Europe offers many opportunities for students who want to study engineering. The continent is home to major engineering companies and universities with established teaching and research programs.
European universities offer engineering programs across a wide range of disciplines, including civil, mechanical, electrical, information, and environmental engineering. Program costs vary by country and institution, so students should review each university’s current tuition and admissions pages before applying.
The universities below are the best universities for engineering study in Europe.
Top Engineering Schools in Europe
1. University of Cambridge
Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom is one of the world’s oldest universities. Its long history is accompanied by a global reputation for teaching and research.
Cambridge’s Department of Engineering was founded in 1875. It is the largest department at the university and the largest integrated engineering department in the United Kingdom. The undergraduate engineering course normally lasts four years and leads to a BA (Hons) and MEng. The first two years provide a broad foundation before students specialize.
In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2026, Cambridge is ranked fifth worldwide for engineering.
2. Technical University of Munich
Founded as the Polytechnic School Munich in 1868, the Technical University of Munich (TUM) is a German university with programs across engineering, science, technology, and other fields. It had 51,954 students in the winter semester of 2025/26.
TUM now has seven interdisciplinary schools. Between 2020 and 2023, the university transformed its former faculty structure into this school-based model. Its degree offerings include programs in engineering and related scientific and technological fields.
In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2026, TUM is ranked nineteenth worldwide for engineering.
3. ETH Zurich
ETH Zurich dates back to 1855, when the founders of modern Switzerland created it as a center of innovation and knowledge. It is a university run by the Swiss federal government.
ETH Zurich has 16 departments and offers engineering-related study options at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Its programs cover fields such as civil engineering, environmental engineering, electrical engineering and information technology, computer science, mechanical engineering, and materials science.
In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2026, ETH Zurich is ranked eleventh worldwide for engineering.
4. University of Oxford
Located in England, the University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world, with nine centuries of continuous existence.
Engineering teaching and research at Oxford take place in a unified Department of Engineering Science. The undergraduate Engineering Science course is a four-year program leading to an MEng. Students study core topics during the first two years and specialize during the final two years. The department also offers research degrees, including the MSc by Research, DEng, and DPhil.
In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2026, Oxford is ranked second worldwide for engineering.
5. Delft University of Technology
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is the oldest and largest technical university in the Netherlands. Its eight faculties offer 16 bachelor’s programs and more than 40 master’s programs.
TU Delft covers a broad spectrum of engineering sciences across 41 departments in eight faculties. It also offers PhD opportunities for candidates who want to conduct in-depth research in their chosen fields.
In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2026, TU Delft is ranked sixteenth worldwide for engineering.
We hope this article on the best engineering universities in Europe was helpful. Feel free to check out the Available Programs in Europe for International Students and learn more about studying abroad.
