A Master’s degree from the best engineering universities in the world can open doors to lucrative job opportunities. For students who aspire for careers in engineering, there are numerous prestigious institutions worldwide. Because of the abundance of choice, selecting the right one can be a challenging task. So, in this article, we highlight some of the top engineering universities around the world. We also tell you about application deadlines, rankings, tuition fees, and eligibility.
Top destinations to study engineering abroad
Here are some of the most popular destinations for Indian students considering pursuing engineering courses abroad:
United States
The USA is home to multiple prestigious engineering institutions. These are doubtless the best engineering universities in the world and are particularly highly reputed for their cutting-edge research and innovative teaching methods.
The following universities are the highest-ranked ones in the USA:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Stanford University
- University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
- Carnegie Mellon University
United Kingdom
The UK is where the Industrial Revolution began. Not only that, the contributions of the UK to engineering and technology are immense– from calculus to the modern computer.
The UK is known for top universities that offer excellent engineering programs that emphasize both theoretical knowledge and practical application.
These are the top-rated engineering universities in the UK:
- University of Cambridge
- Imperial College London
- University of Oxford
- University of Edinburgh
- University College London (UCL)
Germany
Germany has been known as a global superpower in engineering streams–from automobiles to chemicals. The country offers high-quality education with many public universities charging little to no tuition fees.
The following engineering universities are among the best in Germany:
- Technical University of Munich (TUM)
- RWTH Aachen University
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
- Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin)
- University of Stuttgart
Canada
Many universities in Canada provide excellent engineering education. Canada is also known for a welcoming environment for international students.
The country is known for its high standard of living and post-graduation work opportunities. It is relatively easier to get permanent resident status in Canada, making it a favorite among Indian students.
Leading the pack in Canada are these top engineering universities:
- University of Toronto
- University of Waterloo
- McGill University
- University of Alberta
- University of British Columbia (UBC)
Singapore
Closer to India and just a couple of hours away by air, Singapore is rapidly rising as a leader in top-tier engineering education. Besides being a global education hub, Singapore also boasts impressive prosperity and minimal unemployment.
National University of Singapore (NUS), and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) rank among the top 20 engineering universities in the world.
China
China has been steadily becoming a technological leader in the past 30 years thanks to its universities and their intensive education programs. Chinese universities offer high-quality programs, good research facilities, and strong industry connections.
Tsinghua University, Harbin Institute of Technology, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China excel in various engineering fields, particularly computer science, electrical engineering, and civil engineering.
Top engineering universities in the world
Here’s a list of the top engineering universities in the world, as rated by QS University Rankings, for 2024. All of them are known for their amazing post-graduate programs.
| Rank | University | Location | Overall Score |
| 1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | Cambridge, United States | 96.8 |
| 2 | Stanford University | Stanford, United States | 93.8 |
| 3 | University of Oxford | Oxford, United Kingdom | 93.4 |
| 4 | University of Cambridge | Cambridge, United Kingdom | 92.7 |
| 5 | University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | Berkeley, United States | 92.2 |
| 6 | ETH Zurich | Zürich, Switzerland | 92.1 |
| 7 | Imperial College London | London, United Kingdom | 90.1 |
| 8 | Harvard University | Cambridge, United States | 89.8 |
| 9 | California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | Pasadena, United States | 88.8 |
| 10 | EPFL – École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne | Lausanne, Switzerland | 87.6 |
| 11 | Tsinghua University | Beijing, China (Mainland) | 87.1 |
| 12 | Georgia Institute of Technology | Atlanta, United States | 86.8 |
| =13 | Delft University of Technology | Delft, Netherlands | 86.2 |
| =13 | National University of Singapore (NUS) | Singapore, Singapore | 86.2 |
| 15 | Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) | Singapore, Singapore | 86.0 |
| 16 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, United States | 85.9 |
| 17 | University of Toronto | Toronto, Canada | 84.9 |
| 18 | The University of Tokyo | Tokyo, Japan | 84.7 |
| 19 | Technical University of Munich | Munich, Germany | 84.4 |
| 20 | KAIST – Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology | Daejeon, South Korea | 84.2 |
| 21 | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | Los Angeles, United States | 84.1 |
| 22 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, United States | 83.8 |
| 23 | Politecnico di Milano | Milan, Italy | 83.7 |
| 24 | University of Texas at Austin | Austin, United States | 82.8 |
| 25 | University of British Columbia | Vancouver, Canada | 82.7 |
| 26 | Purdue University | West Lafayette, United States | 82.6 |
| =27 | Seoul National University | Seoul, South Korea | 82.2 |
| =27 | The University of Manchester | Manchester, United Kingdom | 82.2 |
| =27 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, United States | 82.2 |
| 30 | Cornell University | Ithaca, United States | 82.0 |
Next, we take a closer look at the best engineering universities in the world to help you narrow down your choices.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Website: https://www.mit.edu/
Rank: #1, by QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Engineering & Technology
MIT is a private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1861, it has been a leader in the development of modern technology and science. The campus is located on the Charles River and has over 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
Programs
List of top graduate engineering programs at MIT
- Aeronautics and Astronautics
- Biological Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Nuclear Science and Engineering
- Ocean Engineering
- Systems Engineering
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by program and degree level. Visit MIT’s website for up-to-date information. In general, applications open on September 15 and close on December 15.
