[Written By External Partner]
You dream of a tech career, but you doubt if your home country is the right place to get the necessary degree. Maybe, you’re not sure the quality of education will match your expectations. Maybe, you wonder if this degree will be valued by employers in your country and abroad.
So, perhaps, packing your bags and leaving to study in another country is a better choice? It’s quite possible – especially if you go to one of the eight countries on the list below. They’re world-renowned for their tech education and industry alike. So, you won’t just be getting high-quality education – you’ll also have great chances of landing a job there!
And while you read, don’t let yourself get worried about your admission chances. With hard work, enough preparation, and some help from the paper writing service by Essaypro.com to ace that admission essay, nothing is impossible! What’s more, studying abroad doesn’t have to cost you a fortune either – you just need to find the right financial aid program.
The United States
This country is leading the world in all things technology. After all, this is where global giants like Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet/Google, and Meta/Facebook have all started. And their most innovative projects are still headquartered in the U.S.
So, it’s no wonder why the United States is home to the best tech programs in the world. After all, those tech giants and their smaller-scale counterparts need only the cream of the crop to develop their products.
When it comes to education, consider the following eight U.S. universities. They’ve all made it into the top 25 engineering and technology schools (QS World University Rankings 2022):
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (#1);
- Stanford University (#5);
- University of California Berkeley (#9);
- Harvard University (#12);
- California Institute of Technology (#15);
- Georgia Institute of Technology (#16);
- Carnegie Mellon University (#18);
- The University of California, Los Angeles/UCLA (#25).
The United Kingdom
It’s true: software development isn’t something the United Kingdom is known for worldwide. However, this industry is quite well-developed in the country. Plus, the UK is a global powerhouse in the pharmaceutical, automotive, and aerospace industries.
And that’s not all: the UK is also the second favorite choice among international students after the U.S. That’s not a coincidence, of course. The UK is home to some of the top tech and engineering programs in the world at such universities as:
- University of Cambridge (#2);
- University of Oxford (#3);
- Imperial College London (#8);
- The University of Manchester (#21).
Singapore
Next up is Singapore, a tiny island country in Southeast Asia. But don’t let the country’s size fool you: Singapore is a big player in the global telecommunications, electronics, mechanical engineering, and manufacturing industries.
As for education, Singapore doesn’t disappoint. Two of its universities are in the top 10 tech schools worldwide. So, if you want to become an AI genius or create a new generation of robots, consider enrolling in:
- Nanyang Technological University (#4);
- National University of Singapore (#7).
Since English is one of Singapore’s official languages, you don’t have to worry about learning a foreign to study abroad. Most programs are taught in English by default!
Switzerland
Switzerland may be famous for its banks and watches, but its economy is driven not just by the financial sector. Switzerland is a major exporter of machines and electronics, for one. It’s also a global hub for scientific research and engineering.
While most Swiss universities offer non-tech programs, there are two that focus heavily on technology and engineering. These universities have also earned their recognition as the leading ones in these fields, per the QS World University Rankings 2022:
- ETH Zurich (#6);
- École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne/EPFL (#11).
The Netherlands
If there’s anything you know about the Netherlands, it’s probably what you know about Amsterdam. (You might be familiar with Dutch companies like Heineken and Unilever, too.) But the Netherlands is also a major player in electronic machinery, app development, and satellite navigation.
When it comes to tech education, there’s only one university that has earned itself a spot on the top 25 list of the QS World University Rankings. It’s the Delft University of Technology (#10).
Besides the quality of education, there are several other reasons to consider studying in the Netherlands:
- Multiple programs are available in English, so you won’t have to learn Dutch to study there;
- The fees are relatively low thanks to government subsidies;
- The quality of life in the Netherlands is high.
Japan
Japan is home to companies like Toshiba, Sony, Panasonic, Sega, Nintendo, Toyota, Nikon, Canon, and more. The country’s successes in its key industries – electronics, robotics, semiconductors, automobiles, and aerospace – have made it a global powerhouse in the field.
Japanese universities keep on par with the industry. So, if you want to study in Japan, make sure to consider these two schools with top tech programs:
- The University of Tokyo (#17);
- Tokyo Institute of Technology (#28).
Be warned, though: programs in English might not be as abundant as in some other countries. But if you’ve always wanted to learn Japanese and get immersed in a completely different culture, Japan is the right destination for you!
Germany
The German economy is the largest in Europe, with its top sectors including the automotive and electronics industries. While it can boast some famous international brands (Porsche, Siemens, Bosch), it’s also a major startup hub. That’s because small and medium companies have always been the driving force of the German economy.
So, if you want to go on and create your own startup after graduating, Germany is arguably the best country in Europe to do so. But before you jump right into entrepreneurship, consider enrolling in one of these top-ranking universities:
- Technical University of Munich (#19);
- RWTH Aachen University (#53);
- TU Berlin (#55);
- KIT, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (#56).
South Korea
Another Asian destination on the list, South Korea champions the tech industry both domestically and internationally. Just think about companies like Samsung and LG Electronics – Samsung accounts for almost a fourth of the global smartphone market! South Korea is also constantly named the most innovative country in the world (Bloomberg Innovation Index).
To keep the industry growing and the innovation going, the South Korean higher education system is heavily focused on STEM disciplines. Here are its top three schools in the field, as ranked by the QS World University Rankings:
- KAIST – Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (#20);
- Seoul National University (#34);
- Korea University (#76).
In Conclusion
Dream of studying in one of these countries? If so, you’ll probably have to move there, and that can entail a long to-do list. So, if you’re up for the challenge, here’s a mini-guide on how to become an international student in the most hassle-free way possible:
- If you’re already a student, consider the programs that your school offers. But be mindful that those programs usually last for a semester or two;
- If you want to obtain your degree abroad, select the schools that offer programs you’re interested in and compare the eligibility criteria, curriculum, facilities, and fees;
- Consider the cost of living in the destination country and look into financial aid (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.);
- Create a shortlist of 3-5 programs you want to apply to;
- Gather all the documents required and submit your application;
- Once you get a positive admission decision, apply for a student visa;
- Prepare for living in another country: learn the basics of the local language, check up on the weather, find accommodation or apply for a dorm room.
