Consistently, an excellent choice
If you’re looking for a versatile and rewarding degree, engineering is a great option. No matter where we’re at in the economic cycle, engineers are in demand across virtually every industry. And if you want to be part of one of Canada’s (and the world’s) best universities, UBC is the place to be.
Finally, it’s hard to beat British Columbia as a place to study and live: BC is a leader in sustainability, has a vibrant economy with lots of job opportunities, is a coveted destination for outdoor adventure, and offers a great quality of life.
A versatile and rewarding degree
We’ve written before about what makes engineering a particularly rewarding career:
- It’s one of the few professions you can start working in with only an undergraduate degree (unlike law, medicine or architecture, for example)
- It’s pretty much future-proof: engineers will always be in demand to apply their knowledge to solve problems and make our world better
- It equips you with critical-thinking, problem-solving and project management skills that are applicable in every job imaginable (and that can help you out in your day-to-day life as well)
UBC Engineering Undergraduate Program
Read why engineering is the most versatile undergraduate degree
Engineering also pays well. The BC government conducts surveys of graduates from all of the province’s post-secondary institutions one to two years after they’ve finished their studies.
In the latest survey, the median annual salary for all students who had completed a bachelor’s degree in BC was $60,274 with 91% in the labour force.
For the UBC Engineering grads who answered the survey and who had graduated in the prior two years? They reported annual median salaries of $78,500 (UBC Vancouver) and $70,000 (for UBC Okanagan), with 94% percent working full time after graduating.
UBC is globally recognized as one of the world’s best universities
An engineering degree from UBC is recognized around the world.
In November 2024, the Times Higher Education released its annual Global Employability Ranking and Survey. This survey of more than 13,000 recruiters from over 30 countries identifies the world’s top 250 universities for creating “the most employable graduates.”
UBC placed an impressive 36th on the list. It’s a ranking that’s consistent with where we’ve placed in earlier surveys, and it’s a mark of UBC’s international reputation for excellence.
What were the global employers looking for?
The survey showed that they were interested in students who had work experience, and who had the ability to “learn and adapt to new technologies and trends” and “collaboration skills like communication and teamwork.” It sounds like they are describing engineering students! Of all the undergraduate programs on offer, engineering offers one of the most well-rounded educations.
Engineering students are immersed in the latest technologies (in fact, they are often designing innovative new technologies) and are trained to solve problems by applying their knowledge of science, math and engineering principles.
The focus on project-based learning and teamwork creates opportunities to learn how to be a good team player and team leader.
Over your degree, you’ll develop core skills employers are looking for in team work, communication and leadership. And you’ll have lots of opportunities to build these skills through your courses and capstone projects, as well as through student design teams.
Engineering students also have the option to apply for co-op, which is a great opportunity to gain the work experience employers are looking for. This is a phenomenal way to expand your skills and professional network, test out different career pathways and explore your options.
Consistent rankings, year after year
UBC consistently ranks as one of the best universities in Canada and the world.
That’s important for incoming students, who can feel confident that they will be part of an exceptional learning environment. It’s also important for graduating students, because they know that their degree will be recognized and respected around the world.
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 place UBC:
- 41st globally and second in Canada
- 49th globally for engineering and second in Canada
- 26th in impact rankings overall (this is a measure of how the university is contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals).
British Columbia consistently delivers
A big part of the university experience comes from where you are studying. The city you’re living in affects your day-to-day experience, from the weather to transit options, from opportunities to hang out on campus to opportunities to explore the natural world beyond the city limits.
UBC students can study in Vancouver at the UBC Vancouver campus or in Kelowna, at the UBC Okanagan campus. Kelowna is the largest city by population outside of the Lower Mainland (of which Vancouver is the largest city).
Both Vancouver and Kelowna are great cities that share qualities that make them wonderful places to live: easy access to local mountains in both locations, lots of green space and parks, nearby water (the ocean in Vancouver and dozens of lakes in Kelowna) and unique attractions that are all their own.
They’re both fun and friendly places to live, where you can quickly set down roots and find your fave hangouts, whether you are living in residence or off campus. Read our article on what it’s like to study engineering at the two campuses.
