Study industrial engineering abroad

Industrial engineering is a broad branch of engineering that deals with improving processes and products. As an industrial engineer, you’ll look to make things more efficient in order to save time, money, and resources.

Industrial engineering programs incorporate of range of topics including maths, physics, design, and business. You’ll develop a deep understanding of business, management and industry processes, and apply the knowledge you’ve learned to real-world problems and case studies.

It’s possible to study industrial engineering in a number of countries all over the world. Each country can approach the subject in a different way, with some programs focussing on management, and others concentrating on technical aspects. Therefore it’s worth doing your research to work out which study abroad destination is right for you.

As a bachelor’s student in the USA, you’ll usually choose to study industrial engineering as your major concentration. This means you’ll need to gain a set amount of credits in industrial engineering modules, alongside other minor subjects and general studies.

Elsewhere it’s possible to study a BSc, or BEng (Bachelor of Engineering) in industrial engineering at undergraduate level. In some countries like the UK, very few universities offer industrial engineering as a bachelor’s program and it is more common as a postgraduate master’s course.

Bachelor’s programs can last between three and five years, and studying for a master’s degree will take one or two years. You may also be able to study for a PhD in industrial engineering or a related area, which can take around five years to complete.

Industrial engineering programs are usually taught primarily through lectures, seminars and workshops, but you may also get the opportunity to learn on placement. The content and structure of each program will be unique each university, but some common modules you’ll study include:

• Mathematics
• Engineering cost analysis
• Business management
• Engineering statistics
• Physics for engineering
• Supply chain management
• Operation systems
• Project management

Industrial engineering is a valued discipline in nearly all industries, especially those dealing with manufacturing. Your ability to improve processes and increase efficiency is something all businesses value, so your skills will be in high demand. Popular roles for industrial engineering graduates include:

• Industrial engineer
• Business analyst
• Operations manager
• Project manager
• Data analyst
• Logistics engineer
• Business consultant

To help you achieve your dream career, speak to your university’s careers service. They’ll be able to help you find appropriate internships, graduate roles, or give you help to craft your CV.

Taking advantage of a sandwich year that allows you to spend time on work placement will give you great experience and can help you work out which role is right for you.