Study engineering abroad: What you must know!

THE decision to study abroad for an engineering education is a simple one. Western countries normally offer a well-rounded education while providing access to the latest innovations and research facilities. However, given the plethora of choices today, it is becoming increasingly difficult for Indian students to choose where to study abroad.

There are many popular destinations – the US, the UK, Singapore, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Germany and Japan. Also, many schools have partnerships, which allow students more flexibility. Every country has its own set of rules for admission but some are common across the board.

Gear up for admissions
The admission process often begins in the year prior to start of the programme. Hence, it is important that students start checking on admission requirements as early as in Class 10. Doing well in standardised tests requires preparation. Often, schools will 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 your Class 11 examination lightly!

There are many factors that one needs to take into consideration before deciding to apply – type of programme, accreditation, cost, duration of the programme, career prospects upon completion of the programme etc. Over the years, it has become easier to apply since most programmes have online applications. Almost all require your academic transcripts, letters of recommendations from your teachers, personal statements and proof of finances. The information that follows is general for each country; in order to make an application, you are advised to consult the school’s website.

USA

Still the most popular overseas destination for Indian students, most colleges and universities here manage their admissions process independently. Because of this the admission criteria vary across the board and applying to the US is an extremely tedious and time consuming process.

Selecting the right college
This is a critical process because of the variety and plethora of programmes. US programmes are of four years duration each. 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 various areas of study.

The better programmes require results from the SAT I and the SAT II examinations. Since the programmes are generally credit-based (which means that you graduate when you complete the requisite number of credits, not years!), it is possible to start ahead in the programme by either taking the Advance Placement (AP) tests or by studying in the IB system.

Varying costs
Tuition fee can vary from USD 20,000 to USD 45,000 per year. There are scholarships but only a few are offered at top schools for international students. There is need-based financial aid available to international students at some schools but asking for financial assistance can sometimes adversely influence 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.

UK

The UCAS (Universities & Colleges Admissions Service) is responsible for managing applications to almost all full-time undergraduate degree programmes at the UK universities and colleges. Students wishing to study for an engineering undergraduate degree in the UK must apply through UCAS. Applicants submit a single application via UCAS’s website with a list of up to five courses for which they are applying. Choices are not listed in order of preference. All five choices are confidential during the application process. So universities and colleges considering an application cannot see any of the candidate’s other choices. You can only send one application in each year’s application cycle.

Application deadlines
International students need to be aware of the following three application deadlines: October 15, January 15and March 24 - but applications for the universities of Oxford and Cambridge must be made by October 15. However, keep in mind that these two elite institutions do not normally take students who have completed twelve years of education as in 10+2; UK school education is of 13 years and as such to be considered for admission to Oxford or Cambridge, applicants must normally either be potential affiliated students (i.e applying to study for a second Bachelor’s degree) or studying for the International Baccalaureate or A levels.

Many universities and colleges will consider your application till June 30 of the year in which you wish to start school but keep in mind that universities and colleges do not guarantee to consider applications they receive after 15 January, and some popular courses may not have vacancies after that date. Apart from a single private university, Buckingham, all universities with the power to award degrees are heavily state financed, however, they also rely on tuition fees set by the government. Most school charge tuition fees in the range of GBP 10,000 to GBP 15,000 per annum. There are a limited number of scholarships available for international students that ease your burden.

AUSTRALIA

A popular destination for Indian students for almost two decades now, it boasts of an excellent education system with an emphasis on experiential learning. Australian degrees have worldwide acceptance and the quality of scientific research is rather high.

Eligibility criteria
To gain entry into an Australian undergraduate course, you need to have an Australia Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (Year 12), or the overseas equivalent such as the Indian class 12 certificate. Students are expected to have scored 60% or better. All programmes require Indian students to demonstrate 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 generally two intakes in a year – February and July. Engineering programme applicants must have Mathematics in all four 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 three 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 must pay your tuition fees, upfront.

SINGAPORE

In the last few years, a Singapore education has gained popularity, because, one, it offers quality education at a much lower cost compared to Western countries. The tuition costs generally vary between S$24,000 to S$30,000 per year. Two, scholarships are available for international students; however, 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 recognised degrees, many of the world’s leading foreign universities have also established their presence in Singapore.

These leading foreign universities have either set up a physical campus (institutes of higher learning) or have joint collaborations/programmes with local universities (local tie-ups). Such schools include INSEAD, Duke University, Georgia Tech, MIT, etc. Engineering programmes in Singapore boast of state-of-the-art infrastructure and technology.

Viable option
Singapore’s proximity to India, its reputation as a safe country and extensive employment opportunities make its undergraduate education a very viable option for Indian students. The admissions process is simpler, fewer standardised tests need to be taken and getting a student visa is far easier than applying for the same to western countries.

Admission to engineering programmes in local universities such as NUS and NTU depends mostly on the student’s academic performance. Undergraduate engineering programmes are of four years duration. Intake is once a year in July. Standardised tests like the TOEFL and SAT are not required. 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

A world leader in exports and R&D, it is India’s most important EU business partner. With more than 300 institutions of higher education it is one of the leading countries in the field of research, science and technology.

Reasons to study in Germany

• Excellent academic standards.
• The best and the most cost-effective study options for aspiring overseas students. Most colleges are state-funded. In 2010, five of the 16 states in Germany charged tuition fees at state-funded colleges, while in 11 states the tuition was provided free of charge.
• No university-sponsored scholarships. But a number of private and public institutions award scholarships to cover living costs and books.
• Internships – the completion of your programme is followed by paid internship in top MNCs that eventually lead to full-time placement.
• Students are allowed to stay on and work for 1 year after completing study.
• Most programmes are taught in English. But if you are willing to learn German, you also have the opportunity to join the German Language Courses at the University, which are free of charge. As a foreign student, you are allowed to work 90 days or 180 half days in a calendar year. This right is not restricted for campus jobs like in the US.