Saxion University of Applied Sciences
Bachelor in Civil Engineering
Enschede, Netherlands
Bachelor's degree
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 2,694 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* For non-EU/EEA students tuition fee: € 9360/year
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
Choose a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. Help build tomorrow’s world! Design new solutions to the major societal issues we face in civil engineering. Contribute to solutions that cope with extreme drought, climate change, flooding and sustainability for ports, rivers, quays, roads, railways, locks, bridges and much more. Become a creative civil engineering professional and make a difference.
Climate change
Climate change and climate adaptation are causing major challenges in civil engineering. As a creative civil engineer, you can adapt existing and new designs to create a sustainable human environment. A good example of this is our very own sustainable climate square at our main building in Enschede, co-designed by our own civil engineering students.
Digitalisation
The study programme combines skills with software such as Autodesk Civil 3D and Civil Engineering. Current challenges require digitalised processes including design, drawing and calculating. The programme also focuses on Digital Twin; where physical and virtual worlds combine to create innovation in civil engineering.
Circularity
Civil engineers are tasked with using materials in the design, construction and dismantling of bridges, weirs and roads more sustainably. To meet this mandate, the programme pays considerable attention to circular construction. The sector is now responsible for 40% of all CO2 on earth. This has to change and you are a vital link in making that change.
During your Civil Engineering study
During the Civil Engineering programme, you will learn everything about land, road and waterway construction. To look at the construction and renovation of civil engineering works for the future from a sustainable perspective. The design and construction of dykes, traffic junctions, ports and wind farms. Constructing bridges, multi-storey car parks and tunnels. During your studies, you can specialise in hydraulic engineering, water management, structural design and traffic and roads. In doing so, you will have a lot of contact with the professional field.
Want to know everything about studying at Saxion? Join us online, on campus or abroad and embark on a journey to discover your future at Saxion!
The Civil Engineering programme focuses on 'Building tomorrow'. We focus on training young professionals who can contribute to solutions for major social issues involving civil engineering. Our profile and emphasis is on technology, which distinguishes us from related courses such as spatial planning, traffic engineering/mobility and urban design. We are in line with future-oriented education, with room for learning in practice, freedom of choice, interdisciplinarity and a holistic approach. Study coaching is an important part of this to encourage students to make conscious choices within and outside the programme.
Top study programme
The Civil Engineering programme was rated as top programme by the Keuzegids HBO 2024 (Higher Education Guide).
First Year
Introduction to the discipline Civil Engineering
Higher professional education in Civil Engineering is based on four themes: Water Management, Hydraulic Engineering, Construction and Roads. These themes are often offered in combination, as many key areas are also interrelated in the professional field. The focus is on civil engineering objects. Spatial planning issues, traffic engineering and mobility are only offered to support the technology. In the first year, alongside learning about civil engineering, there is also a project line that focuses on becoming acquainted with the professional field and societal challenges. These projects are supported by higher professional education skills such as communication, research, project-based work and study coaching. The first year also features a technology line involving getting to grips with mathematics, mechanics and geotechnical engineering.
Theory subjects in the first year: mathematics, mechanics and fluid mechanics
Study load
- 40% Theory
- 45% Practical and group assignments
- 15% Study coaching
The Civil Engineering programme consists of five building blocks
- Technology
The Technology Line provides the technical foundation for engineers from the Architecture and Construction Engineering and Civil Engineering programmes. Where possible, these modules are offered together. Learn how constructions work and how to calculate them, as well as skills to think abstractly and analytically. - Discipline specific
In the discipline-specific line, you will learn everything needed to provide the technical foundation for civil engineers. You will gain knowledge, insight and skills relating to civil engineering works of the past, present and the future. Learn how to draw and design technically – from new construction and renovation to management and maintenance of civil engineering works. - Projects
You will apply all the knowledge you have gained in practical projects, where you learn all about project requirements and processes. You will work in groups on the energy transition, climate adaptation, circular construction and civil challenges in earthworks, roads and water. Learn from each other and build tomorrow through research and design! - Electives and specialisation
You will put together your own personal learning path, best suited to your preferences and talents. After term 1 in year 1, you choose between Architecture and Construction Engineering and Civil Engineering. Give your programme a personal touch in year 2 by choosing different elective and specialisation modules. Choose a suitable internship and minor and complete your studies with a graduation project. - Study Coaching
Discover the programme and get supervision from your study coach. We coach you throughout your studies and your growth into a civil engineering professional. Your personal development comes first!
