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Studies & Degrees in Engineering Science

Engineering applies mathematics and the natural sciences to design, build and maintain structures, machines, systems and processes. Engineering science is the broad, science-based version of the degree. The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) describes it as a discipline that encompasses the scientific principles and associated mathematics that underlie engineering, and its programme is designed for students who want to link the engineering disciplines with science.

In this directory the subject also serves as the general entry for engineering: it brings together schools that offer broad engineering programmes and schools with several specialised branches.

What students learn

Every engineering degree starts with the same base: mathematics, physics, chemistry, computing and technical drawing. An engineering science programme stays broad for longer. At Penn State, after the core courses in mathematics, physics and chemistry, students take thermodynamics, heat transfer, electromagnetics, solid and fluid mechanics, electrical devices and materials science, and then go deeper in an area of their choice through technical electives and a research and design thesis. Focus areas include electrical, mechanical, civil, biomedical and materials engineering.

Most other degrees specialise from the start in one branch. The University of Aberdeen, for example, offers degrees in chemical, civil, electrical and electronic, mechanical and petroleum engineering. Tecnun, the engineering school of the Universidad de Navarra in San Sebastián, offers bachelor's degrees that include industrial technologies, mechanical, electrical, industrial electronics and industrial management engineering, as well as artificial intelligence.

Qualifications and levels

  • Spain. A bachelor's degree (grado) has 240 ECTS credits and an official master's degree 60, 90 or 120. Several engineering professions are regulated. The profession of Ingeniero Técnico Industrial, for example, requires an official bachelor's degree of 240 credits that meets the government's requirements, and the profession of Ingeniero Industrial requires the corresponding official master's degree. Check whether a degree gives access to a regulated profession before enrolling.
  • United Kingdom. Universities offer the BEng (bachelor's) and the integrated MEng (master's). The Engineering Council registers engineers under protected titles such as Chartered Engineer (CEng), Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and Engineering Technician (EngTech). The standard academic route to CEng is an accredited integrated MEng, or an accredited honours bachelor's degree plus an accredited master's or further learning to master's level; other routes exist for those without these qualifications. The University of Southampton states that it runs more than 70 accredited engineering courses, with a year in industry option and a foundation year.
  • United States. The first degree is a bachelor's. Accreditation is voluntary and non-governmental; for engineering programmes the reference is ABET, which describes its accreditation as a form of quality assurance and not a ranking, and reports 4,863 accredited programmes at 950 institutions in 42 countries. Some programmes are selective after admission: Penn State's Engineering Science is an honours programme that requires a minimum grade-point average of 3.0.
  • Doctorate. Research careers continue with a PhD; Tecnun, for example, offers a Doctorado en Ingeniería Aplicada.

Where to study it

The SpainExchange directory lists 379 schools for this subject. The United States has 132, the United Kingdom 27, Spain 26, Canada 13, Australia 12, Germany 9 and Chile 8, followed by China and Brazil (6 each) and Sweden, Colombia and Argentina (5 each).

The language of instruction is normally the language of the country. Some Spanish schools teach part of the degree in English: at Tecnun the first year can be taken entirely in English, and from the second year English accounts for 20 to 30 percent of teaching, depending on the degree.

When comparing programmes, look at whether the degree is broad or specialised, whether it is accredited (and by whom), whether it gives access to a regulated profession or a professional title in the country where you want to work, and whether it includes laboratory work, projects and placements in industry.

Careers

Engineers work in manufacturing, energy, construction, transport, electronics, software, health technology and consulting, and in research and teaching. A broad engineering science degree is also a common base for a specialised master's degree or a doctorate; Penn State states that its graduates are prepared for advanced studies as well as professional employment.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment in architecture and engineering occupations in the United States is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2025 to 2035, with about 174,800 openings a year.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between engineering science and other engineering degrees?

Engineering science keeps a broad foundation in the sciences and mathematics behind all branches and lets students specialise later through electives and a thesis. Most other degrees focus on one branch, such as mechanical or civil engineering, from the start.

How long does an engineering degree take in Spain?

A bachelor's degree has 240 ECTS credits, which is four years. Some regulated professions, such as Ingeniero Industrial, also require an official master's degree.

Does accreditation matter for an engineering degree?

Yes, because it is linked to professional recognition. In the United Kingdom accredited degrees are the standard route to Chartered Engineer status, and in the United States ABET accreditation is the usual quality reference for engineering programmes.

Can I study engineering in English in Spain?

Partly, at some schools. At Tecnun (Universidad de Navarra) the first year can be taken entirely in English and later years include 20 to 30 percent of teaching in English. Ask each school for its current offer.