Course guide · updated Oct 2026

Engineering abroad

Mechanical, civil, electrical, chemical, aerospace and robotics. Accredited routes, degree lengths by country, entry requirements and live program counts.

See live programs ↓

What you study

Maths and science, applied to things that must work

Engineering applies mathematics and science to design machines, structures, circuits, processes and systems that work safely. The first years build mathematics, physics, mechanics, materials and design; later years specialise, with labs, design projects and, at many universities, industrial placements or co-op terms.

Master’s programs come in two broad forms: research-oriented degrees (often an MS or MASc with a thesis) and professional, course-based degrees (often an MEng). Check which one a program is before you apply, because it affects length, funding and what employers expect.

Popular specialisations

Where you can take it

Each card opens matching programs in the explorer, where you can filter by country, level and fees.

01

Mechanical

Machines, energy, manufacturing and thermal systems.

Browse programs →02

Civil & structural

Buildings, bridges, transport and water.

Browse programs →03

Electrical & electronic

Power, circuits, communications and embedded systems.

Browse programs →04

Chemical

Processes that turn raw materials into products.

Browse programs →05

Aerospace

Aircraft, spacecraft and propulsion.

Browse programs →06

Robotics & mechatronics

Automation, sensors and control.

Browse programs →07

Biomedical

Devices and systems for healthcare.

Browse programs →08

Industrial

Optimising systems, factories and supply chains.

Browse programs →
Degree routes by country

How long it takes, and what comes after

Typical lengths and post-study work rules as of October 2026. Individual programs vary, so check the course page before you apply.

USAStudy in the USA →
Bachelor’s
A bachelor’s is usually a four-year degree, and you often take a broad mix of courses before you declare a major.
Master’s
Master’s programs commonly run one to two years, depending on the program and whether it includes a thesis or internship.
After you graduate
OPT gives up to 12 months of work at each degree level. Graduates of degrees on the DHS STEM list can apply for a further 24 months (STEM OPT). New OPT fees proposed by DHS in October 2026 are not in effect.

The whole engineering series (CIP 14) is on the DHS STEM list. ABET accredits engineering programs at bachelor’s and master’s level.

UKStudy in the UK →
Bachelor’s
Three years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, four in Scotland. A placement (sandwich) year, where offered, adds a year in industry.
Master’s
A taught master’s usually takes one full-time calendar year. Integrated master’s degrees (MEng, MSci) take four years, five in Scotland.
After you graduate
Graduate Route: 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027, and 3 years after a PhD.

Integrated MEng degrees take four years (five in Scotland). Look for degrees accredited by a professional engineering institution licensed by the Engineering Council.

CanadaStudy in Canada →
Bachelor’s
Bachelor’s degrees take three to four years. Colleges also offer diplomas (two to three years) and certificates (one to two years).
Master’s
Master’s degrees take one or two years after a bachelor’s. Co-op programs add paid work terms in your field.
After you graduate
A post-graduation work permit (PGWP) of up to 3 years. Bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral graduates are exempt from the PGWP field-of-study rule; college programs must be in an eligible field.

Engineers Canada accredits undergraduate engineering programs, which provide the academic requirements for licensure as a professional engineer. Spouses of students in BEng, BE or BASc programs may qualify for an open work permit.

Live from official data

Engineering programs you can apply to

Counts by country from our database of official course data, updated as the data changes. Pick a country to see a sample, then browse and filter the full list.

Explore all →
🇺🇸programs in the USBrowse →🇬🇧programs in the UKBrowse →🇨🇦programs in CanadaBrowse →

Live program numbers couldn’t load just now. You can still browse every program in the explorer.

Typical entry requirements

What universities usually look for

In general terms. Every university sets its own requirements, and they differ between programs at the same university.

Academics

For a bachelor’s: Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics; strong maths matters most. For a master’s: a bachelor’s in the same or a closely related branch of engineering.

English

Most universities accept IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT or PTE Academic, each setting its own minimum. For a UK Student visa your English must be at least CEFR B2 for degree-level study, and your university can assess this. See our IELTS, TOEFL and PTE guides.

Tests

Some US graduate programs ask for the GRE. Requirements in the UK and Canada vary by program, so check each page.

Your application

Statement of purpose, recommendations and a CV. Projects, internships and any research experience help, especially for thesis master’s and PhD applications.

Career paths

Where graduates often go

Common roles for graduates of this field. Where you end up depends on your university, experience, work rights and the job market.

Design engineerDesigns and tests products and parts.
Civil / structural engineerPlans and checks infrastructure.
Electrical / power engineerWorks on grids, machines and electronics.
Process engineerRuns and improves industrial processes.
Robotics / automation engineerBuilds automated systems.
Project engineerDelivers engineering projects on time.
Manufacturing / quality engineerKeeps production efficient and safe.
R&D engineerDevelops new technology.

We don’t quote salary figures on this page: they vary widely by city, employer and visa status. Ask a counsellor for current, sourced numbers for the roles you are considering.

Ready to shortlist Engineering programs?

Answer a few questions and the finder ranks universities by how well they fit your grades, budget and goals. Or talk it through with a counsellor who studied abroad.

Sources

Rules, durations and STEM codes on this page were checked against these official sources in October 2026. Live program counts come from our database of official course data; see credits and data sources. Always confirm details on the university’s own course page.

  1. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List (last updated 22 July 2024) (checked Oct 2026)
  2. ABET, Accreditation (checked Oct 2026)
  3. Study in the States (DHS), F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) (checked Oct 2026)
  4. Study in the States (DHS), STEM OPT Extension Overview (checked Oct 2026)
  5. Study in the States (DHS), DHS publishes proposed rule establishing fees for Optional Practical Training (7 October 2026) (checked Oct 2026)
  6. QAA, The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies (2024) (checked Oct 2026)
  7. Engineering Council (UK), accredited degrees and professional registration (checked Oct 2026)
  8. GOV.UK, Graduate visa (checked Oct 2026)
  9. EduCanada (Global Affairs Canada), Common pathways to college and university (checked Oct 2026)
  10. EduCanada (Global Affairs Canada), Graduate studies (checked Oct 2026)
  11. EduCanada (Global Affairs Canada), Work while studying (co-op) (checked Oct 2026)
  12. Engineers Canada, Accreditation (checked Oct 2026)
  13. IRCC, Work permits for spouses and common-law partners of international students (checked Oct 2026)
  14. IRCC, Post-graduation work permit: field of study requirement (checked Oct 2026)
  15. IRCC, Post-graduation work permit: about (length of the permit) (checked Oct 2026)
  16. GOV.UK, Student visa: knowledge of English (checked Oct 2026)