Study Engineering Abroad

While engineering seats go vacant in many private colleges in India, thousands flock to the UK, US, Australia and Singapore to get a B.Tech. Degree. We examine the factors...

THERE are several reasons which guide students to study engineering abroad. Western countries generally offer well-rounded education while giving access to the modern innovations and best research facilities.
Of late, even Asian countries such as Singapore and Hong Kong are becoming popular destinations among students because of their emphasis on experiential learning, international orientation and top placement. Companies across the world are also increasingly acknowledging the importance of international education. Given the intense competition of getting into a good engineering college in India, many students apply abroad to have a viable backup option.

Given today’s variety of choices it is not so easy for Indian students to select where to study abroad! There are many attractive destinations – the US, UK, Singapore, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Japan, etc. Also, many schools have partnerships that allow students further flexibility. There are several factors that impact a student’s decision – long-term plans, employment opportunities, medium of instruction, accessibility, budgetary constraints, etc. The most popular countries to pursue an engineering education remain the USA, UK, Canada, Singapore and Australia.

Admission Criteria
Every nation has its own set of rules for admission but there are some rules/practices across the board. The basic criteria for admission abroad primarily are –

• Completion of the high school equivalent of the country you are applying to; this could be CBSE class 12th, the A levels, the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme or any other system recognized in India. A strong academic background is of primary importance for admission to a prestigious institute/university.
• Proficiency in English that is often demonstrated by taking one of the standardized language proficiency tests such as the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), etc.
• Most engineering degree programmes/courses assume that you have studied Mathematics in all four years of high school; for some countries and programmes therein, it is also important that you have taken Physics and/ or Chemistry for this time period too. However, it is not unusual for a commerce student from India to take admission in an undergraduate programme in Computer Science in the US.
• A large number of schools abroad need students to take standardized tests like the SAT I and SAT II subject tests to be eligible for applying to the programme. Most prestigious engineering programmes in the US require the results of the SAT I and SAT II Subject tests.
• While making admission decisions, a number of colleges also give weightage to a student’s extra-curricular achievements. However, in almost no institute does this substitute for academic preparation.
• In some countries, the minimum age for applicants to degree programmes is 18 years.

The Application Calendar
The admission process usually begins in the year prior to the start of the programme. Therefore, it is advised that students start checking on admission requirements as early as in class 10. Performing well on standardized tests requires preparation. Often, institutes make decisions before the final high school result is out. The students’ earlier academic record is what is considered. So, it is not a good idea to take the class 11 examination lightly!

Some of the factors which one must take into account before deciding to apply to a engineering school/institute are:

• The alignment of the curriculum vis-à-vis your career goals
• Accreditation
• Cost
• Duration of the programme
• Career prospects upon completion of the programme, etc. 

Over the years, it has become comparatively easier to apply to different colleges/universities since most programmes accept online applications. Almost all institutes require your academic transcripts, letters of recommendations from your teachers, personal statements and proof of finances.

The information given below is general for each country; in order to make an application, you are advised to consult the institute’s website.

USA
Most colleges and universities in the US manage their admissions process independently. Since admission criteria vary across universities/schools, applying to the US is a time-consuming process. While choosing schools, it is advised to check their accreditation. ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) evaluates and accredits engineering programmes in the US. It is important to note that ABET accredits disciplines, not schools. Hence it is obvious, within an emerging school; some fields may be accredited whilst others are not.

US engineering programmes are of 4 years’ duration and there are several schools that offer an integrated 5-year Master’s and Bachelor’s programme. Research and internship opportunities abound at the undergraduate level also. There is tremendous flexibility in selecting courses and an engineering education is quite comprehensive as it includes many areas of study. The better programmes require results from the SAT I and the SAT II examinations.