Civil Engineering Lab
In the Civil Engineering Lab you can experiment with practical examples and gain insight into societal issues related to civil engineering. The laboratory contains a wide range of equipment that is available for working on projects and conducting research. As a student, you are welcome to visit the lab.
Subjects first year
Building block technology
- Term 1: Forces in structures
- Term 2: Balance in constructions
- Term 3: Structural design
- Term 4: Materials in constructions
Subject-specific building block
- Term 1: Home and Environment & Digital Design
- Term 2: Neighbourhood Design & Digital Design
- Term 3: Catchment Area & Digital Design
- Term 4: Bridge Design & Digital Design
Building block project
- Term 1: Project Introduction to the construction industry
- Term 2: Project Building Tomorrow
- Term 3: Project Integral Design
- Term 4: Project Implementation Plan
Building block Study Coaching
- Term 1 to 4 Study Coaching
More about the study structure
Would you like more information about the content, courses and tests of this program within the various years? Click on the button and view this training in the Saxion Course Catalog for detailed information.
Second year
Getting to grips with basics
In the first year, you learn how to approach a project. In the second year, you continue with this and work on authentic assignments from professional practice and/or research groups. In the first semester, extra attention is paid to research and internationalisation. The second semester focuses on a design issue from practice. The discipline-specific line will also be continued in year two. Within water management and hydraulic engineering, there is a regional focus on inland water (urban water, water retention in the region and water and soil management). In implementation, management and maintenance, the focus is mainly on technology. Furthermore, year two offers room for personal choices in broadening and specialisation of subjects; the so-called elective and specialisation semester.
Subjects second year
Subject-specific building block
- Term 1: Quay construction & digital design
- Term 1: Coastal engineering
- Term 2: Rivers and Canals & Digital Design
- Term 2: Asset management
- Term 3: Traffic Junctions & Digital Design
- Term 4: Water-retaining structures & Digital Design
Building block project
- Term 1: Practical project Research
- Term 2: Practical project International
- Term 3: Practical project Design
- Term 4: Practical project Design
Building block personal specialisation
- Term 3 and 4: Choose 1 Specialisation Semester: Constructing, Modelling or Managing & Organising
Building block study coaching
- Study Coaching
Third year
Internship and minor: make a conscious choice
The third year of the Civil Engineering programme is divided into two semesters of six months each: internship and minor. You can decide the order in which you do these two semesters.
- Internship
You do an internship at a civil engineering company for six months where you can put the knowledge and experience gained over the past two years into practice. You decide where you do your internship. You can even choose to do this abroad! - Minor
The minor allows you to specialise or broaden your horizons. Popular minors for future civil engineers are: BIM engineering (design in 3D), Integrated Water Management and Sustainable International Water Solutions. You can also opt for a minor abroad or a transfer minor at the university.
Fourth year
Interdisciplinary project and graduation
For six months you work with other students on an interdisciplinary issue from the professional field. At the same time, you prepare for graduation. All knowledge gained will be reflected in your graduation assignment in the second semester. The programme has four specialisations to choose from for graduation: Hydraulic Engineering, Water Management, Traffic and Roads and Construction.
This study programme is officially accredited by the NVAO (Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders), ensuring recognised quality and academic standards across Europe.
Degree Certificate: Bachelor of Science (BSc)
With your Civil Engineering degree certificate, you can start working in civil engineering. The chances of finding a suitable job are very favourable at the moment. You may use the title Bachelor of Science.
As a civil engineer, you can be widely deployed in civil and infrastructure engineering. You are aware of new techniques such as innovative construction methods, materials and project approaches. Here's to a great career!
Professions for Civil Engineers
The Civil Engineering programme helps you develop into an all-round civil engineer in civil and infrastructure engineering. You come up with solutions to combat flooding and increase the accessibility of cities. You make constructions that are very important to all. For example, you can work on the design of tunnels, bridges or even on an artificial island in Dubai. Coming up with new ways to deal with water along major provincial roads may also be your future job. Finding a challenging job is not difficult. The Netherlands is world-renowned in the field of civil engineering. That is why, as a civil engineer, you are in great demand both nationally and internationally.
- Designer
- Structural engineer
- Work planner
- Site manager
- Project manager