Best Programs: Engineering

Engineering has long been one of the most popular post-secondary fields of study, but rapid technological advancements in areas like artificial intelligence, robotics, chemistry and sustainable energy also make engineering one of the most exciting areas of study right now. High school students who enjoy math and the sciences, and are looking for a way to apply their passion and knowledge to real-world situations, may find engineering is the right discipline for them. Mechanical engineers, for example, develop machines, while civil engineers design infrastructure. Newer types of engineers, like those in nanotechnology, work with materials and structures at the molecular and atomic level, with applications in health care, electronics and the automotive industry. A bachelor of engineering degree is also one of the most employable degrees out there. In 2018, 94 per cent of grads with an engineering, architecture or similar degree who graduated in 2015 had permanent employment. Nearly all of these grads—93 per cent—worked in their field of study. 

Engineering schools are accredited by Engineers Canada, regularly undergoing a rigorous testing system to ensure that programs adhere to a certain standard, which keeps the quality of curriculums fairly consistent across the board. This means students receive a strong engineering education, and will have the opportunity to become licensed upon graduation, regardless of which Canadian university they attend. On-the-job training is key for engineering students, and while most engineering programs in the country have some form of co-op or internship component, how they’re structured can vary greatly between schools. Some schools have a half on-campus, half off-campus structure. At the University of Waterloo, for example, students typically have two terms of classes balanced with four months of co-op each year. Other schools offer programs with three continuous years of coursework, followed by a year-long internship in fourth year. The merits of either option boil down to the student’s preferences and learning style. Some students will want to apply the knowledge they’ve gained in the classroom right away, while others prefer to deepen connections with their campus, professors and peers, as well as focus on coursework before looking for work opportunities. 

Engineering programs also differ in their ties to industry and opportunities to network. Some larger, more established schools might have deeper alumni pools to draw from and students there have more chances to network with potential future employers. Students should research how many networking events are offered by their prospective programs and what sorts of professionals attend them—are these professionals working in the same or similar fields of interest to their own? 

Chances to work closely with classmates are another metric for an engineering program. Once they join the labour force, engineers typically work in teams, so having opportunities through clubs and extracurriculars to work with others can prepare students for the collaborative aspect of their careers. For example, students may look for schools with hackathons, robotics clubs, incubators and accelerators, where they can practise their skills with classmates and build up experience for their CVs.

Standout Engineering Programs

University of Toronto

U of T’s faculty of applied science and engineering has a storied history nearly as old as Canada. But what makes the well-known school stand out among so many others is its engineering science (or EngSci) stream. This unique program allows students to take a blend of non-engineering math, science, computing and humanities courses in their first two years, and then choose from one of eight engineering sub-fields for the next two years. The school also offers a professional experience year, where students work in the field for 12 to 16 months  and, being located in Toronto, there are plenty of local companies to potentially work for.

Queen’s University

Students at Queen’s do a common first year, then choose from 10 engineering programs for their specialization. Queen’s stands out for its flexibility—students can follow a dual degree plan that allows them to work towards two degrees—one engineering and one general arts and science degree—at once over five years. Queen’s also offers a mechatronics and robotics engineering degree, a program that blends computer, electrical and mechanical engineering with new tech disciplines like automation, controls, signal processing and telecommunications.

Waterloo University

On top of having unique specializations like nanotechnology engineering, Waterloo has a robust co-op program that allows students to gain experience during several work terms throughout their degree. For entrepreneurially minded students, or those wanting to work in tech, Kitchener-Waterloo is considered “Canada’s Silicon Valley” for its hub of tech companies and startups. Students often work in the area for their co-ops or after graduation. Plus, being so close to these companies means that opportunities for networking are endless.

McGill University

One of the draws at McGill’s faculty of engineering is the university’s exchange program—students can take courses at other Quebec universities for a summer semester or participate in an international exchange. McGill also prioritizes undergrad research, which may appeal to students who are considering a research-heavy job or who want to go on to graduate studies. In particular, the summer undergraduate research in engineering program offers students the chance to work closely with a professor on a research project, along with the opportunity to do research internationally.

University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia has Western Canada’s biggest engineering program, providing approximately 75 per cent of the West Coast’s new engineers every year. Aside from the breadth of resources that come from attending a big school, like alumni mentors, networking opportunities and a wide choice of co-op placements, UBC’s common first year focuses on the fundamentals so that students get a solid foundation before moving into one of the 14 available program concentrations.