Studying Engineering Abroad in English
Will my degree be recognised?
Theoretically, if you study engineering in the European Union then your degree will be recognised. If you study at a good university elsewhere, your degree will be recognised. However, engineering is perhaps the hardest of all subjects on which to offer clear cut advice. It is essential that you check with the professional organisation responsible for your branch of engineering (for example, Institute of Chemical Engineers) as you may very well find that there are difficulties with some universities' qualifications.
Having said that, there are many excellent universities around the world that offer courses in engineering and many of them are now teaching some degrees in English. There are approximately 150 degrees in engineering taught in English in Europe covering all branches; some of these degrees are certainly regarded as the equal, if not better, than British engineering degrees.
Does it make sense to study engineering abroad?
Depending on the branch of engineering you study, you can expect to have a very international career ahead of you. Like most professions, engineering firms are extremely global in their operations. As a young engineer you might find yourself working on projects all around the world. It therefore stands to reason that an international education could help you prepare better than a standard university degree from a UK university.
Some universities (such as SKEMA Business School, TUM School of Management and Universidad Europea de Madrid) teach a number of degrees in English that combine engineering and business management. These degrees allow you to develop both technical skills and commercial awareness.
Universities in Netherlandsand Denmarkteach the widest range of engineering degrees in English in Europe.
Many British university degrees are four-year programmes that include an integrated Masters (MEng). The typical pathway to qualify in Europe involves a 3-year Bachelor's degree followed by a 2-year Master's. For this reason alone, degrees from Dutch, Danish or German universities might be regarded as better than those on offer at home.
What grades do I need to get in?
This really depends on the university you choose and the country where it is based. There are some world class universities where you will need world class grades just as there are in the United Kingdom. It is a safe assumption that you will need to have A levels in maths and physics in order to be able to study engineering at university.
What else should I bear in mind?
As already mentioned, we think the most important thing for you to consider is whether your degree is recognised. After you have clarified that, then you have the choice of some excellent universities around the world.
Engineering courses at UK universities are probably the most likely to offer bursaries so it is worth considering that it may be cheaper for you to study in England than for other students. On the other hand, there are ways for you to study engineering completely free of charge in some European countries if you have an EU passport, such as Denmark and Sweden.
It is also worth bearing in mind that many universities in Europe teach B.Eng (Bachelor of Engineering) degrees. These differ from BSc qualifications. Universities of Applied Sciences or University Colleges offer engineering degrees that have a greater focus on project management than actual engineering. Therefore it is particularly important that you check the course content in order to ensure it meets your requirements.
Where should I look for engineering degrees abroad?
There is a wide range of engineering degrees taught in English at Dutch universities. However, not all branches are available in all countries. Here are a few examples:
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- Universidad Europea in Madrid Spain, Madrid
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