Without structural engineering schools human civilization would eventually collapse. Why do I say that? Because structural engineering and civil engineering are professions that generate significant advances for society. These professions are responsible for designing, creating, maintaining, and improving the infrastructure of the whole world. Also, civil engineers are responsible for building the world around us, from bridges, buildings, roads, and tunnels to entire cities.
Civil engineers work in several industries, such as construction sites, urban planning offices, and consulting firms. If your goal is to work in the area of civil and structural engineering, studying and getting training in the best structural engineering schools in the world will open many doors in the workplace.
Next, we will talk about the 13 best structural engineering schools in the world.
The 13 best structural engineering schools
The following are what we consider the best structural engineering schools in the world. However, they are presented in no specific order.
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT
Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, it is considered by several rankings as one of the best and most prestigious universities in the world.
It is a private university founded in 1861 due to the accelerated industrial growth of the United States.
It consists of 5 schools and a faculty. They are:
- MIT School of Science
- MIT School of Engineering
- MIT School of Architecture and Planning
- MIT Sloan School of Management
- MIT School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
- Whitaker College of Health Sciences and Technology
Recognized as the best and most selective engineering school in the United States, the institute has 76 Nobel laureates among its alumni and faculty.
Why study engineering at MIT?
The MIT is a magnet for ambitious, exceptional, and creative brains, the engineering school focuses on scientific and technological research, and with its motto “Mind and Hand”, it seeks to develop academic knowledge with top-notch MIT-sponsored research and innovative learning opportunities.
Read more at MIT’s website.
2. Leland Stanford Junior University
The well-known Stanford University, a private university located in Stanford, California, in the United States, is considered one of the top 10 universities in the world.
It was founded in 1885 by Leland Stanford and his wife Jane in memory of their only child Leland Stanford Jr.
Stanford is made up of 7 schools, which are:
- School of Humanities and Sciences
- School of Engineering
- School of Earth Sciences
- Graduate School of Education
- Graduate School of Business
- School of Law
- Medical School
This prestigious university has 81 Nobel prize laureates, 27 Turing prize recipients, and 7 Fields Medal recipients, including students, alumni, and professors.
Why study engineering at Stanford?
Stanford University provides engineering students with extensive exposure to experimental design, problem-solving training, programming, and mathematics. It also offers access to complex advanced laboratories and prepares students for high-level work. On the other hand, the university focuses on obtaining funding for the creation of new companies as part of its programs.
Read more at Stanford’s offical website.
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3. University of Cambridge
An English public university located in Cambridge UK. It was founded in 1209 by King Henry III of England, and it is the second oldest English-speaking university and the fourth longest-running university to continue its doors open.
The university is composed of 31 colleges, and it also has 8 cultural and scientific museums.
Among its students, professors and researchers, 116 have been awarded the Nobel Prize, 11 Fields Medals, 6 Turing Prizes, and 15 Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom.
Why study engineering at Cambridge?
The University of Cambridge is based on the method of personalized teaching. If any problem appears, it is detected early and action is taken. Students are forbidden to work since this system is designed so that students concentrate all their energy on academic work.
Throughout the degree, they have a support network, with a director of studies who can help them choose the subjects and advise them regarding their studies.
For students of the civil engineering degree, they provide extensive knowledge in structural engineering with a balanced approach between theory and practice.
Read more at Cambridge’s official website.
4. Delft University of Technology
One of the most important educational centers in the Netherlands and placed among the most prestigious ones in Europe and the world, founded on January 8, 1842, under the name of the Royal Academy.
Formed by 8 faculties
- Architecture
- Civil Engineering and Geology
- Electronics, Mathematics, and Computer Science
- Industrial Design
- Industrial Mechanics, Naval Technology and Materials Science
- Aeronautics and Aerospace
- Applied Physics
- Technology, Direction, and Management
Why study engineering at Delf University?
With over 150 years of existence, the Delf University of Technology stands out as the largest and oldest civil engineering school in the Netherlands. It is dedicated to the field of technology and characterized by a differentiating factor that makes the school stand, the quality of the tutors and teachers of the school. Everything is driven by excellence, to generate a positive impact on society.
