Quest Scholarships

The Institution of Civil Engineers offers a wide range of Quest Scholarships each year for students studying Civil Engineering. Quest Scholarships are available for Apprentices, as well as Undergraduates and Postgraduates.
Civil engineering is everything you see that’s been built around us. It’s about roads and railways, schools, offices, hospitals, water and power supply and much more. The kinds of things we take for granted but would find life very hard to live without. In 2018, the ICE is celebrating 200 years of civil engineers designing, planning and building the world we live in today.
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is one of the world’s most respected professional engineering associations. Since it began 200 years ago, the ICE has attracted some of the most famous and influential civil engineers in history as members. In 1818 a small group of young engineers met in a London coffee shop and founded the Institution of Civil Engineers as the world’s first professional engineering body.
They had hoped that lots of engineers from different engineering backgrounds would join the institution. However, civil engineering hadn’t really become an official profession yet, and before the 18th century most engineers were in the armed forces. After two years of struggling to attract new members, ICE asked Thomas Telford to become its first President. His appointment in 1820 not only gave ICE a major boost, it also played a huge part in the shape of the organisation even today.
Telford designed and built all types of infrastructure; from churches to castles, canals to harbours, tunnels to bridges. He was also given the nickname ‘the Colossus of Roads’ because his designs were used to construct all major British highways. During his lifetime, Thomas Telford built over 1,000 miles of roads.
Using his political and social connections, Telford helped to bring in many new members, from the UK and overseas. But his most important role was getting ICE’s Royal Charter in 1828. This charter, which was updated by Queen Elizabeth II in 1975, gives the ICE status as the leading institution for the civil engineering profession. The organisation has more than 92,000 members around the world.
As well as supporting members to become qualified, ICE also encourage them to continue their professional development by providing a variety of civil engineering knowledge resources. These include industry-leading publications from ICE Publishing and tailored courses from ICE Training.
The ICE can also provide sound legal advice and practical guidance to resolve work-related disputes. Furthermore, ICE’s Benevolent Fund also offers members and their families both support and development opportunities. This ranges from advice and guidance on personal and financial matters, to back-to-work schemes and training programmes.
Quest Apprenticeship Scholarships
There are some several Quest Scholarships for Apprentices, or students on BTEC or Foundation Degree courses, including:
Technician Scholarship:
- £1,500 for students on further or higher education courses that could lead to becoming an ICE technician member.
Technician Plus Scholarship:
- £1,500 for qualified technicians (EngTech), or those eligible for ICE Technician membership, who are studying to achieve Incorporated Engineer status.
For more information about Quest Scholarships from the ICE, click here.
Quest Undergraduate Scholarships
There are some very generous Quest Scholarships for Undergraduates, including:
Undergraduate Scholarships:
- £10,000 over the course of your study.
- Paid work placements every summer.
- Potential for a full-time job with a leading civil engineering or construction company on graduation.
Kenneth Watson Travel Award:
- £1,500 award to ICE Student Members who are studying in the UK and want to travel abroad after at least one year of study on a civil engineering-related project or activity.
For more information about Quest Scholarships from the ICE, click here.
Quest Postgraduate Scholarships
The Quest Scholarships programme also offers awards for those who have recently graduated from University:
Travel Award:
- £1,500 award to ICE Graduate or qualified Members seeking experience abroad by working on a civil engineering project.
Continuing Education Award:
- £1,500 award to ICE Graduate and qualified Members, with at least two years’ work experience, who are studying for a new qualification to help their professional development.
For more information about Quest Scholarships from the ICE, click here.
Quest Awards and Bursaries
There are also some Quest Scholarships available for specific target audiences, including:
Eloise Plunkett Award:
- £2,500 award to a newly qualified female Member or Technician member based in the UK, for travel which has a civil engineering focus.
For more information about Quest Scholarships from the ICE, click here.