Engineers are responsible for the development of our smallest technologies — like the microprocessors in our smartphone — to our largest technologies — like spacecraft and nuclear reactors. In the 21st century, we not only rapidly develop technology, but we incorporate it into many new aspects of our lives. We now live in the age of smart homes, self-driving cars and private spacecraft, and engineers are the ones who make these things possible.

There are many engineering disciplines, such as software engineering or nuclear engineering, but most engineering disciplines can be classified within one of these engineering branches:

The schools on this list represent the best engineering programs in the world; they train people for engineering careers that drive our technological progress. If you want to get an engineering job and be a part of humanities tech-driven future, then read on to learn about the best places to study engineering.

From the QS World University Rankings, we identified the 50 best programs in the latest 2019 University Rankings for Engineering Technology.

Taking the QS ranking as our point of departure, we set their ranking against the ranking for engineering programs produced by AcademicInfluence.com . Using machine learning and search algorithms to characterize academic influence on the web, AcademicInfluence.com avoids the human bias that infects most academic rankings.

The rankings uncovered by AcademicInfluence.com are based on the influential faculty and alum publications, citations, and references associated with a school, degree programs, departments, or discipline. This ranking by influence approach elevates a school or degree program based on which members of its academic community are objectively influential in a given discipline.

By weighing both the QS Programmatic World Rankings and Academic Influence’s rankings, we not only created a unique ranking of the top 50 engineering technology programs, but we reveal why each university engineering technology program appears where it does.

The 50 Best Engineering and Technology Programs in the World

19. (tie) National Tsing Hua University Hsinchu, Taiwan







Copy link to this entry… National Tsing Hua University’s College of Engineering was founded in 1972 and is considered one of the best engineering colleges in the world. Although each department has different requirements, curriculums and offerings, the entire college has a shared vision to help students develop the theoretical and practical knowledge they need to become leaders in their chosen field. The College pushes students to discover and develop new ideas that can benefit the world. The college also wants to produce engineers who are capable of ethical thought and design, effective communication, and teamwork with diverse teammates. The college contains six departments: Chemical engineering

Power mechanical engineering

Materials science engineering

Biomedical engineering

Nanoengineering and microsystems

Industrial engineering and engineering management International students are encouraged to apply, and courses are taught in English. However, some fluency in Mandarin is helpful.

19. (tie) Delft University of Technology Delft, Netherlands







Copy link to this entry… Delft University of Technology takes nearly 40 engineering disciplines and brings them together into eight faculties which focus on multidisciplinary science and engineering. Over 20,000 students from around the world pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees in cutting-edge programs at one of the best engineering schools in the world. The school has an interdisciplinary approach. For example, master’s graduate Max Roest built a guitar for his thesis project in aerospace engineering. These projects embody the university’s vision of science, engineering and technology that pushes past the traditional boundaries of the field. Delft pushes these boundaries by inviting international students from around the world. While several undergraduate programs are taught in English, most are taught partially or fully in Dutch. All master’s programs at Delft are taught in English, and students who are not nationals of anglophone countries are required to prove fluency in English. Check out Some of Delft University of Technology’s Other Rankings The 50 Best Physics Programs in the World Today

21. Tokyo Institute of Technology Tokyo, Japan







Copy link to this entry… The Tokyo Institute of Technology’s School of Engineering was established in 1949 when Japan restructured its education laws. Now, Tokyo Tech has one of the best engineering colleges in the world. Its School of Engineering has five distinct departments: mechanical engineering, systems and control, electrical and electronic engineering, information and communications, and industrial engineering and economics. At the graduate level, each of these departments is further subdivided into fifteen majors. Many of the graduate majors are interdisciplinary, which helps students develop skills outside the traditional boundaries of engineering. International students are welcome to attend Tokyo Tech at any level; this includes nondegree studies. Many of the engineering options are taught in English. However, students without a functioning familiarity of Japanese are expected to enroll in Japanese language courses. Numerous schools around the world maintain partnerships with Tokyo Tech. These partnerships offer different program and cost options for foreign students. Check out Some of Tokyo Institute of Technology’s Other Rankings The 50 Best Physics Programs in the World Today

23. KAIST Daejeon, South Korea







Copy link to this entry… KAIST was founded in 1971 as the Korea Advanced Institute of Science, and it was the first school of its kind in South Korea. Today, it is a respected member of the global scientific community and hosts one of the best engineering schools in the world. The College of Engineering comprises three undergraduate schools: the School of Electrical Engineering, the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and the School of Computing. There are two graduate schools as well: the Graduate School of Energy, Environment, Water, and Sustainability and The Cho Chun Shik Graduate School for Green Transportation. Their 11 departments cover a variety of topics such as chemical and biomolecular engineering, knowledge service engineering, aerospace engineering, and bio and brain engineering. The university offers financial aid packages to international students and has relatively low tuition and room and board rates. International students are welcome to enroll in a variety of majors within the institute. Up to 80% of lectures at KAIST are taught in English, although students should expect to use Korean in their daily lives on and around campus. International students may not transfer to KAIST; they must enroll as incoming freshmen or as first-year master’s or doctoral students.

