4 - ENGINEERING EDUCATION

Abstract

This chapter discusses engineering education in Europe. There is no specific model for engineering training in the European countries; however, a majority of them have engineering programs on both university and lower levels. Engineering studies are usually linked with other sectors of the institutional higher education network: closely linked when a part of the university, as in Italy; moderately linked when the training of engineers is carried out in separate establishments, often called technological institutes or polytechnic schools, as in Switzerland. These two models are predominant in Europe except for France, where university level (ISCED levels 6 and 7) engineering studies are generally provided by institutions that are separate from the rest of the higher education system. In most countries, it takes 1–2 years longer to graduate than is required by the official curriculum. It should also be borne in mind that in some countries, such as France, the real duration of study is longer if one takes into account the preparatory courses offered by specialized institutions, which provide a theoretical basis for engineering training.