UBC Engineering sets you up for success

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How do you define success?

Is it a well-paying job? A career that offers you the problem-solving challenges you thrive on? Being part of a team that comes up with innovations that are making a difference in the world?

No matter what success looks like for you, UBC Engineering can help you achieve your goals. An undergraduate degree in engineering is a versatile and future-proof degree that teaches you how to think critically and solve problems.

And choosing to study engineering at one of the top-ranked universities in the country is a solid investment in your professional and personal success.

A well-paying job

Let’s face it: finding a job that pays well is important.

The 15 highest-paying bachelor degrees by salary potential all involve science or math, and 10 out of those 15 degrees are in engineering.

When you choose engineering, you are preparing yourself for well-paid career with significant opportunities for advancement and promotion. (Find out more in this article about the salary levels associated with different engineering specializations.)

Also, unlike other professional programs like medicine or law that require you to spend a few more years in school after you complete your undergrad, you can start working right away as an engineer. 

Salary Information 

Incredible career opportunities

A 2022 study reveals that employment in STEM-related careers like engineering has grown faster than in any other industry. That demand is expected to continue to grow to replace both retiring workers and to meet the need for engineers to develop the innovations that will shape our world. (Discover the top four reasons that engineering is a degree for the future.)

Top Four Reasons 

Get a strong start from a top-ranked school

UBC is recognized as one of the best places for teaching and research in the world, and we are consistently ranked in the top 40 of the world’s universities.

In Maclean’s University Rankings 2023, UBC Engineering took top place for the best engineering program in Canada based on its program reputation and research reputation.

This means that your degree from UBC is immediately recognized and positively valued around the world. This gives you credibility and can help open up doors to employment opportunities.

UBC Ranking 

Explore your options in first year

Some schools require you to declare your engineering specialization when you apply for first year. This can be tricky, as you might not be sure which program specialization is right for you. After all, it’s hard to know if you’d be happier in electrical engineering or materials engineering if you haven’t really tried either of them out.

As a UBC Engineering student, you’ll start with a foundation year where you gain the solid grounding in math, physics chemistry and communication you need to succeed in any engineering discipline, and then take the equivalent of a full-year course where you will learn how to start thinking like an engineer through weekly design studios and project-based team learning.

Foundation Year 

 You’ll also be introduced to the 14 program options available to you at UBC Vancouver or the four program options available at UBC Okanagan, depending on the campus you are studying at. This enables you to make an informed choice at the end of first year when you apply for your program specialization.

Interestingly, a large majority of students tell us that the they changed their minds about what they thought they wanted to specialize in over the course of their first year. It was only once they had some first-hand exposure to the different specializations that they were able to identify their true passion!

UBCV Options UBCO Options

Develop your essential skills

Over the course of the degree you’ll cover a lot of technical knowledge and learn new strategies to solve problems. You’ll also develop essential skills in communication, time management, teamwork and leadership. These transferable skills are highly valued by employers who are looking for people who have what it takes to lead projects and teams. In fact, these skills will help you in all areas of life – not just in your career!

Gain experiences that help you grow and stand out

Employers are interested in your experience. They want to know how you’ve used your skills to solve real-world problems. At UBC Engineering, your courses include many project-based assignments where you will work individually or in teams on complex problems. The pinnacle of this is your capstone project, where you will work directly with an industry partner. (Learn more about the impactful student projects being done by UBC Engineering undergrads.)

UBC offers lots of other ways for you to broaden your experience beyond classrooms and labs. When you enrol in co-op or work as an undergraduate researcher, you will be exposed to new environments, industry areas and ways to apply your knowledge. This can help you make more informed decisions about your future path. They also give you solid experience on your resume, helping you stand out when employers are making hiring decisions.

Don’t forget the value of international experience, student clubs and design teams, and support for developing an entrepreneurial venture. Not all universities offer this rich and diverse range of experiences: take full advantage of what’s on offer at UBC and you will go far.

Build your network

At UBC Engineering, you will have many opportunities to build your network of friends and industry connections. Group projects make it easy to get to know your fellow classmates. You’ll be taught by world-leading researchers with wide-ranging contacts. Co-op work terms, the Mentorship Program, Industry Nights and capstone projects connect you with people in industry.

A strong network will help you in immeasurable ways over the course of your life. It will expose you to new ideas and ways of thinking, provide a pathway to new job opportunities, help you find a mentor and be a way to form meaningful relationships.

 

Start here, go far

Choosing to study engineering at UBC is a decision you won’t regret. Our engineering education is second to none and will equip you with the knowledge, skills, network and experience you need to take your professional life in any direction you wish.

Want to know more? 

An engineering student at the Design and Innovation day exhibit

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Design & Innovation Day, Kai Jacobson

Start Your Future at UBC Engineering

You may not know yet if you’re interested in leading an organization. But one thing is certain. Starting your future at UBC Engineering will give you a well-balanced education and sought-after skills – the first step and the foundation for a challenging and rewarding career.

Undergraduate Admissions

 

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