25. Seoul National University Seoul, South Korea







Copy link to this entry… The Seoul National University College of Engineering’s mission is to approach engineering as a field that enables people to solve problems and bring ideas to life. This unique outlook is part of why Seoul National University is one of the best engineering schools for international students. The College of Engineering hosts ten undergraduate programs and 17 graduate programs. Undergraduate majors include civil and environmental engineering, industrial engineering and nuclear engineering. Graduate programs cover many of the same topics but also include interdisciplinary programs such as offshore plants, bioengineering and urban design. These interdisciplinary programs allow students to better understand the problems they want to solve and the ideas they want to make a reality. International students are welcome to directly enroll in programs, enroll as exchange students from partner schools, or be visiting students from non-partner schools. The College of Engineering offers a Korean language class designed to help international students acclimate to life in Seoul. The course covers “survival Korean” as well as an introduction to Korean culture. This course is also available to family members who have moved with their international students. Check out Some of Seoul National University’s Other Rankings The 50 Best Physics Programs in the World Today

27. (tie) Politecnico di Milano Milan, Italy







Copy link to this entry… Politecnico di Milano was established in 1863. It is a technical school that focuses on engineering, architecture and industrial design. They enroll over 44,000 students, and more than 32,000 of these are engineering majors. Over 7,000 international students are enrolled from across the world. They offer 53 programs in English since it is a common language within the sciences and technology. Politecnico di Milano is considered one of the best engineering schools in the world and is known for producing numerous projects, spin-off companies and valuable research. Since 2000, 60 companies have been spun-off, and 52 of them are still in operation. Staff, professors and students have contributed 644 inventions and claimed 1,610 patents while working or studying at the university. There are four schools at Politecnico di Milano: The School of Architecture Urban Planning Construction Engineering

The School of Design

The School of Industrial and Information Engineering

The School of Civil, Environmental and Land Management Engineering These schools offer a variety of research and study focuses for students, such as civil engineering for risk mitigation, sustainable architecture and urban design. Programs across these schools are taught in English, Italian, or both, and international students can enroll in any program at any available level.

27. (tie) Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Hong Kong







Copy link to this entry… Founded in 1991, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology is the newest institution of higher education in the area. The university organizes its academic programs into four disciplinary schools and a graduate division. More than 13,000 students are currently served by more than 530 members of faculty and staff. Of the four disciplinary schools at HKUST, the School of Engineering is the largest and boasts nearly 40% of the university’s student body within its six academic departments; this includes more than 3,200 undergraduates and 2,000 postgraduates. The engineering school is well-known for its Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, as it is the only department of its kind in the city. Overall, the School of Engineering offers more than 40 degree programs. Research centers and institutes affiliated with the School of Engineering include: The Center for 2D and 1D Quantum Materials

The International Center for Advanced Computing and Communication Technologies

The Robotics Institute

The Institute for Integrated Microsystems

The William Mong Institute of Nano Science and Technology Check out Some of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology’s Other Rankings The 50 Best Mathematics Programs in the World Today

32. University of Malaya Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia







Copy link to this entry… Established in 1954, the University of Malaya’s Faculty of Engineering began as a place where Malaysian students could receive engineering education before they continued their studies abroad. Since then, it has grown and now offers six bachelor’s degrees, two master’s degrees and one doctoral degree. The Faculty consists of five departments: civil, biomedical, chemical, electrical and mechanical engineering. Today, UM is considered one of the best engineering schools in the world and contributes to cutting-edge research in a variety of fields, such as photonics, bioprocess engineering and medical imaging. The faculty’s mission is to be an internationally renowned source for research, publishing, teaching and innovation. To that end, the faculty welcomes and encourages international students to apply. The faculty operates in English (a common language for engineering) to facilitate international communication and to make it easier for visiting and exchange students. The University of Malaya hosts thousands of international students from around the world and provides them with a diverse campus as well as a multitude of opportunities for connecting with different people.

