9 Best Engineering Universities in the United Kingdom

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Apart from being among the most paid professions, engineering is a very competitive field. Therefore, as you start pursuing your career in this area, it is imperative that you keep that in mind. Of course, the first place to start is to gain those skills and the necessary knowledge that will keep you at par with the rest in the job market.

Are you looking to study abroad? The United Kingdom is one of the most exciting countries to get your undergraduate or graduate degree in engineering. The quality of education in the U.K. is generally superlative to most of the other countries in your list of options. The country has a rich history in the world of engineering and research, which gives you a chance to learn and work with the best.

One thing you should keep in mind, however, is the tuition fee and cost of living. It can be quite expensive in some places, especially in London. Nonetheless, there are many institutions spread across the country for which you can choose your favorite. This article aims to make that process a lot easier for you by listing some of the best engineering universities in the United Kingdom.

Best Engineering Universities in the United Kingdom

1. University of Cambridge

  • Engineering Program Link
  • Degrees offered: Bachelors, Master of Philosophy (MPhil), Master of Study (MSt), PhD
  • Language of Instruction: English

University of Cambridge has been in operation for over eight centuries. It is the fourth-oldest institution in the world and was founded by scholars who left the University of Oxford. The University of Cambridge is considered the best engineering university in the United Kingdom. Over 300 students are admitted to the department every year, making it a total of about 1,200 undergraduates each specialized in one of the nine available disciplines. Since English is the language of instruction, every applicant is expected to submit their English proficiency test scores (IELTS and TOEFL).

2. University of Oxford

  • Engineering Program Link
  • Degrees offered: Bachelors, Master of Science (MSc), DEng, DPhil
  • Language of Instruction: English

The University of Oxford is the oldest university among the English-speaking countries and the second-oldest higher education institution in operation worldwide. As such, it is a prestigious university with which everyone would want to associate their success. That explains why it has a highly selective admission criterion in all fields of study. If you are planning to start or further your studies in the world of engineering, then the University of Oxford should one of your top choices. There are sufficient resources for undergraduate studies and to support research projects for those taking postgraduate programs.

3. Imperial College London

  • Engineering Program Link
  • Degrees offered: Bachelors of Engineering (BEng), Master of Engineering (MEng), Master of Science(MSc), PhD
  • Language of Instruction: English

Another best engineering university in the United Kingdom is the Imperial College London. The school is fully packed with various disciplines in the world of engineering. The courses range from bioengineering to electrical and electronics. All of these programs use mathematics as a tool of understanding and developing new concepts in a particular area of specialization. During your application, it is compulsory to submit your English test scores especially if you come from a non-EU country. Other requirements are clearly listed on the admission page of the school’s website.

4. University of Warwick

Based in Coventry, U.K., the University of Warwick is the third-most targeted university by employers in the country. It is also ranked 5th best university for engineering in the U.K., making it your ideal destination to further your career. Apart from undergrad and postgrad courses, the University also offers apprenticeship programs in Infrastructure Engineering and BEng Civil. The best thing about Warwick’s curriculum is the interdisciplinary courses which help you to decide on your ideal area of specialization.

5. University of Manchester

The University of Manchester is famous for its academic and research excellence. As an international student, the institution has a well-organized system that will usher you into the community right from your arrival at the airport. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields of study including engineering. The quality of education and the success of its alumni in the field has made it quite selective over the years with the current rate standing at 59%. However, you can get a chance to advance your studies in any of the available engineering courses provided you meet the minimum requirements.

6. University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh has been in operation since the 16th century and became a fully-fledged institution in the 19th century. The engineering programs at the university are based on four main disciplines; electrical & electronics, mechanical, civil, and chemical engineering. Your first year in whichever course you choose will generally cover all these four disciplines and gives you an opportunity to decide on your area of specialization. Being one of the top engineering schools in the UK, the University of Edinburgh has top-notch research programs as well.

7. Swansea University

This Welsh-based university was founded in 1920 after splitting from the University of Wales. It has since had an ever-rising number of admissions due to its impressive reputation. As one of the best engineering universities in the United Kingdom, then Swansea University will surely be one of your best options. Apart from the known undergraduate and postgraduate programs, Swansea University also offers Engineering Doctorate (EngD). It is research-based like a traditional PhD course, but the difference is that you’ll be working with a company to accomplish your project. Therefore, you will have an opportunity to streamline your ideas and make them relevant to the current industry.

8. University of Leeds

Ranked among the top 100 universities in the world, the University of Leeds offers you a great opportunity to pursue your career. The institution accepts at least 9,000 international students every single year. University of Leeds has separate doctorate college designed to support all research ideas by graduate students. The fields of study range from electrical and electronics to medical engineering.

9. University of Bristol

We end our list of top universities in the UK for engineering is the University of Bristol. This university has all you can ever desire as an engineering student or one aspiring to get into this field. Both undergraduate and graduate programs are fully-equipped with the necessary resources ranging from personnel to the necessary tools and instruments. Engineering research at the university is organized into various faculty-level research groups.

For instance, Mechanical Engineering is subdivided into Solid Mechanics, Robotics, Fluid & Aerodynamics, and Engineering Systems Design. Before you submit an application, it is important that you familiarize yourself with the available projects in your field of study.

 

I hope that this article was helpful. If you are interested, visit the UK Scholarships Page.