Application Fees for International Students
Application fees are typically required. International students have to pay $75.
Tuition Fees
MIT’s tuition and fees vary by program and degree level. As of 2024, per term costs are $29,875.
Stanford University
Website: https://engineering.stanford.edu/
Rank: #2 QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Engineering & Technology
Stanford’s School of Engineering comprises nine departments and the Institute for Computational and Mathematical Engineering (ICME). The school offers numerous graduate programs, including master’s and doctoral degrees. Stanford graduates have started some of the largest tech enterprises including Alphabet, HP, and many more.
Programs
List of top graduate engineering programs at Stanford
- Aerospace / Aeronautical / Astronautical Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering / Bioengineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical / Electronic / Communications Engineering
- Environmental / Environmental Health Engineering
- Industrial / Manufacturing / Systems Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by department. Applications for 2025 open online in mid-September 2024.
November 1st, 2024 is the deadline for Restrictive Early Action, and January 5th, 2025 for Regular Decision.
Application Fees for International Students
International students have to pay a $125 application fee. It is non-refundable.
Tuition Fees
Fees at Stanford Graduate School of Engineering vary by number of courses taken per term. Currently, one academic year (three quarters and 8-10 units) costs $56,400.
Oxford University
Website: https://www.ox.ac.uk/
Rank: #3 QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Engineering & Technology
The University of Oxford, located in Oxford, England, is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. It has a rich history dating back to around 1096 and is recognized as one of the leading academic institutions globally. From Adam Smith to Bill Clinton, its list of alumni is long and illustrious.
Programs
List of top graduate engineering programs at Oxford
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical and Process Engineering
- Civil and Offshore Engineering
- Electrical and Opto-electronic Engineering
- Energy
- Information, Vision, and Control Engineering
- Solid Mechanics and Materials Engineering
- Thermofluids and Turbomachinery
Application Deadlines
Application details for 2024-25 will be available from September 2024.
Application Fees for International Students
For international students, the application fee is £75
Tuition Fees
The course fee depends on the college you’re attending. For example, for 2024-25, fees for international students at Keble College is £31,480 (in the UK, colleges also teach postgraduate degrees).
How to choose the best engineering program to study abroad?
There are a plethora of engineering programs available at the best universities in the world. From aerospace to deep sea drilling, there are possibly hundreds of disciplines and fields within engineering.
How do you choose the best school and program for you? Here’s a breakdown of key factors to help you make the best decision:
Identify Your Engineering Domain
Engineering has a wide range of specializations, such as mechanical, civil, electrical, and computer engineering. Determine which field aligns with your interests and career aspirations. Research the specific courses offered in each program.
Evaluate University Rankings
Consult reliable university ranking sources such as QS World University Rankings to assess the reputation and quality of engineering programs. Rankings can provide insights into academic standards and research output at top engineering universities in the world.
Consider Placement Opportunities
Investigate universities with strong industry connections and placement records. Good placement opportunities can significantly enhance your career prospects after graduation. Look for feedback from alumni on LinkedIn.
Assess Costs and Scholarships
Studying abroad can be expensive, so it’s crucial to know in detail about the tuition fees and living costs. Research into the availability of scholarships, such as the Fulbright Program which can help with financial burdens.
Understand Admission Requirements
Familiarize yourself with the admission criteria for your chosen programs. These may include standardized tests (like GRE), and language proficiency exams (IELTS, TOEFL). Prepare a strong Statement of Purpose and get letters of recommendation.
Cultural Factors
Consider the cultural environment and lifestyle in the country where you plan to study. Factors such as language barriers and climate can impact your experience.
Even when you filter universities and programs through these criteria, you may still end up with too many options. Students can often enroll in a university that is not the best fit for them. This is the problem that SelectRight solves.
Discover Your Ideal University with SelectRight
SelectRight makes university selection a decision based on pure, unquestionable data analytics rather than mere opinion. Powered by an algorithm, SelectRight matches your academic, personal, and financial profile with over 40,000 programs worldwide. You define the criteria, and SelectRight creates a shortlist of ideal programs for you, compatible with your career goals and likely to be funded by lenders. This ensures your application has a high chance of being accepted by the university, and you will also be able to secure an education loan to fund your studies at that university.
