With umpteen career opportunities and courses, mechanical engineering is one of the most sought-after engineering courses for students from all over the globe.

Unlike other courses, engineering provides you with an option to land a multi-dimensional career to ideate, design, and manufacture products that we use every day. On a larger scale, you might get an opportunity to contribute to your country’s economic and scientific development by preferring to work for space stations and R&D (railways, aerospace, and defence). If you are interested in studying mechanical engineering abroad, this guide will help you clear all your mechanical engineering queries. 

What is mechanical engineering?

Having been known as the oldest engineering branch, mechanical engineering involves studying material science and principles of Physics for design, analysis, maintenance and manufacturing of a wide range of mechanical systems. Besides, it also includes learning the application of mechanical and thermal power to design and operate tools and machines. 

Why study mechanical engineering abroad?

The demand for mechanical engineering graduates is on the rise and is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years. Almost 70% of graduates studying mechanical engineering abroad land a job within 6 months of their graduation. Soon after completing the bachelor’s degree, you can study a masters program in mechanical engineering with scholarships offered by public and private universities. In order to uplift your career and to step into a managerial role, a PhD degree in mechanical engineering (domain-specific to thermodynamics, Aerospace, Automotive and composites) will help you attain the career goals.

What are the best countries to study mechanical engineering in?

The following are the 5 best countries to study a bachelors or masters in mechanical engineering:

• Australia
• New Zealand
• Canada
• USA
• UK

Benefits of studying mechanical engineering in Australia:

Australia is known for its prestigious world-class institutions, and Australian qualifications are recognised worldwide. When it comes to studying mechanical engineering in Australia, an association (Engineers Australia Association) is responsible for delivering a high-quality curriculum to create highly competent and skilled mechanical engineers. Besides, international students completing their mechanical engineering course in Australia can become a part of the Engineers Australia Association, which offers them a multitude of research opportunities to stomp their foot into a global working environment.

Mechanical engineers salary in Australia:

• The average total compensation of an entry-level Mechanical Engineer in Australia is AU$60,972 
• The average total compensation of an early career Mechanical Engineer in Australia with around 4 years of experience is AUD 80,000.
• The average total compensation of a mid-career Mechanical Engineer in Australia between 5 and 8 years of experience is AUD 95,000. 

Benefits of studying mechanical engineering in the USA:

The USA is well known for its cutting edge industrial engineering research universities. Whether you want to experience accessing unique mechanical devices or be taught by mechanical engineering researchers, studying in the USA is ideal for studying a mechanical engineering course. For instance, some universities in the USA constantly conduct top-notch research in biomedical systems, sustainability and infrastructures, advanced manufacturing and materials, homeland security, and defence.

Mechanical Engineering Salary in the USA:

• The average total compensation of an entry-level Mechanical Engineer in the USA is USD 63,972.
• The average total compensation of an early career Mechanical Engineer in the USA with around 4 years of experience is USD 70,300.
• The average total compensation of a mid-career Mechanical Engineer in the USA between 5 and 8 years of experience is USD 85,000. 

Benefits of studying mechanical engineering in the UK:

Over 40+ universities offer masters programs in Mechanical Engineering. Though the cost of studying a mechanical engineer course is exceptionally high, many private universities offer scholarships in the UK that cover over 45% of tuition fees. Besides, getting an accredited mechanical degree from the UK can help you become a Chartered Engineer (Chartered Engineers is responsible for bringing up solutions to engineering issues using existing or new technologies through innovation. They are also accountable for complex technical systems with lower levels of risk).

Mechanical Engineering salary in the UK:

• The average total compensation of an entry-level Mechanical Engineer in the UK is USD 60,972.
• The average total compensation of an early career Mechanical Engineer in the UK with around 4 years of experience is USD 70,000.
• The average total compensation of a mid-career Mechanical Engineer in the UK between 5 and 8 years of experience is USD 90,000.

Benefits of studying mechanical engineering in Canada:

With over 60 institutions and 200 mechanical engineering courses, Canada welcomes international students year after year to pursue bachelors and masters in mechanical engineering. The Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering in Canada is a constituent society of the Engineering Institute of Canada (EIC) that promotes technology and communication between industries, R&D laboratories and universities. The CSME also acts as a platform for Mechanical Engineering experts to exchange information and discuss research challenges. The CSME offers a wide range of career development activities for mechanical engineering students, including conferences, lectures and seminars.

Mechanical Engineering Salary in Canada:

• The average total compensation of an entry-level Mechanical Engineer in Canada is CAD 55,000.
• The average total compensation of an early career Mechanical Engineer in Canada with around 4 years of experience is CAD 62,000.
• The average total compensation of a mid-career Mechanical Engineer in Canada between 5 and 8 years of experience is USD 90,000.

Benefits of studying mechanical engineering in New Zealand:

Though there are only a handful of universities in New Zealand, they are ranked best for mechanical engineering courses. The cost of pursuing a masters in mechanical engineering in New Zealand ranges between 38,000- 55,000 NZD. International students are also offered scholarships to cut down their study expenses for bachelors, masters or PhD courses. Students graduating from New Zealand universities land on top-notch technology research organisations such as Boeing and Apple. The New Zealand government’s plan to invest over 120 billion NZD in their capital projects from 2019 to 2029 has increased the demand for mechanical engineering in New Zealand. 

Mechanical Engineering Salary in New Zealand:

• The average total compensation of an entry-level Mechanical Engineer in New Zealand is NZD 56,000.
• The average total compensation of an early career Mechanical Engineer in New Zealand with around 4 years of experience is NZD 63,000.
• The average total compensation of a mid-career Mechanical Engineer in New Zealand between 5 and 8 years of experience is NZD 75,000.