Pursuing a degree in engineering abroad: what you must know

Engineering is all around us. From the magnificent architecture and bridges connecting cities to developing the latest advancements in green energy, the world is in constant demand for engineers.

Our built environment, infrastructure, devices and manufacturing processes all require the expertise of engineers to build, manage and maintain.

Whether you are an avid lover of Tesla, a fan of sending rockets to space or looking to fight global warming through solar power, studying engineering is one of the core disciplines that is needed to advance the human race.

Why engineering

Engineering gives you the opportunity to obtain a degree that grants you access to a very technical industry with various disciplines that you can specialize in.

This includes chemical, electrical, material and mechanical engineering. An engineering degree with equip you with an in-depth understanding of not just engineering, but also mathematics and physics as a strong fundamental base to propel your education further.

You’ll also be exposed to a variety of teaching methods that include lectures, coursework, laboratory sessions and an in-depth dissertation as part of your learning journey.

This will help you prepare for a variety of work environments and responsibilities, especially if you decide to build your career as a professional engineer.

Future outlook of the industry

The engineering industry is projected to have strong employment growth. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the United States alone, there are nearly 140,000 new jobs expected for engineers over the 2016–2026 decade.

Because there’s a variety of disciplines available in engineering, graduates always have the flexibility to easily learn a new specialization to transition into a new job role or niche.

Additionally, as the world is moving away from fossil fuels to more renewable energy sources, engineers are mission-critical to their success.

Engineers will be needed to improve and update product designs, commission new plants, improve productivity and invent new technologies.

The average salary of an engineer in the US is US$91,000 and it can go all the way up to US$147,670 for those who are more experienced and in senior positions.

3 things you must know about studying engineering

1. The study options and costs

There are many routes that you can take to begin your journey in engineering.

Some students choose to take a diploma-level study as an entry point, but you will need at least a Bachelor of Engineering to pursue a professional career in the field.

Often during the course of the engineering program, students will have a chance to specialize in a sector that they desire. This can include robotics engineering, biomedical engineering, software engineering and electrical engineering.

There are also many institutions that focus on a specific engineering specialization from the start, allowing students to dive deeper into the niche to build even more specialized skills.

If you are looking to pursue a bachelor’s in engineering, be prepared to fork out over US$18,000 a year over a period of 4 years.

If pursuing a master’s in engineering is your end goal, the cost will be over US$21,000 a year for a 2-year program. This will increase your specialization skillset, preparing you for more advanced roles.

2. The jobs and careers in the field

In the engineering field, you can pursue the following job roles:

• Industrial engineer
• Biomedical engineer
• Civil engineer
• Computer engineer
• Aerospace engineer
• Chemical engineer
• Electricity engineer
• Space engineer

Apart from the list above, with an engineering degree, you can also work in consultant and policy-making roles, be it in the private sector or government agencies. There is no shortage of opportunities for engineers.

3. The cross-industry opportunities

Because of the technical nature of engineering together with a strong foundation in mathematics, it is common to see graduates enter other fields. This can include financial services, technology and civil service.

These jobs can include being an investment banker, project manager, engineering sales or software engineer.

Because the engineering skillset is so flexible, any additional education you get allows you to easily cross into different industries and unlock new career opportunities.

Get closer to your dream career in engineering

If you’re thinking about furthering your studies in engineering, we’re more than happy to help ensure that you enroll in a suitable engineering course that is aligned with your preferences and career goals.

At IDP, we have a team of education counsellors who are specially trained to give you tailored guidance and assist you throughout every step of your application process – from selecting a course to preparing your accommodation.

Book your free counselling session today to get started!