The Bachelor of Engineering (BE) degree course is structured into a four-level programme which requires a minimum time of four years (eight semesters) to complete. The maximum time allowed is eight years, which means that students may proceed on a part-time basis (provided satisfactory progress is maintained). Combined degrees involve an additional one to two years of study.

The units offered in the undergraduate course are designed to equip students with a broad knowledge base and selected specialist skills relevant to their area of interest.

At Level 1 every student studies a civil engineering unit. Several new topics such as structural analysis, geoengineering, water supply, transport, surveying and computing, are introduced at Level 2 while work on engineering and science fundamentals is continued. In Levels 3 and 4 of the civil engineering degree programme, students study more advanced problems in structures, water, geoengineering and transport, as well as being exposed to other branches of civil engineering such as engineering management.

A portion of the second half of the course is made up of elective units.

Students may select from a wide range of courses in civil engineering, or may take selected units from other engineering departments or other faculties. This wide choice means that students can, to an extent, specialise in one branch of civil engineering, generalise within civil engineering, or gain a broader educational experience in areas outside civil engineering. Unlike graduates from other, more narrowly defined courses in engineering, civil engineers from Monash can find work in a very wide variety of fields.

Restrictions of Enrolment for Higher Level Units

No student of Civil Engineering will be permitted to enrol in Level 3 units without completing, or concurrently enrolling in, Level 1 core units. Students are not permitted to enrol in Level 4 units without completing, or concurrently enrolling in, Level 2 core units. Also students wishing to add units after the December enrolment must obtain written authorisation from the staff level representative.