Apprenticeship ยท Level 8 ยท Engineering

Civil Engineering

A four-year honours degree apprenticeship in civil engineering. It suits people who like problem solving and want to build roads, bridges, water systems and buildings.

How apprenticeships work: you are hired by an approved employer and paid while you learn, mixing work with blocks of training in a college or training centre. You don't apply through the CAO and you don't need CAO points.

Key facts

How long
4 years (advanced entry to year 3 possible with a Level 7 civil engineering degree)
Award
NFQ Level 8 Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Civil Engineering
Where you train
  • Atlantic Technological University (ATU)
Pay
Employer pays a salary; rate agreed with your employer.
Costs
Student contribution of EUR 2,000 per year.

Entry requirements

  • Advanced entry to year 3 needs a Level 7 Bachelor degree in a civil engineering subject plus minimum entry requirements
  • Full criteria are in the Civil Engineer Apprenticeship Handbook

How to apply

You must be hired by an approved employer. Find employers on the Generation Apprenticeship website list or the Apprenticeship Jobs page, or contact the ATU apprenticeship team.

Official page on apprenticeship.ie โ†—

What you'll learn

  • Maths and analysis for engineering problems
  • Managing resources and leading teams
  • Cost-effective project systems
  • Working with clients and colleagues across a project

Where it can lead

  • Civil engineer on road, rail, building, airport and water projects
  • Work with local authorities, consultants, contractors or suppliers
  • Progress to Masters level

Useful Leaving Cert subjects

Construction Studies, Design and Communication Graphics, Engineering, Physics

These help with the content of the programme; they are not entry requirements unless listed above.

Other Engineering apprenticeships

Not sure which route suits you?

Our CAO Interest Test matches you to course areas, and now shows apprenticeships and tertiary degrees in your strongest areas too.

Take the CAO Interest Test โ†’ Try the free 3-minute test

Information from apprenticeship.ie, checked November 2026. Details can change, so always confirm on the official page before applying.