Read more at Delft University‘s official website.
5. The University of Texas at Austin
University called “UT” or “Texas” is the top university in the public system of the state of Texas, located in the city of Austin, the capital of Texas.
Founded on September 15, 1883, it is considered a “Public Ivy” group of the best public universities in the United States.
Formed by 16 faculties
- School of Architecture
- McCombs School of Business
- College of Communication
- College of Education
- College of Engineering
- College of Fine Arts
- Graduate Studies
- School of Information
- Jackson School of Geosciences
- School of Law
- LBJ School of Public Affairs
- College of Liberal Arts
- College of Natural Sciences
- School of Nursing
- College of Pharmacy
- School of Social Work
Why study engineering at the University of Texas?
The University of Texas provides its students with great opportunities in a friendly environment, with an excellent curriculum for structural engineers, personalized attention, and hands-on learning. The university has large laboratories, undergraduate research, and engineering internships with cooperative work experience.
Read more at University of Texas‘ official website.
6. Imperial College London
Officially Imperial College of Science, Technology, and Medicine, a British university founded in 1907 and located in London in the South Kensington area.
The Imperial College London is among the most prestigious universities in the world according to international qualifications.
The College is formed by 3 faculties that offer 19 degrees:
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Natural Sciences
It has 15 Nobel Prizes and 3 Fields medals.
Why study engineering at the Imperial College London?
The Imperial College London is one of the best public universities in the world and is considered a top promoter of students’ careers. With a high rate of exceptional jobs, the faculty of engineering concentrates on research of high impact on the scientific community.
Read more at Imperial College‘s official website.
7. National University of Singapore
The top and oldest university in Singapore, the NUS was founded in 1905. It is the best university in Asia and one of the best in the world. It has more than 32,000 students spread across 12 faculties, making it the largest in Singapore in terms of students and variety of degrees.
Faculties
- NUS Arts and Social Sciences
- NUS Business School
- NUS School of Computing
- NUS Dentistry
- NUS Design and Environment
- Duke NUS School of Medicine
- NUS School of Engineering
- NUS Graduate School of Engineering and Integrative Sciences
- NUS Law School
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
- Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music
- Yale-NUS College
Why study engineering at the National University of Singapore?
The National University of Singapore tries to differentiate itself in civil engineering education with a high-impact research teaching approach that works as a public service to society. It uses curricula and methodologies that contribute to the professional growth of students and the development of their skills.
Read more at National University of Singapore‘s official website.
8. Federal Polytechnic School of Zurich
It is a public university, a pioneer in research in Europe and around the world, located in Zurich in Switzerland, and founded in 1833. Albert Einstein is one of their most famous students.
Formed by 5 departments
- Department of Architecture, Civil Engineering, and Geomatics
- Engineering Department
- Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
- Systematic and Oriented Natural Sciences
- Social and Administrative Sciences
Why study engineering at the Federal Polytechnic School of Zurich?
Education at the Federal Polytechnic School of Zurich (also known as ETH) combines sound theory with practical application. The civil engineering degree is based on solid mathematical foundations, and it is recognized for its cutting-edge research and innovation. It has modern laboratories and regularly holds conferences where the best minds of the world of science come.
Read more at Federal Polytechnic School of Zurich’s official website.
9. Georgia Institute of Technology
Public university located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 20% of the university budget comes from public funds. It was founded in 1885.
In 1952, it allowed the entry of female students and it currently has more than 16,000 students. Former President Jimmy Carter is among their outstanding alumni.
The university ranks among the top four engineering schools in the United States.
Georgia Tech specializes in engineering education and has programs in architecture, management, computer science, political science, science, and international relations.
Why study engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology?
Georgia Tech stands out for supporting research. In 2020, it obtained more than $1 billion for research and addressing engineering, design, and business criteria. It encourages students in majors such as civil engineering to develop new ideas that influence advanced manufacturing in the same way as the implementation of artificial intelligence.
Read more at Georgia Institute of Technology‘s official website.