Here’s how SelectRight works:
- Sign up on SelectRight and complete your free profile.
- The algorithm matches your profile to thousands of universities and programs using 8 million+ data points to give you an ideal shortlist.
- Compare the shortlisted programs based on several criteria.
- Get help from an unbiased expert to ensure your decision on which universities to apply to is a smart one.
- Connect with alumni, faculty, and peers from the universities you are interested in to start building your community even before day one in the classroom.
If you are targeting Spring ’25 admissions, now is the right time to create your profile on SelectRight.
Scholarships to study engineering abroad
The high cost of education abroad often poses a challenge. Scholarships provide crucial financial aid, making higher education more accessible.
Here are various scholarships available for Indian students pursuing a Master’s degree in Science and Engineering abroad.
Government-Funded Scholarships
- Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships
- Commonwealth Scholarships
- DAAD Scholarships
Foreign Government Scholarships
- Chevening Scholarships
- Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program
- Australia Awards Scholarships
Private Scholarships
- Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
- J.N. Tata Endowment for the Higher Education of Indians
It’s important to remember that plenty of financial aid might be available at the institution you get admitted to.
But the quantum of assistance changes each year. When you apply, you must indicate that you need financial aid and a scholarship. The admissions department will forward you complete details of how they can assist.
Education loans for studying an MS in Engineering abroad
Education abroad can be very expensive. You can expect to pay somewhere between $30,000 and $120,000 for a master’s degree abroad. That is between ₹24 – 96 lakhs, a vast sum of money by any imagination.
Education loans cover a wide range of costs including tuition fees, hostel charges, books, lab fees, and even travel expenses. You can concentrate on your studies and achieve academic excellence without worrying about the expenses, and once you get a job, you can repay the loan within a few years.
You can get education loans for study abroad at 8.2-15% interest rate. Some of the top public and private banks that offer education loans to students for studying abroad are covered below.
Public Banks
- State Bank of India
- Bank of Baroda
Private Banks
- IDFC First Bank
- ICICI Bank
- Union Bank of India
- HDFC Credila
- Axis Bank
- Yes Bank
Private Providers
- Tata Capital
- Auxilo
- InCred
- Leap Finance
- Avanse Financial Services
- Mpower Finance (NBFC)
- Prodigy Finance (NBFC)
While having many options is beneficial, it can also be overwhelming. Generally, students apply to two or three different lenders, but tracking the status of each application becomes complicated with different workflows. Many students miss out on the best possible education loan simply because they didn’t apply to the right bank.
Secure Your Study Abroad Dream with FundRight
FundRight solves this problem by being a one-stop solution where you get access to competitive loan offers from 15 of the best banks and NBFCs in India and abroad. Here’s how it works:
- Sign up on FundRight and complete your profile.
- Within two days, get loan offers from top lenders.
- Compare the offers and negotiate for better terms with the help of financial experts from FundRight.
- Upload your required documents through FundRight’s secure portal.
- Get your loan approval in as little as 10 days.
If you are targeting Spring 2025 admissions, you should create your FundRight profile today. Over 60,000 students have already secured the best education loans through FundRight, saving up to ₹23,00,000 through low interest rates and value-added services.
Sign Up on FundRight to streamline your education loan process and secure the financial support you need for your study abroad journey.
FAQs
Why should I study engineering abroad?
Studying engineering abroad offers many advantages beyond just academic learning. Let’s explore why it’s a compelling choice:
When you study at top engineering universities in the world you have access to some of the best education infrastructure. You have access to cutting-edge programs, expert faculty, and the latest facilities that are unavailable in India, such as microprocessor fabrication for a robotics project.
This leads to the second beneficial aspect. You understand through research. Many foreign universities have a thesis-based master’s degree which requires you to publish a paper and defend it.
Last but not least, you get to do internships at companies that are a global brand. It is not far-fetched to find yourself at Pratt & Whitney or Bosch for practical training. The exposure, the experience, and the sheer superiority of the product and process are thrilling.
How long is a master’s degree in engineering at a foreign university?
It takes between 12 to 24 months to complete your degree. An internship would of course require an additional few months.
Are there good engineering institutions in France?
France has prestigious institutions like École Polytechnique and Centrale Supélec, which are known for delivering programs that are a blend of theory and practical applications. You could also consider Switzerland.
Ranked by many among the top 10 engineering universities in the world, ETH Zurich in Switzerland is well known for its most famous alumni Albert Einstein and John von Neumann.
