Study Engineering Abroad: Majors, Accreditation and Admission

You can study engineering abroad in many majors: mechanical, electrical, civil, chemical, industrial and computer engineering, in countries that offer official accreditation of programs. The most important check before applying is whether your chosen program is accredited by a recognised engineering body in the country where you study, because this may affect professional licensing later.

If you are in Saudi Arabia and planning to study engineering abroad, we explain the differences between majors, how to verify accreditation and how to organise your file. Our university admissions office in Riyadh reviews options with you and prepares your documents, while admission itself is the university's decision.

Main Engineering Majors

Engineering overlaps with maths and physics in the early years, then the pathway narrows. The table summarises each major's focus.

Engineering Accreditation: ABET, Engineers Australia and Engineers Canada

Engineering accreditation means a professional body has reviewed the program against set standards. It relates to the program itself, not the university's name, and it is not a ranking. Here are the three best-known bodies in the countries we serve.

ABET in the USA

ABET describes accreditation as quality assurance for programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology, and stresses that it accredits specific programs rather than degrees or whole universities, and that it is not a ranking. To find an accredited program, use the ABET program search tool.

Engineers Canada in Canada

The Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB), under Engineers Canada, accredits undergraduate engineering programs, and states that graduates of accredited programs are academically qualified to begin the process of becoming licensed professional engineers in Canada. When we checked, the page listed 308 accredited programs at 47 institutions; these figures may change.

Engineers Australia in Australia

Engineers Australia publishes a list of accredited programs at three levels: Professional Engineer (Washington Accord), Engineering Technologist (Sydney Accord) and Engineering Associate (Dublin Accord). The list notes that provisionally accredited programs do not yet have international accord recognition, unlike fully accredited ones.

Engineering and Engineering Technology

ABET lists engineering and engineering technology as separate areas within its accreditation scope. Before applying, confirm which of the two the program offers, because similar names can hide differences in content and career direction.

What About the UK?

We did not review the UK engineering accreditation body for this article, so we do not give details. If the UK is among your options, ask the university which professional body accredits its program and verify it on that body's official site. You can also read our study in the UK page for a broader view.

How to Choose the Right Engineering Program

1. Pick your major after reading the core and elective modules, not the title alone.
2. Confirm accreditation in your target country on the official body's site.
3. Review labs and co-op or summer internship options.
4. Check entry requirements: maths and physics, English and sometimes tests.
5. Compare the full cost of tuition and living.
6. Think about what comes after graduation: work, a master's or research.

Common Admission Requirements

Many universities ask for strong school grades in maths and science and proof of English, and may require tests or an essay. In the USA, test policy can matter, and we explain it in applying without SAT/ACT, and check each university's deadlines. Requirements vary by university and program, so check the official page before applying.

Engineering and Saudi Scholarships

Scholarship tracks, eligible universities and fields change from time to time, so review the current rules. Start with Imdad track universities, then how to get university admission for a Saudi scholarship. For related fields, compare with studying cybersecurity abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Must an engineering program be accredited?

It is not a condition of admission, but accreditation may affect professional licensing later. Check the rules of the country where you plan to work.

Is ABET a ranking of universities?

No. ABET states that accreditation is quality assurance for programs, not a ranking.

What is the difference between industrial and mechanical engineering?

Mechanical focuses on machines and energy, while industrial focuses on improving processes, production and supply chains.

Is provisional accreditation in Australia enough?

Engineers Australia notes that provisional programs lack international accord recognition. Check the current list.

Can I study engineering on a Saudi scholarship?

It depends on the track, university and field rules at the time of application, so check the official source.

Do you guarantee admission?

No. We prepare the file and follow up, and the decision belongs to the university.

Prepare Your File With Almorad

If you want an admissions office in Riyadh to organise your documents and follow up on applications, browse universities and programs, then message us on WhatsApp or contact us. We prepare and follow up your file; the final decision rests with the university.