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Civil engineering shapes the world by planning, designing, constructing, and managing vital infrastructure such as buildings, roads, bridges, dams, and water systems. It improves communities by ensuring safe transportation networks, sustainable use of water resources, and infrastructure adaptation to climate change.
For those seeking a comprehensive and advanced education in this impactful sector, head to Portugal. Specifically, the Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment (DECivil) at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, which is renowned for such training.
ULisboa is the country’s largest and most prestigious university and one of Europe’s leading universities. Created 11 decades ago, Técnico is the School of Engineering of ULisboa. Today, it has approximately 12,000 students of more than 60 different nationalities.
Técnico/DECivil has had many successes in turning its students into accomplished graduates — evident through the many awards they have won at national and international levels. Here, students receive a well-rounded education that fully prepares them to succeed in any industry they embark on. “Técnico is one of the best civil engineering schools in Europe and the world, and its research centres carry advanced scientific research. This scientific research is mainly carried out by the school’s teaching staff, with the engagement of master’s and doctoral students,” says civil engineering master coordinator Prof. António Sousa Gago. “The faculty’s commitment to scientific research allows students to come into contact with very up-to-date topics and the latest results of research projects. This innovation and research is highly motivating for students and faculty.”
This pairs well with the extensive experience on civil engineering practice and consultancy activities that lecturers bring. This allows students to “experience the executive reality” of this field, says Gago. “The synergy between research and engineering practice, together with the technological and laboratory resources available at Técnico, allows students to obtain a complete and differentiated education,” he says.
From day one, students are welcomed warmly into the campus community. During Welcome Week, students visit the campus and meet mentors, course coordinators, the students’ union, student groups, support and development programmes, tutors and the governing bodies. They have the opportunity to participate in several cultural activities to get to know the city of Lisbon and their future colleagues.
While campus is often filled with projects and activities, students are encouraged to venture beyond and join national and international competitions. Source: Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa
The MSc in Civil Engineering programme is highly effective, boasting an impressive 96% employment rate for graduates within a year of completion. Graduates have pursued diverse careers in areas such as structural, hydraulics, and geotechnical design, construction, water supply, waste management, transportation, urban planning, project management, logistics, consultancy, training, and more.
The programme is tailored to address current and future societal challenges, integrating with digital transition, sustainability, and climate change fields. Students thrive in a stimulating environment with exceptional faculty, a flexible master’s programme (EURACE), strong industry connections, and opportunities for mobility and double degree courses in Europe or beyond.
Frederico Hooper, 24, a Brazilian student is pursuing a double degree programme in Civil Engineering — a journey that took him from the University of São Paulo to Técnico and opened a world of opportunities. He got to study his MSc courses in English, which Brazilian universities do not offer, enhancing his language proficiency and exposing him to a more international academic environment. He participated in two one-week courses held at partner institutions in Paris, France, and Thessaloniki as well.
“I gained a thorough understanding of the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector, focusing on building rehabilitation and sustainability,” he says. “These subjects were not extensively covered at my home university in Brazil. During my two-year tenure at Tecnico, I acquired invaluable knowledge in industry practices and regulations widely used in Portugal and Europe, including the Eurocodes. The field of technology and engineering taught here constantly evolves with new advancements, techniques, and methodologies. [I learnt that] embracing lifelong learning and adaptability are crucial for success in any professional career.”
Frederico Hooper embraced the opportunity to pursue his Técnico courses in English, unavailable within Brazilian universities, and in doing so has been able to amplify his language aptitude while immersing himself in a globally enriched academic milieu. Source: Frederico Hooper
For Julio Feltes, a Técnico graduate who is now a civil engineer, his DECivil degree taught him the importance of striking a balance between theoretical and practical classes. “Many students think that practical classes are more crucial, but they complement each other. The theoretical foundation provided by Técnico changed my perception of engineering from a ‘Do’ to a ‘Think’ approach,” he says. “The university equipped me with profound knowledge that I now apply daily, not only at work but in life as well. It taught me to face and solve problems quickly, addressing issues immediately and preventing their recurrence.”
Técnico showed Júlio Feltes the distinct benefits of learning theory and how to put it into practice. Source: Júlio Feltes.
Research, Development, and Innovation (RD&I) activities take place at CERIS, which stands for Civil Engineering Research and Innovation for Sustainability. There are seven laboratories — Construction, Structures and Strength of Materials, Geotechnics, Hydraulics, Water Resources and Environment, Transport Infrastructures, Computational Mechanics, and Information Technology – that provide training and hands-on laboratory experiences to students.
“Throughout their degree, students are guided by highly qualified teachers and researchers facilitating exposure to the industrial and professional contexts. This allows students to seek guidance and advice during their professional development. Students often work on topics proposed by companies, institutions, and municipalities, strengthening their ties to the professional world,” says Prof. Antonio Gago.
“Another component in which Técnico civil engineering teachers and researchers are very active is in the production of national and international standards, in the most varied themes of civil engineering. This contact with the latest techniques, solutions, technologies and standards provides students with very up-to-date knowledge that will distinguish them in the labour market,” says Prof. António Sousa Gago. Source: Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa
These are life-changing experiences, as graduate Gonçalo Ribeiro can attest. “As part of a research scholarship, I had the opportunity to work on a fascinating project called ‘Vulcano,’ where I contributed to the design of a reversible hydraulic system that incorporated both pumping and turbining, and its application in the case study of the Terceira Island, in Azores,” he says. “This project allowed me to delve into the intricacies of hydraulic engineering and explore sustainable energy solutions while working side-by-side with a diverse team of top scholars and researchers.”
Gonçalo Ribeiro’s Técnico education equipped him with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in his first job in structural engineering right from the start – and winning him awards along the way. Source: Gonçalo Ribeiro
Pair this with Técnico’s technical excellence, academic rigour, and renowned faculty and students like Gonçalo Ribeiro gain the confidence to excel in their future careers. “The education and principles I got here — including a strong work ethic, intellectual rigour, and a multidisciplinary perspective — have been instrumental in shaping my problem-solving capabilities and equipping me to tackle challenges.” Thanks to this solid foundation at Técnico, he would go on to win the “Henry Ford II Prize” awarded by INSEAD (European Institute of Business Administration) for the “MBA Class of July 2023”. His academic performance surpassed more than 400 students in the INSEAD MBA programme, one of the most prestigious worldwide. Gonalo doesn’t stand alone in his achievements, as two DECivil students won the ULisboa RedeMOV 2022 Award for their master’s and doctoral theses on smart urban mobility. João Aparício and Francesc Ventura Teixidor were distinguished by the Universidade de Lisboa.
Kai-Julian Hendler, a graduate with an MSc focused on geotechnical engineering, and now a project engineer in Munich, Germany agrees. “It was overall a great time in which I learnt a lot. I feel like I have prepared well for the challenges that I have faced since starting working in the civil engineering industry.”
Studying at Alameda campus, it allows students to enjoy the advantages of living in Lisbon. The vibrant life of the country’s capital provides a diverse cultural scene and sports opportunities, as well as easy connections to other countries, creating a dynamic and multicultural environment with plenty of memories to make.
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