practical semester in a design office or a construction company; universities offer more theory and lab work instead.
Hochschule or university
Universities of applied sciences (Hochschule) award a B.Eng., with more practice and smaller groups; universities award a B.Sc. and lead into research. Both degrees qualify you to work as an engineer. International students without direct access reach both through a Studienkolleg T course.
After the bachelor's
A bachelor's is enough to work as a design engineer or on site. A master's (3–4 semesters) is needed for complex structures, research and leadership roles. The right to sign building applications on your own comes after several years of practice and registration with the chamber of engineers of the Land.