33. University of New South Wales Kensington, Australia







Copy link to this entry… Founded in 1949, UNSW Sydney was originally known as the New South Wales University of Technology. The academic departments are organized into a total of eight faculties which educate over 53,000 students. UNSW Sydney’s Faculty of Engineering is recognized as the largest of its kind in Australia; it has over 11,000 students in attendance and 810 faculty members on staff. There are nine academic divisions, which include the School of Mining Engineering, the School of Petroleum Engineering, and the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering. 25 of the university’s best engineering programs are available through its various schools. The university has several on-campus research centers and is affiliated with national research centers. These include: The Centre for Interactive Cinema (on-campus)

The Australian Centre for Space Engineering Research (on-campus)

The Centre for Infrastructure, Engineering and Safety (on-campus)

The Centre of Excellence for Autonomous Systems (national)

The Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology (national)

The Training Centre in Advanced Technologies in Food Manufacture (national)

The National Centre of Excellence in Desalination (national) Check out Some of University of New South Wales’s Other Rankings The 50 Best Mathematics Programs in the World Today

35. Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai, China







Copy link to this entry… Shanghai Jiao Tong University was founded in 1896, which makes it one of the oldest institutions for higher education in China. More than 30,000 students are enrolled in this prestigious and selective university. The academic programs are organized into 31 schools and departments which offer 63 undergraduate degrees, 250 master’s degrees and 203 doctoral degrees. The university’s engineering divisions include: Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Electronic/ Information and Electrical Engineering

Environmental Science and Engineering

Information Security Engineering

Materials Science and Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Ocean and Civil Engineering

Software Engineering There university has 11 state key laboratories and national engineering research centers. The five state engineering research centers at the university are: The Center for Nanotechnology

The Center of Light Alloy Net Forming

The National Engineering Research Center of Die and Mold

The Research Center of HDTV

The Tissue Engineering Research Center

37. RWTH Aachen University Aachen, Germany







Copy link to this entry… RWTH Aachen University is the largest technical university in Germany and contains four engineering faculties: Each faculty offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees. One advantage to studying at RWTH Aachen is the A Good Academic Start in Engineering program that allows students to enroll in courses without first choosing a specific course of study. Students can attend a summer session at RWTH Aachen which gives them an idea of what to expect from the various engineering programs. As one of the best engineering colleges, Aachen welcomes students from around the world and offers several master’s programs in English to help facilitate international education. All other degrees are offered in German.

38. Politecnico di Torino Torino, Italy







Copy link to this entry… Since 1859, Politecnico di Torino has been one of Europe’s leading science and engineering research and teaching forces. As one of the best engineering schools in the world, Politecnico di Torino currently hosts over 5,000 students from more than 120 countries and collaborates with industries, institutions and organizations around the world.Politecnico’s 11 departments educate students and push the boundaries of research in architecture and engineering. Torino offers programs taught entirely or partially in English as well as programs taught entirely or partially in Italian. Industrial production engineering is also partially taught in French or Spanish. These options are available at both the bachelor’s and master’s level. Some doctoral courses are offered in English as well, but Ph.D. candidates have personalized curriculums. While these options are available to all students, Politecnico di Torino maintains exchange agreements with numerous universities within the European Union. These exchange programs allow students to take courses at Torino which count for credit at their home institution.

39. (tie) Zhejiang University Hangzhou, China







Copy link to this entry… Zhejiang University’s Faculty of Engineering consists of nine schools and 12 departments. One such school is the School of Ocean, which has departments that focus on marine sciences and ocean engineering. Founded in 1897, Zhejiang has graduated over 600,000 students and currently enrolls over 53,000 students; 6,843 of these students are international students from 140 countries. The university maintains five libraries, which hold more than 6 million books. The school also has seven affiliate hospitals and more than 150 student associations. The university’s 2017 research funding was the equivalent of $638.2 million. Zhejiang University has been issued over 2,000 Chinese invention patents. ZJU seeks to transform and innovate not just China, but the world. To that end, it maintains relationships with 180 institutions in 30 countries, which include the University of Sydney, Imperial College London and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. ZJU has contributed to the development of several think tanks within China.

41. Technische Universität Berlin Berlin, Germany







Copy link to this entry… Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin) has roots as far back as 1770, but it takes its current name from its 1946 reinvention after the end of World War II. During the 1960s, TU Berlin was at the heart of student protest movements that helped to expand and improve education in West Germany. After the 1989 reunification of Germany, TU Berlin went through significant restructuring. Today, TU Berlin consists of seven faculties, which include Faculty IV – Electrical Engineering and Computer Science as well as Faculty V – Mechanical Engineering and Transport Systems. Faculty IV currently hosts 4,900 students, 30% of which are international, and it brought in 39 million euros worth of funding in 2012. Faculty V has over 5,000 students, 60 professors, and almost 40 staff members. Together, Faculty IV and V are two of the largest faculties of their kind in Germany. Between their funding, history, reputation and dedication to advancing numerous fields, they help make TU Berlin one of the best engineering schools in the world. International students are welcomed and encouraged, and the programs make wide use of English. However, German language skills are required for students who wish to study at TU Berlin.

