With no shortage in demand for engineers worldwide, the best engineering colleges are a hot topic. We’ve sourced the best universities for you to study at, plus tips on choosing the right one for you.
Engineering continues to be one of the sought-after jobs in the world. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 141,000 new engineering jobs will be added to the industry between 2016 and 2026. That is just in the USA.
The Bureau said the job outlook for engineers continues to show a high demand for talent, especially for female engineering talents. Among those occupations projected to grow the most by 2031 are, among others, chemical engineers, industrial engineers, and biomedical engineers.
With these projections in mind, the Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) narrowed down the top-five universities to study Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Automation, and Chemical Engineering in 2023. Referencing ShanghaiRanking Consultancy’s 2022 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), we have narrowed it down to the following:
Civil
● Tongji University: China
● ETH Zurich: Switzerland
● Tsinghua University: China
● The Hong Kong Polytechnic University: China
● National Technical University of Athens: Greece
Mechanical
● Xi’an Jiaotong University: China
● University of Cambridge: Great Britain
● Shanghai Jiao Tong University: China
● Texas A&M University: USA
● Tsinghua University: China
Electrical
● University of California, Berkeley: USA
● Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): USA
● Stanford University: USA
● Georgia Institute of Technology: USA
● Tsinghua University: China
Automation
● Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): USA
● The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: USA
● Shanghai Jiao Tong University: China
● ETH Zurich: Switzerland
● Nanyang Technological University: Singapore
Chemical
● Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): USA
● Tsinghua University: China
● Tianjin University: China
● Georgia Institute of Technology: USA
● Stanford University: USA
Changes In Engineering Universities Ranking
In the field of Mechanical Engineering, US-based universities used to dominate with four out of five top-ranked universities, but by 2022, three leading universities will be based in China, and only one in the United States. The University of Cambridge is keeping its rank, just moving from number one to second place.
US-based universities such as MIT, Stanford, and UCA are still leading in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. At the same time, Tsinghua University from China made it to the top 5 for the first time. The University of Cambridge, however, dropped dramatically.
MIT and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are still leading in Automation Engineering, with universities from China and Singapore following closely behind. ETH Zurich has proudly moved up to the fourth position from 7th place five years ago, while the Australia’s University of Newcastle ranks 16th.
Civil Engineering has diverse universities from all countries, including Hong Kong, Switzerland, Spain, and Greece.
In Chemical Engineering, universities from China and the US are leading. In contrast, Chinese universities have made significant progress in the field of Biomedical Engineering, occupying three out of five top spots, up from a zero ranking five years ago.
5 TIPS To Choose the Right Engineering University for You
Since post-secondary education is essential to developing the skills needed to succeed as an engineer, you should take your school choice seriously. The reason is that whichever option you choose, you can be confident that potential future employers will thoroughly analyze the program and its abilities to prepare students for a career.
To ensure you match with the right university, here are five tips to make your choice easier:
- Before enrolling in any college program, you should be well informed about everything from the program to the future career path it provides.
- If you are finding the best engineering schools, identify the subsets of the field you are most interested in.
3. Identifying a specific engineering niche makes locating the college curriculum best suited to your unique goals and interests much easier.
4. Ensure that the university you choose offers several options for elective courses throughout your educational journey.
5. It helps to have expert advice on the best schools for engineering before narrowing down your choices.
Make An Informed Decision
Several crucial factors should be considered when selecting a university that satisfies your needs. Here are some additional details about each of these points:
Costs: The cost of attending a university varies depending on the country, program, and type of institution. If you’re looking to study abroad, you’ll need to factor in tuition fees, accommodation costs, living expenses, and travel expenses. Be sure to explore scholarships, grants, and financial aid opportunities, which can significantly reduce your expenses.
Language barrier: Language can be a significant barrier when studying abroad, especially if you need to be fluent in the local language. However, many universities offer language courses or provide study materials in English or other languages. Make sure to investigate the language requirements of your chosen university and consider taking language courses before starting your studies.
Availability of study options for international students: Certain universities may offer more study options for international students than others. Before deciding on a university, research its program offerings and ensure they align with your academic interests and career goals.
Relocation: Moving to a new country can be exciting, but it’s essential to consider the relocation logistics. Investigate visa requirements, immigration policies, and living costs in your chosen location. Additionally, if you plan on working while studying, be aware of local employment regulations and job opportunities.
Consider online options: Online education has become increasingly popular over the past few years, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic. Many universities now offer online courses or full online degrees. This option can be an excellent choice if you cannot relocate or prefer to study at your own pace.
However, ensuring that the online program is accredited and recognized in your field is essential. One example of a reputable niche provider is the Engineering Institute of Technology, which offers online and on-campus degrees in various fields of engineering – which can be obtained while still working, without having to leave your country, and the tuition fees are a lot more reasonable.
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Overall, choosing the right university is a crucial decision that can have a significant impact on your future career and personal development. Considering the above factors, you can make an informed decision aligning with your goals and aspirations.
ShanghaiRanking Consultancy is a fully independent organization dedicated to research on higher education intelligence and consultation. It has been the official publisher of the Academic Ranking of World Universities since 2009.
The Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) was first published in June 2003 by the Center for World-Class Universities, Graduate School of Education (formerly the Institute of Higher Education) of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China, and updated on an annual basis. Since 2009 the ARWU has been published and copyrighted by ShanghaiRanking Consultancy.
REFERENCES
2022 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects
Best Colleges For Engineering In 2023: Top 5 Schools According To Experts
Job Outlook for Engineers
