3 universities for graduate students to become pioneering engineers

Engineering is the backbone of the world; the foundation to how society runs.

But to really understand the field, it takes so much more than sitting in a lecture hall staring at a screen filled with science, statistics, and equations. No, to be an engineer, you have to do as much as you absorb knowledge from experts. And that’s why, if you want to pivot into or advance in this field, it’s important to get yourself into an engineering master’s programme.

Not only is an engineering master’s a roadmap to hands-on learning and industry experiences, but it’s also the key to becoming more. In fact, with postgraduate programmes in general, you’re likely to have a 10% higher chance of landing a professional occupation. And for good measure, postgraduates are 4% more likely to find their current employment satisfactory than graduates.

Below are three leading engineering schools to reach higher in your career.

Khalifa University has a 10:1 student-faculty ratio for students a personalised education, best fit for their needs. Source: Khalifa University of Science and Technology

Khalifa University of Science and Technology

In a world that’s rapidly changing, Khalifa University of Science and Technology stays ahead. It’s the top university in the United Arab Emirates, and ranked at #40 in Asia. The school lives in the nation’s capital, Abu Dhabi — with well-developed, modern infrastructure and rich industries — and provides a well-rounded, interdisciplinary education to ensure that you are prepared to make a global impact once you graduate. 

The school has 36 academic departments, and a plethora of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programmes to build and enhance your skill set to compete in today’s job market. These degree programmes are offered by three colleges: the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, the College of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, and the College of Medicine and Health Sciences.

If you’re looking to advance your engineering career as a young professional, KU is the place to go. The curriculum reflects the Abu Dhabi Vision 2023 to forge a sustainable, knowledge-based economy. It’s an utmost priority that postgraduate students pair their academic pursuits with real-world experiences. After all, KU is a known catalyst behind the economic diversification of Abu Dhabi and the region, and a keeper of strong industry connections for practical research. 

KU offers a wide range of postgraduate degrees for students to engage in solving global issues through world-class research, and state-of-the-art facilities. That includes, but isn’t limited to, the Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering, and many Master of Science degrees. For those working towards a PhD programme, KU accepts candidates with a master’s or bachelor’s degree. You will work on projects based on seven key themes: energy, water and environment, health, aerospace, advanced materials, and intelligent and secure digital systems.

The support system for postgraduate students is well and strong—two advanced campuses, 12 leading research centres, world-class researchers, 228 advanced laboratories, and an environment that promotes cross-sector collaboration and contributes to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. 

It’s a great place to gain a global perspective integral to the current workforce, both in and out of the classroom. The university has welcomed students from 53 countries and faculty members from over 40, fostering an open and multicultural community. 

Join Khalifa University today – scholarships are available.

Imperial College London has an alumni community of over 190,000 across the globe, where you can build an extensive network. Source: Imperial College London/Facebook

Imperial College London

There’s a clear reason why Imperial College London consistently remains as one of the top-ranked universities in the world: their research for the betterment of society ranks first among UK universities in terms of outputs, the university educates a new generation of industry leaders with who put sustainability first, and they lead their students towards making real-world impact. Its reputation is clear cut, as one of the top three Russell Group universities.

At the Graduate School in Imperial, the Faculty of Engineering provides a rigorous curriculum allowing students to challenge the norm, in a place where mathematics drives innovation and world-changing concepts. Learning takes you beyond the classroom, with ample opportunities and workshops to work towards professional development, from exchange trips to career sessions with engineering companies.

Imperial offers a large catalogue of engineering programmes: taught courses like the MSc in Advanced Aeronautical Engineering or Advanced Chemical Engineering, and PhD programmes like Mechanical Engineering or Design Engineering — and that’s just a tiny fraction. The Faculty of Engineering offers studentships and scholarships to eligible PhD students to pursue multidisciplinary projects aligned with their passions.

But you need not be a PhD candidate to conduct research here. For example, MSc in Advanced Mechanical Engineering students are required to complete a research project which will be carried out within one of the many research groups in the department, such as Composites, Adhesives and Soft Solids or Mechatronics and Robotics. The project makes up 50% of their course.

Learn more about postgraduate engineering at Imperial College London.

Purdue University’s graduate engineering programme ranks #6 in the US. Source: Purdue University/Facebook

Purdue University

For over 150 years, Purdue University has one overarching goal — moving the US state of Indiana, the nation, and the world forward. And through impactful research and US$613 million of research funds, the school remains a pioneer in innovation. In 2023, Fast Company ranked it #16 among the World’s Most Innovative Companies, and it’s the only university to land a spot.

At the College of Engineering, students learn from world-class scholars, and use rare, cutting-edge resources in a wide range of laboratories, centres, and institutes. It’s the perfect setting for student-driven research, and the legacy of Purdue Engineering is certainly one for students to model after: it’s where the first Women in Engineering Programme was established, and the National Society of Black Engineers. 

Students have the opportunity to build their professional development through the many resources offered by the school. To give them a leg up when advancing their careers. resources start at finding internships, co-ops, and jobs, and get more specific as you find your niche. There are teaching experiences that students can undergo at a college or university-level, travel grants for PhD students going to international conferences, and others to help sharpen your mind.

The College of Engineering offers many undergraduate, graduate, online master’s degree, and professional master’s programmes. Graduate students have 16 engineering fields to choose from, including Nuclear Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Engineering Education, and many more. They’ve got two options for dual degree programmes for those looking to add an MBA to their docket, one of which is conducted in partnership with Indiana University Kelley School of Business.

But the college is not the only space to gain a widened, global perspective through education. Students from over 125 nations come to Indiana to be a part of the Boilermaker community, and they join about 700 international faculty and staff, painting a vibrant campus rich with culture. 

Check out Purdue Engineering’s graduate programmes.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International