ENGINEER DEGREE IN EUROPE

Audio: Engineer degree in Europe

This blog post will explain the framework for an engineer degree in Europe. Because of my background, I will focus on mechanical engineering, but the framework applies to any other engineering field. Before discussing the qualification, you need to understand basic terminology. So, I will explain the Bologna process and what ECTS credits and qualification cycles are. Finally, I will explain what mechanical engineer degrees you can get qualified in Europe.

Introduction to the Bologna process

Please note that the Bologna process has nothing to do with the process of making spaghetti Bolognese. These are completely unrelated topics, but if you want, I can give you some killer recipes.

Anyway, what is the Bologna process? The Bologna process is a process of reforming higher education in Europe. The process started with the signing of the Bologna declaration among 26 European countries in 1999. These countries became part of so-called The European Higher Education Area (EHEA), and today EHEA contains 49 countries. The main principles of the Bologna process are:

adopting a system of easily recognizable and comparable degrees,
adopting a system of education divided into cycles,
introduction of the ECTS credit system,
promoting the mobility of students and teachers,
increasing the quality of higher education,
promoting the European dimension in higher education.

ECTS credits

ECTS is an acronym for European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System, and they express the volume of learning based on the learning outcomes and associated workloads. One academic year corresponds to 60 ECTS credits.

The workload for 60 ECTS credits usually ranges from 1500 to 1800 hours. That means that 1 ECTS credit equals 25 to 30 hours of work.

If one can achieve 60 ECTS points in an academic year, that means that each course during that academic year will be weighted with different values of ECTS credits. So, for example, Statics in my university weighs 7 ECTS credits. Once you successfully pass all the exams, you will “collect” these points. The same goes for every other course in university.

In order to successfully finish the academic year, you have to collect all 60 ECTS credits. However, you can transfer some of the ECTS credits in the next year, but that would mean that you have to pass the subject from the previous year with the courses from your next academic year.

Qualification cycles

There are three qualification cycles in the Bologna process:

First cycle qualification typically requires 180 – 240 ECTS credits (minimum 60 credits per academy year). So that means it usually takes 3 – 4 academic years to get this degree. The first cycle qualification would be a bachelor’s degree.
Second cycle qualification requires 60 – 120 ECTS credits. So, that means 1 – 2 additional academic years. The second cycle qualification would be a master’s degree.
Third cycle qualification, the required ECTS points are not strictly specified. Depending on the country, it can be between 120 – 420 ECTS credits. The third cycle qualification would be a doctoral degree.

Engineering degree in Europe

I was studying in the 3 + 2 system. That means three years for a bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS) + two years for a master’s degree (120 ECTS).

When I finished my bachelor’s study (undergraduate study) in Croatia, my title was “univ. bacc. ing. mech.” and it is written after your name.

For example, Jane Doe, univ. bacc. ing. mech.

That would be equivalent to a Bachelor of Science (B.S.).

When I finished my master’s study (graduate study) in Croatia, my title was “mag. ing. mech.” It is written after your name.

For example, Joe Doe, mag. ing. mech.

That would be equivalent to a Master of Science (M.S.).

The doctorate I personally did not pursue. But if you would finish it in Croatia, the title would be “dr. sc.” and it would be written before your name.

For example, dr. sc. Jane Doe

That would be equivalent to a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Closing words

In EHEA, higher education is based on the Bologna process. The Bologna process helped to easily recognize and compare degrees. Furthermore, ECTS credits made it easy for students to study outside of their home university. According to the Bologna process, there are three qualification cycles: bachelor, master, and doctorate.

Do you have any questions or need something to be clarified better? Leave a comment below, and I will give my best to adjust the post accordingly.

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