Technical and engineering specialties are consistently in demand in the labor market because technical specialists work with real-world objects, without which modern life as we know it would be impossible.

In Europe, there is currently a shortage of technical professionals, including engineers and IT specialists, which is expected to reach its peak by 2030.

Technical universities train students in fields related to technology, engineering, and information technologies. However, in recent years, the boundaries have become blurred, and many technical institutes and universities have started offering programs in pedagogy, sociology, psychology, law, and design.

Both classical universities and technical institutes/universities are higher education institutions, meaning they provide opportunities to obtain higher education.
However, there are specific differences between these types of institutions:

• A classical university is a broad educational institution offering training programs across a wide range of unrelated disciplines. Students at classical universities receive a fundamental education that includes not only core courses but also many general education subjects. As a result, education at a classical university is broader but also more theoretical compared to that of a technical university.
• Distinguishing characteristics of a classical university include:
o The teaching staff must include at least four postgraduate students per 100 students.
o Scientific research must be conducted in at least five different fields.
o More than 60% of the teaching staff must hold an academic degree.

By contrast, technical universities and institutes have a narrower technical focus, preparing specialists such as engineers, IT professionals, technical translators, and others connected with technology, engineering, and IT.
Another essential distinction is the emphasis on practical training. Technical universities feature fewer general education subjects and more targeted courses, hands-on experience, and professional practice.

Specializations in Technical Professions

Subjects of Study in a Bachelor’s Program in Technical Sciences

Students can specialize in one of the following fields:
• Various branches of Mechanical Engineering
• Instrument Engineering
• Civil Construction
• Industrial Construction
• Engineering Design and Process Management
• Electrical Engineering
• Systems Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Communication Technologies
• Chemical and Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering
• Development of Eco-friendly and Environmental Protection Technologies
• Materials Science
• Geoinformation Systems
• Nuclear Engineering

Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) Programs

Students enrolled in Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) programs spend their first year studying the theoretical foundations of their chosen specialization.
Later, the focus shifts to practical work and scientific research.
By the time of graduation, students are usually required to develop and defend a final thesis project. Most universities also offer a wide range of elective courses, allowing students to gain knowledge in areas different from their main specialization. The administration typically supports students’ desire to pursue additional education.

Career Prospects for B.Eng. Graduates

• Upon completing the Bachelor of Engineering program, graduates can work as junior engineers (the title varies across countries).
  • To begin professional practice, graduates must register with a professional body such as:
  o The British Computer Society
  o The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
  o An Engineering Council of a particular country
  • Graduates are entitled to use the prefix "Eng." before their names in official documents.
  • To earn the title of Certified Engineer or to continue research, graduates must complete a Master’s program.
  • A certified engineer registered with an Engineering Council or another professional body is entitled to use the prefix "RE" (Registered Engineer).
  • To qualify as a Professional Engineer (PE), one must work in the profession for at least five years.

Thanks to the strong research and practical focus of the B.Eng. program, graduates are considered highly qualified specialists with excellent opportunities for well-paid and interesting employment.

Who is Suitable for Technical Professions?

Success in technical fields requires the following qualities and skills:

• Strong mathematical abilities – to analyze and solve problems quickly.
• Attention to detail – even a small mistake can cause accidents, production shutdowns, financial losses, or harm to others.
• Personal responsibility – the ability to make quick, responsible decisions in complex situations.
• Comprehensive professional knowledge – technical education provides broad and in-depth expertise, ensuring high demand in the labor market.

Choosing a University

For technical specialists, obtaining a relevant or closely related degree is crucial. Some notable destinations include:

1. United Kingdom – advanced research in new fields, high diploma prestige.
2. Germany – excellent quality of education, strong career prospects, wide choice of specialties.
3. France – modern opportunities for specialization and intellectual development.
4. Switzerland – strong focus on personal qualities such as self-organization, discipline, and teamwork.
5. Türkiye – extensive opportunities for international exchange.
6. Italy – strong traditions in engineering design specialties.
7. Czech Republic – high-quality training of engineering professionals in modern specializations.

 

Leading Technical Universities with Strong Traditions in Engineering Education

Below is a list of technical universities renowned for their high-quality education and strong traditions in training engineering specialists:

• University of Cambridge — United Kingdom
• University of Oxford — United Kingdom
• Université Paris-Saclay — France
• Sorbonne University (Université de Paris – Sorbonne) — France
• ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich) — Switzerland
• University of Geneva — Switzerland
• University of Copenhagen — Denmark
• Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU Munich) — Germany
• Utrecht University — Netherlands
• University of Oslo — Norway
• University of Bologna — Italy
• Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa — Italy
• Middle East Technical University (METU) — Turkey
• Izmir Institute of Technology — Turkey
• Czech Technical University in Prague — Czech Republic
• University of Vienna — Austria
• Hong Kong Polytechnic University — Hong Kong, China
• Hanyang University — South Korea
  

The Most In-Demand Technical Professions

Currently, the labor market is experiencing a shortage of technical professionals, as technological progress and automation are advancing faster than the training of specialists in the required fields. However, demand depends not only on the profession itself but also on the specific industry and area of work.

Today, technology is present in virtually all spheres of life and is becoming increasingly complex every day. Therefore, specialists are needed for its operation, maintenance, and repair, such as:

• Programmers
• Engineers
• Designers (Project Engineers)
• Installers (Technicians)
• Mechanics (Locksmiths)
• Electricians

Career Prospects for Technical Specialists

The demand for technical professionals will continue to grow every year. The global automation of enterprises, which drives economic growth, is increasing, making such specialists even more valuable.

The level of a nation’s economic development is directly related to the quality of technical training; therefore, the development of technical education is a priority in many countries. It is also tied to competitiveness and a country’s political standing on the global stage.

Expert Opinion

According to industry rankings, the top five most popular employers among job seekers include leaders in energy, raw material extraction, banking, and IT. These companies require specialists with a high level of technical knowledge and training.

Profession	Key Skills	Average Salary (Europe)
Software Engineer	Software development, algorithms, programming languages (Java, C++, Python), databases	€3,000 – €6,000
Electrical Engineer	Circuit design, energy systems, electrical networks, automation skills	€2,800 – €5,000
Automation & Robotics Engineer	PLC, robotics, control systems, mechatronics	€3,200 – €6,500
Mechanical Engineer	Design, CAD/CAM, manufacturing, diagnostics and repair	€2,500 – €4,800
Cybersecurity Engineer	Network technologies, data protection, cryptography, ethical hacking	€3,500 – €7,000
Civil Engineer	Building and construction design, AutoCAD/Revit, geodesy	€2,700 – €5,200
Design Engineer	3D modeling, CAD, engineering calculations, materials science	€2,800 – €5,500
AI & Data Engineer	Machine learning, big data processing, Python/R, cloud technologies	€4,000 – €7,500
Maintenance Technician (Electromechanic)	Equipment diagnostics, installation, repair, maintenance of production lines	€2,000 – €3,500
Renewable Energy Engineer	Solar and wind power systems, energy engineering, sustainable development	€3,000 – €6,000