Best Engineering Courses For A Rewarding Career And Salary

Updated 3 March 2023

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The subject of engineering offers some of the most diverse and rewarding courses. From learning to develop software algorithms and hand-handled devices to running gigantic aircraft and constructing public infrastructure, there are myriad choices available. If you are unsure about which is the most suitable engineering course for you, then knowing more about the popular options can help you make the right decision. In this article, we discuss the top engineering courses, explore their syllabus structure and look at different career opportunities and salaries to help you find the best engineering course.

List Of Best Engineering Courses

Here are the best engineering courses you can consider pursuing:

1. Mechanical engineering

Mechanical engineering is one of the oldest branches of engineering. It deals with designing, developing and maintaining mechanical and thermal devices. It is also one of the broadest branches of engineering applicable to a wide range of industries, making it a viable career option. If you are curious about mechanical machines and utilising the knowledge of design, physics and math to develop functional products, then mechanical engineering can be the right choice for you.

Courses and syllabus of mechanical engineering

You can pursue a BTech in mechanical engineering to become a mechanical engineer. It is usually a four-year-long undergraduate course that trains students to design and manufacture mechanical technologies. As a part of the course, you may study subjects such as electrical sciences, mathematics, physics, engineering drawing, thermodynamics, solid mechanics, engineering material, machine design, production & industrial management and computer-aided design. Further, you can also pursue MTech to gain specialised knowledge in the field. Some of the popular specialisations in mechanical engineering are as follows:

Thermal engineering
Material technology
Product design and development
Computer integrated manufacturing
Manufacturing engineering
Industrial engineering
Industrial safety engineering
Automobile engineering

Career prospects of mechanical engineering

Upon completion of the mechanical engineering course, you get many career opportunities in a range of industries, including consumer products, architecture and construction, biomedical and automobile. The average base salary of a mechanical engineer is ₹16,507 per month. Your salary may depend on your specialisation, skills and location. For example, the approximate average salary of a mechanical engineer in Mumbai, Maharashtra is ₹24,505 per month, among the highest in the country.

2. Aerospace engineering

Aerospace engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with the design, development and analysis of aerospace vehicles, systems and allied machines. It is an interdisciplinary field combining aeronautical and astronautical engineering and generally applies concepts from disciplines like mechanics, robotics, computer, physics and mathematics. If you are someone who is passionate about aircraft, spacecraft, satellites and missiles, aerospace engineering may be the ideal course for you.

Courses and syllabus of aerospace engineering

You can study aerospace engineering in undergraduate programs such as BTech in aerospace engineering, B Tech in aeronautical engineering and BE in aeronautical engineering. These bachelor's degree programs can help you learn the fundamentals of aerospace principles and you may study subjects such as:

Aerodynamics
Flight mechanics
Aerospace propulsion
Incompressible fluid mechanics
Aerospace structural mechanics
Introduction to aerospace engineering
Aircraft design
Spaceflight mechanics
Aircraft propulsion
Thermodynamics and propulsion

After completing your bachelor's degree, you can also enrol in a master's program of MTech/ME in aerospace engineering.

Career prospects of aerospace engineering

As an aerospace engineer, you can get employment in several public sector companies and the civil aviation department or even in various private aviation companies. Your exact salary may depend on your expertise and location. The average salary of an aerospace technician is ₹29,591 per month while an aeronautical engineer may earn ₹20,717 per month.

3. Automotive engineering

Automobile engineering is a field that deals with designing, manufacturing and improving motor vehicles. It applies various disciplines, such as physics, aerodynamics, mechanics and safety engineering, to innovate and solve automotive problems. Automotive engineering can be the right course for you if you are passionate about designing and developing vehicles and their components.

Courses and syllabus of automotive engineering

You can pursue automobile engineering as BTech or BE in automobile engineering. Both undergraduate courses usually cover subjects that can help you learn about the automotive industry and its sub-disciplines. Some of the core subjects of these courses may include:

Automotive design engines
Vehicle dynamics
Thermodynamics
Automotive pollution and control
Engineering mechanics
Manufacturing technology
Strength of materials
IC engines
Fuels and lubricants

You can also pursue a MTech in automotive engineering and e-manufacturing degree to gain specialised knowledge and expand your career prospects.

Career prospects of automotive engineering

After completing your automotive engineering degree, automotive engineers can generally find job opportunities in private companies as an automotive designer, automotive engineer and quality engineer. They usually work at manufacturing units or research centres of auto companies. The average salary of an automotive technician is ₹16,529 per month.

4. Civil engineering

Civil engineering is one of the oldest disciplines of engineering and also among the most in-demand and rewarding ones. This engineering branch deals with planning, designing, constructing and maintaining infrastructures for civil and public purposes. The infrastructures they develop and maintain can range from building small water tanks and bridges to huge dams, parks, campuses and complex sewage systems.

Course and syllabus of civil engineering

To study civil engineering, you can enrol in the undergraduate program BTech in civil engineering. As part of this course, you may get to study subjects such as:

Physics
Engineering drawing and graphics
Transportation engineering
Hydraulics, solid mechanics
Design of steel structures
Soil mechanics and foundation engineering
IT and computer-aided design applications

On completion of your undergraduate degree, you can pursue a master's degree to get specialised knowledge. Civil engineering offers some of the most diverse specialisation options for its master's program. Some of the popular ones are as follows:

Construction engineering
General engineering
Land development
Urban engineering
Water resources engineering
Bridge engineering
Geotechnical engineering

Career prospects of civil engineering

With a degree in civil engineering, you can get employment in a construction company or even get a licence and open your own construction firm. You also have opportunities to get recruited in public sector organisations such as municipal corporations or defence-related development boards. Further, based on your specialisation, you can get apply for various job profiles such as structural engineer, geotechnical engineer, construction engineer or site engineer. The average base salary of a civil engineer is ₹19,025 per month.

5. Electrical engineering

Electrical engineering involves studying, designing, building and maintaining products and systems that work on or produce electrical power. It also deals with other electricity-related technologies, such as electromagnetism, telecommunication, signal processing and control systems. With electricity powering our world, this field has always remained in demand, offering abundant job opportunities.

Course and syllabus of electrical engineering

You can enrol in courses such as BTech or BE in electrical engineering to study this branch of engineering. Undergraduate programs usually cover subjects such as electric machines, power generation, signal processing, control system, radiofrequency, transmission and distribution, computer-aided engineering drawing and project management. Upon completion, you also have the option to enrol in the master's program of MTech or ME in electrical engineering.

Career prospects of electrical engineering

As an electrical engineer, you can get employment in industries such as telecom, IT, automotive, utilities and construction, manufacturing and production, transportation and even various government sectors. The average salary of an electrical engineer is ₹18,007 per month.

Tips To Choose The Best Engineering Course

Here are some tips to help you choose the ideal engineering course for you:

Consider your passion: Identify subjects you are passionate about and would enjoy if turned into your profession. For example, if you are passionate about vehicles, their design and engines, automotive engineering can be an ideal course for you.
Consider the job tasks and work environment: Consider the types of tasks you would prefer to do and the work environment you aspire for. For example, some engineering careers, such as civil engineering, require on-field work while others, such as mechanical engineering, may require office work.
Consider the future prospects: Consider the future scope of the engineering field and opportunities for career growth.
Seek advice from professionals who are already in the field: Speak to the professionals who are already working in the industry to get some real-world insights and their experience.

Salary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries at time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organisation and a candidate's experience, academic background and location.