The field of Engineering recognises and engages the global industrial trend. They address the real-world problems that we face in our daily lives. Engineers are in high demand and they continue to enjoy excellent chances of getting a job right out of school.
Within its broad set of field, graduates will have significant opportunities to choose from and transferable to other disciplines. It is not surprising that aspiring engineers often set their gaze on higher education opportunities abroad to remain competitive in the field.
So, you are considering studying Engineering course in US?
The guide below details out why you should and where to study Engineering in the United States.
Who is an engineer?
Engineers are professionals that practice the application of science to design, build, test and analyse structures, machines, materials, processes, systems and organisations. The Engineering field is a broad discipline that can be split into several disciplines as follows:
It is made of different areas of study as such:
1. Mechanical Engineering
It is the discipline which addresses principles of engineering to design, manufacture and operate mechanical operations and systems.
2. Chemical Engineering
It is an engineering branch that combines the principles of chemistry, mathematics, physics and economics to convert raw materials into a variety of products.
3. Civil Engineering
It is an engineering branch dealt with the design, construction and maintenance of infrastructure operations as roads, bridges and railways.
4. Software Engineering
It is a discipline which utilises the electronic and computer science subject to develop computer hardware and software.
5. Electrical Engineering
It is a discipline that deals with the study and the application of different components of devices and systems.
6. Aeronautical Engineering
It is a branch of engineering that is concerned with the research, design, and manufacturing of aircraft and spacecraft.
Why study Engineering Courses in US?
1. It is internationally recognised
The educational institutions offer one of the oldest hospitality programs in the United States in one of the largest hospitality markets in the world. You will definitely the latest program to jumpstart your career. During your educational program, you will be able to start your internships with global hospitality brands.
2. You will have a better quality of life.
The United States has maintained its ranking of #17 in the Quality of Life. Despite the political turmoil in the United States, it is still a dominant power globally. Depending on which state you side in, the quality of life can be different. You are able to pick and choose which state suits you the best in terms of education, healthcare and community quality.
3. You will have better work opportunities.
Depending on what type of visa, students will have an opportunity to work whilst studying. Although you are quite limited in the first year, you can generally work for up to 20 hours a week after your second year. After your graduation year, you are able to stay longer in the country to search for work and permanent residency.
Also read:
What type of skills best for an Engineering in US Major?
1. You thrive in a team
Team-work is common by nature in technical and engineering environments. It is crucial that you are able to work effectively with other people in the project team. These will help solve challenging problems fasts with the team’s collective effort to work out solutions and ideas.
2. You have good attention to detail
Professionals in Engineering are required to approach their tasks and project with a strong level of accuracy. By preventing errors, it will help to minimise any potential injuries. You will need to be able to foresee challenges in tasks and tackle them proactively.
3. You are creative and innovative
In the field of engineering, you are on the creative sot of developing innovative solutions for projects from the start to finish. You need to be capable of thinking of fresh, bold ideas and will be able to develop to work into real-life problems.
4. You are a good communicator
Effective communication is critical to ensure that all project team members are clear of the project needs and requirements. You will need to be able to express and communicate your ideas clearly across different departments even those who are not familiar with subject jargons.
What are the entry requirements and qualifications to study in US?
In order for candidates to be eligible for consideration, they must possess these general entry requirements. Applicants are advised to refer to the educational and university institution of their choice for more details.
Admissions are usually based on GCE O-Level or any equivalent results. Candidates who speak English as a second language are required to provide English proficiency test scores as TOEFL, IELTS or SAT with a minimum grade of 6.
How much are the fees for Engineering course in US?
The cost of studying Engineering varies across different institutions of one to another. These undergraduate programme fees are only an estimated amount. You can find more by searching up in the respective university website of your choice.
You are encouraged to set aside about USD75,000 per year. These include your tuition fees, food and living expenses during your stay. As an international student, you will need to account for your travel expenses and your visa certifications.
|
Programme |
Estimated Fees |
|
Bachelor’s Degree |
USD 25 - 70,000/ RM 99 - 280,000 |
|
Master’s Degree |
USD 30 – 60,000/ RM 120 – 240,000 |
How long does the course last?
Typically, it takes about three to five years to complete your undergraduate course whereas if you were to continue into your master program, it will take an additional one to three years.
|
Course Level |
Course Length |
|
Undergraduate Courses |
3-5 years |
|
Postgraduate Courses |
1- 3 years |
Careers in Engineering
Engineering has broad career opportunities. Below is a list of career field you can embark on with your architecture degree and qualifications.
1. Chemical Engineer
Chemical Engineer applies the knowledge of chemistry with other engineering disciplines. They help develop a design and invent new machines while some operate facilities and instruments. Chemical Engineers are found in both in the plant and outfield locations.
2. Electrical Engineer
Electrical Engineers work on electrical systems and industry-scale projects. They test the models, products and components to make sure it of good quality and function. They even prepare product reports by collecting and analysing industry trends.
3. Civil Engineer
Civil Engineers oversees construction projects. They design structures and take into consideration of the building costs, governmental regulations and site location among other factors. They think up of solutions for any geographical or repairing dilemmas.
4. Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Engineers process and automate the design and manufacturing systems. They work in a team to develop everyday products and systems as refrigerator, elevators or cooking stoves. They work to improve the performance of systems by testing new materials.
5. Software Engineer
Software Engineers develop and build computer systems and applications. They apply the principles of computer science to develop operating systems. They even set up and coordinate networks together that link computer together within a company.
Also read: Salaries in the United States
List of Top Engineering Universities in US
Here is a list of the top universities that you can pursue Engineering in US.
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Founded in 1861, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is an independent, private institution of the problem solves and science enthusiast. They are a leader in research and development in science and technology.
2. Stanford University
Established in 1885, Stanford University is home to established alumni names attached to brands as Google, Yahoo, Hewlett-Packard amongst many.
3. University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Founded in 1868, University of California, Berkeley is a public institution under the University of California educational system. It is one of the leading research institutes including the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute.
4. The California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) was established in 1891 located in Pasadena, California. It is one of world-renowned science and engineering education and research centres.
5. University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public institution, It has been ranked highly in the research department and its alumni enjoy one of the top tier employability rankings in the world.
6. Princeton University
Founded in 1746, Princeton University is one of the oldest prestigious universities in the United States. It is one of the world’s forefront research institution and has distinguished graduates under its belt including President James Madison, President Woodrow Wilson and Michelle Obama.
7. University of Minnesota
Established in 1851, University of Minnesota is a public university located in Minnesota. It is the state’s research centre with a regional and international reputation.
8. University of Texas at Austin
Founded in 1883, University of Texas is a flagship university in the University of Texas System. Ranked as the No.1 Engineering program in Texas, University of Texas offers one of the best engineering education in the country.
9. Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
Established in 1885, Georgia Institute of Technology is a public university in Atlanta, Georgia. It offers one of the highly-rated engineering programs with a focus on innovation.
10. Yale University
Since 1701, Yale University provides one of the best opportunities for its students in research and world leaders in faculty members.