Electrical engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with the study, design, and practical application of systems, devices, and equipment that use electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism. Physics and mathematics are also major parts of this field of study. In simpler terms, electrical engineering focuses on many aspects of electricity-based technology, including power systems, circuits, electronics, communications, and computing-related systems.
In this modern age of rapid technological innovation, electrical and electronics engineers continue to be in demand. In the United States, for example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for electrical and electronics engineers to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2024 to 2034. Graduates in this field can look for jobs in sectors such as energy, automotive, electronics, information technology, manufacturing, telecommunications, and more.
Electrical engineering remains a male-dominated STEM field, although more women are studying and working in engineering than in previous decades. In the United States, women made up 15.4% of engineering occupations in 2024, compared with much smaller shares in the 1970s. With that in mind, let us take a look at some of the best electrical engineering schools in the world.
Top Electrical Engineering Schools in the World
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Deemed one of the best institutes of higher education worldwide for its contributions to science and technology, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private research university and a top electrical engineering school across the globe. It is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the United States.
The institute was established in 1861. Over the years, many MIT alumni, faculty, and researchers have become Nobel laureates, National Medal of Science winners, National Medal of Technology and Innovation winners, MacArthur Fellows, and A. M. Turing Award winners. Some of its well-known alumni include astronaut Buzz Aldrin, economist Esther Duflo, architect I. M. Pei, information theory pioneer Claude Shannon, and former Colombian president Virgilio Barco Vargas.
MIT offers electrical engineering-related programs through its Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. At the undergraduate level, MIT’s electrical engineering major has been updated as Electrical Engineering with Computing. At the graduate level, EECS offers master’s and doctoral options. Research areas include energy, integrated circuits and systems, nanoscale materials and devices, robotics, communications, artificial intelligence, and more.
2. Stanford University
Leland Stanford Junior University, simply known as Stanford University, is a private center of learning and a leading school for electrical engineering in the world. It is located in California, USA. Stanford was founded in 1885 and welcomed students in 1891. Today, it is known as a prestigious institution that is consistently included in major global university rankings.
Today, Stanford has more than 17,000 students and more than 2,400 faculty members. The university has seven schools offering a wide range of study options: Business, Doerr School of Sustainability, Education, Engineering, Humanities and Sciences, Law, and Medicine.
Stanford’s Department of Electrical Engineering has roots that go back to the university’s earliest years. Electrical engineering courses were taught as early as 1892, and the EE Department was established in 1894. Besides bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. programs, the department also offers coterminal, joint degree, part-time master’s, and non-degree options.
3. University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley is a distinguished institution of higher education in the US. It is also referred to as UC Berkeley or Berkeley. The institution was founded in 1868 and is highly regarded for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Students can choose from more than 300 degree programs across Berkeley’s 15 schools and colleges.
Berkeley’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences delivers one of the world’s strongest electrical engineering and computer science programs and offers programs for undergraduate and graduate students. Its faculty have received major awards, including the National Medal of Science, the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, and multiple A. M. Turing Awards.
4. University of Cambridge
Located in a university city in the United Kingdom, the University of Cambridge is a world-renowned institution and a leading school for electrical engineering across the globe. It was founded in 1209, making it one of the world’s oldest universities. Currently, it has around 25,000 students and more than 13,000 staff members.
Since Cambridge is a center of excellence with a rich history, it is not surprising that many of its alumni became some of the world’s most influential individuals, including natural philosopher Sir Isaac Newton, theoretical physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking, and Kavli Prize-winning neuropsychologist Brenda Milner.
Electrical engineering is taught through Cambridge’s Department of Engineering and its Electrical Engineering Division. Undergraduates study the Engineering course and can specialize in areas such as electrical and electronic engineering, while postgraduate options include taught and research degrees such as the MPhil, MRes, and Ph.D.
5. ETH Zürich
ETH Zürich, or the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, is a public research university in Switzerland. It began welcoming students in 1855 under the name Polytechnikum. At present, ETH Zurich has more than 21,000 students and 16 departments. Furthermore, it is one of Switzerland’s most renowned institutions for higher education, and many people connected with ETH Zurich have gone on to become Nobel laureates and winners of other major academic awards.
Offering programs at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, ETH Zurich’s Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering combines electrical engineering, information technology, and related research areas. Students can pursue bachelor’s and master’s study in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, as well as doctoral study in the department.
6. Nanyang Technological University
Known as one of Singapore’s largest public universities, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) was inaugurated as a university in 1991. Its predecessor, Nanyang Technological Institute, was established in 1981 to train practice-oriented engineers for Singapore’s growing economy.
NTU’s School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering is one of the largest and most highly ranked engineering schools in the world, with more than 3,000 undergraduate students and about 2,000 graduate students. The school offers undergraduate programs, MSc programs, a Master of Engineering program, and a Ph.D. program. It is also known for producing skilled engineers and researchers.
7. Imperial College London
Imperial College London is a public research university and a recognized institution for electrical engineering around the world. It is located in the United Kingdom. Imperial was founded in 1907 as an institution for advanced education and research in science and technology. Today, it is one of the United Kingdom’s leading institutions for higher education and has more than 23,000 students.
Undergraduate programs, postgraduate taught courses, and postgraduate research opportunities are offered to prospective students at the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. In terms of research, the main areas studied in the department include circuits and systems, communications and signal processing, control and power, intelligent systems and networks, and optical and semiconductor devices.
Electrical engineering can lead to career opportunities in many parts of the world. Earning a quality degree from a respected school can help students build a strong foundation for a career as an electrical engineer. The schools above are among the strongest options for students interested in electrical engineering. If you are ready to start your degree, you are welcome to explore the fully-funded scholarships on our page to see whether any are suitable for your studies. Additionally, you can also sample the list of free electrical engineering schools on our page to weigh your options.
We hope that this article on the best electrical engineering schools in the world was helpful. If you are interested in learning more, check out the available programs for international students!
