5 Best Countries to Study Engineering

Engineering continues to be among the most sought-after programs attracting Indian students. So many 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. We have shortlisted here the 5 best countries where you can pursue your engineering dream.

Training and better education of new engineers are necessary for countries worldwide to develop innovative solutions and modern technologies. Since getting into a top-notch institute is becoming extremely competitive in India, many students eye universities abroad to fulfil their engineering aspirations. While the UK and US continue to be the age-old favourites with the student community, other countries like Singapore, Australia, Canada, and Germany are gaining students’ attention.

Best Countries to Study Engineering Abroad

If your field of study is engineering, these are the best places to Study Abroad:

USA

What makes the USA a favourable destination to study engineering? A vibrant Indian community, some of the top-ranking institutes, and English as a medium of instruction make the USA extremely attractive for Indians. Out of over 500 engineering universities in the world, over 70 are from the USA. The USA has already been placed among the top choices for quality technical education. Good placement options also draw many students. The year 2011 had about 103,260 students in the 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 the US, “After completing engineering in 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.

The US is one of the best places to study engineering.” Undergraduate engineering programs in the USA take 4 years to complete. Most engineering colleges require an SAT exam score if you’re applying to the UG engineering program. Students applying to graduate engineering programs 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.

Top Universities in the US for Engineering 

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

Australia

Australia is another popular location for engineering studies. Australian universities stand out because they offer an excellent experiential learning education system. The quality of research in Australian universities is rather high and their degrees are accepted worldwide. Australian shores have invited Indians for nearly two decades now, and continue attracting many Indians for higher education. Australia is known for an excellent education system that emphasizes experiential learning instead of rote learning. Their degrees are universally accepted and hold relevance.

To get into an Australian undergraduate course, you need to have the Class 12 passing certificate equivalent to Australia’s senior secondary certificate of education. Almost all programs require a score for the 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 the Class 12 board exam. Australia generally has two intakes in a year – February and July. Students wanting to take admitted to an engineering program must have studied Mathematics as a compulsory subject in high school i.e from Class 8 till Class 12. 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: the University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, University of Queensland, Monash University, RMIT University

UK

Home of the oldest academic institutions in the world, the UK is the hub of international students aiming to pursue higher education abroad. When it comes to studying engineering programs, engineering universities in the UK offer industrial exposure to engineering graduates. UK Universities and colleges offer more than 1000 courses and great flexibility in how 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 (BSc.Eng.), Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng), or Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree.

Universities in the UK are one of the preferred locations and best countries for engineering courses, there are a lot of specializations on offer like Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, etc. The UK bachelor’s of engineering programs are primarily for 4 years, and the master's are even more recognized courses. Admissions are always exclusive because for all these reasons, getting access can be tricky.

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

Singapore

Engineering programs in Singapore boast first-class infrastructure and technology. Furthermore, the lower cost of education and extensive employment opportunities has made Singapore a popular destination for engineering students. Singapore’s proximity to India comes across as a strong point for Indians wanting to pursue higher education there. The presence of excellent 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 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 recognized degrees. Many international universities also run satellite campuses (institutes of higher learning) or have collaborations/programs with Singaporean universities (local tie-ups). Some of them are INSEAD, Duke University, Georgia Tech, MIT, etc.

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

Germany

Germany is a world leader in the field of research, science, and technology. With more than 300 institutions of higher education, the country has produced some of the finest engineers globally. Germany provides the best and the most cost-effective study options for overseas students as most colleges are state-funded. In Germany, most programs 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. Germany is known for its automotive and manufacturing industries. It is also the most preferred location to study engineering in Abroad.

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

Eligibility for Studying Engineering Abroad

In order to pursue Engineering abroad, students need to meet certain eligibility requirements. The eligibility requirements differ for different universities; however, the following points will provide a broad overview of the same:

• Class 12th exams with certain subjects such as Advanced Functions, Calculus & Vectors, Chemistry, English, and Physics (may vary according to university).
• SAT or ACT scores (may vary according to university).
• GRE or GMAT scores (may vary according to university).
• English language proficiency test scores: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo score.
• Latest resume.
• Statement of Purpose (SOP).
• LORs (Letters of recommendation).
• Essay.