This article will focus on mechanical engineering specifically. click here to read about chemical engineering
The IB subjects required for pursuing Mechanical Engineering are similar to other engineering fields you would may opt for or pursue in the future.
Physics - HL
Maths - HL
Design and technology - HL *
NOTE:- For applying for university in the U.S.A you will need SATs….
“Mechanical engineers are responsible for the analysis, design and manufacture of an enormous range of industrial products and systems - almost anything with moving parts, from washing machines to aircrafts.”
Fundamental physics, complex mathematics, state of the art engineering software, creativity, inventive skills, designing and improving products will be used in Mechanical engineering.
NOTE: mechanical engineering opens doors for a range of other courses for eg. bioengineering, sports engineering, renewable energy, medical engineering and medical engineering.
Mechanical engineering is a very good field to pursue in the future if you have the interest. Reasons as to why you should pursue mechanical engineering ?
Mechanical engineers have good graduate prospects
The starting salaries for mechanical engineering are great
Mechanical engineers are multi talented and are skilled in variety of tasks
There are about 800 courses you could complete in mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineers are in the lead for developing new technologies and future inventions
More details -
Below are the top 5 universities for mechanical engineering around the world. They are situated mainly in the U.K or U.S.A.
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
IB requirements
Mathematics - HL
6 or 7 - grade
Credit given for 12 units of subject 18.01, calculus 1.
Lower than 6, no credit given
Physics - HL
7 - grade
Credit given for 12 units of subject 18.01, physics 1.
No credit for lower than 7
Humanities, Arts and social Sciences - HL (in this case Arts (Design))
7 - grade
*SAT required
Average SAT score required is 1520 / 1600
Section:
Math - 780 / 800
Reading - 38 / 40
Writing - 38 / 40
Tuition fees
2017 - 2018, tuitions fees for 9 months are $49,892 + $14,720 which includes undergraduate room and boarding depending on the student’s housing and dining + $2,818 for personal expenses and books.
2016 -17, 90% of the undergraduates in MIT received $14.3 million as financial aid.
For families with less than $80,000 as income, MIT ensures scholarship funding.
More details - http://web.mit.edu/facts/tuition.html
2. Stanford University
IB requirements
Mathematics - HL
6 or higher - grade
* Credit given for grade 5.
Physics - HL
6 or higher - grade
*Credit given for grade 5.
More details - https://registrar.stanford.edu/students/transfer-credit-and-advanced-placement/advanced-placement/ib-credit-chart
*SAT required
An average SAT score required is 1520 / 1600
Section
Math - 770 / 800
Reading - 38 / 40
Writing - 38 / 40
Tuition fees
$50,703 for tuition, $15,763 for room and board and $651 for health fee.
Financial aid is given depending on the income of the family and students can contribute from their earnings during enrollment periods and use the part-time employment earnings during the academic year to meet their educational expenses. This could be done seeking resources from state, federal, and private funding sources. If still not met with the annual tuition fees, the student is provided with scholarship funds from the university to meet the remaining amount.
Over 70% of undergraduates receive financial aid from Stanford university and parents with family incomes below $125,000 are expected to pay nothing toward tuition fees or any educational expenses.
3. Cambridge University
IB requirements
Required scores are between 40 and 42 points on 45
Higher level subjects with 776
Tuition fees
£9,250 (about US$11,350) per year for UK/EU undergraduates
£16,608- £25,275 (~US$20,400-40,280) per year for non-EU undergraduates (excluding medicine).
As for financial aid, Tuition fee loans for UK/EU undergraduates and wide range of scholarships and grants for both domestic & overseas students
4. University of California, Berkeley
IB requirements
With a score of 30 points or above
Higher level subjects with a score of 5,6 or 7
More details - http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/exam-credit/ib-credits/index.html
*SAT required
Average SAT score needed is 1400 / 1600
Section
Math - 730 / 800
Reading - 36 / 40
Writing - 36 / 40
Tuition Fees:
Financial aid like scholarship fundings are provided based on the individual’s circumstance and the family income. Also, connects you with sources of financial aid. Sources which include federal government, state government, colleges, universities and other organizations which provide the student with financial aid.
More details - https://financialaid.berkeley.edu/prosper-financial-literacy
5. University of Michigan
IB requirements
Mathematics - HL
6 or 7 - grade
Physics - HL
4 or above - grade
Design technology - HL
5 or above - grade
*SAT required
Average SAT score required is 1450 / 1600
Section
Math - 740 / 800
Reading - 36 / 40
Writing - 36 / 40
Tuition Fees:
Financial aid is granted in the form of scholarship fundings and loans. With families that have incomes less than $50,000, the university may be able to cover costs for the students using combined resources.
More details