Engineering education abroad

Engineering education provides students with the knowledge and principles of professional engineering practice. It includes bachelor's, master's, and PhD degrees. However, you can start working after obtaining a bachelor's degree. Engineering education includes chemical, mechanical, computer, construction, marine, mechanical, electrical, architectural, and other fields.

Description of the specialty

All industries and spheres of society depend on the precise and efficient work of engineers. They design, manufacture, and maintain almost everything that humans and the industry use, from corkscrews, boats, and cars to computers, spacecraft, and buildings. Technological progress would never have happened without engineers. Consequently, the people working in this sector play a huge role in the development of the future of our society.
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The world's best universities in engineering in 2020

The best engineering programs in the world are taught at these universities.

Engineering education by country

Admission requirements for engineering programs

Requirements differ depending on the program, university, and country. Accurate and detailed information should be checked on the official university websites. Usually, the following is required:

• Certificate of completed secondary education — for bachelor's programs, bachelor's/master's degree — for master's programs/PhD. Some countries have requirements for grades in certain subjects (eg, mathematics, physics);
• Transcript with grades;
• Motivation letter;
• Letters of recommendation;
• Passing entrance exams (SAT / ACT, GRE — in the USA, ECUS — in Switzerland);
• Language certificate (TOEFL / IELTS);
• Interview;
• Resumes, extracurricular achievements, etc.

Cost of engineering education in English

Affordable engineering programs in English

Cost of engineering education in other languages

Preparatory programs in engineering

The information given in the tables is approximate. The exact prices must be checked with universities.

Types of engineering programs

Engineers have many specializations. Some create microscopic objects that cannot be seen with a naked eye. Others design items that we use every day, like smartphones and laptops. Some build huge structures: cars, planes and skyscrapers. Engineers know how to turn the products of the imagination into real innovation, so the opportunities for engineers are endless.

Top engineering programs

Advanced engineering professions

As the needs and knowledge of humanity increase, so do the requirements for technology. Some specializations disappear or are about to disappear, new, more promising areas emerge and develop. This process is especially influenced by the current state of affairs in one area or another. For example, due to the environmental situation, environmental engineering has acquired particular importance.

However, to definitely say that some engineering specializations are more promising than others would not be entirely true. Almost all of them are in demand and interconnected in one way or another, and involve the growth and development of specialists.

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Engineering degrees

Bachelor of Engineering is awarded to a student after 3-5 years of study in engineering and has the following titles:

• Bachelor of Engineering (BE, BEng, BAI);
• Bachelor of Science Engineering (BScEng, BS / BSc Engineering);
• Bachelor of Engineering Science (BEngSc);
• Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE);
• Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc).

More narrow areas of engineering can be called Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) and Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME).
Master of Science in Engineering (MSE, MscEng) is different from the degree of Master of Engineering. An MSE can include writing a dissertation and the holder can apply for a PhD. The Master of Engineering, in turn, works on a project, not scientific work, and usually cannot go to doctoral studies after graduation.
Doctor of Engineering (EngD, DEng, DEngr, DrEng) — PhD in Engineering and Applied Sciences.
Read more about academic degrees

Scholarships and free engineering education

• Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) — international scholarship, financed by the Government of Malaysia. Applicants from Malaysian universities at the master's and doctoral levels can apply for MIS. Priority is given to students of science and engineering. The scholarship covers airfares, tuition fees, insurance, other expenses (related to scientific work, literature purchasing, domestic travel, etc.), and also provides monthly payments.
• The SWE Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to women enrolled in accredited bachelor’s or master’s programs in Engineering, Engineering Technology, and Computer Science. In order to participate in the competition, you must have a high GPA (3.0-3.5). Details can be found on the official website.
• AACE International offers scholarships to American and international students pursuing a program of study related to cost engineering/cost management. The size of the scholarship is 2,500 USD. Only outstanding students with high academic achievements are awarded these scholarships^[3].

Many universities provide grants for engineering students:

Engineering internships

Google Internships are offered to engineering students. Internships usually last 12-14 weeks. The requirements depend on each specific proposal, but a resume, transcript of assessments and an interview are required. Information to help you prepare for your internship can be found on YouTube^[4].
Boeing invites bachelor’s and master’s students in aerospace, chemical, construction, computer, electrical, industrial, material, mechanical/structural, or software engineering. The internship is designed for 10-12 weeks of full time work. Detailed information can be found on the company's website.
Chevron internships accept outstanding students in chemical / electrical / mechanical / oil / construction engineering. Internships take place in the United States, so it is preferable for applicants to study at a local
university. More information can be found here.
Internships are to be searched in engineering-related companies. Large and well-known enterprises usually have high competition. Here it is important to carefully prepare your documents and have achievements that will distinguish you from the crowd.

Employment prospects with an engineering degree

Students choose a specialization during admission, so, as a rule, they know exactly what they will be doing. Engineers are in high demand in the market and can almost always find work. For example, in the USA it is a popular^[5] and highly paid^[6] profession. According to forecasts by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs for engineers will increase by 139,300 from 2016 to 2026^[7]. In some countries, after bachelor’s studies, you must additionally obtain a license to start working. However, it should be kept in mind that despite the large number of vacancies, competition is also high, especially in large firms^[8].

How much does an engineer earn?

Interesting facts about engineering education

• Initially, engineering was passed as skill from a teacher to apprentice in the process of work. Such training existed even in the Antiquity and Middle Ages. The student entered the master's workshop and adopted his knowledge. After learning everything the master was willing to teach, the apprentice was ready to open his own workshop.
• There is a stereotype that only men work in engineering. This is partly true: for example, in the UK for 2018, only 12.37% of all engineers were female^[9], but recently the trend has begun to slowly change. So, according to SWE research, in 2007, of all people who wanted to study in STEM only 3.7% were women, while in 2017 this figure increased to 9.5%. The percentage of women with bachelor's degrees in engineering and computer science grew by 58% from 2012 to 2017^[10].