43. (tie) The Chinese University of Hong Kong Hong Kong







Copy link to this entry… The Chinese University of Hong Kong was founded in 1963 to meet China’s growing demand for higher education. To do this, it set out to combine the best of Chinese and western culture. CUHK still upholds this ideal today; it enrolls several thousand international students each year. These students are either visiting students or students who participate in exchange programs from CUHK’s 278 partner institutions in 34 countries. CUHK’s Faculty of Engineering consists of six departments and offers degrees at all levels. It is considered one of the best engineering schools in the world. The university hosts over 3,000 students at all levels and has an employed graduate rate of 82%; another 14% of graduates pursue additional education. The faculty has 128 professors and 216 researchers, and it offers 11 undergraduate programs and eight master’s level programs; six of these have a doctoral equivalent. Courses at CUHK are primarily offered in English. This makes life much easier for international students, but some fluency in Cantonese is helpful for life in Hong Kong. Check out Some of The Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Other Rankings The 50 Best Mathematics Programs in the World Today

45. Osaka University Osaka, Japan







Copy link to this entry… The School of Engineering at Osaka University began as the Osaka Technical School in 1896. Throughout Osaka University’s 120-year history, it has stayed on the cutting edge of technical and industrial development. Founded by local government and local industry, the School of Engineering has maintained its relationships into the 21st century. This has resulted in unorthodox departments as well as a progressive style informed by the changing needs of industry and technology. At the undergraduate level, these divisions include applied science, global architecture, and sustainable energy and environmental engineering. At the graduate level, these include the Division of Advanced Science and Biotechnology, the Division of Adaptive Machine Systems, and the Division of Mechanical Engineering. Out of its more than 23,000 students, Osaka University hosts nearly 2,500 international students, most of whom come from other parts of Asia. The school does host some programs in English, which includes several programs offered by the School of Engineering. Even for students enrolled in English language programs, some fluency in Japanese would make living and studying in Osaka much easier. The university offers several Japanese language programs specifically to help international students adapt and make the most of their time at the university. Check out Some of Osaka University’s Other Rankings The 50 Best Physics Programs in the World Today

46. Pohang University of Science and Technology Pohang, South Korea







Copy link to this entry… Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) began in 1986 with nine undergraduate programs and 240 students. Since then, it has grown to 11 departments and six divisions which offer bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. POSTECH now serves over 4,000 students and employs 281 professors in Pohang, South Korea. The majority of POSTECH’s departments are focused on engineering, science, and technology. Some examples include the School of Environmental Science and Engineering, the Department of Creative IT Engineering and the Division of Advanced Nuclear Engineering. In order to help them stay at the cutting edge of technology, POSTECH encourages international students to attend through its exchange programs with 97 universities in 27 countries as well as its visiting student and research programs. Since the English language is common in engineering, POSTECH has built a bilingual campus where official documentation and major events are offered in both Korean and English. While fluency or even familiarity with the Korean language is not a requirement for acceptance, it can benefit students who wish to engage with local culture.

48. Korea University Seoul, South Korea







Copy link to this entry… Since its 1962 founding, Korea University’s College of Engineering has graduated over 30,000 students, and it has alumni who work all over the world. The college established Korea TechnoComplex in 1996, which was the first large-scale research complex of its type in the country. At Korea TechnoComplex, a variety of allied institutions and companies conduct new research every year. In order to promote flexible degree programs and double majors, the college has reduced the major field requirements for graduation, which allows students to more easily pursue a diverse interdisciplinary education. The college consists of seven departments, which include chemical and biological engineering, architecture, and electrical engineering as well as 15 research institutes. The College of Engineering also focuses on five specific areas of research: Biomedical Engineering

Green Energy and Environmental Engineering

Information Technology

Nano-fusion Technology

Robotics Korea University maintains partnerships with universities around the world and pushes the boundaries of engineering; this makes KU one of the best engineering colleges in the world.

49. National Chiao Tung University Hsinchu, Taiwan







Copy link to this entry… NCTU is one of the leading public universities in the country and one of the best engineering schools in the world. There are multiple divisions within the university which cater specifically to engineering students. These include the College of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the College of Engineering as well as several related colleges and interdisciplinary programs, such as the Undergraduate Honors Program of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Each of these colleges and departments offers programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. NCTU accepts exchange students from partner universities around the world as well as degree-seeking international students. While there are programs offered in English, many programs are taught in Mandarin with English textbooks. International students who want to study at NCTU should have some level of fluency in both English and Mandarin.