Choosing the right branch of engineering is a critical decision for any aspiring tech-savvy person. Engineering encompasses a broad range of disciplines, each offering distinct opportunities and challenges. As a student, it’s important to select a branch that not only aligns with your interests but also sets the foundation for your professional life. However, with different branches of engineering available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but many students struggle to decide which of the core branches of engineering to go forward with. 

This blog will help you explore the core branches of engineering, providing insights to help you make sensible decisions. By the end of this blog, you’ll have a clear understanding of all branches of engineering and which branch of engineering is best for you considering your future and the rapid advancement in technology day by day. This will allow you to choose a path that aligns with your passion and long-term career aspirations.

What Are The Core Branches of Engineering

Engineering is traditionally divided into several core branches, each playing a vital role in shaping modern technology and infrastructure. Each core branch has its distinct applications and career opportunities, making it essential to understand their specific roles and how they align with your interests and career goals. Given below are some of the core branches of engineering that you should know about. 

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering is one of the core branches of engineering that focuses on the designing, analysing, manufacturing, and maintaining of mechanical systems. Students gain knowledge of mechanics, control systems, the dynamics of machines, thermodynamics, and many more. Professionals in this branch work on a diverse range of products and processes to build mechanical systems.

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Students are required to pass the 10+2 examination (science stream) from a recognised board with at least 50%-60% of marks. 
• Students must have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as mandatory subjects. 

(Several colleges and universities have their own eligibility requirements for students; they may ask you to take entrance exams like JEE Main, KCET, JEE Advanced, BITSAT etc.)  

Career Paths: After graduation, you can either choose to pursue higher studies or enter the workforce. You can choose career options such as Aerospace Engineer, Maintenance Engineer, Automotive Engineer, Biomedical Engineer, Design Engineer, Robotics, Nuclear Engineer etc.  

Computer Science Engineering

Computer Science Engineering (CSE) is one of the most popular research-oriented engineering branches that involves the study of computing systems, software, programming languages, computer graphics, and hardware. It incorporates principles of computer science and engineering to develop and optimise computer systems and applications. 

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Candidates are required to pass the 10+2 (science stream) examination from an accredited board of education with a minimum of 50%-60 % of aggregate marks.
• Candidates must have studied PCM (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) as a compulsory subject in 12th grade. 

(Some colleges or universities may require you to take entrance exams like JEE Main or GATE.)  

Career Paths: CSE graduates can pursue careers as Software Developer, Full-stack Developer, Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, IT Consultant, Network Administrator, Ethical Hacker, AI Engineer, and Blockchain Developer.   

Civil Engineering

Civil engineering is one of the oldest core branches of engineering that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of bridges, dams, roads, canals, and buildings. Students of this engineering branch study wide arrays of modules such as geotechnical engineering, environmental engineering, fluid mechanics, structural analysis, chemical engineering, electronic engineering, architectural technology etc.  

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Candidates must have passed the 10+2 examination from a recognised board with a minimum of 50% of marks in PCM. 

Note: Please check the requirements of the college you are going to apply to as some colleges may ask you to pass entrance exams like JEE Mains, WBJEE, KCET, GATE, BITSAT, JEE Advanced etc. 

Career Paths: Some of the potential career paths include Geotechnical Engineer, Structural Engineer, Transportation Engineer, Project Manager, Building Engineer, Urban Planner, Environmental Engineer, Civil Engineer, Marine Engineer, Technician, Design Engineer.  

Electrical Engineering

Electrical engineering is one of the core branches of engineering that deals with the study and design of equipment that uses electricity or electromagnetism. Students learn a wide array of modules in electrical engineering, such as circuit analysis, electrical engineering, mathematics, control systems, microprocessors, artificial intelligence, electromagnetism, power electronics, renewable energy systems, etc. 

Eligibility Criteria:  

• Candidates must have passed 12th grade with mandatory subjects of science such as Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics with at least 50% of aggregate marks. 
• Additionally, colleges may ask students to take entrance exams like JEE Main, CUCET, WBJEE, GATE etc. 

Career Paths: After successful graduation in Electrical Engineering, graduates can choose career paths such as Electrical Engineer, Electronics Engineer, Design Engineer, Computer Engineer, Aeronautical Engineer, Project Manager, Technical Writer, Test Engineer, Systems Engineer, and Control Engineer.   

Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineering is concerned with designing and operating processes that transform raw materials into finished, valuable products through chemical processes. Chemical engineers are in high demand due to the excessive establishment of industries. In this branch, students study a wide range of topics and subjects such as thermodynamics, biochemical engineering, chemistry, biological engineering, nanotechnology, mathematics, different calculus, chemical process technology, safety engineering, fluid mechanics, high polymer engineering, chemical engineering design, etc.  

Eligibility Criteria:

• Candidates must have completed their 10+2 examination from a recognised board of education in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics with at least 50% of aggregate marks. 

(Several top colleges may ask students to take entrance exams like BITSAT, WBJEE, and JEE Main/JEE Advanced.) 

Career Paths: Graduates get opportunities to work in big industries with job titles such as Chemical Engineer, Environmental Engineer, Nuclear Engineer, Mining Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Biomedical Engineer, Energy Engineer, Material Engineer, Product Development Engineer, Petrochemical Engineer. 

Which Branch of Engineering is Best For Future

Which branch of engineering is best for future? Many students face this kind of issue while selecting an engineering field. As we’ve heard and seen, engineering is witnessing a substantial increase around the world, enhancing employment opportunities for aspiring tech professionals. Considering current industry demand, all branches of engineering are expanding and experiencing a rapid rise. When selecting an engineering branch, you need to consider factors such as personal interests, future goals, industry growth rates, opportunities abroad, technological trends, and high salaries. 

Below is a list of emerging branches of engineering that you can consider, apart from the above-mentioned, pursuing after the completion of your higher education:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Information Technology (IT) Engineering
• Robotics Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Automobile Engineering
• Aerospace Engineering

Conclusion

Being a student, choosing the right branch of engineering is a crucial decision for you that will help you shape your future and enhance your professional career. By exploring both core and emerging branches of engineering, you will acquire a profound understanding of the different branches of engineering available and their career prospects. Core branches of engineering like Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Chemical Engineering have emerged as thriving career opportunities for students. By understanding your personal interests and career aspirations, you can make wise choices that align with your passion. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the emerging branches of engineering?

Some of the top emerging branches of engineering are Nanotechnology, Artificial Intelligence, Aerospace Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Biomedical Engineering etc. 

Which core branch is best for engineering?

Computer Science Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, AI & ML, Electrics & Electronics Engineering are highly regarded. 

Which is the best college for Engineering in India? 

K.R. Mangalam University (KRMU) is one of the top universities to study engineering programmes as it has been ranked high by several national ranking entities. Here are some of the engineering programmes offered at KRMU:

• B.Tech. Computer Science & Engineering (CSE)
• B.Tech. CSE (AI & ML) with academic support of Samatrix & IBM
• B.Tech. CSE (Cyber Security) with academic support of EC-Council & IBM
• B.Tech. CSE (Data Science) with Academic Support of IBM
• B.Tech. CSE (Full Stack Development) with academic support of Xebia
• B.Tech. CSE (UX/UI) with academic support of ImaginXP
• M.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering
• Ph.D. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering
• Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering
• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

Which engineering has a high salary?

Petroleum Engineering, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Robotics Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Civil Engineering offer comparatively high salaries.