10. Tsinghua University THU
Beijing National Public University, China, funded by the Ministry of Education, was founded in 1911 as a preparatory school for Chinese students aspiring to study at American universities, and in 1925 the school established its 4-year undergraduate program.
Tsinghua University is dedicated to research and offers 51 bachelor’s degree programs.
Departments
- Civil engineering
- Humanities
- Social sciences
- Economics and Management
- Computer science and technology
- Academy of Arts and Literatures
- Law
- Medicine
Why study engineering at Tsinghua University THU?
The school has 26 technological innovation centers for urban design, something that attracts civil engineering students greatly. It also has a large database of Ancient Architecture and a key provincial and ministerial scientific research platform. In recent years, the university has focused on scientific research, winning more than 16 awards in science and technology.
Read more at Tsinghua University‘s official website.
11. California Institute of Technology
California Institute of Technology or Caltech is a private university located in Pasadena, United States, famous for its engineering and natural sciences studies that place it among the best universities in the world.
It was founded in 1891 by the businessman and politician Amos G. Throop, among its students and professors have been awarded 72 Nobel Prizes, 4 Fields medals, and 6 Turing prizes.
It is divided into 6 faculties
- Biology, Chemistry, and Chemical Engineering
- Engineering and applied sciences
- Planetary and geological sciences
- Humanities and social sciences ́
- Physics
- Mathematics and astronomy
Why study engineering at the California Institute of Technology?
The California Institute of Technology, or Cal Tech, is an institution of research and education in science and engineering that has a high production of research. It also has facilities and laboratories of high quality to provide excellent training for civil engineers.
Read more at California Institute of Technology‘s official website.
12. University of California at Berkeley
Also known as Berkeley or Cal, it is a public university in the United States, located in Berkeley, California, United States. Considered one of the best and most prestigious universities of public education in the country and the world, it was established on March 23, 1868
The university of Berkeley’s more than 130 departments and programs are divided into 14 colleges and schools and an extension to UC Berkeley. They are:
- Faculty of Chemistry
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Design for the Environment
- Faculty of Letters and Sciences
- Faculty of Natural Resources
- Graduate School of Education
- Graduate School of Journalism
- Haas School of Business
- Goldman School of Public Policy
- School of Information
- School of Law (Boalt Wing)
- School of Optometry
- School of Public Health
- School of Social Welfare
- Extension to UC Berkeley
Why study engineering at the University of California at Berkeley?
The University of California at Berkeley offers its students in the civil engineering department the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research, in different evolving and vital areas to meet the needs of the growing population, such as energy, transportation, and well-designed and well-managed water systems.
Research and teaching at Berkeley focus on training civil engineers capable of improving current living standards.
Read more at Berkeley’s official website.
13. University of Tokyo
It is considered the most prestigious university in Japan and one of the most important in the world, it has 5 campuses distributed in Tokyo in Hongo, Komaba, Kashiwa, Shirokane, and Nakano, adding around 28,000 students. In 1877 the government of Mejia founded the university.
It is divided into 11 faculties
- Right
- Medicine
- Engineering
- Literature
- Sciences
- Agriculture
- Economy
- Arts and Sciences
- Education
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Formal Sciences
Why study engineering at the University of Tokyo?
The University of Tokyo has a clear goal, to be a world-class platform for research and education, thereby contributing to human knowledge. In the engineering faculty, they train civil engineers who are world leaders with a strong sense of public responsibility and pioneering spirit as well as expands the limits of human knowledge.
Read more at University of Tokyo’s official website.
Final Words on Structural Engineering Schools
Both structural and civil engineering are professions of great importance for the development of societies thanks to the fact that it is responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of our entire environment. Furthermore, a degree in engineering can lead to many unexpected career paths. For example, the founder of the structural engineering software Tribby3d studied to become a structural engineer. However, the founder then shifted to software development after graduation. The combined knowledge of software development and building design has lead to the creation of a web based application that many engineers love and use on a daily basis.
If you want to train yourself as an excellent structural engineer, in our top 13 we present you with the best-positioned structural engineering schools and universities in the world, so you can have a broad vision of the opportunities and make the best decision for your academic development.