5 best countries to study engineering

Garima Upadhyay Rawat

Engineering continues to be among the most sought after programmes attracting Indian students. Since getting into a top-notch institute is becoming extremely competitive in India, many students eye universities abroad to fulfill their engineering aspirations. While UK and US continue to be the age-old favourites with the student community, other countries like Singapore, Australia, Canada and Germany that are gaining students’ attention.

While the choices increase, you must exercise enough caution while selecting your place of study. Factors like return on investment, part-time job options, safety, tuition fee, employment options and medium of instruction play a key role when deciding on the destination. Shortlisted here are 5 best countries where you can pursue your engineering dream.

USA

What makes USA a favourable destination to study engineering? A vibrant Indian community, some of the top-ranking institutes and English as the medium of instruction make USA extremely attractive for Indians. Good placement options also draw many students. The year 2011 had about 103,260 students in USA for higher education. That was a growth of 8,697 students from the previous year! Says Sowriranjan Sampath, an engineer with a leading MNC in US, “After completing engineering from the US, it was not very difficult to find a job and settle down here. The presence of many Indian students and some faculty members on campus works as a boon for Indian students. You rarely feel lonely and can give your best to studies. Engineering studies are quite rigorous in the US, and would demand you to be actively involved in the classroom and beyond with subjects. The US is one of the best places to study engineering.”

Undergraduate engineering programmes in USA take 4 years to complete. Most engineering colleges require a SAT exam score if you’re applying to the UG engineering programme. Students applying to graduate engineering programmes must have a GRE score apart from having a UG degree in engineering, mathematics or science. International students also need to take the TOEFL exam. In the US, most undergraduate engineering programs are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) to ensure similar course requirements and standards among universities. Generally, universities in the US, manage their admissions process by themselves. Since the admission criteria vary across universities, you must start applying early.

Institutes of Repute: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, Princeton University, University of California, Stanford University

AUSTRALIA

Australian shores have invited Indians for close to two decades now, and continue to attract a lot of Indians for higher education. Australia is known for an excellent education system that emphasises  experiential learning instead of rote learning. Their degrees are universally accepted and hold relevance. According to the latest report by Australia’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), India is second to China in the number of visas granted in 2011-12. Overall 253,046 student visas were granted (in 2011-12) until June 30, 2012. Out of this, 33,764 visas were granted to Indian students. This figure represents an increase of 16.6% in comparison with the same period in 2010-11.

To gain entry into an Australian undergraduate course, you need to have the Class 12 passing certificate which is equivalent to Australia’s senior secondary certificate of education. Almost all programmes require an score of IELTS exam, which must not have been taken 24 months before the day of the application and should be more recent. Students should have a minimum IELTS score of 6 and at least 60% in Class 12 board exam.

Australia generally has two intakes in a year – February and July. Students wanting to take admission in an engineering programme, must have studied Mathematics as a compulsory subject in high school i.e from Class 8 till Class 12. Students should have studied Physics and/or Chemistry after class 10. The duration of the course is three years. Tuition for most schools is in the range of A$10,000 to A$16,500 (Rs 5,80,000 to 10,00,000) per year. Scholarships are available to Indian students.

Institutes of Repute: University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, University of Queensland, Monash University, RMIT University

UK

The mecca of higher education, the United Kingdom, has earned itself the reputation of providing high and quality education. UK Universities and colleges offer more than 1000 courses along with great flexibility in the way a subject can be studied. In the United Kingdom, engineering typically takes 4-5 years of study and results in a Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Science Engineering (BScEng), Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) or Bachelor of Technology (BTech) degree.

While studying in UK, the cost of education or tuition fee will be your major expense. The cost of study or education in UK varies according to the course and duration of course you are pursuing. You might pay between 11,000 to 14,000 pounds (Rs 11,00,000 to 14,00,000) as tuition fee. Though with newer destinations like Germany and Singapore coming up, and visa rules tightening, an engineering education in UK could become more exclusive.

Institutes of Repute: Oxford University, University of Cambridge, Durham, Nottingham, Warwick

SINGAPORE

Singapore’s proximity to India comes across as a strong point for Indians wanting to pursue higher education there. Presence of world class universities, global exposure and bearable cost of living make this destination comparatively easy on the pocket for Indian students wanting a foreign engineering education. The tuition costs generally vary between S$24,000 to S$30,000 (Rs 10,80,000 to 13,50,000 ) per year. Singapore is one of the few countries that offer generous scholarships to international students, however, getting one is quite competitive.

The admissions process is simpler as compared to any of the western countries. The three universities –National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Management University (SMU) offer internationally recognised degrees. Many international universities also run satellite campuses (institutes of higher learning) or have joint collaborations/programmes with Singaporean universities (local tie-ups). Some of them are: INSEAD, Duke University, Georgia Tech, MIT, etc. Admission to engineering programmes at NUS and NTU depends mostly on the student’s academic performance. Undergraduate engineering programmes are of four years’ duration. The intake is once a year in July. The deadline for submitting the application is different for the schools but decisions are made only after the university receives your Class 12 results.

Institutes of Repute: National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University

GERMANY

Germany provides the best and the most cost-effective study options for overseas students as most colleges are state-funded. Another reason that makes Germany a worthy study destination is the presence of more than 300 institutions of higher education. It is one of the leading countries in the field of research, science and technology. There are no university-sponsored scholarships in Germany, but a number of private and public institutions award scholarships, usually to cover cost of living and books.

In Germany, most programmes are exclusively taught in English, therefore, German language skills are not a prerequisite. If you are willing to learn German, you can join the German language courses offered at the university, which are free of charge. As a foreign student, you are allowed to work 90 days or 180 half days in a calendar year. This right is not restricted for campus jobs like in the US. You can obtain Permanent Residency (PR) within 5 years of working full-time in Germany.

Institutes of Repute: Technische Universität München, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule, Technische Universität, Universität Karlsruhe

So get ready to pursue a dream engineering degree on foreign shores.

(The list of universities is indicative)