Outstanding Engineering Schools that are Business-facing

05 Oct 2017

Engineering is the science, technology and innovation that shapes the modern world. As a student of this subject, you will be involved in the breakthroughs that address today’s most pressing needs. From problems relating to energy, health, the environment and sustainable development, students who choose engineering stand at the forefront of the design revolution.

Both the UK and US boast an excellent calibre of universities and degrees to study the field of engineering in an array of vibrant and unique city settings. The UK is considered one of the most sought-after locations to study higher education, and across the pond the US has a particularly strong footing in the league tables across a number of specialized engineering courses.

With engineering ingrained in almost every aspect of our daily lives, graduates in the field await a host of exciting opportunities. To fulfil industry needs in the UK, it is expected that 186,000 people with engineering skills are needed per year in the run up to 2024. According to Forbes, engineers are thought to be the most in-demand professionals in the US.

Whether you are an undergraduate student or looking to pursue postgraduate education, engineering is a highly-versatile and dynamic subject that can take you almost anywhere in the professional job market. As a global profession, there are also unlimited opportunities for travel within your career. But with a seemingly endless supply of engineering courses to choose from, it’s important you choose the right university and course, to suit both you and your wider goals.

Here are 5 outstanding Engineering Schools that are also business-facing…

WHITING SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY – USA

Johns Hopkins University continues to be one of the best universities to study engineering in the United States. Situated in the heart of a major urban centre in Baltimore, Maryland, its Whiting School of Engineering recently ranked in the top 15 undergraduate engineering schools in the country. Its Department of Biomedical Engineering boasts the accolade of being ranked the nation’s second best, with the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering also being ranked within the top 10. As if this is not enough, the online and part-time graduate programs in computer science, cybersecurity and information systems engineering were also ranked within the top 10.

While the university is making headlines in the official league tables, there are many other reasons to consider studying engineering at John Hopkins University. Every year, Johns Hopkins Engineering offers a range of unparalleled research opportunities that take place beyond the classroom. Last year alone, more than 70 percent of undergraduate students joined forces with leading clinicians and researchers to get a taste of the jobs students can expect after graduation.

Johns Hopkins Engineering also offers students an impressive range of 18 student-led and active engineering groups. Here, participants can throw themselves into a range of projects, applying what they’ve learnt from leading figures in the classroom.

There are ample opportunities for students to prepare themselves for life post-education, including designing and building cars powered by a chemical reaction, and helping design irrigation systems in remote locations as part of the Engineers Without Borders program. Many students also consider continuing their education through one of Johns Hopkins Engineering’s many online graduate programs geared toward working professionals, or one of their on-site graduate programs where students remain on campus.

McCORMICK SCHOOLOF ENGINEERING, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY – USA

Located on the Evanston Campus, Northwestern’s McCormick School of Engineering is in one of Chicago’s most accessible and vibrant suburbs. Along with the university’s close connections to the windy city, Northwestern has a lot to offer the prospective student market.

Ranked 11^th on a national scale, the University prides itself on the dynamic engineering courses offered to its students. There is a total of eight engineering departments for students to choose from, including Biomedical, Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering.

To coincide with classroom learning, students have access to over 275 labs, centres and affiliate programs that allow students to engage and develop their research skills alongside their undergraduate studies. All of this is undertaken in Northwestern’s state-of-the-art facilities.

The University has also embarked on a new approach to teaching engineering, branded as Whole-Brain Engineering, it encourages students to use both left- and right-brain thinking to empower students to become effective leaders. The project also aims to connect students with their peers, neighbouring institutions and unusual collaborations in the local area to prepare students for life after study.

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON (UCL) – UK

University College London (UCL) is home to some of the most successful Engineering Departments in the UK. Ranked in the Top 20 in the national league tables for their Chemical, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering courses, UCL has a fantastic academic reputation that is known around the globe.

Since the University’s founding in 1826, UCL has been home to some integral engineering breakthroughs, including the world’s first laboratory devoted to engineering education. Today, the university is still investing in their engineering departments, with the advanced centre for Biochemical engineering benefiting from a £20 million investment from industry, government and various foundations.

Situated in the heart of London, UCL is just moments away from a handful of invaluable resources, including the British Library, the British Museum, and the Welcome Trust, just to name a few.

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH – UK

The city of Edinburgh has regularly been voted among the world’s best cities, so why not study there too? Although the Department is fairly new, with their integrated School of Engineering forming in 2002, the University is ranked in the Top 25 universities to study the subject in the UK. The University’s Civil and Electrical Engineering courses boast national Top 10 positions.

This University also scores full marks in its spend per student, according to The Guardian’s 2018 League tables, ensuring students are getting value for money throughout their course of study. With seven engineering research institutes to choose from, there are a number of ongoing research projects throughout the year for students to engage with.

As the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh has a rich history and culture, and is the perfect mix of city and countryside for any budding student to explore.

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE, DURHAM UNIVERSITY – UK

Durham University offers a general engineering undergraduate course (a three-year BEng and a four-year MEng) that has been well-received in the 2017 UK national league tables. The Guardian 2017 ranked the course fourth nationally, scoring an impressive 91 percent satisfaction rate with teaching and high employability rates for students post-graduation.

The University offers a general engineering course which enables a core understanding of engineering disciplines before specialising in their chosen subject in later years of study. Durham also offers students the chance to engage with industry during their studies, through collaborative research projects and partnerships.

Situated in the North East, Durham University is a great option for savvy students looking for academic respectability and value for money, with the North East offering a lower cost of living. For the adventurous few who get too accustomed to the striking Durham cathedral, Scotland, Yorkshire and Newcastle are just a short trip away.

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