Top 5 Engineering Colleges in the World: Leading Institutions in 2020
Engineering is a field that drives technological progress and innovation, and the top engineering colleges in the world are the engines that power this progress. In this article, we delve into the top five engineering colleges in the world as recognized by various reputable rankings in 2020. We will explore their unique features, academic programs, research facilities, and contributions to the engineering community.
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - USA
Overview: Founded in 1861, MIT is a world-renowned institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, near Boston. MIT is a hub of innovation and research, playing a significant role in driving technological advancements. Around 11,000 students attend the university, with approximately 60% studying at the graduate level. The institution houses five schools: architecture and planning, engineering, humanities, arts and social sciences, management, and science.
Academic Calendar and Housing: MIT follows a 4-1-4 system calendar. Freshman undergraduate students are required to live on campus, but many upper-level students also choose to reside on campus. MIT's research opportunities are extensive, and nearly 90% of undergraduates participate in the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. The MIT Nuclear Reactor Laboratory is one of the largest university research reactors in the U.S., with significant research funding totaling nearly 675 million in a recent year.
2. Stanford University - USA
Overview: Stanford University, established in 1885, is situated in California's Bay Area, approximately 30 miles south of San Francisco. Stanford is home to seven schools, with more than half of the student body studying at the graduate level. The university comprises schools like humanities and sciences, earth sciences and engineering, as well as a business school and a medical school.
Academic Calendar and Housing: Stanford follows a quarter system, with English being the primary language of instruction. The university guarantees housing for four years for undergraduate freshmen and over 60% of graduate students live on campus. Stanford's library system, which includes 20 libraries, houses more than 9.3 million physical volumes. Research funding has surpassed 1 billion, including federal funds for projects at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, with scientists from around the world utilizing the lab's facilities.
3. University of Cambridge - UK
Overview: Located in a historic part of England, the University of Cambridge was founded in 1209. With around 19,000 students, over 35% of whom are at the graduate level, the university offers a wide range of academic programs across six schools: arts and humanities, biological sciences, clinical medicine, humanities and social sciences, physical sciences, and technology.
Academic Calendar and Housing: The academic calendar is divided into three terms: Michaelmas, Lent, and Easter. The university houses 31 residential colleges, with some operating as women-only institutions. Guaranteed housing is available for undergraduates for at least three years, and around 20% of the student body comes from outside the European Union. The university receives significant research funding, amounting to around 415 million in a recent year.
4. University of California - Berkeley (UC Berkeley) - USA
Overview: Located in the Bay Area, just 15 miles from San Francisco, the University of California—Berkeley is a public university founded in 1868. With over 70% of students studying at the undergraduate level, the university offers 14 colleges and schools, including the highly ranked Haas School of Business, College of Chemistry, College of Engineering, School of Public Health, and School of Law.
Academic Calendar and Housing: UC Berkeley follows a semester-based academic calendar and offers 350 degree programs. Around a quarter of undergraduate students live on campus, including 95% of freshmen. Graduate students can opt for off-campus or university-owned accommodations. About 3000 international scholars join UC Berkeley every year in temporary teaching or research positions. The university is renowned for its extensive research facilities and field stations, conducting research in botany, zoology, ecosystems, and forestry.
5. University of Oxford - UK
Overview: The oldest university in the English-speaking world, with its roots tracing back to at least 1096, the University of Oxford is located around 60 miles northwest of London. Around 45% of its student body consists of graduate students, many of whom conduct research as part of their studies. Oxford is divided into four academic divisions: humanities, mathematical, physical, and life sciences, medical sciences, and social sciences.
Academic Calendar and Housing: Oxford follows a three-term academic calendar with eight-week-long terms. The university comprises 38 colleges and six Permanent Private Halls, each with its own dining hall, common room, and library. Undergraduates are guaranteed housing for their freshman year, but graduate students are not guaranteed housing. The university offers over 900 scholarships for graduate students.
Each of these top engineering colleges in the world offers unique features and programs, contributing significantly to the advancement and education of the next generation of engineers. Whether it is through extensive research facilities, innovative academic programs, or a strong emphasis on hands-on experience, these institutions are at the forefront of engineering education and research.