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Picking the right engineering school can feel like a daunting task – especially if you’ve broadened your search beyond your own national boundaries. With so many engineering schools to choose from, each making attractive-sounding promises, how can be sure you’ve made the right decision? Here are seven signs to watch out for…
1. Your engineering school offers the specialties that you are interested in.
Put job market and employability statistics to the side. Which engineering fields would you like to specialize in? Which global issues would you like to help solve? Now, ask yourself: does your chosen school offer courses and research opportunities in that particular area? How many professors have specialized and are currently engaged in the field? Whether you’re interested in photovoltaics or applied mathematics, you must absolutely ensure that your department has the resources to cater to your needs and ambitions.
2. Your engineering school is well-known in your field.
Of course there’s more to life than reputation – but it does go a long way when it comes to impressing future employers, as well as being another way to check which schools are performing at the highest level. Take a look at subject-specific rankings such as the QS World University Rankings by Subject, and the slightly broader QS World University Rankings by Faculty, for an overview of the best engineering schools in each field and country.
3. Your school connects the dots between innovation and industry.
The best engineering schools will add value to your degree by introducing you to various industry leaders. This can maximize your chances of getting snapped up by a desirable employer when you graduate, as well as helping you understand how your knowledge and expertise could be put to practical use. Top schools organize regular networking events with recruiters, and offer resources designed to connect ambitious students to the ‘real world’ – such as KAUST’s Research and Technology Park, a tech-based research center linking up students with researchers and industry leaders.
4. Your coursework is both theory-heavy and hands-on.
Whether you hope to pursue a career in academia or industry, and whatever your sub-branch, your curriculum should make a point of addressing real-life problems and scenarios. While some courses are by nature heavily theoretical and design-oriented, these should also explore credible applications to prepare you for the world of work. Because no subject exists in a vacuum, studying engineering in both practical and theoretical terms will equip you with the transferrable skills and knowledge required for a long and fruitful career in the profession.
5. Your engineering school provides world-class facilities.
Does your engineering school offer up-to-date facilities? How many research projects is it running, and how many of these are international? Whether it’s through helping you forge international collaborations with other researchers, securing funding for your project or providing access to cutting edge technology, such as KAUST’s nanofabrication and visualization core labs, the school you choose should grant you access to all the best study and research resources in your field, to help you achieve your full potential.
6. Your engineering school offers internship opportunities.
Most universities have some kind of careers service in operation, but make sure you know exactly how much support you’ll receive, and whether there are opportunities to gain practical experience through internships. KAUST, for instance, offers a three to six month Visiting Student Research Internship Program, which grants promising graduates a monthly allowance, in addition to accommodation and various work benefits for research work.
7. You’re not likely to leave with a huge debt.
Finally, the question of costs does come into the equation. The good news is, you don’t necessarily have to graduate completely destitute. Some engineering schools actually significant financial aid, such as the KAUST Fellowship, which covers relocation costs in addition to tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, housing and health insurance.
Join a community of tech innovators
Ranked in the global top 150 of the QS World University Rankings by Subject in a number of disciplines across engineering and technology, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has leading research facilities and teaching resources, including world renowned professors among its faculty.