Undergraduate education is usually credit-based, which means that you graduate when you complete the requisite number of credits, not years! One course generally is equivalent to 3 credit hours. While some students graduate ahead of schedule by taking more courses per semester or taking courses in the summer sessions, it is also possible to get a head start by either taking the Advance Placement (AP) tests or by studying in the IB system.  Costs may vary across schools – tuition fee can vary from USD 20,000 to USD 45,000 per year. There are scholarships but few at top schools are available to international students. There is need-based financial aid available to international students at some schools; it takes into account the family’s financial circumstances by asking for documents such as Income-tax returns to assess need. Keep in mind that asking for financial assistance can adversely impact your application process. Engineering students are permitted to stay in the country for up to 29 months on optional practical training upon completion of their degree programme.

AUSTRALIA
Australia has been a hugely popular destination for Indian students for almost 2 decades now. It is known for its excellent education system with an emphasis on experiential learning, Australian degrees are recognized across the world and the quality of scientific research is rather high. Until now, it was also a safe destination for Indian students.

To gain entry into an Australian undergraduate course, a candidate needs to have an Australia Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (Year 12), or the overseas equivalent such as the Indian class 12 certificate. Applicants are expected to have scored 60% or better. All programmes require Indian students to show their proficiency in written and spoken English normally by taking the IELTS test. This test must have been conducted not more than 24 months before the day on which the application is being made. The score on this test must be a band of 6 or higher for most schools of repute.

There are normally two intakes in a year – February and July. Engineering programme applicants must have Mathematics in all 4 years of high school. Most programmes assume that students would have taken Physics and/or Chemistry in high school up to grade 12. The duration of the course is 3 years. Tuition for most schools is in the range of A$9,000 to A$14,000 per year. Scholarships are available to Indian students.

As an international student, you are supposed to pay your tuition fees up-front.

SINGAPORE
In the last few years, Singapore education has become quite popular among students across the world. Singapore’s proximity to India, its reputation as a safe country, lower cost of education and extensive employment opportunities make its undergraduate education a very attractive option for Indian students. The admissions procedure is simple, fewer standardized tests need to be taken and getting a student visa is far easier than applying for the same to any of the western countries. The tuition costs usually vary between S$24,000 to S$30,000 per year. While there are scholarships available for international students, they are keenly contested.

While the three local universities - National University of Singapore (NUS) , Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Management University (SMU) offer internationally recognized degrees, many of the world’s prestigious foreign universities have also made their presence in Singapore. They have either set up a campus (schools of higher learning) or have joint collaborations/programmes with local universities. Such schools include INSEAD, Duke University, Georgia Tech, MIT, etc. Engineering programmes in Singapore are famous for their state-of-the-art infrastructural facilities and technology.

Admission to engineering programmes in local universities such as NUS and NTU depends primarily on the student’s academic performance. Undergraduate engineering programmes are of four years’ duration. Intake is once a year in July. The deadline for submitting the application is different for the schools but decisions are made only after the university receives the result of the Class 12 examination.

GERMANY
Germany is a world leader in exports and R&D. It is also India’s most important EU business partner, primarily for machinery, automobiles, chemical and electrical products as well as IT. With more than 300 institutes of higher education it is one of the leading countries in the field of research, science and technology.

There are several reasons to study engineering in Germany:

• Excellent academic standard
• Germany boasts of the best and the most cost-effective study options for overseas students. Most colleges are state-funded. In 2010, 5 of Germany‘s 16 states charged tuition fees at state-funded colleges, while in 11 states tuition was provided free of cost.
• There are no university-sponsored scholarships in Germany, but several private and public institutions award scholarships, generally to cover living costs and books.
• Internships – the completion of your programme is followed by paid internship in top MNCs which lead to full-time placement.
• Students are permitted to stay on and work for 1 year after completion of their study programmes.
• Most programmes are exclusively taught in English, therefore, German language skills are not a prerequisite. If you are willing to learn German, you can join the German Language Courses at the University, which are free of cost. As a foreign student, you are permitted to work 90 days or 180 half days in a calendar year. This right is not restricted for campus jobs like in the US. You can obtain Permanent Residency within 5 years of working full-time in Germany. 

So get ready to get a dream engineering degree on foreign shores.